Week 16 of the NFL season is upon us. As the NFL gears up for the playoffs, DraftKings is ready to make you some money!
Week 15 of the NFL season is now in the books. For daily fantasy players it was a wacky one.
There was a monster performance by Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley. If he was in your lineup it was likely you won some money.
We also had a few unheralded wide receivers come up big. Jacksonville had a pair in Keenan Cole and Jaydon Mickens. The New York Giants also had a couple receivers produce in Tavarres King and Sterling Shepherd against the Eagles. Damiere Byrd of the Carolina Panthers also caught two touchdown passes in Week 15.
The quarterbacks that scored in bunches were names that you heard of but did not expect that from. Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton put up four touchdowns on the Packers while Nick Foles matched him against the Giants. Even the Giants quarterback Eli Manning had three touchdowns and over 400 yards passing.
It was a weird week!
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Week 16 is now here and we are only two weeks away from the post season.
There are 12 games on the main slate that includes only Sunday. There is no Thursday night football but we have two Saturday games, a Sunday night game and two games on Monday (Christmas Day).
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There are some interesting battles for fantasy and tons of potential for points. Good luck to everyone and be sure to check out the final slide to see the lineup I like the most this weekend!
High Priced Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks ($7000) – The top priced quarterback is a possible MVP candidate in Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson. After a dud of a performance on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams Wilson will look to rebound against the Dallas Cowboys. Prior to last week’s performance Wilson was on a a tear despite the Seahawks going 3-3 in their last six games.
With the Seahawks defense reeling due to injuries Seattle has needed Wilson more than ever. This week against the Cowboys he may find his softest opponent in those last six weeks. Dallas ranks 12th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks on the season. Wilson is a good building block in a game that is expected to be one of the highest scoring affairs of the weekend.
Tom Brady – New England Patriots ($6900) – It is odd to see a Sunday with the Patriots playing and Tom Brady not being the highest priced quarterback. After a gutsy win in Pittsburgh, the schedule has lightened up for Brady down the stretch. This week they play the Buffalo Bills. Two weeks ago the Patriots dominated the Bills 23-3.
Brady in that game failed to reach the end zone and threw an interception, which may be why DraftKings has decreased his value. The Patriots were able to dominate the Bills on the ground and did not need much from Brady. I would not count out the future Hall of Fame quarterback despite the tough matchup.
Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers ($6800) – There may be no quarterback in the NFL playing better than Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton. The former MVP is coming off a four touchdown performance and has Carolina in poll position for a playoff berth. Over the last four weeks Newton has been the third most productive fantasy quarterback while rushing for 200+ yards.
The Panthers welcome the Buccaneers to Carolina this week. In the team’s first matchup Newton was held in check and the Panthers defense carried the team to a win. This is a different offense now with Christian McCaffrey being utilized more effectively and Devin Funchess as the top receiver. Newton has a low floor due to his rushing and I like him this weak against a Buccaneers defense that has injury concerns and a lack fo talent on the back end.
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Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs ($6600) – The Kansas City Chiefs seemed to have saved their season after a mid-season debacle that left the team slipping away from the playoffs. Quarterback Alex Smith has found his early season form as of late and the Chiefs offense again looks dynamic. The Chiefs welcome the Miami Dolphins to Kansas City for their Week 16 matchup. The Dolphins have been able to hold quarterbacks in check as of late ranking 22nd in points allowed over the last four weeks. They’ve been middle of the pack for the whole season. I expect the Chiefs to lean on Kareem Hunt more than the passing attack in this game and am shying away from Smith.
Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints ($6500) – The New Orleans Saints are coming off a win that the scores would suggest a blow out but the game was closer than that indicates. Quarteback Drew Brees had an impressive game that might be considered mediocre by his insane standards. Despite the narratives surrounding New Orleans, Brees is fourth in passing yards and has one of the best touchdown to interception ratios in the league.
The Saints have a crucial battle with the Atlanta Falcons Sunday that will shape the NFC playoffs. Atlanta’s defense is struggling against the pass ranking eighth in points allowed to quarterbacks over the last four weeks. They played New Orleans tough in their first matchup but the majority of that game was played with Alvin Kamara. With the Pro Bowl bound rookie back in the fold I expect a better outing from Brees this weekend.