By: @Ryan_Humphries | LineStar Chat: @N1TRO

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Eight teams remain standing in the NFL playoffs and each one is now two wins away from an appearance in Super Bowl LV. The full four-game Saturday to Sunday slate will be the featured slate we’re focusing on this week. On the weather front, things may get interesting in the Ravens @ Bills game as game time temps will be near freezing, there is a moderately high chance of snow, and sustained winds will be in the 15-20 mph range with gusts up to 30 mph. That definitely doesn’t mean we fade those two offenses but be aware that downfield passing may be limited in those sort of conditions. Let’s get things rolling with some DFS plays to consider on this divisional round weekend!

Quarterbacks to Consider

Lamar Jackson | DK: $7.6k, FD: $8k | @ BUF | Cash & GPP

Yes, the weather in Buffalo is likely to impact downfield passing attacks but it’s also not like we’re dealing with traditional pocket passers here in this game. Lamar Jackson has only averaged 183.8 passing YPG this season but if you play him in DFS you’re pretty much looking to get the numbers of an RB1 who also has some passing upside -- and the weather could force Jackson to run even more. He’s averaging 12.5 rush attempts/gm and 87.0 rushing YPG over his last four and Buffalo’s defense has given up the third most rushing TDs (7) to opposing QBs.

Baker Mayfield | DK: $5.3k, FD: $7.4k | @ KC | Cash & GPP (DK Preferred)

Teams don’t make it this far without having a talented, or at least competent, QB at the helm so really anyone at the position is in play for DFS purposes (except for maybe Jared Goff… sorry Jared). By dropping down to Mayfield at QB, you open up a solid chunk of additional salary to splurge on higher-end running backs and receivers. The $5,300 price tag on DraftKings especially allows that. The Browns would prefer to control things on the ground with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt running behind their dominant O-Line, but the fact of the matter is, you’re going on the road to face Patrick Mahomes and arguably the league’s most explosive offense. Cleveland is probably going to be playing catch-up here. The Chiefs defense wasn’t exactly stout down the stretch. Kansas City allowed 29.1 FPPG and 303.5 passing YPG to the last four QBs they faced (Herbert, Ryan, Brees, Tagovailoa) so Mayfield can certainly crush value if that secondary continues to struggle.

Running Backs to Consider

Cam Akers | DK: $5.7k, FD: $7k | @ GB | Cash & GPP

In the rookie’s first taste of playoff action, the Rams trusted him to touch the rock a whopping 30 times. With Jared Goff still healing from thumb surgery, Akers should continue to be the focal point of this offense. As long as the Rams don’t fall *way* behind early, expect a solid fantasy day out of Akers. Green Bay showed off a really poor run defense throughout this season, allowing the 5th most FPPG to opposing RBs

Kareem Hunt | DK: $4.8k, FD: $6.2k | @ KC | GPP Preferred

If the Browns are forced into more of a pass-heavy approach, Hunt could stand to benefit. He only has one target in each of the last two games but there’s potential for 5+ targets in this game on top of around ten carries. Chubb is the obvious fantasy option to roll within this backfield, but in terms of snap percentages, this isn’t too far off from an evenly split backfield (about 60/40 Chubb/Hunt) and Hunt still gets some work inside the redzone. Hunt will be a bit of a risky option, so perhaps reserve him for GPPs, but you can also throw in a little #RevengeNarrative into the mix as he faces off against his former team.

Devin Singletary | DK: $4.5k, FD: $5.7k | vs. BAL | Cash & GPP

Zack Moss was placed on IR following an ugly ankle injury last week and he is officially done for the playoffs. Moss’s misfortune will open up ample opportunities for Singletary, whose DFS salaries are not adjusted to reflect his projected workload. Baltimore did shut down Derrick Henry last week so this won’t be an easy spot for Singletary to succeed in, but volume is everything in DFS and Singletary could legitimately see 20+ touches and play nearly every snap on offense. The windy weather in this game could also boost the chances that Buffalo takes a more run-centric approach.

Wide Receivers to Consider

Tyreek Hill | DK: $8k, FD: $8.8k | vs. CLE | Cash & GPP

Hill is lined up for a potential ceiling game as he comes in rested and ready to face off against a Cleveland secondary that has allowed 55.2 FPPG to WRs on the road this season. Hill accounts for a 23.2% target share in this lethal offense but, perhaps more importantly, he is responsible for 34.7% of Kansas City’s targeted air yards. Hill scored 17 touchdowns in 15 games this season so you have to feel good about his chances at finding paydirt at least once this week.

Michael Thomas | DK: $6.7k, FD: $7.2k | vs. TB | Cash & GPP

While it wasn’t a monster day against Chicago last week (5/72/1 on seven targets) it was decent nonetheless and Thomas is likely underpriced for a second consecutive week. The game flow should be much better against Tampa Bay this week as well, which should boost Thomas’ ceiling. Drew Brees and the Saints have averaged 34.2 PPG the last six meetings with Tampa Bay and we could easily see a shootout develop between these two veteran-led offenses.

Chris Godwin | DK: $6.1k, FD: $7.5k | @ NO | Cash & GPP

Godwin had four uncharacteristic drops last week but Brady still targeted him 12 times resulting in a 5/79/1 line. Considering the struggles Mike Evans has had historically against Saints top DB Marshon Lattimore, Godwin may see a few additional targets funneled in his direction. As long as the drops are behind him, Godwin brings a solid floor to DFS lineups.

Jarvis Landry | DK: $5.6k, FD: $6.9k | @ KC | Cash & GPP

You have to love Landry’s consistency down the stretch. He has scored a touchdown in five of his last six games and caught at least five passes in each of those matches as well, accounting for a very strong 28% target share. Of course the running theme with Cleveland this Sunday is the assumption that they’ll be forced to pass more than usual so Landry obviously benefits in that scenario. Nice option out of the mid-range.

Marquez Valdez-Scantling | DK: $3.8k, FD: $5.5k | GPP Only

You’re about as likely to get 20+ FP out of MVS as you are a fat goose egg. But Jalen Ramsey is one of the only defensive backs in the league who can even potentially slow down the Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams connection right now, so Valdez-Scantling could see an increased role on Saturday. He leads the NFL with 20.9 yards per catch and he commands a huge 16.84 yard aDOT. He’s as boom-or-bust as it gets but there is certainly reason to believe he can come through this week. GPP only target.

Tight Ends to Consider

Travis Kelce | DK: $7.8k, FD: $8.5k | vs. CLE | Cash & GPP

I try to avoid highlighting the super obvious guys at the top of each position but in this case, I’m pointing out Kelce as “the stud play I can’t live without” on this slate. I would do whatever I could to get Kelce in my lineup, particularly in cash. The guy has simply been a monster all season and he’s drawn 10+ targets from Patrick Mahomes in seven of their last eight games. Oh, and Cleveland has given up the 4th most FPPG to tight ends this season. It’s simply a smash spot for the most prolific tight end in the league.

Austin Hooper | DK: $3.8k, FD: $5.5k | @ KC | Cash & GPP

We've got a Brown highlighted at every other position so why not go for the clean sweep? When you view his recent production, it wouldn’t be a crazy proposition for Hooper to be the second-most expensive tight end on this slate. Instead, he checks in as the 5th (DK) and 6th (FD) priciest option. In Cleveland’s last four games, Hooper is commanding an impressive 9.3 targets/gm and has scored three times. The Chiefs are also sneaky bad against the position this year. They have allowed the 7th most FPPG to tight ends (2nd most in the last four games) as well as 11.4 yards per catch. If you’re not paying up for Kelce, Hooper would be the second guy I would say to consider. And, honestly, I don’t hate playing both Kelce and Hooper in contrarian two tight end builds.

Once again, if you have any questions DM me on Twitter @Ryan_Humphries or tag me in the LineStar NFL chat using @N1TRO. Good luck this week!

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