NFL Week 18 is here and we get one last chance to build some winning DFS lineups off of a full slate of games. If you're playing on DraftKings, you get a robust 13-game slate with five games in the late window. If you're playing on FanDuel, then it's a 14-game main slate with an even crazier late window as the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions game on Sunday Night Football is in-play. Buckle up! It's going to be a wild ride this week!

We've had quite the end to the NFL season and I've been locked in with the Playbook each week. Last week, we locked down a number of the chalk picks and were able to build some really strong, high-floor, zero-fat cash lineups and rolled through the week. Using Jordan Love at QB in cash worked out just fine as he put up a decent game but where we really made our money in these lineups was our wide receiver work. Using Mike Evans, Adam Thielen, Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas was huge for us. That more than made up for a small whiff at the tight end spot and our cash lineups dominated. Probably more than our GPP tournament lineups even.

As I've always said, you should always be using your primary cash lineup in your GPP tournaments as well. I did and was able to cash there as well, though it wasn't the five or six-figure win I was dreaming about, mostly because Tyjae Spears got concussed and I went against my preseason belief that Rachaad White is trash. I swing for the fences and missed. But if you utilized my GPP quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels along with my favorite wide receivers, you probably did well. 

This week, it's a whole new ballgame and I am 100% ready for it!

 

 

NFL Week 18 DFS Picks & Preview for DraftKings & FanDuel: Sunday, 1/5

While there is no NFL DFS Show for this week, you've hopefully picked up on everything we've been discussing regarding playing DFS this week. The primary strategy is to be heavily invested in teams who have something to play for this week. We know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins all have games with playoff implications. Obviously, the Lions and Vikings as well. You also have the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders playing to improve/maintain their playoff seeding. Maybe the Los Angeles Chargers too, but that will depend on what happens with the Cincinnati Bengals/Pittsburgh Steelers game on Saturday. If the Steelers win, then the Chargers stay put and could end up resting all their players.

From there you want to check in with Andrew Cooper's article laying out all the statistical milestones and contract incentives. Whether it's to reach 1,000 yards or add to a touchdown count, money talks and there are several players who are going to be pushing hard. It's a great way to round out your roster, especially for GPP tournaments.

After that, you need to start digging for players who are getting an opportunity to audition for roles next year. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams are resting their starters and some guys are getting opportunities to showcase themselves. Teams that have no playoff hopes are doing that as well, so don't ignore teams like the Las Vegas Raiders or Jacksonville Jaguars. Not everyone is in-play, but there are enough role players to build some fantastic lineups. Just keep reading and we'll narrow it all down for you.

 

 

NFL Weather: Week 18 DFS Impact 

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans

  • Scattered rain showers are possible, though the heavy rain is supposed to be both before and after the game.

**Cold weather in Green Bay, Philadelphia, New England and New York, but no precipitation so no major effect on the game.

 

 

NFL Injuries: What to Know for Week 18 DFS

**Be sure to always check in with the most recently updated NFL Injury Report ahead of the Week 18 Sunday games. Here are a few players we are monitoring which could help open up additional value for GPP tournament lineups.

Tony Pollard, RB Tennessee Titans

  • He's 83 yards and two touchdowns away from $450K in bonuses. Listed as questionable for now.

Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle, WR Miami Dolphins

  • Waddle is expected to play. Hill needs to be watched. It's a great matchup but he did not practice on Friday. If he plays, I am very interested, especially with his price on DraftKings

Darnell Mooney, WR Atlanta Falcons

  • Showed up on the injury report late Thursday with a shoulder issue. It's a must-win for the Falcons, so I expect him to be out there, but this might cause me to pivot more to Ray Ray McCloud as a salary-saving option.

Christian Watson, WR Green Bay Packers

  • Questionable with a knee issue. With the playoffs ahead, they may just hold him out which puts Dontayvion Wicks into a better spot for us.

George Kittle, TE San Francisco 49ers

  • Questionable with ankle and hamstring problems but put in limited practices to close out the week. He doesn't have any incentives to play for, but he's a gamer so he probably wants to be out there.

Cade Otton, TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Listed as doubtful which keeps bargain play Payne Durham available to us.

NFL DFS Picks & Player Pool: Week 18

QB Coach | RB Coach | WR Coach | TE Coach | DST Coach | Watch List | Dart Board

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