NFL playoffs DFS: FanDuel single game contest: Seahawks vs. Eagles

The last game of Wildcard Weekend presents the DFS/FanDuel community with a clash of NFC teams! Let’s take a look at this game from a fantasy football perspective.

Before I dive into my FanDuel player selections let’s look at the key DFS injuries and briefly discuss the rules for single game contest.

Key DFS Injuries

Seattle Seahawks: OUT: Malik Turner, WR: QUESTIONABLE: Jaron Brown, WR.

Philadelphia Eagles: OUT: Nelson Agholor, WR: QUESTIONABLE: Zach Ertz, TE.

Now let’s briefly review the rules for the FanDuel single game contest. You have $60,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your MVP. The MVP accumulates 1.5 times the standard FanDuel points value.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard FanDuel points value. Having stated that, it is highly important that you select the correct player for your MVP if you hope to win a FanDuel single game contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the single game contest I recommend that you check out the FanDuel website for more details.

Let’s shift our focus to what I love doing the most! Here are my FanDuel player selections for the Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles!

MVP-Carson Wentz $15,500

The Philadelphia Eagles are a football team that has been in playoff mode for the last month. The Eagles knew they had to win the last four games of the regular season to win the NFC East. To the team’s credit, Philadelphia accomplished what they set out to do by winning four games in a row to finish the regular season.

In my opinion, Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz’s recent outstanding play is the primary reason that the Eagles were able to win the NFC East. Let’s take a quick look at Carson’s fantasy numbers in his last four games to shed light on his quality play. In the Eagles last four games, Carson Wentz has averaged 19.37 FanDuel points a game.

Now let’s take a look at Carson Wentz’s opponent. The Seattle Seahawks defense has clearly had issues defending the pass this season. More specifically, through 16 regular season games, the Seattle Seahawks allowed an average of 263.9 passing yards a game. It should also be noted that Seattle finished the season as the 27th ranked defense in the NFL in average passing yards a game. Keep in mind that the NFL has 32 teams.

Additionally, the Seahawks defense has struggled to get pressure on the quarterback this season. To be clear,  Seattle finished the regular season as the 26th ranked defense in the league in average quarterback pressure rate. I think Seattle’s inability to get to Carson Wentz on a consistent basis in this playoff game will allow the Eagles quarterback to have an abundance of time to throw the football to his receivers.

Flex Plays

Russell Wilson $15,500

If the Seattle Seahawks hope to win Sunday’s wildcard game the team will need quarterback Russell Wilson to play exceptionally well. Why do I say that? Well, Seattle recently lost running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny to season ending injuries. It has to be said that both Carson and Penny were playing outstanding this season.

Due to the injuries just noted, Seattle was forced to sign running backs Robert Turbin and Marshawn Lynch. Keep in mind that these guys were on the couch prior to the Seahawks desperate interest. Marshawn Lynch had not played in a NFL game in over a year prior to last week’s limited action versus San Francisco.

To make a long story short, I expect the Seahawks to lean heavily on the arm of Russell Wilson in Sunday’s game. By the way, the Eagles defense is vulnerable to the pass as well. I fully expect Wilson to put up quality fantasy point totals in this game.

Boston Scott $11,500

Eagles running back Boston Scott put up some outstanding fantasy numbers in the team’s week 17 win over the New York Giants. More specifically, Scott finished the Giants game with 33.8 FanDuel points.

Eagles running back Miles Sanders is expected to return to action in Sunday’s wildcard game. However, I don’t think Sanders will be anywhere close to fully healthy if he does play. Having stated that, I am rolling with with Boston Scott as a flex play.

Dallas Goedert $10,500

Why do I like Goedert as a flex play? Well, let’s talk about the Seattle defense. The Seahawks are one of only three teams in the NFL to allow over 1,000 receiving yards to the tight end position this season. Additionally, Seattle allowed the second most receptions to tight ends.

I recognize that Eagles tight end Zach Ertz will attempt to play in this game. However, the man has a lacerated kidney. Having stated that, I am going with the safe play here. Dallas Goedert is more than capable of filling in for Ertz in this game.

David Moore $5,500

For my last flex play I am taking a chance on Seattle wide receiver David Moore. Moore doesn’t have fantasy statistics that pop off the page. However, Moore should see an uptick in targets in this game. I noted earlier in this article that Seattle wide receiver Malik Turner has been ruled out of this game.

At a FanDuel price of only $5,500, Moore is worth the risk.

As always, good luck!