NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 17 Afternoon Only Slate Special! (4PM Only!)
Got your Week 17 NFL FanDuel NFL DFS lineups all set and looking for a good reason to avoid tinkering with them? Make some more lineups on some smaller slates!! Every game the final week of the NFL season is on Sunday, so we have two solid side slates today as well as the massive 15-game main slate. This article will focus on the eight-game afternoon only slate on FanDuel.
We have a very nice eight-game slate for the late games to end the season, so I thought I would give you some bonus coverage this week! This NFL FanDuel DFS article will focus on the top cash game plays for the 4PM only slate on FanDuel.
Before we get into the targets, this slate is chock full of games with playoff implications, which means we should have plenty of targets to make this a solid slate. Let’s quickly touch on those important games, and identify which games to avoid.
Slate Primer:
Every team listed on the next slide is playing for something, and these are the teams to target in this final week. In my opinion, this is the most important piece of information you need for being successful week 17, as we will often see teams that are out of contention rest veterans and any guys with any type of injury whatsoever. The best advantage you have this week over the field, is that some players may play guys that might call it a day early. I will do my best to help you avoid that.
There are sixteen teams in total in action on this slate, and eight of them still need to win and/or get some help from other teams to make the playoffs or finalize their playoff seed. On this next slide, we will cover each team in play, and their playoff scenario.
NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 17 Afternoon Slate Target Teams
Kansas CIty Chiefs:
The way the Chiefs moved the ball up and down the field all season behind first year starter Patrick Mahomes, you would think this Kansas City squad would already have home field advantage already locked up. However, the Chiefs still need to beat the Raiders at home this week to seal the deal. It shouldn’t be a problem as the Chiefs are currently 14.5 point favorites. While I like Mahomes quite a bit in this spot, my fear is that the starters will sit the rest of this game whenever the lead is comfortable. For them to get that lead, Mahomes should get his, and he is my top QB play on the slate.
Seattle Seahawks:
Russell Wilson and company have been playing some fantastic football the second half of the season, and find themselves at 9-6 and have already locked up a playoff spot. Depending on the finish with Cardinals this week, Seattle sets up to be the five or six seed. Also 14.5 favorites at home in a game they should easily handle, this game is a little less appealing, but running back Chris Carson will find himself in a great spot against this Cardinals defense. Again though, it is just a matter of how much run he will get.
Los Angeles Rams:
The New Orleans Saints have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs in the NFC, and after losing two of the last three games, the Rams now find themselves in a spot where they need to win to secure a first round bye. They may hold out star running back Todd Gurley one more week, and if he sits, CJ Anderson would become a lock in all formats.
Chicago Bears:
The Bears can still get the number two seed, but they would need the Rams to lose to the 49ers at home for that to happen. Chicago has already clinched the NFC North division, but they will be at US Bank Stadium in Minnesota to face the Vikings, who need to win to make the playoffs. This will be the most intriguing game on the slate, as both teams involved still have plenty on the line.
Minnesota Vikings:
It’s win and in in Vikings Country, and the vibe is pretty good this week heading into week 17, with a playoff berth on the line at home against the Bears, this team seems ready for it. The line is moving towards the Bears already in the early portion of the week, as I have seen the Vikings drop from 5 to 4 point favorites. This is a tough match-up for both offenses, and my fantasy expectations will be curbed for all involved in this one.
Baltimore Ravens:
Not really an offensive juggernaut with a bunch of targets, the Ravens can still sneak into the playoffs with a win and some help. Baltimore will face Cleveland at home to end the season, with hopes of a 10-6 season and a playoff berth. If they lose they can still get in, but they will need the Pittsburgh Steelers to lose at home to the 6-9 Cincinnati Bengals. Despite being in a must win spot, I will not be targeting any Ravens.
Philadelphia Eagles:
Philly has won four of their last five games, and after a rough start to the season, they could still sneak in as a wild card this Sunday. They will have to take care of business themselves against the Redskins in Washington, and they will also need some help from the Chicago Bears. If Minnesota wins they would win receive the wild card berth, and the defending Super Bowl Champions will be watching the playoffs from their couches.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Steelers are pretty much in the same boat as the Ravens, in the sense that they need to win to keep their season going. The status of running back James Conner is still up in the air, and if the Steelers lose they all but out of it. The final AFC playoff picture will not be decided until Sunday night after all is said and done. Indianapolis and Tennessee will battle at Nissan Stadium on Sunday Night Football, in a game which will eventually mold the final seeding.
NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 14 Cash Plays (4PM Only)
QB – Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs – $9,500
One of the greatest regular seasons of all time from the quarterback position will come to a close on Sunday, as the Chiefs and Mahomes will look to lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs at home against the Raiders. Mahomes is closing in on 50 passing touchdowns for the season, and would be in hall-of-fame company with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in history to do so.
Also of note, Mahomes is closing in on 5000 yards passing, which would also put him in an elite group with the two GOATs mentioned above, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, and Matthew Stafford as the only QB’s in NFL history to do so. Mahomes currently sits at 4816 yards and 48 touchdowns, so expect a couple of brief stoppages in that game while they recognize this amazing season from the second-year phenom.
There are ways to make him fit in your lineup without a doubt, but this price is insane. Mahomes needs 30+ FDP at this price, and while that is very possible, you really limit yourself at other positions paying this much for QB. A pivot down to Big Ben will save you $800 in salary, which can go a long a way, and the match-up against the Bengals is equally tasty for Roethlisberger.
***Also Consider: Ben Roethlisberger $8,700 – Nick Foles $7,600***
NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 14 Cash Plays (4PM Only)
RB – James Conner – Pittsburgh Steelers – $8,000
He still carries a questionable tag, but the word is that he is good to go after practicing in full all week. This team has really struggled without Conner in the backfield, and their season is on the line this Sunday afternoon because of it. The Steelers need a win, and they will likely give Conner a ton of work here if he is indeed ready to go.
With the Chiefs as expensive as they are, it is really tempting to stack up the Steelers as they should rout the Bengals, and if Antonio Brown cannot give it a go, my prediction is that Conner becomes the highest overall scorer on the slate. Conner rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting between these teams, and currently has 909 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground through the season. There are a handful of solid value options below $7K this week as well, and that starts with our next target.
RB – Damien Williams – Kansas City Chiefs – $6,900
Williams has filled in admirably since taking on the lead role three weeks ago, with the release of Kareem Hunt, and the subsequent injury to Spencer Ware. His skill set fits this offense perfectly, and he has responded to his lead role by averaging over 20 FDP in three games. That performance earned Williams a contract extension through 2020, and this team will be counting on him to lead the way on the ground on their march to the Super Bowl. While this may be my second favorite running back play on the board, don’t forget about the two guys below as well!
***Also Consider or FLEX: Chris Carson $6,400 – CJ Anderson $6,200***
NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 14 Cash Plays (4PM Only)
WR – JuJu Smith-Schuster – Pittsburgh Steelers – $7,900
I am going to assume that Antonio Brown plays this week, but even if that is the case, for my cash games I will take the discount with Smith-Schuster. I expect the Steelers offense to be ready for this one, as they have the best match-up on the slate against the porous Bengals defense.
It has been a solid season for Juju, as he ranks fourth in receiving yards in the NFL with 1389, and fourth in receptions with 106. He is the perfect compliment to Brown on the other side, and considering his output is there minus the touchdowns, he is a steal at under $8K, and a cash lock in my opinon.
WR – Stefon Diggs – Minnesota Vikings – $6,700
Diggs is another guy who hasn’t been producing numbers wise as the Vikings offense struggles, but this price is just too low again. Like JuJu above, it seems as though Diggs should never be below $7K. The Vikings need to win to make the playoffs, and the Bears starters may not play long into this game, as they are unlikely to improve their playoff position. I think the Vikings will have a hard time moving the ball on the ground, and will look to get Diggs and Thielen more involved as they hope to play again next week.
WR – Doug Baldwin – Seattle Seahawks – $6,700
My personal thought on this game is that Seattle is likely going to pound the ball all game with Chris Carson and company. The Seahawks will host the Cardinals, who have been one of the worst teams against the run all season. However, after grabbing two touchdowns against the 49ers, then following that up with a 7-126-1 game against Kansas City, Baldwin is one of the hottest receivers in the league the last two weeks.
I have a bias towards Minnesota players, but I honestly think I go Diggs over Baldwin if I am choosing one. Both have similar situations in the sense that both are complimented well on the other side with Adam Thielen and Tyler Lockett, respectively. With Minnesota having more at stake here, I take Diggs.
***Also Consider or FLEX: Antonio Brown $8,800 – Alshon Jeffrey $6,500 – DaeSean Hamilton $5,400***
NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 14 Cash Plays (4PM Only)
TE – Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs – $7,700
I want to play Mahomes and Kelce so bad in cash this week, but I am having a hard time fading JuJu, and the entire Steelers offense against the Bengals. I also can’t pay that crazy price for a QB, but what I can do, is pay up for his favorite target in Travis Kelce.
It has been another solid season for Kelce, as he has amassed 1274 yards on 98 catches with 10 touchdowns. He has seen exactly nine targets in each of the last three games, and has been pretty quiet overall averaging just over 10 FDP per game in that span. It was the last time these teams met however, that has me locked in on Kelce.
The versatile tight end had his best game of the season at Oakland back on December 2nd, catching 12 passes on 13 targets for 168 yards, and finding the end zone twice. In nine career games now against the Raiders, Kelce has caught 43 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Considering he is cheaper than Zach Ertz here for some reason, just lock him in as well.
***Also Consider: Zach Ertz $7,800 – Jared Cook $6,000***
DEF – Minnesota Vikings – $4,100
All of the defenses that look like solid plays, are just too expensive, or the match-up just isn’t quite there. I have touched on the Vikings situation plenty in this article, and I am expecting the defense to come out ready for this one. With the nine sack game against the Dolphins two weeks ago, the Vikings now have 14 total over the last three games. I love the fact that this is a big play defense with everything on the line, at a reasonable price tag. Sorry for being a homer this week.
***Also Consider: Kansas City Chiefs – $4,400***
NFL FanDuel DFS: Week 17 Sample Cash Lineup (4PM Only)
The line-up below is meant to be illustrative only to further back-up the logic laid out in previous slides. It is not an optimal line-up. It is in fact, just a “Sample Lineup.”
QB – Ben Roethlisberger – $8,700
RB – Damien Williams – $6,900
RB – Chris Carson – $6,400
WR – JuJu Smith-Schuster – $7,900
WR – Stefon Diggs – $6,700
WR – DaeSean Hamilton – $5,400
TE – Travis Kelce – $7,800
FLEX – CJ Anderson – $6,200
DEF – Minnesota Vikings – $4,100
Next. Yahoo NFL DFS: Week 17 Million Dollar Baller Special!. dark
I hope you enjoyed some slate specific coverage today. You can find me on Twitter with the link at the top of the page. Reach out to me if you would like to see more of this! As we try to cover more and more angles of fantasy sports, you will see more articles focusing on the smaller slates among the different NFL DFS sites. Good luck on the afternoon slate!