This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Now that Thanksgiving is over, the playoffs become the main focus in the NFL and that's exactly where I'm turning with my quarterback. The Chargers are one of the hottest teams in the league and the Browns still haven't won a game. With a quarterback like Jared Goff ($13,500) at an unusually high price in a tough spot at Arizona, I'll go with one in a good matchup for a team that needs to reel off more wins.
QUARTERBACK
Philip Rivers, LAC vs. CLE ($12,500): There are some matchups I really like this week and some I really don't. That leads me to Rivers, who gets the nod over inconsistent quarterbacks like Josh McCown ($11,800) and Derek Carr ($11,400). Rivers and the Chargers are playing their best football of the season and the Browns aren't going to change that. The hope is that Los Angeles can't run the ball against Cleveland's second-ranked rush defense (according to Football Outsiders' DVOA), which would allow Rivers to pass a ton against a 25th ranked pass defense. This offense has cruised in the last couple games and even had success against the Jaguars. Rivers should be good for at least 20 fantasy points against the Browns.
RUNNING BACK
Jordan Howard, CHI vs. SF ($11,700): You need to pick your spots when using Howard in fantasy and this is one of those spots. Howard usually only produces in games the Bears have a chance in and, against the 49ers and their last-place fantasy defense against running backs, that should come to fruition. He doesn't have more than 15 touches in the last three games, but as long as Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't dominate in his first start, the Bears should be tied or leading most of the way meaning Howard should have close to 20 touches.
Latavius Murray, MIN at ATL ($9,800): This game has one of the highest over/unders of the week (47.5) because both offenses are rolling. Murray doesn't catch the ball much but, as the goal line back, has five touchdowns in the last five games. Murray has a decent chance to find the end zone again and top 80 or so yards against a Falcons rush defense that ranks last in the league, according to DVOA.
WIDE RECEIVER
Keenan Allen, LAC vs. CLE ($15,700): You knew this one was coming. Combining Allen with Rivers is almost a no-brainer this week. Allen has finally opened things up the last two weeks with 23 catches for 331 yards and looks fully recovered from his torn ACL. His return has gone hand-in-hand with Rivers' success. The Browns haven't stopped anyone this year and will have a hard time keeping this duo in check.
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU at TEN ($14,300): I was wary of Hopkins's fantasy value when Tom Savage took over, but things have gone smoothly. He's averaging more than 10 targets per game and that's led to at least 17 fantasy points in each of the last five weeks. He ate up the Titans secondary earlier in the season with Deshaun Watson (10 catches, 107 yards, one touchdown) and I think that can happen again, even with Savage.
TIGHT END
Kyle Rudolph, MIN at ATL ($8,700): If you're low on money, Benjamin Watson ($5,500) isn't a terrible choice against the Lions. Rudolph gets the call for me because of his consistency and solid price. He has at least five receptions or two touchdowns in his last seven games (four receptions, two touchdowns on Thanksgiving). There will be points in this game and the Falcons rank 20th in DVOA against tight ends, despite having good fantasy numbers against them.
FLEX
Carlos Hyde, SF at CHI ($10,800): I wanted at least one player from the 49ers this week because Garoppolo could make an immediate impact in this offense. Hyde doesn't have huge numbers, but he continues to get touches with at least 19 in the last three games. Even without a touchdown, that's good enough for this price, but if the 49ers get to the red zone a couple more times than usual because of Garoppolo, that will give Hyde that much more value.
Alex Collins, BAL vs. DET ($8,400): I was going to have Marquise Goodwin ($8,300) as my value play of the week, but I saw the price on Collins and had to go with him. He's been Baltimore's entire offense in the last month and in a game that will undoubtedly be close, Collins should get at least 15 touches. That should be enough against a rush defense that ranks 23rd in DVOA. To add more fantasy value, Collins has been used more in the passing game with six receptions in the last two. He dealt with a calf injury in the middle of the week, but all signs point to him being good for the game.
DEFENSE
Los Angeles vs. CLE ($7,000): I considered some cheaper defenses until I saw the Chargers sitting near the top. With guys like Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram getting a few extra days of rest, I'm not sure the Browns offensive line, which has allowed 13 sacks in the last three games, will hold up. Even with Josh Gordon in the lineup, this game could get ugly for Cleveland unless Isaiah Crowell and the ground game get going.
