This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - Saturday, 1/10 – 4:35 PM
Weather – 16 F Clear, Wind 8 MPH
Over/Under – 47.5, Spread – New England –7
New England is a solid touchdown favorite in this game with an average over/under. The Patriots will most likely attempt to establish the run early with LeGarrette Blount. If that does not work, Shane Vereen could get some work in the passing game. Vereen is at a great price and should have a low ownership in tournaments. Rob Gronkowski is my top play of the week in any game. He should have a big day, but he will be highly owned. I don't like much on the Ravens. Steve Smith may get stranded on Revis Island. If that is the case, he could get shut down. Torrey Smith is my favorite play on Baltimore.
Top Play - Rob Gronkowski, TE ($7,900)
Best Value - LeGarrette Blount, RB ($5,700)
Under the Radar GPP Play – Shane Vereen, RB ($5,200)
Stay-Away – Steve Smith, WR ($6,600)
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks - Saturday, 1/10 – 8:15 PM
Weather – 47 F Overcast, Wind 0 MPH
Over/Under – 39.5, Spread – Seattle -10.5
This game has the lowest over/under and the highest spread of the week. The Seattle D/ST makes for a great play and should be the highest owned "player" of the week. I wouldn't touch anyone on Carolina, outside maybe Greg Olsen in a GPP or two. I'm not too crazy about anyone on the offensive side of the ball for Seattle. This could be a grind it out game with little offense on either side. Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson are solid plays and Paul Richardson could have a decent game at a nice price.
Top Play – Seattle Seahawks D ($5,200)
Best Value – Russell Wilson, QB ($8,200)
Under the Radar GPP Play – Paul Richardson, WR ($5,100)
Stay-Away – The Carolina Panthers
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers - Sunday, 1/1 – 1:05 PM
Weather – 19 F Mostly Cloudy, Wind 5 MPH
Over/Under – 52.5, Spread – Green Bay -5.5
This has the second highest over/under of the week, but it is my favorite game to target. I really like the Packers players in this one. Aaron Rodgers should have a monster game. Stack him with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and/or Davante Adams. Eddie Lacy is a good play, too, and he's at a decent value. And I also like multiple Cowboys in this matchup. I think Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray have bounce-back games. I don't mind Tony Romo, but I do think there are better options at quarterback this week. I would stay away from Terrance Williams coming off that huge two-touchdown game. Both of the kickers in this game are solid options.
Top Play – Aaron Rodgers, QB ($9,700)
Best Value – Jason Witten, TE ($5,500)
Under the Radar GPP Play – Cole Beasley, WR ($5,300)
Stay-Away – Terrance Williams, WR ($5,800)
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos – Sunday, 1/11 – 4:40 PM
Weather – 41 F Mostly Cloudy, Wind 0 MPH
Over/Under –54, Spread – Denver –7
This is the toughest game of the week for me to call. Peyton Manning has looked miserable for weeks. If he doesn't bounce back to his old self, the Broncos will most likely stick with the run and grind out a victory, which will limit the fantasy value in this matchup. However, if Manning does bounce back, this could become a classic shootout. I don't think Manning bounces back, so I won't be playing guys in this game as much as the Cowboys/Packers game. No Manning this week means I won't have many shares of his wide receivers. Julius Thomas is dirt-cheap, so I will use him a little bit, but he has been terrible recently, too. C.J. Anderson has been a monster. If the Broncos stick with the run, he will be the best running back play this week. My favorite play in this game is T.Y. Hilton. He is a beast and his salary is down to a very reasonable price point. He should get plenty of action. Dan Herron had ten catches last game. If he is used heavily in the passing game again, he will put up points at a great value, even against a very good run defense. Both kickers a good play in the thin air of Denver in a game with a high total.
Top Play – T.Y Hilton, QB ($9,700)
Best Value – Julius Thomas, TE ($5,500)
Under the Radar GPP Play – Andrew Luck, QB ($9,600)
Stay-Away – Peyton Manning, QB ($9,100)
