This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
The Conference Championships are here and in a couple of days we'll know who we are going to get for this season's Super Bowl. FanDuel's big contest this weekend is the two-game Sunday Million, which has a total of $1.6 million in prize money and costs only $9 to enter. There is also the option of playing each individual game under the "single game" tab. Here is who to consider for this week.
QUARTERBACKS
Patrick Mahomes ($9,500) checks in as the most expensive option this week and is coming off a 38.14 fantasy point effort a week ago. It's hard to argue against him in cash; he's a home favorite on the team with the highest expected point total this weekend. Out of all of the teams left, the Titans have allowed the most fantasy points (15th most) to opposing quarterbacks as well. There isn't a clear second option to consider for cash given the low floor of the remaining three quarterbacks. The Titans should once again hitch their wagon to Derrick Henry while Aaron Rodgers ($8,000) and Jimmy Garoppolo ($7,600) both have tough matchups. If forced to pick one as a contrarian play for GPPs, it looks like Jimmy G would be the best option. He's cheap and as a 7.5-point favorite at home, that suggests the passing game should click for the 49ers. Ryan Tannehill ($7,700) as the game script has a good possibility that he has to throw in the second half in an effort to catch up to the chiefs.
RUNNING BACKS
The conversation this week has to begin with Derrick Henry ($9,800). His price actually rose from last week and it should have. He has at least 22.1 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games and the Titans should come into this game with the idea they need to give him another 30 carries this week. The problem is Vegas has his over/under for carries at 22.5 suggesting they think Tennessee throws more this week with the Chiefs likely to sell out to stop the run. Working in his favor is the fact that the Chiefs allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season suggesting another big game for the giant running back. There's definitely a path to using both Mahomes and Henry in cash games. One of those ways is to trust Raheem Mostert ($5,800) once again. Mostert is extremely affordable and while it was Tevin Coleman ($6,500) who had the big games last week, it was the first time in five games Coleman had more than four fantasy points. Go back to the Mostert well as he had double-digit fantasy points in six straight games before last week. Aaron Jones ($7,800) should be sprinkled in a tournament lineup or two but it difficult to trust given his price and that's he's facing the third-best run defense. Damien Williams ($7,600) is the lead back for the Chiefs and has at least 12 carries in five of his last six games. He has become very touchdown dependent, however, and expecting multiple touchdowns from him each game is obviously an unsustainable pace. Long shot punt plays to consider this weekend outside of cash contests include Jamaal Williams ($4,800) and Kyle Juszczyk ($4,700).
WIDE RECEIVERS
Davante Adams ($8,300) is the most expensive wide receiver and is coming off a game where he had 32 fantasy points. He'll have a much tougher matchup this week in San Francisco and the position looks like a slate to look for more economical choices. It's highly unlikely Aaron Rodgers targets Adams unless he's on the side of the field opposite of Richard Sherman. Tyreek Hill ($7,400) has scored 10 or fewer fantasy points in five of his last six games making him difficult to trust as well. While he has as much upside as any receiver he should be used as a tournament-only play this week. I'd advocate going back to Deebo Samuel ($6,300), the most explosive receivers on the 49ers. He should get back to double-digit fantasy points in this game and it makes a lot of sense to pair him up with Jimmy G. in tournaments. While it feels lazy to continue to suggest Sammy Watkins ($5,200), he's very cheap and returned 10 fantasy points last week. Allen Lazard ($5,100) disappeared last week but is the only wide receiver not Adams for the Packers that peaks my interest. Corey Davis ($5,000) and Mecole Hardman ($4,900) are good punt options for tournaments.
TIGHT ENDS
There are two great options - Travis Kelce ($7,800) and George Kittle ($7,000), two good options - Jonnu Smith ($5,600) and Jimmy Graham ($5,300) and then everyone else. It's not a bad week to try and squeeze in both Kelce and Kittle considering the lack of options at wide receiver. Kelce is banged up and won't play a full complement of snaps. That coupled with $800 in savings makes it seem like Kittle is the best option this week despite coming off a poor fantasy game. The 49ers did make an attempt to get him the ball in the red zone last week and should be expected to do the same this week. Jonnu has the best matchup on paper given the Chiefs allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. His athleticism was on display last week with the circus-catch touchdown and he's an excellent contrarian play in tournaments.
DEFENSES
The defenses are priced very similarly this week:
San Francisco ($4,600)
Kansas City ($4,400)
Tennessee ($4,200)
Green Bay ($4,000)
As a result, it makes a lot of sense to pay up for San Francisco especially with the Packers having the lowest expected point total. Arrowhead is typically a tough place to play and it's unlikely the Chiefs get off to a slow start two weeks in a row. The Titans may go all 2007 Giants this season so I like them the best if forced to pick between them and the Packers.
