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Hey there RotoBallers! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round slate. These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
The Wild Card Round brings us a small slate with just four games. Of the four games, we have two projected to be high-scoring in the Falcons-Rams (49.5-point over/under) and Panthers-Saints game (48.5-point over/under). The Titans-Chiefs game has a decent over/under set at 44.5 points while the Bills-Jaguars game is expected to be low-scoring with an over/under set at just 40 points.
Of the four games, the Rams have the highest implied team total while the Bills have the lowest as they have a road game against an elite Jaguars defense. On to the picks!
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Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. ATL, $31
Goff shapes up as a solid quarterback option heading into the Wild Card round of the playoffs. At the helm of one of the most explosive offenses in the league, Goff's offense has the highest implied point total on the slate as the Rams get set to square off against the Atlanta Falcons at home. Goff isn't cheap on Yahoo as he's the third-most expensive QB, but I like him better than the two quarterbacks who are more expensive than him in Alex Smith and Cam Newton. Goff should deliver against a Falcons pass defense that ranked 19th in DVOA in the regular season. As far as raw point projections go, Goff is the top quarterback play this weekend and is fine for cash games or GPPs.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans @ KC, $21
Thanks to some uninspired and unimaginative play-calling out of Tennessee this season, Mariota failed to capitalize on the preseason hype which surrounded him. He struggled through a disappointing third season in the NFL, passing for just 3,232 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Even though the young signal caller struggled, he is on the radar as a fantasy option this week considering his prime matchup against a leaky Chiefs pass defense. Kansas City was one of the most generous fantasy defenses in the league to opposing quarterbacks and has the second-worst defense of all the teams in the playoffs according to DVOA. Mariota is a fine option with some upside as a GPP play.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. BUF, $30
Todd Gurley has been fantastic this season and is definitely in play if you have an extra $40 sitting around in your Yahoo lineups. If you can't quite make it work with Gurley, however, consider Fournette, who comes at a $10 savings. Fournette draws the top running back matchup on the slate as he will do battle with a Buffalo run defense that has really struggled this season, finishing as the 31st ranked unit in DVOA. LeSean McCoy is either expected to miss this game or at least be significantly limited by an ankle injury. Either way, that should make it extremely hard for the Bills to move the ball, which sets up perfectly for the Jaguars to follow their preferred game script, which would be playing stout defense and deploying a run-heavy offensive attack.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans @ KC, $16
DeMarco Murray has already been ruled out for Saturday's game, which means we will see another full workload for Derrick Henry. In a similar situation last week, Henry was bottled up on the ground but was able to salvage his day with a 66-yard touchdown reception against the Jaguars. Look for him to have an easier time against a Chiefs defense that ranked dead last in the league in run defense DVOA. At just $16, Henry is a must-play in cash and should be considered in at least some GPP lineups, as well.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. CAR, $32
Thomas sets up as the top wide receiver option on the short slate as he gets set to do battle against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina's pass defense appears stout at first glance, ranking 10th in DVOA, but they have struggled against wide receivers this season, ranking 19th against the opposition's WR1. As an added bonus, Thomas has just as much of a ceiling as Julio Jones but comes in slightly cheaper. Thomas has racked up 157 yards and two touchdowns in his previous two meetings with the Panthers this season and has never gone below 68 yards in his four career games against Carolina.
Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans @ KC, $10
Davis is an intriguing play this weekend based on his low price and plus matchup against the Chiefs. The rookie wide receiver hasn't lived up to his high expectations this season but a lot of that can be attributed to a hamstring strain that held him out of five games. The Chiefs have been getting shredded by opposing wide receivers this season, ranking 23rd in pass defense DVOA and allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position. At the minimum price, Davis offers plenty of salary relief while also providing some upside.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs. TEN, $30
Kelce scored like a wide receiver from a fantasy perspective this season, which makes having him in your lineup at the tight end position a distinct advantage in daily contests. He is expensive but the Titans do represent a great matchup for the 28-year-old star. Tennessee ranked 24th in DVOA against tight ends this past season and don't have much chance of slowing Kelce this weekend.
Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons @ LAR, $15
If you can't afford Kelce, consider Hooper, especially in a few GPP lineups. Hooper has been up-and-down in his sophomore campaign. He flashed huge upside in Week 1, catching two passes for 128 yards and a touchdown but failed to top that performance during the remainder of the season. He could be in line for a solid role against the Rams in the playoffs. Los Angeles has been good against opposing wide receivers but they have been soft against tight ends this season. That could force a few more targets to Hooper in the middle of the field.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. BUF, $21
There aren't many great options to choose from on this slate. I was looking at the Rams as a possible GPP option but they are $18, which makes me feel more inclined to try to open up $3 to get to Jacksonville. If possible, I would recommend trying to make room for this elite Jaguars defense, especially in cash games. The Jaguars have the most talented defense and the best matchup of any of the teams playing this weekend. Jacksonville is a 7.5-point home favorite against a Bills team that has a 16.25-point implied total, lowest on the slate. As an added bonus, the Bills could be without top offensive player LeSean McCoy, who is dealing with an ankle injury.
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