The NFL will have already played five games in Week 17 by the time we hit Sunday. Still, there are plenty of options to sift through for the Sunday NFL DFS slate, so let's highlight some of the top players to consider when crafting your lineups.
The Games
A lot of the focus of NFL DFS picks is on individual players. Skills certainly matter, but finding game environments that are likely to promote a lot of points scored is a way to narrow the focus of our player pool.
| Over-Under | Road Team | Road Team Total | Home Team | Home Team Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.5 | Seahawks | 24.5 | Panthers | 16.5 |
| 52.5 | Cardinals | 22.5 | Bengals | 30.5 |
| 33.5 | Steelers | 18.5 | Browns | 15.5 |
| 48.5 | Jaguars | 27.5 | Colts | 20.5 |
| 45.5 | Buccaneers | 25.5 | Dolphins | 19.5 |
| 42.5 | Patriots | 27.5 | Jets | 14.5 |
| 39.5 | Saints | 20.5 | Titans | 18.5 |
| 40.5 | Giants | 20.5 | Raiders | 20.5 |
| 43.5 | Eagles | 21.5 | Bills | 22.5 |
There are three games with totals below 41 points and two with at least 48; the favorites with the highest totals include the Bengals, Jaguars and Patriots.
Value Options
Michael Carter, ARI at CIN ($6,500): Carter is now the top running back for the Cardinals, and last week he turned 11 carries into 65 yards against the Falcons. He has been given at least 11 carries three times this season, rushing for at least 51 yards in each. He could provide tremendous value versus the Bengals, who have allowed the most FanDuel points per game to running backs.
Tre Tucker, LV vs. NYG ($5,400): With Geno Smith injured, Tucker didn't record a single reception in Week 15. Smith came back last week, which helped Tucker catch four of five targets for 43 yards. Additional targets could be headed Tucker's way this week with Brock Bowers (knee) now on injured reserve. That makes him a viable option against a Giants team that has allowed the fifth-most yards per target to wide receivers.
Other Value Options
QB Tyler Shough, NO at TEN ($7,300)
QB Geno Smith, LV vs. NYG ($6,500)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG at LV ($6,200)
RB Tony Pollard, TEN vs. NO ($6,100)
RB Zach Charbonnet, SEA at CAR ($5,900)
WR Parker Washington, JAC at IND ($5,900)
WR Khalil Shakir, BUF vs. PHI ($5,700)
WR Darius Slayton, NYG at LV ($5,500)
TE Brenton Strange, JAC at IND ($5,600)
TE Cade Otton, TB at MIA ($4,900)
Stacks to Consider
Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals
Both the Cardinals and Bengals are worth considering for stacks. The Bengals have given up 30.5 points per game, which is the most in the NFL. Their run defense is poor and they've allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game and the third-most passing touchdowns. The top option to stack with Jacoby Brissett ($7,600) is Trey McBride ($8,000), as the Bengals have allowed the most receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns to tight ends.
The Cardinals haven't been much better on defense, giving up 27.6 points per game. One of their issues has been an inability to get to the quarterback, as they are tied for the fifth-fewest sacks in the league. That could lead to added time in the pocket for Joe Burrow ($8,700), who has four touchdowns in two of his last three games. While he comes with a hefty salary, Ja'Marr Chase ($9,400) is still a great stacking partner for Burrow. Across four games since Burrow returned from injury, Chase has caught 31 of 49 targets for 395 yards.
Other Stacks to Consider
Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence ($8,000) + Jakobi Meyers ($6,800)
Giants – Jaxson Dart ($7,100) + Wan'Dale Robinson ($6,100)
Saints – Tyler Shough ($7,300) + Chris Olave ($8,100)
High-Price Heroes
Drake Maye, NE at NYJ ($8,400): In a comeback win over the Ravens last week, Maye led the way with 380 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also turned 10 carries into 25 yards. The Jets dismantled their defense at the trade deadline, which has contributed to their allowing an average of 37.0 points over their last three games. They should struggle stopping Maye, who has been one of the most accurate passers in the league with his 70.9 percent completion rate.
Ashton Jeanty, LV vs. NYG ($7,500): Rostering running backs against the Giants has proven to be a sound strategy for much of the season, as they've allowed a league-high 5.71 yards per carry to the position and are tied for the second-most receptions allowed to the position. While it has been an inconsistent rookie campaign for Jeanty, he showed his massive upside last week, rushing 24 times for 128 yards and one touchdown against a stout Texans defense; he also had a 60-yard touchdown reception in the matchup.
The Smash Spot
Saquon Barkley, PHI at BUF ($8,700): Barkley is starting to heat up as the playoffs approach, rushing for at least 120 yards in two of his last three games while scoring a touchdown in all three. A key to his success is that the Eagles gave him at least 20 rushing attempts in all three of those games. Considering the Bills have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game in the league, the Eagles could rely heavily on Barkley again. The Bills have also allowed a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns to running backs.
