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Here we go with the Single Game NFL DFS slate for Sunday Night Football of Week 18. Today’s matchup is between the Chargers and Raiders with Los Angeles checking in as a three-point road favorite. The over/under currently rests at 48.5 total points. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 ET.
We’ll highlight the top picks and best bargains to assemble a cash-inducing lineup. On top of that, the “additional notes” section will feature several tournament selections while adding context to the rest of this slate.
We will be producing these articles for Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football matchups, so be sure to bookmark the NBC Sports EDGE DFS Page for those occasions - not to mention all the other fantastic daily fantasy content.
TOP PICKS
Austin Ekeler - RB - LA Chargers (DK: $11,600 / FD: $15,000 / Yahoo: $34)
Ekeler is on a nice roll, and he’s a top pick candidate for this slate. It helps that the Raiders have struggled against running backs all season, allowing the third-most fantasy points to that position this year. Ekeler already blitzed the Raiders in Week 4, coming through with 33 fantasy points thanks to 145 total yards and two touchdowns. He’s in line for more upside on Sunday night.
Justin Herbert - QB - LA Chargers (DK: $11,400 / FD: $17,500 / Yahoo: $36)
Herbert and Ekeler can actually work together, as the latter is an excellent receiving back. In fact, Ekeler has hauled in four or more receptions in four of his last six games. The Raiders have given up the seventh-most receptions, and third-most touchdowns to RBs this year, so I definitely like the Herbert-to-Ekeler connection. Herbert came up with 22 FP against Las Vegas in Week 4, and that’s a realistic baseline with upside for much more depending on game flow.
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BEST BARGAINS
Foster Moreau - TE - Las Vegas (DK: $2,600 / FD: $8,500 / Yahoo: $15)
We’ll need to double-check the status of Darren Waller prior to this game. Waller is listed as questionable, and there’s a chance he won’t play. If that’s the case, then Moreau will continue to man the TE1 spot for Las Vegas. Moreau has found some success in that role with 65+ yards in two of his last five games. Making matters even better, Moreau is cheap and the Chargers have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Daniel Carlson - K - Las Vegas (DK: $3,400 / FD: $9,000 / Yahoo: N/A)
Carlson is a nice bargain filler on FanDuel and DraftKings. The Las Vegas kicker is averaging nearly 10 fantasy points per game this season, which is head and shoulders above the expectation for similarly-priced players, especially on DraftKings.
TOURNAMENT LOOKS
DeSean Jackson - WR - Las Vegas (DK: $1,400 / FD: $7,500 / Yahoo: $10)
We all know the deal with Jackson. He’s a boom-or-bust receiver who needs a big play or two in order to hit DFS value. The veteran pass-catcher is extremely cheap on all sites as well. Jackson has seen three or more targets in three straight weeks, so he’s getting enough looks to do some damage. Jackson is a deep tournament bargain who you are hoping can connect on a long-gainer, but you could do worse when rounding out your lineup while hunting for a shred of upside.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Derek Carr (QB - LVR) has been pretty bad down the stretch. He got off to an amazing start this season, but the Raiders’ QB hasn’t topped 13 fantasy points in five straight games. Josh Jacobs (RB - LVR) has been the featured act for Las Vegas, but we’ll need to monitor his questionable status heading into this game. If Jacobs can’t go, then Peyton Barber (RB - LVR) would be in line for plenty of carries as one of the best bargains of this slate.
Hunter Renfrow (WR - LVR) has caught a touchdown in three of his last four games. There’s a chance he’ll compete with teammate Darren Waller (TE - LVR) if he returns. Still, Renfrow is a reliable target and there’s a chance the Raiders will be throwing more than normal as three-point underdogs in this one.
Keenan Allen (WR - LAC), Jared Cook (TE - LAC), and Mike Williams (WR - LAC) are all on the fantasy radar tonight. You’ll need to hunt around for the best price on each DFS site when deciding between them. Allen and Williams are expensive, but Cook emerges as a pleasant bargain while facing a Las Vegas team that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends.
