Tastefully Curated Every Wednesday by LineStar Fantasy Experts. Obviously today isn't Wednesday, but it's playoffs and that means we deliver on Friday right before the magic happens 🙃

The interesting thing about playoffs in DFS, is a lot of the players have become disgruntled by this point and are playing on EMOTIONS vs. common sense. Now's your time to shine, take advantage! 💲💲💲

Divisional Playoffs - Top Plays

QB:

• Tom Brady, NE (vs TEN) [CASH]Brady is the clear cash quarterback this week with the Patriots having the highest implied team point total at 30.3 which is 6 points higher than the next highest total. The Titans also have one of the worst pass defenses in the league, ranked 28th over the last 4 weeks allowing 276 passing yards and 1.8 passing touchdowns per game. He's expensive but that's what you pay for - the safest option at QB this week.

• Case Keenum, MIN (vs NO) [TOURNAMENT]Who would have thought we would be at the point where Case Keenum is a high upside quarterback in a playoff game. The Vikings have the 2nd highest implied Vegas point total this week at 24.5 points. Keenum has all the parts to be a nice tournament play this week; low ownership, in one of the higher scoring games, and has a high ceiling. The Saints defense started the year strong but they've pretty much fallen apart over the last few weeks. They're ranked 30th against quarterbacks over the last 4 weeks allowing 294 passing yards and 1.3 passing touchdowns per game. Keenum has solid receiving options and they have a strong running game, this game should be a shootout.

• Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs JAX) [CONTRARIAN]Most everyone knows by now that the Jaguars have one of the top defenses in the league. They are ranked 1st overall against opposing quarterbacks on the season, only allowing 187 yards and 1 touchdown per game. For this reason Big Ben should be lower owned than normal this week, making him a good contrarian option with high upside. Ben Roethlisberger at home scores almost 5 fantasy points per game more than in away games. Vegas has the Steelers projected to score 24 points and Roethlisberger is going to be involved in most of that.

RB:

• Le'Veon Bell, PIT (vs JAX) [CASH]He's super expensive but he's also the safest option at running back by far. Bell has averaged 21.4 carries over the course of the season and has to be a lock to see at least that many this week in a tough matchup versus the pass. The Steelers aren't a team you can sell out to stop the run because their passing game is too good at home. The Jaguars are a top defense versus the pass but they're only 10th versus the run on the season, allowing 94.7 yards and .4 rushing touchdowns per game. Bell will be a focal point as usual for this offense on the ground and through the air.

• Leonard Fournette, JAX (@PIT) [TOURNAMENT]Fournette has the 2nd most rushes per game this season as any running back on the slate which is second only to Le'Veon Bell. However he costs considerably less and comes with a slightly better matchup. The Steelers defense took a big hit when Ryan Shazier was injured in Week 13. The Steelers on the season are ranked 17th versus running backs but are only ranked 27th over the last 4 weeks allowing 108 rushing yards and 1.5 rushing touchdowns per game. Fournette's dud last week against the Bills should help keep his ownership in check, making him an excellent tournament play this weekend.

• Jerick McKinnon, MIN (vs NO) [CONTRARIAN]The Saints were destroyed by the pass catching Christian McCaffrey last week who went for 101 yards in 6 catches. The Vikings haven't been utilizing McKinnon in the receiving game over the last 2 weeks after only seeing 3 total targets. That will likely change this week while facing the Saints who are ranked 22nd against pass catching running backs.

TE

• Delanie Walker, TEN (@NE) [CASH]One of the top 3 tight ends this week: Gronk, Ertz and Walker are very likely to be in the optimal lineup. Value-wise, my favorite tight end this week is Walker. In a run-first offense, Delanie Walker has had at least 5 targets in every game this season, with the only exception coming in week 2 against the Jags when he had only 4 targets, but he also had a rushing attempt on which he scored. 5 targets isn’t a lot, but this week the Titans are unlikely to be run-first for very long as they are 2 touchdown underdogs at New England, thus Delanie’s floor for targets should be higher. The Pats defense is very hit or miss, but even if their good defense shows up, Delanie should have the volume he needs to be in a cashing lineup.

• New England Patriots (v.TEN) [CASH]The Titans have the worst offense remaining as no team has fewer yards or points. Also, no remaining team has thrown more interceptions or has more giveaways or has been sacked more. Meanwhile, in the Patriots last two games, they had 11 sacks and offenses combined for only 16 points. They didn’t force any turnovers, but with that much pressure on quarterbacks, and facing a turnover-prone team, expect some regression to the mean there.

• Philadelphia Eagles (v.ATL) [TOURNAMENT]|Atlanta is not a turnover-prone offense, but Matt Ryan has been sacked 9 times across his last 3 games. They are also a dome and warm-weather team that will be playing in a cold and windy game. The Eagles have the advantage of playing at home and experience in such games. What makes the Eagles a great play is their high upside as they have 4 games of 20+ points on the year. Atlanta is not the easiest offense to do that against, but the game conditions should be able to help with that. Plus, the Eagles defense knows they have to step up, because they don’t want to have to rely on Nick Foles winning this game. They’re a steal on Draftkings.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (v.JAX) [CONTRARIAN]A lot of people like the Jaguars defense this weekend, but the Steelers definitely have a better matchup. With all the talk about “Sacksonville,” it was actually the Steelers who led the league in sacks and sack percentage. In their last two games, the Steelers defense had 13 sacks, 2 INTs and 2 Fumble Recoveries. With the Steelers favored by a touchdown, they are likely to be leading and to have opportunities to tee off on Bortles. The Steelers are also used to playing in the cold and get a matchup with the warm-weather Jaguars in the coldest game on the slate according to the forecasts. There’s also a lot of talk about how Big Ben played in their first meeting, but Bortles only threw for 95 yards with no TDs and an INT.

INJURIES TO WATCH 🤕

• Mohamed Sanu, ATL - Knee, limited practices, will play

• Devonta Freeman, ATL - Knee, limited practices, will play

• Jaydon Mickens, JAX - Hamstring, limited practices, questionable

• Brandon Coleman, NO - Neck, didn’t practice, out

• Chris Hogan, NE - Shoulder, will play

• Mike Gillislee, NE - Knee, limited practices, questionable even if healthy

• Rex Burkhead, NE - Knee, limited practices, likely will be limited if he plays

• James White, NE - Ankle, limited practices, expected to play

• DeMarco Murray, TEN - Knee, ruled out

Remember, if you win over $100 any given week - sign-up for LineStar MVP - it's free and you get a dope hat and 1-month of subscription time! 🏆💰

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