This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Cash Games
In 50/50s, double-ups or heads-up contests, always aim for a lineup that has a higher floor rather than a higher ceiling. In 50/50 contests, the top half of all entries finish in the money, which means you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. Rather, build these lineups with safe players who can be counted on for production.
QB: Philip Rivers vs. BAL ($8,500)
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Despite needing garbage time to salvage his fantasy day, Rivers had another big week and now has four straight games with at least 336 passing yards and two touchdowns. With a bad defense and no running game to speak of, Rivers is going to keep throwing the ball a ton, and he has a good matchup this week. The Ravens have allowed 8.4 YPA this season, the fourth worst mark in the NFL, and they have given up 13 passing touchdowns. This game could be one of the higher scoring ones this weekend as the Chargers have played in games totaling at least 43 in each game this season.
RB: Devonta Freeman at TB ($9,100)
It's a little funny that Freeman was a disappointment last week with only 14 fantasy points. It seemed odd as he didn't score or catch at least four passes for the first time in six games. The Falcons' offense has sputtered a little but a return home to the dome with a matchup against Tampa Bay should be just what they need.
RB: Todd Gurley at SF ($8,100)
It doesn't make much sense that his price hasn't jumped over $9,000 other than some bad fantasy games earlier in the season. His price won't stay this low much longer and again he has a decent fantasy matchup at home. The 49ers actually haven't been bad against the run, giving up 4.0 YPC. However, Gurley has gotten a lot of volume and should be in for another big day.
WR: Stefon Diggs vs. CHI ($6,700)
This price probably isn't done going up and it is probably the last chance this season to get Diggs under $7,000. He had his third big game last week and was able to finally find the end zone. The chemistry between he and Teddy Bridgewater is obvious and they take on the Bears and their 7.6 YPA allowed (23rd in the league). Diggs now has nine, nine and 10 targets over his last three games, respectively, and even had a run for nine yards against Detroit. While his success is not a secret to the rest of the league, the presence of Adrian Peterson will help keep opposing defenses honest in how they play Diggs.
WR: Steve Smith at SD ($6,700)
Vegas has the Ravens penciled in to score 26 to 27 points this week against the Chargers, who might have the worst defense in the league. Amari Cooper torched them last week, Smith has 19 targets over last two games and the price here is likely depressed due to the ineffective game against Pittsburgh and the game missed against Cleveland, both impacted by his ailing back. However, he's looked completely healthy since returning and is poised for a big game at home.
WR: Steve Johnson vs. BAL ($5,900)
It's never a bad idea to pair your quarterback up with one of his wide receivers and using Johnson allows cap relief to spend up on the other positions. It looks unlikely Antonio Gates will play this week and going back to the first two weeks of the season it was Johnson who was Rivers' red zone target. As stated earlier, the Chargers have been in high-scoring games all season and the Ravens have been awful against the pass. However, this is also the spot in this lineup with the lowest floor. That means to pivot to another player based on some time of role increase/upside between now and game time Sunday should be considered.
TE: Tyler Eifert vs. PIT ($6,000)
The price here seems silly considering there's an argument that he's the second best fantasy tight end in the league. He does have one dud this season (a goose egg at Baltimore when he had a touchdown called back) but also has games of 25 and 26.9 fantasy points on his resume this season (out of six games). Provided Ben Roethlisberger is back this should be a shootout in Pittsburgh and Andy Dalton has given Eifert nine red zone targets, second to only Rob Gronkowski.
TE: Justin Tucker at SD ($4,900)
This is paying up a little bit for a kicker but it seems to be the right time to do it. Baltimore should score points and move the ball against San Diego and Tucker has hit over 90 percent of his field goal attempts both this season and last. At $400 more than the minimum, it isn't breaking the bank to have an elite kicker this week.
DEF/ST: Oakland Raiders vs. NYJ ($4,100)
Defenses can be difficult to predict and it makes sense to punt here considering the $1,000 savings over the top three options this week. The Jets have to travel across the country to play this one and the Raiders have been a decent defense from a fantasy standpoint of late. They are averaging just under three sacks per game over their last four and have an interception in five straight. The have at least 10 fantasy points in three of their last four games, and even if Chris Ivory plays, he won't be completely healthy.
Tournaments
For tournament lineups, you have to look at upside and use some "outside-the-box" picks if you want to cash. Don't use this type of lineup completely, as there is a lower floor with a lot of players. A mix of studs with a few of the cheaper options could net the top overall prize.
RB: Adrian Peterson vs. CHI ($8,900)
Peterson hasn't found the end zone the last two games and therefore hasn't come close to paying off this price tag. That should change this week as he gets the Bears, who have allowed 4.5 yards per carry and over 129 rushing yards per game. While rushing yards per game isn't a strong indicator of effectiveness against the run, it can show the team is used to playing from behind and gives up rushing yards as the opponent attempts to run the clock out. The Vikings offensive line has had their issues run blocking but Peterson is the type of back that can break tackles and long play all by himself.
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins at ATL ($5,200)
ASJ almost played last week but it was determined late he would miss his fourth consecutive game. He practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday and that alone bodes well for him playing this week against the Falcons. The Bucs were hit hard by the injury bug at wide receiver and will be without Vincent Jackson and Louis Murphy this weekend. That would elevate ASJ to Jameis Winston's second target after Mike Evans, who has a tough matchup against Marcus Trufant. Don't worry about it being his first game back; check out Jordan Reed's stat line from last week.
