NFL betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Thursday, December, 14th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
DFS Best Bets - Week 15
December 13, 2017
By Austin Chen
This is the time of the year that we have to check weather reports up to kickoff. The Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts ended up playing in a blizzard that netted only 126 total passing yards combined. Week 14 was a great week for the running back best bets as Todd Gurley, Jordan Howard, Gio Bernard, and Lesean McCoy all smashed. Meanwhile Sterling Shepard and Cameron Brate were the busts of the week.
It is hard to believe that the season is already winding down. Week 15 is the last DraftKings Millionaire Maker of the season so time to fire up another week of GPP best bets!
If you haven’t already, you should go check out the RotoQL NFL Lineup Optimizer as it is a must when building your daily fantasy football teams.
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (DraftKings:$6,700, FanDuel: $8,000)
What a comeback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger for the second week in a row. Ben Roethlisberger’s home road splits continue as he has averaged 32 points in his last 3 home games versus only 19 fantasy points in has last 3 road games. The good news is that he is home this week versus a New England Patriots defense which just made Jay Cutler look elite on Monday night. Big Ben will likely end up chalky but his upside makes him worth starting.
Blake Bortles (DK:$5,700, FD: $7,400)
Blake Bortles has put together three great games averaging 23.43 pts a game in that span. He now gets to play the dreadful Houston Texans. The Texans give up the 3rd most points fantasy points to quarterbacks. Blake Bortles price on DraftKings is a ridiculous bargain. I love pairing him with Dede Westbrook for only $10,800.
Other QBs To Consider: Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton
Running Backs
Mark Ingram (DK:$8,200, FD: $8,300)
Considering the New Orleans Saints are a two touchdown favorite, you have to take a look at the New Orlean Saints running backs. Even if Alvin Kamara returns, I prefer Mark Ingram this week. Ingram has been a better player at home this season averaging 1.5 yards per carry and 5.3 fantasy points a game more than on the road. He suits the game flow better as the Saints will be looking for Mark Ingram to close out the New York Jets in the 4th quarter.
Alex Collins (DK:$5,000, FD: $6,600)
Alex Collins is averaging 20.55 DK fantasy points a game in the last 4 weeks. The best news is that Danny Woodhead has not taken away touches from Alex Collins. Collins has at least 15 carries and 2 catches every game in the last 4 weeks. This much opportunity is very hard to say no to at only $5000. The matchup is nothing to fear as the Cleveland Browns have given up 100+ total yards to a running back in 5 of their last 6 games.
Other RBs To Consider: Kenyan Drake, Jamaal Williams, DeMarco Murray
Wide Receivers
Chris Hogan (DK:$5,500, FD: $7,100)
Chris Hogan has the best match up among all the New England Patriots pass catching options versus the Steelers. He will see a lot of coverage from Coty Sensabaugh who has a Pro Football Focus grade of 48.9. It was encouraging to see Hogan play 55 of 61 snaps in his 1st game back. Chris Hogan is still 2nd in red zone targets and red zone touchdown receptions this season. I think Chris Hogan is a sneaky play GPP play to bounce back this week.
Dede Westbrook (DK: $5,100, FD: $5,700)
Speedy receivers have torched the Houston Texans defense all season. Marquise Goodwin was the latest just last week when he put up 6 catches for 106 yards. This week is Dede Westbrook’s turn. He will see coverage from Kevin Johnson who has a Pro Football Focus grade of only 33.8 which is 118th among all cornerbacks. Dede Westbrook’s yards have increased every week and I expect that trend to continue.
Other WRs To Consider: AJ Green, Stefon Diggs, Doug Baldwin, Jordy Nelson (If Aaron Rodgers starts)
Tight Ends
Kyle Rudolph (DK:$4,700, FD: $5,400)
Kyle Rudolph has gone 9 weeks in a row with either 5 catches or a touchdown. This type of consistency is very hard to find at the tight end position. His salary has stayed at a fair price. The only worry about Kyle Rudolph is that he left the stadium in a walking boot despite playing the entire game. Watch the injury reports this week and follow me on Twitter as I will post alternative plays if he is out.
David Njoku (DK:$2,700, FD: $4,800)
David Njoku is a GPP only play if you want to spend very little at the tight end position. Last week’s dud was not surprising considering Green Bay gives up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Njoku’s floor is still very low but the productivity and snap count has increased. He was coming off back to back 4 catch games before last week. The Baltimore Ravens are a great defense but they allow the 8th most points to tight ends.
Other TEs To Consider: Evan Engram, Charles Clay, Zach Ertz/Trey Burton
Defense
New Orleans Saints (DK:$3,900, FD: $4,600)
This a ugly week for defenses. I would pay up for one of the top tier options if possible. The New Orlean Saints defense are one of those defenses. They are in a favorable spot this Sunday as they will face back up quarterback Bryce Petty. Las Vegas agrees that this is a good spot as the New Orlean Saints are a 16 point favorite at home. The Saints have Marshon Lattimore back which has made them a much better defense. The Saints defense have allowed fewer than 212 passing yards in 8 of 13 games this season.
Philadelphia Eagles (DK:$3,600, FD: $4,700)
The New York Giants are averaging only 12.25 pts in the last 4 games. Eli Manning got his job back but he was still fantasy friendly to opposing defenses. Eli Manning threw 2 interceptions and took 4 sacks last week. Even with Carson Wentz out, the Eagles are still a 7.5 point favorite. The Eagles defense have a strong front 7 which has generated at least 2 sacks in every game but 1 this year. I expect Eli Manning to be playing from behind and facing a lot of pressure which a fantasy recipe for success.
Other Defenses To Consider: Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles