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Seventeen weeks are in the books, season-long fantasy championships have been won, and just 12 NFL teams remain alive in the chase to reach Super Bowl 50.
Perhaps your favorite team is one of the 12 remaining, perhaps not. But one thing is for sure -- thanks to daily fantasy, you can still satisfy your fantasy football needs.
With only four games to choose from, pricing becomes less of a concern. You'll certainly want to find a low-owned gem or two, especially for GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments, but it'll still be important to hit on the highest-scoring stack to build the foundation of your lineup. With that mind, instead of ranking the stacks from most expensive to least expensive as in previous weeks, we've ranked them simply in order of appeal.
Strong DFS Stacks
Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown at Cincinnati
Does this really come as any surprise at this point? We didn't think so. Big Ben and his dynamic wide receiver are simply the most potent passing combo in the NFL. Brown's floor is one of the safest among all players, as he's drawn at least 10 targets in each of the last eight games. Over that same span, Roethlisberger has eclipsed 300 passing yards six times with 16 total touchdowns.
Keep in mind that running back DeAngelo Williams has a small chance of playing in Saturday's game after suffering an ankle injury in the regular-season finale. Pittsburgh will need Roethlisberger and Brown to move the ball and put up points. Fellow wide receiver Martavis Bryant sat out the second half of the finale with a strained neck, so his status also remains uncertain. What does all of this mean? Well, Roethlisberger and Brown are a safe bet to be the highest-owned stack of wild-card weekend. Pairing Roethlisberger with Brown and perhaps Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller or even (gulp) Darius Heyward-Bey could be a savvy double stack.
Seattle QB Russell Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin at Minnesota
Remember what the Seahawks' offense did to the Vikings back in Week 13? Let us refresh your mind. Wilson finished with 274 passing yards, 51 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Baldwin caught five passes for 94 yards and two of those scores. Seattle walked away with a convincing 38-7 win. The wild-card rematch likely won't be as lopsided and although the Vikings' defense has improved since the Seattle blowout, Wilson and the Seahawks' offense are simply on fire.
Wilson's rushing ability gives him a higher floor than most quarterbacks, and the expected return of running back Marshawn Lynch should help keep the defense honest. Tyler Lockett and Jermaine Kearse will also see targets, so they will make for lower-owned pairings with higher risk. Keep an eye on the weather for this game, too. Snow is expected in the days leading up to Sunday, and the temperature at kickoff is forecasted at a balmy 12 degrees.
Washington QB Kirk Cousins and TE Jordan Reed vs. Green Bay
YOU LIKE THAT!? Oh, we like it, Kirk, especially when you're throwing in the direction of Reed. That's generally meant fantasy goodness this season. This combination has been particularly lethal over the last quarter of the season. Before this past weekend's meaningless regular-season finale, Reed had at least 100 yards or two touchdowns in three straight games.
All Cousins has done is toss 11 touchdowns against zero interceptions over the last three games. He's one of the hottest quarterbacks entering the playoffs and he gets another home game, which should scare Green Bay. Cousins' home totals this season (16 TDs, 2 INTs, 117.0 QB rating) are downright silly. Washington should have little trouble moving the ball against Green Bay. Reed is the safest pairing, but Pierre Garcon (TD in three straight games) and DeSean Jackson offer lower-owned, higher-risk options.
Risky DFS Stacks
Cincinnati QB AJ McCarron and WR A.J. Green vs. Pittsburgh
Green is a stud, no doubt about it. He's absolutely gashed the Steelers' defense twice this season -- 11 receptions, 118 yards, touchdown in Week 8; six receptions, 132 yards, touchdown in Week 14. He closed the regular season by scoring six touchdowns over his final six games.
The hesitation with this particular stack comes with the inexperienced McCarron under center. The former Alabama standout has played well in relief of an injured Andy Dalton, guiding the Bengals to a 2-1 mark in his three starts. The problem is the statistical numbers just haven't been prolific. He posted 280 yards and two touchdowns in a come-from-behind effort against Pittsburgh when Dalton was injured, but after that he's thrown for 192, 200 and 160 yards, respectively. That's not going to win you many DFS contests.
Still, the Steelers rank 25th and 32nd in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers, respectively, so there is upside here. Just make sure to approach with caution.
Houston QB Brian Hoyer and WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Kansas City
The Chiefs' defense is formidable, there's no denying that. But it's also been generous in allowing fantasy points to opposing receivers this season (23rd). Enter, Hopkins, one of the most exciting, productive receivers this season. Over the last three games, he's been targeted at least 11 times, converting those chances into three straight games with at least seven catches and 89 yards.
Hoyer returned after missing two games with a concussion, throwing for 249 yards and a score in a lopsided rout of Jacksonville. With Nate Washington (hip) and Cecil Shorts (hamstring) both questionable to suit up on Saturday, Hoyer will likely be locked in to Hopkins as his main target. If Kansas City can slow Houston's ground game (a reasonable hypothetical), Hoyer and Hopkins will have to shoulder the load offensively. Of course, the biggest risk here is that this game turns into a riveting 12-10 field goal fest, sapping all fantasy value.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Randall Cobb at Washington
Injuries have taken their toll on the Packers. Surely that's the only explanation for what we've seen this season from Rodgers and company. Rodgers has failed to top 300 yards passing for seven straight games, and only three times over that stretch has he surpassed one touchdown. Cobb has been an enigma all season, finishing with just 829 yards and six touchdowns, both good for second on the team.
It's unlikely that Cobb explodes in this matchup with Washington, but he could be worth a dice roll if you're feeling risky. James Jones is probably the safest wide receiver option, but Richard Rodgers could have the highest touchdown potential. It's a confounding mess in Green Bay, and a road game against an underrated Redskins defense in a potentially rainy wild-card game isn't exactly an inviting set of circumstances.
DFS Stacks to Avoid
Kansas City QB Alex Smith and WR Jeremy Maclin at Houston
Zero. That's how many times Smith has thrown for more than 200 yards over the last five games. Clearly the Chiefs don't need Smith to air it out, as they've strung together 10 straight wins, but fantasy owners simply need better production.
Likewise, Maclin's value over the last three games has been saved by a touchdown in each of them. He's topped out at 54 yards over that stretch. Couple that with the Las Vegas over/under for this game (40, the lowest of the four wild-card games), and there's plenty of reasons to look elsewhere.
Minnesota QB Teddy Bridgewater and anyone vs. Seattle
Just say no. Bridgewater finished with 99 yards and an interception in Sunday night's division-clinching win over Green Bay. In the previous meeting with Seattle this season he didn't fare much better, passing for 118 yards and an interception.
The Vikings could very well be trailing in this game and thus Bridgewater would be forced to throw. But Minnesota has no go-to target to pair with Bridgewater to make for a profitable DFS stack. This appears to be the least attractive option of the weekend.
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