Wild Card Weekend is in the books, and what a week it was. We saw the Bills dismantle the Patriots, the Chiefs take care of business versus the Steelers, and the Bucs make easy work of the Eagles. There were a few close games between the Raiders/Bengals and Niners/Cowboys, but overall, it was most expected for Wild Card Weekend. Now we head to the final four, the Divisional Round, where the winners make it to Conference Title weekend. We have eight great teams left, which make for an incredible weekend of playoff action.
For the Divisional Round, there is a 4-game slate (Sat-Sun) which this article will focus on, but be aware there is a 2-game Saturday and 2-game Sunday slate with terrific contests for each day. For cash, we will stick with the usual game plan of looking for a solid floor and going from there, especially when it comes to value plays. Value this week is quite spread out. The popular moves will be paying up for Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and then locking in Cooper Kupp. DeVante Adams and Deebo Samuel are also in play if paying up, not to mention some of the elite tight-end targets like Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski. Oh, and do not forget the return of Derrick Henry, which will garner a lot of cash attention. There are some great ways to build this week. A balanced cash build is straightforward and quite appealing, but you can also go a bit of stars and scrubs for cash, and it is not a crazy thought. So pay attention to some injury news, watch the ownership projections, and get ready to build some winning cash game lineups.
This article will look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, when you look at value plays for GPP, you are somewhat swinging for the fences. Here, I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, passing attempts, targets or carries. So, let's look at the cash value plays for the Divisional Round of the 2021 NFL season.
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Quarterback DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round Cash Games
Ryan Tannehill, TEN vs. CIN | DK: $5,800, FD: $7,300
There is an argument for Matt Stafford as a value in cash, but I will save even more money with Tannehill in a game where he faces an exploitable defense. Tannehill will take on a Bengals defense that ranks 20th over the last four games versus opposing quarterbacks, allowing nearly 20 fantasy points per game over that stretch. That bodes well for Tannehill, who put up 27 fantasy points in his last start versus the Texans but is usually a mid-teens fantasy scorer.
Tannehill should be able to throw all over the Bengals with a healthy A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, but he also gets Derrick Henry back, which may make the passing game even strong with the defense focusing on The King. The Titans have an implied team total of 25.5, and it will not be all King Henry that scores those points. So do not sleep on Tannehill, who brings a great cash game floor into Saturday's action and allows you to pay up for some of the receiving studs.
Running Back DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round Cash Games
Devin Singletary, BUF at KC | DK: $5,900, FD: $7,200
Ever since the Bills decided the make Singletary the lead back – the only back – he has flourished. He has 18 or more touches in three straight weeks and four of the last five. That has resulted in excellent fantasy production with at least 16 PPR points in all five games and over 20 PPR points in each of the previous three games. Singletary will face a Chiefs defense on Sunday that ranks 5th over the last four games versus opposing backs but 18th on the season. They allow nearly 19 PPR points per game over the previous four games, which would bode quite well for Singletary's value.
Most will focus on the passing game from the Bills, making Singletary likely low rostered, but do not let them scare you in cash. The Bills have an implied team total of 26.5, so Singletary will get his fair share of touches. If the Bills are pass-happy for some reason, Singletary will get his as well as he has been the man receiving back for the Bills. The Cheifs allow 5+ receptions per game to opposing backs so that Singletary will get his. Enjoy the discounted price on Singletary and lock him into your cash lineups.
Jerick McKinnon, KC vs. BUF | DK: $4,800, FD: $6,000
McKinnon had a monster game last weekend versus the Steelers and could be in play for another big game on Sunday. Last week he had 18 touches for 142 yards and a score for over 22 PPR points. That's just a week removed from a 14 PPR point Week 18. McKinnon has enjoyed playing as Darrel Williams is banged up, and Clyde Edwards-Elaire is still limping back from injury. It appears CEH should be back in some capacity Sunday, but Williams seems to be out again. Even with CEH back, McKinnon should get the lion's share of the work and most of the work in the passing game.
The Bills' defense is outstanding, but a lot of that is in the passing game as they rank 12th over the last four weeks versus opposing backs allowing an average of 20 PPR points per week. The Chiefs should be able to move the ball and put up points, and with an implied team total of 29, Vegas also agrees. McKinnon should be a nice part of moving the football, so enjoy his discounted price in your cash lineups.
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Wide Receiver DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round Cash Games
Allen Lazard, LA | DK: $4,400, FD: $6,000
Lazard has been flourishing in recent weeks, especially with MVS out of the Lineup. MVS is trending towards not playing again this weekend which should lead to more Lazard goodness. He has been targeted five or more times in four of the last five games with a touchdown in each of those four games and over 14 PPR points in each of those games. Lazard has also seen five red-zone targets over the last three games. Lazard has been crushing and should see another solid target share this week with the Niners focusing on shutting down DeVante Adams. Lazard is a steal at his price this week.
Brandon Aiyuk, SF at GB | DK: $5,200, FD: $5,900
Like Lazard, Aiyuk has flourished in recent weeks as the team's WR1 gets most of the attention. Over the last four games, Aiyuk has been targeted five times with four or more receptions and double-digit PPR points in each game. The Niners should be playing from behind or trying to keep up against the Packers as six-point underdogs, and that should lead to more passing goodness Aiyuk's way. He will take on a Packers defense that ranks 18th versus opposing receivers over the last four games, which is just another plus for Aiyuk. If looking for a super punt in cash, look at his teammate Jauan Jennings.
Byron Pringle, KC vs. BUF | DK: $4,200, FD: $5,700
If looking for an excellent value, look no further than Pringle. He has been beasting out in recent weeks, and Sunday sets up another strong game. Pringle has seven or more targets in three of his last four games, which have led to double-digit PPR points in those three games and 20+ PPR points in two games. The Bills will be focused on Tyreek Hill and Kelce, which will lead to more looks for Pringle, not to mention the weak spot for the Bills' defense is out of the slot. Pringle may seem a bit risky, but he has been a go-to receiver for Mahomes, and that should bring an excellent cash game floor.
Tight End DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round Cash Games
Anthony Firkser, TEN vs. CIN | DK: $3,100, FD: $5,200
I will try and pay up at tight end this week for Gronkowski or Kelce, maybe even a bit more value with Dawson Knox. If you want to punt the position, look no further than Firkser. Firkser is coming off back-to-back games with three or more targets and receptions, as well as a touchdown and double-digit PPR points. Firkser has been a red-zone target for Tannehill, and that's all it takes for cash game goodness. It is also lovely that the Bengals rank 28th over the last four games versus opposing tight ends, allowing nearly 18 PPR points per game. Firkser makes for a great punt this week.