This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Cash Games
In 50/50s, double-ups or heads-up contests, always aim for a lineup that has a higher floor rather than a higher ceiling. In 50/50 contests, the top half of all entries finish in the money, which means you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. Rather, build these lineups with safe players who can be counted on for production.
QB: Carson Palmer, ARZ vs. GB ($8,900): Paying up for the top quarterback this week seems to make a lot of sense considering the other five top options are within $800. Vegas has this set as the highest over/under and the Cardinals have the highest expected team total on the slate. The hope here is that Green Bay can put up points and keep Palmer passing for the whole game.
RB: David Johnson, ARZ vs. GB ($8,500): Johnson is clearly the best option at the position this week and has one of the better matchups as well. He's been a fantasy gold mine since taking over as the starter and was averaging over 20 fantasy points per game in the four contests leading up to the Seattle loss in Week 17. It helps that Arizona has had some extra time off and Johnson is probably the only three-down back in the playoffs who has the potential to get 30-plus touches this weekend.
RB: Fitzgerald Toussaint, PIT at DEN ($6,200): After Johnson, almost every other player at the position has some type of fleas, whether it's a timeshare or a bad matchup. Toussaint has the latter this weekend against Denver but showed last week he can still produce in a tough matchup. Given that Ben Roethlisberger will be less than 100 percent, he'll throw short a lot and probably check down to Toussaint often. Toussaint gained over 100 yards from scrimmage last week and had he found the end zone, he would have had almost a 20-point day. It helps that even if the Steelers get behind he should continue to get touches.
WR: Michael Floyd, ARZ vs. GB ($6,500): At this price it's tough to pass on Palmer's top receiving option, as Floyd has 100-yard games in five of his last seven (throwing out the Seattle loss). Rostering Floyd, Johnson and Palmer makes for a nice floor as it covers most and almost any of the scoring the Cardinals will have. Expect Floyd to be the highest-owned wide receiver (and therefore fade-able in GPPs) considering his price.
WR: Ted Ginn, CAR vs. SEA ($6,500): Ginn comes into this game a little banged up but the extra rest from the opening-round bye should have him near 100 percent. He's not always going to be shadowed by Richard Sherman and it's hard to ignore the recent three-game streak of at least 22 fantasy points. Cam Newton presents enough of a running threat to keep the secondary honest, and provided he can hang onto the ball, Ginn should be good for a big play or two.
WR: James Jones, GB at ARZ ($6,500):Aaron Rodgers really only has two receiving options this week with Davante Adams likely out, and Jones is one of them. Jones has had at least 11 targets in three straight games and should hit that mark again in what should be a high-scoring affair. It helps that Tyrann Mathieu (knee) is out and Patrick Peterson should cover Randall Cobb for at least part of the game. Just hope the Packers' offensive line can keep Rodgers upright in this one.
TE: Travis Kelce, KC at NE ($6,600): It's hard to go with Rob Gronkowski considering he hasn't been an exceptional value in quite some time and has been limited in practice this week with a knee issue. Kelce might end up being the top receiving option for the Chiefs with Jeremy Maclin either out or playing at much less than 100 percent. Last week, Kelce finished with 16.8 fantasy points against what was thought to be a good defense playing at home.
K: Brandon McManus, DEN vs. PIT ($4,700): The Broncos should be able to move the ball at home on the Steelers and McManus has the advantage of being at home and in the thin Colorado air.
DEF/ST: Arizona Cardinals vs. GB ($4,800): The Cardinals defense absolutely crushed the Packers a few weeks ago, finishing with 33 fantasy points. While the Packers will make adjustments, it's worth noting that the Cardinals have had at least nine fantasy points in each of the four games leading up to the Week 17 debacle.
Tournaments
For tournament lineups, you have to look at upside and use some "outside-the-box" picks if you want to cash. Don't use this type of lineup completely, as there is a lower floor with a lot of players. A mix of studs with a few of the cheaper options could net the top overall prize.
QB: Peyton Manning, DEN vs. PIT ($7,000): This is probably going to sound a little crazy but listen to the logic: all of the other viable options are anywhere from $1,400 to $1,900 more expensive, so Manning gives the opportunity to spend up at the other positions. He still has two outstanding options in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanual Sanders, both of whom are talented enough to give Manning a huge day. The Pittsburgh defense is not one of the better units left in the playoffs and they should be able to be beaten through the air.
WR: Devin Funchess, CAR vs. SEA ($5,300): Funchess has a nine-game streak of scoring a touchdown and then not scoring. While that's never a good or predictable way to pick a player, it's worth noting that he's scored in five of his last nine. He should see softer coverage against Seattle with Ginn and Greg Olsen drawing most of the attention, which should give him the opportunity to get open. Both of these offenses are capable of putting up points and this could turn into a shootout.
