Tastefully Curated Every Wednesday by LineStar Fantasy Experts. This edition and Playoff editions may be on a different schedule to better accommodate injury reporting days.

Wild Card Top Plays 💲💲💲

QB:

• Jared Goff, LAR (vs ATL) [CASH]Goff has been fairly consistent most of the year, averaging 17.7 fantasy points per game. He's played slightly better while at home. When the Rams have been favored to win Goff is posting close to 25 fantasy points a game. The Atlanta pass defense has been middle of the league for most of the season, ranked 16th overall allowing 17.7 fantasy points per game but close to 20 while they're on the road. The Rams have an extremely balanced run and passing game which makes it that much harder to shut down one or the other which allows Goff to post consistent numbers but still have a high ceiling.

• Cam Newton, CAR [@NO] [TOURNAMENT]Cam Newton has the highest ceiling of the 8 Quarterbacks playing this week, as he's scored 31-37 fantasy points 3 times this season. His rushing ability is what really separates himself from the other quarterbacks. He limited his rushes over the end of the season but in these do or die playoff games don't be surprised to see the ball back in Cam's hands in goaline situations. The Saints were fairly stout against the pass most of the season but ended at 22nd overall allowing 18.1 fantasy points per game and allowing more while playing in the Superdome.

• Blake Bortles, JAX (vs BUF) [CONTRARIAN]Other than the Jaguars, Buffalo has had the strongest pass defense of the teams in this Wild Card round of the playoffs which should help keep Bortles ownership low. The Bills finished 6th overall against opposing quarterbacks allowing only 14.7 fantasy points per game but they're giving up an extra 2 fantasy points per game while on the road. With Fournette in the backfield the Jaguars balanced offensive attack has provided Bortles with much fewer contested passes this season throwing a career low 13 interceptions. 

RB:

• Leonard Fournette, JAX [vs BUF] [CASH]Buffalo has the worst ranked defense versus running backs on the season, giving up 29.1 fantasy points per game. They've allowed running backs to rush for 112.4 yards and 1.1 touchdowns per game. Fournette will no doubt be a focal point for the Jaguars in this game and it would be shocking if he didn't see over 20 carries. The Jaguars are favored to win by 8.5 points here and once they get a lead will likely keep giving the ball to Fournette. The top rated defense with one of the best rushers in the league is always an ideal combination in the playoffs.

• Alvin Kamara, NO [vs CAR] [TOURNAMENT]Kamara has one of the highest ceilings for running backs this week but he's also going to be facing the best rushing defense which should help keep his ownership a little lower. Luckily for him he's not your traditional running back and catches 5 balls a game as the Panthers have struggled a bit more against pass catching running backs. Carolina has also played signficiantly worse while they've been on the road so Kamara can easily still have a good game against what looks to be a good defense.

• Derrick Henry, TEN [@KC] [CONTRARIAN]The Chiefs have been one of the best teams against running backs on the season, ranked 6th overall only allowing 22 fantasy points per game. However with Murray already ruled out Henry will have the full workload again for only the 2nd time this season. He handled the ball 28 times against the Jaguars last week and will no doubt see a heavy workload again this week. He could be overlooked with Gurley, Kamara, Ingram, and Fournette all in the mix this week.

TE

• Travis Kelce, KC (v.TEN) [CASH]The only elite tight end on the slate, Travis Kelce is the best bet at tight end this week. Kelce has seen at least 7 targets in each of his last 4 games, and has 6 red zone targets over his last 3 games. The Titan pass defense isn’t great either, as they allow the 25th most passing yards per game. This is supposed to be the coldest game on the slate, so we’ll see how that affects the game, but I imagine Alex Smith being reliant on his star tight end when it matters most.

INJURIES TO WATCH 🤕

• LeSean McCoy, BUF - Ankle, limited practice, likely to play

• Deonte Thompson, BUF - Shoulder, limited practice, expected to play

• Devin Funchess, CAR - Shoulder, limited practice, expected to play

• Marqise Lee, JAX - Ankle, limited practice, game time call, likely to play

• Marcedes Lewis, JAX - Ankle, limited practice, expected to play

• T.J. Yeldon, JAX - Illness, expected to play

• Albert Wilson, KC - Hamstring, practiced fully, 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! 🏆💰

Like this issue? 

Use the 👍/👎 below.