This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ at CLE ($7,300) – Fitzpatrick hasn't been great this season, scoring 15 or more fantasy points in only three of six starts. But he faces a Browns defense that has given up at least 18 fantasy points to quarterbacks in every game this season and allows 20.9 fantasy points per game. There's a narrow receiving tree with Eric Decker out, so a stack of Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa makes a lot of sense.
Brock Osweiler, HOU vs DET ($6,600) – This is a play for GPPs that will be extremely contrarian given his performance Monday night against the Broncos. Working in Osweiler's favor is that he's home and faces a Lions the team that's given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Osweiler has good weapons in Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins with C.J. Fiedorowicz emerging over the last few weeks at tight end. Matthew Stafford and the Lions should be able to put up points, keeping this game competitive throughout.
Running Back
Chris Thompson, WAS vs CIN ($5,200) – It's looking more likely that Matt Jones is going to sit out Sunday's game, leaving Thompson with the bulk of the workload. Jones was already in the doghouse after two fumbles Sunday so Thompson was already in line for more touches. Thompson is good for a few catches every game adding to his value in Fan Duel's .5 PPR format. The Bengals are also a decent matchup giving up
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ at CLE ($7,300) – Fitzpatrick hasn't been great this season, scoring 15 or more fantasy points in only three of six starts. But he faces a Browns defense that has given up at least 18 fantasy points to quarterbacks in every game this season and allows 20.9 fantasy points per game. There's a narrow receiving tree with Eric Decker out, so a stack of Fitzpatrick, Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa makes a lot of sense.
Brock Osweiler, HOU vs DET ($6,600) – This is a play for GPPs that will be extremely contrarian given his performance Monday night against the Broncos. Working in Osweiler's favor is that he's home and faces a Lions the team that's given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Osweiler has good weapons in Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins with C.J. Fiedorowicz emerging over the last few weeks at tight end. Matthew Stafford and the Lions should be able to put up points, keeping this game competitive throughout.
Running Back
Chris Thompson, WAS vs CIN ($5,200) – It's looking more likely that Matt Jones is going to sit out Sunday's game, leaving Thompson with the bulk of the workload. Jones was already in the doghouse after two fumbles Sunday so Thompson was already in line for more touches. Thompson is good for a few catches every game adding to his value in Fan Duel's .5 PPR format. The Bengals are also a decent matchup giving up the 13th most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Devontae Booker, DEN vs SD ($5,600) – Reports surfaced Wednesday that C.J. Anderson's knee injury will not only keep him out this week but possibly a few weeks. That leaves Booker to handle the bulk of the workload for the Broncos. Booker was already outplaying Anderson with an average of 4.8 yards per carry to Anderson's 4.0. Facing the Chargers, who give up the seventh most fantasy points to opposing running backs and lost Manti Te'o for the season, will certainly help his cause. This is one of those picks where it makes no sense to fade Booker in any type of cash games.
Wide Receiver
Michael Thomas, NO vs SEA ($5,700) – Thomas has developed nicely during his rookie season, becoming a consistent weapon for Drew Brees. He's scored 18, 16.3, 12.4 and 16.6 fantasy points over his last four games. Many will pass on Thomas this week given the matchup against Seattle but the game is in the Superdome with an over/under of 48 with a point spread of two – suggesting the Saints will put up 23 points in this one, a decent team total. Thomas has seen an increase in targets in the red zone, scoring in three of his last four contests as well.
Cole Beasley, DAL vs PHI ($6,100) – Dak Prescott's presence has pumped up Beasley's fantasy value, giving the receiver a very solid floor each week. Beasley has at least 8.8 fantasy points in every game this season and at least double digits in all except for one. Prescott is looking for Beasley more in the red zone, also, leading to three scores over his last two games. The return of Dez Bryant will give Beasley softer coverage and allow him to work out of the slot where he's most effective.
Tight End
C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU vs DET ($4,900) – Fiedorowicz was mentioned earlier with Brock Osweiler but the difference between the two is that Fiedorowicz at this price is in play for cash and tournament games. He's averaged six targets over his last four games and has 12.8 and 17.5 fantasy points in two of those games. The Lions are giving up the third most points to opposing tight ends, putting Fiedorowicz in a good spot to have a big game.
Kicker
Matt Bryant, ATL vs GB ($4800) – Bryant is averaging the fourth most fantasy points per game and has at least nine fantasy points in every game this season except for one. He has the benefit of kicking indoors as part of a good offense that will provide opportunities for him.
Defense
New York Jets vs CLE ($4,700) – The quarterback situation is a mess for the Browns who may have to run out a rusty Josh McCown or an inexperienced Kevin Hogan. The Jets have been a solid run-stopping team this season but struggled against the pass. If Kevin Hogan is under center Sunday, that plays well to the Jets' defensive strengths. The defense may finally be coming together after a 12-point performance last week.
