DraftKings NFL: Best lineup for Week 14

A full slate of NFL games await on Sunday, meaning the competition will be heating up on DraftKings. Here is all the information you need to come out a winner.

The NFL is in full-out playoff push mode. There are only four weeks remaining in the regular season and the races for the seeding are as tight as ever. For fantasy players that means there will be plenty of opportunity to watch the game’s best push it up a level. DraftKings is also in a push, with free contests and plenty of unique opportunities to play. Here is a breakdown of the five top players at each position and some under the radar value plays.

Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens – $7000

The Kansas City Chiefs offense has been a staple of successful fantasy play through most of the season. This week they get their toughest test yet in the Baltimore Ravens. Patrick Mahomes and company will need to be at their best to keep up their impressive pace. Mahomes looked as pedestrian as we’ve seen a week ago, so a bounce back is expected. Playing at home will  help against a Ravens defense that ranks as the fourth toughest against quarterbacks for fantasy.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers @ Oakland Raiders – $6800

Pittsburgh is in a precarious position. A win last week would have been huge but with the loss to the Chargers, this week becomes a must win. Ben Roethlisberger was a mixed bag, throwing for two touchdowns but negating one with an interception. The Steelers get a great matchup this weekend with the Oakland Raiders. This would feel like a slam dunk play if it was in Pittsburgh. Use some caution with Roethlisberger and this offense’s history on the road. Also keep an eye out on running back play. With James Conner out, the Steelers will rely on the pass more than ever and that could go either way.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $6700

Count me as one of the people that think the New Orleans revenge game is coming in Tampa. Week one saw the Buccaneers win a shoot out against the Saints. The two teams went in opposite directions since. New Orleans, coming off a tough loss where they were held to their lowest scoring output of the season, will look to bounce back. All expectations are that they will and in a big way. Tampa’s defense is bottom of the barrel and already surrendered 40 the first time these two teams played.

Phillip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals – $6500

The NFL perpetually does not give Phillip Rivers enough love. He’s being going toe-to-toe with the league’s best for his entire career, and continued to do so last Sunday in Pittsburgh. This weekend things get a little easier for the Chargers with a visit from the Bengals. Cincinnati’s defense has allowed the most points per game to quarterbacks this season. It does not matter who’s in the backfield, Rivers has a full array of weapons and has been lights out. That will continue Sunday.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers @ Cleveland Browns – $6300

Week 13 was not kind to the Carolina Panthers. They dropped their fourth straight game and watched their franchise quarterback unable to throw the Hail Mary needed. Carolina will need to bounce back if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. That responsibility to bounce back sits on the shoulders of Cam Newton. Speaking of shoulders, Newton’s surgically repaired one is giving him trouble but all indications are he will play. He gets a Cleveland defense that over the last four weeks has allowed the ninth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. A must-win game, on the road, could be a tough test for an already banged up Newton.

Value Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs – $5700

This fantasy season has been a bit weird at the quarterback position. No player speaks to that more than Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. The electric former Heisman Trophy winner is 3-0 in his starts but has yet to throw for more than 180 yards. His legs are winning him games and Baltimore should be happy. This may be the week we get to see Jackson’s arm talent. Kansas City’s defense has been susceptible all year to giving up big plays. Over the last four weeks they’ve allowed the fourth most points per game to quarterbacks. Jackson is a solid play in a game where he will need points and can use his dual-threat ability to it’s full extent.

Case Keenum, Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers – $5200

With fantasy football, sometimes it is about the player that is not going to doom your lineup. The perfect player for that this week is Case Keenum of the Broncos. Keenum has not thrown an interception in the last four weeks and has three passing touchdowns in that span. Since the Demaryius Thomas trade, Keenum has looked more like himself than he did earlier in the season. With Phillip Lindsay behind him, and some strong outside weapons, this could be a big week for Keenum. San Francisco ranks as the fifth friendliest for quarterbacks over the last four weeks. At the very least, Keenum should be average.