Slate Breaker: FD NFL DFS Playoffs (Wild Card)

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Joe Flacco, Browns (@ Texans)

I would have been laughed out of the building had I said that Joe Flacco would be in the Play of the Day in the Playoffs all the way back in Week 1, but here we are. Flacco's fit in this offense has been undeniable. He is averaging 323 yards and 2.6 TDs per game since taking over the gig. Even more encouraging, he has already dominated this Texans defense in their home stadium. In their Week 16 matchup, Flacco had his best game of the season. He torched the Texans for 368 yards and 3 TDs and that was against Case Keenum so with CJ Stroud back at QB for the Texans, Flacco will need to score a lot more to keep pace with the Texans. Add in that the typical playoff studs, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, are facing horrid weather conditions and all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly for Joe Flacco to finish as one of the top scoring QBs this weekend.

Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs Buccaneers)

The lack of practice due to his finger injury is a bit of a concern, but if he plays, he is a great play if he plays. The finger injury will likely only benefit Hurts' fantasy output since he will be forced to run more and that running ability is unmatched on this slate. The Buccaneers have also been horrible against QBs allowing the 2nd most passing yards so even a fingerless Hurts should be able to find some success through the air.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs Packers)

If Dak and Flacco were the same price, Dak would be an easy start. The price difference is the only thing that separates the two because I think that Dak has a better chance of being the top scoring QB but he will not beat Flacco by much. The Packers are a tougher matchup allowing just 15.6 FDP per game this season, but this Cowboys offense has been rolling so there is no defense that I am truly scared of. The Cowboys run offense has also been lackluster so expect Dak to carry the entire offensive load during this playoff run.

Matthew Stafford, Rams (@ Lions)

If Stafford was just playing the 3rd worst defense against he would be a great start, but the Lions are not just the 3rd worst defense against QBs, they are also Stafford's former team. Stafford will be ready to show out and I think his and McVay's scheming will leave Aaron Glenn with few answers against this potent passing attack. The Lions are also very good against the run so Kyren Williams will have to take a backseat this week. Stafford does not have the ceiling of Flacco or Dak, but his floor is as strong as anyone's.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

With miserable field conditions on tap and Jerrick McKinnon still out, the Chiefs offense will be the Pacheco show. Pacheco has already been a workhorse back, normally handling 20 or more touches, hitting that mark in 4 of his last 5 games. The Dolphins are a fairly solid run defense, but Pacheco is fairly matchup proof having run for over 100 yards against the Jets. Even with two of the NFL's top offenses playing, this will be a relatively low scoring game, but Pacheco will be getting too much usage to fail.

Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs Packers)

I do not like the thought of playing Pollard since he has been so bad as a runner this season, but he has the best matchup on this slate so I cannot fade him. The Packers allowed the 12th most FDP to opposing RBs this season and are particularly vulnerable in the redzone allowing 13 rushing TDs to the position which is the 7th most in the league. There really is no security when playing Pollard since he has not rushed for more than 70 yards in 6 straight games. Pollard is hit or miss, but he is worth the gamble on this high powered offense.

James Cook, Bills (vs Steelers)

Like Pacheco, Cook will be carrying a heavy load this week. Snow and frigid temperatures are expected for this game as well so the running game will be a crucial part of the Bills game plan. The Steelers are also very vulnerable against the run so Cook has all the variables in place to deliver a solid game. The Steelers are allowing the 14th most FDP to RBs and they have allowed more yards to the position than any other team on this slate. Cook has a very strong floor thanks to his strong yardage output, but Josh Allen stealing rushing TDs from him severely lowers his ceiling. 

Aaron Jones, Packers (@ Cowboys)

If Jones was not playing the Cowboys, he would have been the Play of the Week. Ever since his return from injury coincided with AJ Dillon getting hurt, Jones has become a bell cow back. Over the past 3 weeks, Jones is averaging 24 touches per game and he has turned that usage into production with an average of 119 rushing yards over those 3 games. The Cowboys are scary but they are beatable, allowing their opponents' lead back to score 10+ FDP in 4 straight games including a 30+ FDP game to James Cook. Usage is king in fantasy and no RB's usage is higher than Jones's.

Devin Singletary, Texans (vs Browns)

The matchup is horrid so Singletary is nowhere close to a guarantee, but I am just pointing him out here because he is a usage king. He handled all the work in what was essentially a playoff game for the Texans last week so I do not see why that would not happen again. The Browns defense is great but Singletary should have enough usage to deliver solid value.

Wide Receivers

DeVonta Smith, Eagles (@ Buccaneers)

Smith is going to be a stud this week. AJ Brown has not been practicing but even if he does end up playing, I do not expect he will be his usual self. Smith will have to be the guy for this Eagles defense and that is a lucrative role against the NFL's 2nd worst pass defense. Smith will be a safe play with elite upside even with Hurts's busted finger.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs Packers)

CeeDee is the top WR in all of fantasy and he is a must play even at his sky high price. No one can guard him so expect elite production especially in a crucial playoff game.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs Rams)

ARSB is a great play this week. Sam LaPorta is out or limited so ARSB will have to carry an even larger load against a porous Rams pass defense who is allowing the 7th most FDP to opposing WRs. ARSB has shown that he is able to handle as much usage as any other WR all year long. He has 10+ targets, 7+ catches, 100+ yards and a TD in at least half of his games. He is the model of consistency and will produce against this Rams secondary.

Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs Eagles)

Evans fixed whatever was wrong with Baker Mayfield leading to a great season for both and I expect that production to continue against an Eagles secondary that became the league's worst out of nowhere. Even the Giants hodgepodge of a passing attack was able to find success against the Eagles last week. Evans and this Bucs passing attack should have no issues moving the ball through the air this week.

Cooper Kupp, Rams (@ Lions)

Puka Nacua has been a great addition to this passing attack, but in a crucial playoff game; expect the Rams to rely on the potent Kupp-Stafford combination that has destroyed teams for years now. The Lions are also horrible against WRs allowing the 3rd most FDP to the position. One if not both of these guys will produce against this defense, but it is the veteran who seems to be the strongest option this week.

George Pickens, Steelers (@ Bills)

If he was not playing in snowy conditions this week, Pickens would have been the Play of the Day. He has been great with Mason Rudolph as his QB topping 130 yards in 2 of his last 3 games. Rudolph is looking his way early and often. More importantly, Rudolph has shown the ability to pass the ball down the field with the Steelers breaking off numerous long passes each of the past 3 weeks. The Steelers will likely not pass a bunch this week, but when they do, it will be going to Pickens and he should be able to show off his big play ability with Rudolph as his QB.

Tight Ends

Play of the Day: David Njoku, Browns (@ Texans)

How could you start any other TE over Njoku. He has been elite with Joe Flacco as his QB scoring at least 13.4 FDP in 4 straight games while topping 20 FDP in half of those games. His price should be at least $1K higher given his recent production. The Texans are also horrible against TEs allowing the 6th most FDP to the position. I do not see an outcome where you will be disappointed you started Njoku.

Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

Kelce has been a huge disappointment this year and he is likely in the twilight of his career, but this week seems like a good week to play him. Given the weather conditions, Mahomes will likely not pass the ball down the field too often and the Dolphins will likely be stacking the box to slow the run so Kelce should have the ability to find some space against the Dolphins likely zone coverage. The Chiefs will rely on their only proven veteran in this crucial game.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles (@ Buccaneers)

Goedert is a great option with AJ Brown out or limited and a nonexistent Buccaneers pass defense on hand. With Hurts's injured finger he likely will not be passing deep very often which means even more work for Goedert. He is the clear 2nd best option at the TE position and is a very safe play given the matchup and Hurts's health.

Brock Wright, Lions (vs Rams)

This play is obviously contingent on the health of Sam LaPorta. If LaPorta plays, do not put Wright anywhere near your lineup, but if LaPorta is out, Wright is an elite option. The Rams have allowed the 4th most FDP to TEs this season so even if right does not slot into the exact same role LaPorta has occupied, he will get enough usage against this weak defense to deliver elite value.

Defenses

Play of the Day: Chiefs D/ST (vs Dolphins)

While it has been the Chiefs offense that has turned this franchise into a dynasty, it is their defense that has made them a great team this year. They are good in every facet of the game and will have the added advantage of poor weather conditions to prop up their production. The Dolphins are a great offense, but they have faltered when they play good defenses so with the weather added in; I do not see how the Chiefs do not produce a solid fantasy line.

Other Plays: Bills D/ST (vs Steelers); Cowboys D/ST (vs Packers) & Browns D/ST (@ Texans)

Dream Team

QB: Joe Flacco, Browns (@ Texans)

RB1: Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

RB2: Aaron Jones, Packers (@ Cowboys)

WR1: Cooper Kupp, Rams (@ Lions)

WR2: DeVonta Smith, Eagles (@ Buccaneers)

WR3: George Pickens, Steelers (@ Bills)

TE: David Njoku, Browns (@ Texans)

Flex: Brock Wright, Lions (vs Rams)

D/ST: Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

Dream Team

(Saturday Only)

QB: Joe Flacco, Browns (@ Texans)

RB1: Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

RB2: Devin Singletary, Texans (vs Browns)

WR1: Nico Collins, Texans (vs Browns)

WR2: Amari Cooper, Browns (@ Texans)

WR3: Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

TE: David Njoku, Browns (@ Texans)

Flex: Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs Browns)

D/ST: Chiefs (vs Dolphins)

Dream Team

(Sunday-Monday)

QB: Matthew Stafford, Rams (@ Lions)

RB1: Aaron Jones, Packers (@ Cowboys)

RB2: James Cook, Bills (vs Steelers)

WR1: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs Packers)

WR2: Cooper Kupp, Rams (@ Lions)

WR3: DeVonta Smith, Eagles (@ Buccaneers)

TE: Brock Wright, Lions (vs Rams)

Flex: Dallas Goedert, Eagles (@ Buccaneers)

D/ST: Steelers (@ Bills)

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