Dan's DFS picks for NFL Week 17
My Week 16 lineup produced a respectable 167.62 points on DraftKings last week, good for a better-than-min-cash in the site's Millionaire Maker. That's right: We've now cashed two weeks in a row in DraftKings GPPs. We're finally getting the hang of this thing.
Of course, we have just one week left in the regular season, and we're still deep in the red in 2015. But we just need one big score to make up for our earlier mistakes. Just one big score to prove the haters wrong.
Without further ado, here are my final DFS picks of the 2015 NFL season.
For a full explanation of the differences between DraftKings and FanDuel scoring, read this blog post by Daily Fantasy Sports 101.
Quarterback: Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles (DK: $5,300; FD: $6,700)
OK, I'm just going to warn you right now. As a distressed and embarrassed Eagles fan who's doubly in shame over the recent firing of head coach Chip Kelly, I'm going to be taking out my frustrations this week by going with a really weird Eagles stack. I'm experienced enough to know that the Eagles will forever be the most frustrating team in the NFL. So I'm banking on the notion that now that they're 6-9, out of the playoffs and down a genius head coach, the offense is finally going to figure it out and light up the field on Sunday.
To his credit, Sam Bradford has been quite solid since returning from injury, starting with his inspiring performance in Philly's dramatic Week 13 win over the Patriots. Bradford has thrown for over 360 yards in each of the last two weeks, and on Sunday he faces a New York Giants defense that has been one of the worst against the pass all season.
Bradford also seems to be on target with his two primary receiving options, Jordan Matthews and tight end Zach Ertz, and the offense has been successful when he checks the ball down to his running backs out of the backfield. Overall, look for a ton of passing opportunities for Bradford and the Eagles on Sunday.
Running Back (DK): Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles ($4,100)
Sproles is a bargain bin pick this week, and I'm banking on him being the primary recipient of Bradford check-downs against the Giants. On DraftKings, where receptions are worth one point, it's possible for a guy like Sproles to have a monster fantasy day while only being on the field for, say, a third of the team's offensive snaps. Plus, Sproles is a guy who's always capable of taking a punt back to the house.
Running Back (FD): DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers ($8,200)
If it weren't for Chiefs safety Eric Berry, who has made a heroic return from Hodgkin's lymphoma to get back on the field in 2015, Williams would be an easy choice for Comeback Player of the Year. He's filled in for a first-suspended and now-injured Le'Veon Bell brilliantly, racking up 11 touchdowns and four games of 100 or more yards on the ground.
Williams and the Steelers, who desperately need a win and a Jets loss to get into the AFC playoffs, visit Cleveland this Sunday, where the Browns welcome them with the worst rushing defense in the league. Look for Williams to get tons of opportunities to score in the red zone, and I wouldn't be surprised if he notches his fifth 100-yard game of the year.
Wide Receiver (DK): Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons ($8,500)
I was right about Julio Jones two weeks ago, wasn't I? Unfortunately, I decided not to roster Jones again in Week 16 in a tough matchup against the Panthers, when he ended up going off for a whopping nine catches, 178 yards and a touchdown.
But I'm going back to Jones in Week 17, as his Falcons play host to the New Orleans Saints and their league-worst passing defense. Jones might actually accrue the 278 receiving yards he needs to reach 2,000 for the season in this game. The Saints are that bad – this play is a lock.
Wide Receiver (FD): Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars ($7,300)
You saw that I started Blake Bortles and Allen Robinson last week, but I also added Hurns to my Jaguars stack, which proved to be a great move. The second half of the "Allen brothers" tandem outpaced his twin in the fantasy department, nabbing eight catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
I like Hurns to go off again this week, and he remains undervalued pricewise due to nagging injuries. But there's no question that Hurns has been the top No. 2 receiver in all of football this year, putting up numbers that would qualify him as a No. 1 guy on most teams in the league.
Tight End: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (DK: $3,600; FD: $5,700)
My Eagles stack is complete. Ertz, who always seems to come on late in the season, was targeted a ridiculous 17 times in the team's Week 16, season-ending loss to the Redskins, reeling in 13 catches for 122 yards.
If you're a frustrated lifelong Eagles fan like me, that line probably sounds pretty familiar. In 2014, Ertz was targeted 18 times (!) in a Week 16, season-ending loss to Washington, catching 15 of those passes for 115 yards. It was his breakout game of the season, and gave people like me reason to be encouraged for him in 2015.
Oh well. Ertz, if you're good for anything, you'll continue your hot streak on Sunday.
Defense: New England Patriots (DK: $3,200; FD: $4,800)
The Patriots' offense is depleted, but New England needs a win to secure home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs. I think the defense will rise to the occasion on Sunday in Miami, making a mockery out of Ryan Tannehill and the pathetic Dolphins. I'm banking on a couple of scoop-and-scores from Jamie Collins.