This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
We are just about at the halfway point of the season and if your fantasy team isn't doing quite well, there's always weekly wagers to consider on DraftKings. I've already won my best bet of the week (the Packers with the points) and that was never in doubt. I jest.
Let's see what looks good this week.
GAME LINES
Pittsburgh Steelers 
+4.5 at Cleveland Browns 
- This should be a grind-it-out divisional game and I typically think that taking the points is the right play. I don't trust Nick Chubb (who I love), Baker Mayfield or even Odell Beckham are totally fine (not that Big Ben is) although I think the Browns' defense plays better at home (sans the Cardinals game). I think Najee Harris has a big game and Diontae Johnson is always a threat for a long touchdown.
Los Angeles Chargers 
(-4.5) vs New England Patriots 
- I think there's a big case of recency bias here with the Patriots blowing out the lowly Jets and the Chargers getting blown out by the Ravens their last game. However, the Chargers have had time to regroup coming off the Bye and the Patriots have to travel across the country for this game and play a later game. This spread has dropped this week moving towards a more favorable Chargers number and I'm going to fade Mac Jones and company despite coming off his first 300-yard game of the season.
New York Giants 
Kansas City Chiefs 
OVER 52 Points - In case you haven't been keeping up with football, the Chiefs have a terrible defense. The Giants aren't much better if we're being honest and the Chiefs still have a very potent offense. I think the Chiefs bounce back in a big way especially on the stand-alone game but the Giants will also put up points as well.
PLAYER PROPS
Pat Freiermuth OVER 33.5 Receiving Yards - There will be no Eric Ebron this week leaving all of the tight end receiving responsibilities to Freiermuth. Ebron has had at least two targets in every game this season (in addition to Freiermuth's) showing Ben Roethlisberger's penchant for throwing to his tight end. Freiermuth is an underrated player who projects as a better pass-catcher than a blocker, something we look for with this props. 22:1 odds to score two touchdowns is worth a small wager as well, in my opinion.
Kenneth Gainwell OVER 30.5 Rushing Yards - Are the Lions good on defense? The answer is no considering they're 28th in the league against opposing running backs. This number almost seems way too low (I would have put it at 50.5) but Gainwell has only been over this mark twice in seven games this season. I don't see a reason the Eagles defer to Boston Scott but even if we pencil in 8-10 carries for Gainwell this should be an easy win.
Tua Tagovailoa OVER 0.5 Interceptions (-185) - Yes, yes, my homer bias is in effect here but let me back this up with some facts. Buffalo is well-rested coming off the bye (no significant injuries on defense) and with this being a home game against a raucous crowd should disrupt Tua. The Dolphins are expected to play from behind will likely throw a lot leading to more chances for the pick-off. The Bills are tied for second in the league with 10 interceptions through only six games and have recorded at least one in five of those games. I don't like laying -185 odds but I think it's worth it here.
PLAYER TOUCHDOWNS
Khalil Herbert +150 - I would have expected this number to be even money but I'll take the plus odds. Herbert has at least 18 rushes in three straight games, handles the goal-line work and has a good home matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert had also gotten involved in the passing games the last two weeks with a combined 8-7-48 line which could come into play as well.
Tyler Higbee +165 - The first and last touchdown scorer are both +1100 so I have some interest in that as well, with a bigger wager on an anytime touchdown. Houston is awful against tight ends and we hit in this spot last week using Zach Ertz, who before scoring was tackled at the 1-yard line almost leading to a two-touchdown day. Higbee is a sneaky play in this game given the other receiving options but it's notable he's run 50-plus routes for the Rams in every game this season.
Keenan Allen +125 - I've talked about Allen in this spot before and at this point, it almost seems like I should be Martindaling this. I do think this is a good spot for him and if you're on board with backing the Chargers this week it makes sense. He's too good of a receiver to be on pace for less than three touchdowns this season and has at least six scores in the last three years.
