It’s hard for me to say that it was a disappointing Wild Card Weekend, but despite some flashes of brilliance and tightness during the New Orleans/Carolina game, and the lunacy behind the finish of Kansas City and Tennessee, I thought the games in general were sort of pedestrian.
Which is strange, for in the DFS world I did pretty well, mostly by virtue of Christian McCaffrey’s 66-yard TD reception. But some replay calls, like the “fumble/runback” the Chiefs almost finagled at the end of their game and a Charles Clay TD would have made things better, but so be it.
As for here, I think five of my suggestions scored double-digit points, so as we head into one more weekend of four games, let’s try to repeat the process all around. Again, the prices are from DraftKings but I am not recommending any particular game or outlet. And, again, I was trying to think of more moderately priced players to help with budget restraints.
Atlanta at Philadelphia
Mohamed Sanu, Jr. (WR, $5700): I liked him last week and I like him again. Atlanta will continue to pass and the eight targets Sanu got last week, converting four for 75 yards, should continue making the wideout a solid mid-range receiving gamble.
Eagles (DEF, $2600): I have to pick a defense this week, and I am going with the Eagles, who make some mistakes but are playing at home in the cold facing a Southern team. Their pass defense against wide outs is not so good, but they are strong against the run. And part of those mistakes are a byproduct of aggressive play, so if I need a defense to play, I am going there.
Tennessee at New England
Dion Lewis (RB, $6600): Lewis, like Cooper Kupp the past few weeks, is just too good to pass up at his price. With a week to chill following s 93-yard, six receptions on seven targets day that resulted in a couple of scores, Lewis is in the groove. Add in that Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead, and James White are all question marks and it is pretty hard to go any other way
Eric Decker (WR, $3800): Decker was a radio show sleeper I mentioned on Tout Wars Hour last Thursday night, so if you played him, woo hoo. The WR makes a great play as he is on a passing team, is a secondary receiver, and has serious playoff experience. Decker showed that skill set last Sunday, and I am betting he is at least part of the mix this time, too.
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh
Jesse James (TE, $3000): I guess it is common knowledge by now that I scrimp on Tight End, but facing the tight Jaguars pass defense, Big Ben will have to go to his physical short yardage guys, and that means Le’Veon Bell and James as I see it. Maybe only three or four targets or catches, but he will get some shots in the zone.
Dede Westbrook (WR, $4400): Another potential bargain, Westbrook had eight targets over the weekend and bagged five of the passes. Prior to Week 11 Westbrook had no receptions, and since has 32 for 387 yards. Again, don’t take too many bargain basement players, but also remember you do need a few, and some of these guys score every week, like it or not.
New Orleans at Minnesota
Ted Ginn, Jr (WR, $5800): I had Ginn last week, and I am happy I did. With four catches for 115 yards and score, all of us who had shares in the speedster are joyous, and I see no reason to avoid the vet now. Ginn has caught 11 of 17 targets the last three weeks, and he will continue to be an integral part of Drew Brees’ weaponry.
Latavius Murray (RB, $5400): Not nearly as bad as advertised, Murray did run for 842 yards with a 6.4 per carry average, scoring eight TDs. He is the big guy they will go to inside the red zone. I will bet that Beast or not, the Raiders are rethinking how easily they let Murray go.
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