With only four games on this Divisional slate, we are going to arrange the NFL DFS Must Plays a little bit differently. Instead of assessing players by four categories of priority, I’m creating two categories with “Top Priorities” and “Next-in-Line” plays to consider for your fantasy squad. Hopefully you’ll come away from this article with clarity on how to tackle this NFL DFS Divisional slate.
For more help in assembling lineups this weekend, be sure to check out our complete NFL DFS coverage in the Daily Fantasy Football Focus section.
As a reminder, we are looking at the Saturday-Sunday slate with four games. Lineups will lock at 4:35pm ET on Saturday with the Colts and Chiefs getting things started.
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TOP PRIORITIES
Drew Brees – New Orleans (vs Philadelphia)
It’s tough to decide between Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees in this slate, but I’m leaning towards the latter for my DFS lineups. Mahomes could be dealing with some weather in Kansas City (snow flurries & temps in 20s), which pushes us towards Brees with a better matchup in the Superdome. While the Saints’ QB was somewhat disappointing in DFS down the stretch, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with a massive performance on Sunday. Philadelphia has allowed the third-most passing yards this season, and that carried into last week’s Wild Card game - yielding 303 yards to Mitchell Trubisky. Brees has been lethal at home throughout his career, and he already toasted the vulnerable Philadelphia secondary for 363 yards and four touchdowns (31 FP) in mid-November. There’s certainly room for an encore here.
Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas (at LA Rams)
Elliott is a chalky DFS option, but it’s tough to stay away from him in cash games. We aren’t sure if Todd Gurley will yield any carries to C.J. Anderson while coming off a knee injury, but it’s easy to bank on Zeke getting plenty of touches. It just so happens that he also has the best matchup of any running back in this Divisional slate. The Rams rank 23rd in rushing defense and dead last in yards per carry allowed at 5.1. Elliott didn’t disappoint with 169 total yards on 30 touches last week vs Seattle, and I’m expecting another sizable performance from the Dallas RB.
Michael Thomas – New Orleans (vs Philadelphia)
You better believe Michael Thomas would make this list. Anytime Drew Brees is mentioned as a DFS priority, his top receiver should soon follow. Thomas will be able to take advantage of the aforementioned promising draw against a Philadelphia team that ranks 30th in pass defense. Allen Robinson was able to find room in the Eagles’ secondary last week with 10 catches 143 yards and one score. Michael Thomas is essentially the better version of Robinson, and he should get the best of this encouraging matchup.
NEXT-IN-LINE
Eric Ebron – TE – Indianapolis (at Kansas City)
This is a surprisingly good slate for tight ends, but Ebron stands out with the best floor/ceiling/price combination. Travis Kelce has a good matchup as well, but I’ll take the discount with Ebron against a Kansas City defense that ranks 25th in DVOA to the tight end position. Ebron is a red zone threat, and the Chiefs allowed the most touchdowns to opposing tight ends (10) this season. You could actually roll with Kelce and Ebron (one in FLEX) in the same lineup for cash games – salary permitting.
Damien Williams – RB – Kansas City (vs Indianapolis)
We aren’t really sure what Williams’ role looks like for Saturday, but I’ll take a chance on his mid-range salary. Spencer Ware is questionable, and it’s safe to say that he’s still dealing with the hamstring issue. That could enable Williams to be Kansas City’s top back even if Ware suits up. Williams has scored six touchdowns over his past four games, and playing for a top-notch offense with the highest scoring projection of the weekend doesn’t hurt.
Ted Ginn Jr. – WR – New Orleans (vs Philadelphia)
Ginn is minimum salary on FanDuel, which helps make the rest of your lineup a reality. That sets up perfectly given the quality matchup as a stacking extension of our favorite quarterback play. He came back from injury in Week 16 while seeing eight targets for five receptions and 74 yards vs Pittsburgh. Ginn is a legitimate WR2 in a great spot, making him one of the better value plays of this slate.
