NFL DFS Optimal Lineups: Mon-Thurs (Week 12/13)

It was quite the interesting week for DFS in Week 12. As we look back at some of the winning lineups, we can see that paying up for running backs was the wrong move. The top-tier quarterbacks -- Tom Brady, Carson Wentz, Russell Wilson -- all hit and then you had massive efforts from Julio Jones and Antonio Brown. Obviously Rob Gronkowski and Zach Ertz were big too. If you paid down at running back and up everywhere else, you were a winner, both in cash games and GPP tournaments alike. It happens. Sometimes you have it right and sometimes the NFL throws you for a loop. The key is to maintain the process and plow through the bad weeks. Cast aside what happened and stay focused on what you think will happen in the future.

Let's see if we can turn things around and finish this week strong. And, obviously, let's start our Week 13 on a high note!

I've got a couple of pivots here in this week's Monday-Thursday lineup, so take note. I like both Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace in Monday's game, but I also want to find a way to get Danny Woodhead involved. However, due to lineup restrictions and my need/desire to have Joe Flacco as my QB and the Ravens as my defense, I have to adjust in my FanDuel lineup. If I want both Ravens receivers in, I have to use a different running back. If I want to use Woodhead, I have to pivot off one of them. On FanDuel, I will pivot off Maclin becuase I think Wallace has the touchdown upside. On Draft Kings, I can get Woodhead in because of the flex, but if Jamison Crowder really tickles your fancy, I will pivot off Wallace because Maclin tends to see more targets and if he doesn't get into the end zone, he'll make up for it with catches and yards. Clear as mud? Good.

Also, remember, I'm all about playing GPP tournaments instead of cash games due to the lineup overlap and higher paylines, but I do like these lineups for cash as well if you feel compelled.

And as always....

Keep in mind, and I cannot stress this enough -- Don't be lazy. These lineups are not intended for you to just take and plug in as your own. These should serve as templates as I work off the Playbook. If you have other plays you prefer, then use them. Weave them in to these, if you can. There's nothing worse than hearing someone come back to say they took your lineup, plugged into some contest they probably shouldn't have entered and then complain about it afterewards. We are about teaching the process, not lineup selling.

Best of luck to you in these contests!

Monday-Thursday Optimal Lineups Examples