This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.
TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)
QB: Cam Newton (CAR, $39)
Newton will be facing a Buccaneers defense that gets very little pressure on opposing QBs, which should provide him with excellent opportunities to make more plays than usual from the pocket. In addition, the Panthers have been very committed to using him as a rusher, and he's responded by posting at least 70 yards on the ground four times since Week 6. Although he always has downside, he's a great upside option based on him having accounted for at least three TDs in four of his last 11 games, and against a defense without a strong secondary, he could blow up again.
RB: Alvin Kamara (NO, $36)
Before Kamara was knocked out of the Week 14 contest against this week's opponent, the Falcons, it was evident that HC Sean Payton had a specific plan for his stud running back. Since Atlanta has massively struggled in defending running backs as receivers, he was featured in that role on the first drive of the game. Especially on his home field, look for the rookie phenom to consistently burn the Atlanta linebackers, who are typically liabilities in pass coverage. Although he doesn't get feature-back work, he gets roughly 14 touches per game and he's had three multi-TD performances over his last seven contests. If that's not convincing enough, he's posted at least 116 yards in four of the last five games he's played from start to finish.
WR: Marvin Jones (DET, $25)
Jones has shown he has the type of upside we're looking for in GPPs, as he's posted at least 107 yards and two TDs twice over his last seven games. He'll be in a great spot as he looks to get some revenge on a Bengals team that let him walk in free agency. Aside from the revenge narrative, his matchup will be fantastic against a defense that's been ravaged by injuries. Although Cinci's been a statistically strong unit against WRs on the year, they are a shell of their former selves, since their backups represent a massive dropoff in performance from the injured starters. They've also seen their pass rush struggle, which should give Matthew Stafford additional time to let some deep plays develop for Jones.
Other Against-the-Grainers
QB: Alex Smith (KC, $31), Jared Goff (LAR, $34)
RB: Dion Lewis (NE, $26). LeSean McCoy (BUF, $28), DeMarco Murray (TEN, $20)
WR: Travis Benjamin, (LAC, $14), Josh Gordon (CLE, $21), Mike Evans (TB, $24)
TE: Julius Thomas (MIA, $11), Ricky Seals-Jones (ARI, $19)
DST: Baltimore Ravens ($22), Los Angeles Chargers ($20)
CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford (DET, $31)
While the Lions hardly even bother wasting their time by using their anemic rushing attack, Stafford's been thriving as a fantasy performer. Not only has he thrown for at least 292 yards in six of his last nine games, but he's thrown for multiple TDs five times over his last seven contests. This week, he'll be facing a Bengals defense that's faced more than its share of injuries. Not only do they lack a consistent pass rush, but injuries have decimated their entire defense. Stafford should have little trouble lighting up the scoreboard, even though this game will be on the road.
Running Back
Alex Collins (BAL, $24)
Before last week's poor performance, it was impossible to ignore just how solid Collins has been over the last month or so. He's scored five TDs over his last six games while averaging 15 carries. He's also posted at least five yards per carry in two of his last three games, and he's gotten better as the season has moved on. In addition, after being an afterthought as a receiver, he's added at least 23 receiving yards in each of his last three games. He'll be facing an Indy defense that's been strong against the run over the course of the season, but injuries have made this unit much more vulnerable than it was earlier in the year. The Ravens should play with a lead most of the game, so look for Collins to get a large work load, which should lead to a strong performance.
Jordan Howard (CHI, $35)
Sure, Howard has had a few bad games this year, but typically when he gets volume, he's been very productive. With the Bears playing at home against the Browns, there's a great chance that they could have a game script that allows them to run the ball for four quarters. Earlier in the season, the Browns were a very strong run defense, but after losing Emmanuel Ogbah and Jamie Collins, they've been a unit that can be attacked, and they've been a bottom 10 unit against the run over the last month and a half. With Howard having carried the football at least 15 times in nine of his last 12 games and for at least four yards per carry on seven occasions, this is looking like a strong spot for him.
Wide Receiver
Devin Funchess (CAR, $26)
Not only will Funchess have a great matchup against a Buccaneers pass defense that's struggled for much of the season, they don't have a big and physical corner to match up with him, so he should be plenty productive. He's been the model of consistency, which is what we like in cash games. Before last week's disappearing act against the Packers, he had posted at least 60 yards with three of those totals going over 86 yards in his previous five games. In addition, he's found the end zone three times in his last five games. He's definitely a strong building block for this week's cash game lineups.
Jarvis Landry, (MIA, $30)
Regardless of who's playing QB for the Dolphins, Landry's mostly been money this year. He's posted at least 62 yards in four of his last five games while finding the end zone in seven of his last 11. His production has been anchored by him averaging over nine targets in his last six contests. He'll be a strong bet to keep rolling against a Chiefs secondary that's had massive struggles against opposition slot receivers. Aside from Marcus Peters, their defensive backs have been liabilities in coverage. Look for the Dolphins to attack the middle of the field consistently with their most reliable WR.
Keenan Allen (LAC, $39)
The players performing at Allen's levels over the past month are an extremely small group. Before leaving last week's game with what seemed to be a minor back injury, he was targeted 49 times in his previous four games, and he's turned his chances into four TDs along with at least 105 yards in each of those games. It really doesn't even matter who he's playing right now, as he and Philip Rivers are playing at an amazing level, but he'll draw a Jets defense that's been nails against the run, but they're in the bottom half of the league in terms of production allowed to opposing WRs. They simply don't have a CB who's playing well enough to slow down the red-hot receiver, so keep using him in cash games without hesitation.
Tight End
Jimmy Graham (SEA, $20)
Yes, he's had negative yardage over his last two games, and it's usually not very wise to count on a TD-dependent player in cash games, but Graham's gotten into the end zone nine times over his last 10 contests. In addition, he's reached the 50-yard mark on five different occasions, so in most weeks, he has a decent floor. He'll be looking good in this week's matchup against the Cowboys, who have a solid defense against the rush, but have serious deficiencies against the pass. And after the Seahawks were embarrassed by the Rams last week, Russell Wilson will likely look to get them back on track by exploiting Graham's positive matchup, especially in the red zone.
Defense/Special Teams
Philadelphia Eagles ($19)
Philly's been one of the top defenses over the entire season, and they continue to be one of the best weekly options, especially when facing offenses with limitations. This week they're up against the Raiders, who've been dealing with poor QB play from Derek Carr, which should allow the Eagles to be in position to pile up some sacks and takeaways. Assuming the Eagles can play most of this game with a lead, they should be able to mostly eliminate the run, and if Oakland's receivers could struggle getting separation against the Philly defenders, the Eagles pass rush should be able to apply consistent pressure on Carr. It also helps that they'll be playing this one at home while the Raiders travel cross country to a cold environment.
Honorable Mentions
QB: Philip Rivers (LAC, $41), Jameis Winston ($24)
RB: Joe Mixon (CIN, $21), Leonard Fournette (JAC, $36), Devonta Freeman (ATL, $27)
WR: Golden Tate (DET, $22), Doug Baldwin (SEA, $27), Robert Woods (LAR, $23)
TE: Travis Kelce (KC, $28), Delanie Walker (TEN, $17)
DST: Jacksonville Jaguars ($22), Arizona Cardinals ($10)
