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: Brian Hoyer, HOU vs. NO ($7,100): This pick brings a little risk to the table considering Hoyer is coming off a concussion. However, he's passed the protocol and is line to make his start at home against the Saints. Weather won't be an issue and he has arguably the best matchup for a quarterback on the board. The Saints have been crushed by opposing QBs over the last six weeks and until the injury Hoyer was surpassing his value on a weekly basis. He averaged over 20 fantasy points per game in October and now gets a team giving up 24.1 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, by far the worst mark in the league.
RB: Thomas Rawls, SEA vs. PIT ($6,300): Just about anyone can be faded in tournaments, but for cash games this week Rawls will be the most heavily owned player. Fade him at your own risk, as this is a decent matchup at home and he's almost guaranteed to get another 20-plus touches this week. It's worth noting that before last week's outburst he had games of 10.4, 17.4 and 22.9 fantasy points earlier in the season without seeing nearly the volume he will this week.
RB: Javorius Allen, BAL at CLE ($6,300): There are a lot of good values at running back this week and there's little reason to pay up at the position given the elite players' matchups and health. With Justin Forsett done for the season it'll be Allen getting the bulk of the workload. He got 27 touches last game after Forsett left and should see something in the 20s going forward. Allen is a good pass-catcher out of the backfield and that has always been a piece of the Marc Trestman offense, even with Matt Schaub at quarterback. Plus, Cleveland gives up 4.6 yards per carry, the fifth worst mark in the league.
WR: DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. NO ($9,400): Pairing Hopkins up with Hoyer makes a ton of sense and there's no one on the Saints who can keep up with the breakout wide receiver. Devin Breaux has been exposed over the last few games after appearing to be a decent cover corner, and Hopkins routinely beat Darrelle Revis last week. The mid-priced options at wide receiver are suspect, so it makes sense to pay up.
WR: Odell Beckham, NYG at WAS ($9,100): Like Hopkins, there's little need for explanation here considering the upside of ODB. He has at least 104 receiving yards in each of his last three games and had 17.4 fantasy points the first time these two teams met. Beckham continues to see plenty of targets, and the Redskins offense (especially at home) should keep this a close game.
WR: Amari Cooper, OAK at TEN ($6,800): Cooper's price has dropped due to a decline in recent performance but that should turn around this week. He won't have Darius Slay shadowing him all game and should get better play out of Derek Carr as well. Tennessee allows the fifth worst YPA (8.0) in the league, so the Raiders' passing attack should bounce back in Tennessee.
TE: Gary Barnidge, CLE vs. BAL ($6,500): The mid-week fiasco with Johnny Manziel has given the starter's role back to Josh McCown. There's a pretty direct correlation to Barnidge's increase in fantasy production with McCown over Manziel, so the change should be a good thing. Barnidge has been ridiculously consistent, with fantasy games of at least 13.1 points in seven of his last eight. The one game below 13.1 fantasy points was with Johnny Football under center.
K: Nick Novak, HOU vs. NO ($4,500):Stephen Gostkowski at $5,200 and kicking in Denver is very tempting, but to get in the above pieces a kicker at minimum price is needed. Vegas has this over/under at 47.5, with the Texans three-point favorites, which suggests they'll score around 25 points Sunday. Novak plays in a dome and is the home kicker, both elements to want in his favor.
DEF/ST: Washington Redskins vs. NYG ($4,000): Again, going with the skilled position players above means finding minimum priced options for both the kicker and defense positions. The Redskins have a better matchup than the 49ers and it's not crazy to think Tom Coughlin or Eli Manning could make this a good value pick considering the game is in Washington.
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.
RB: Todd Gurley, STL at CIN ($8,800): Gurley would be a fantastic pick for both cash games and tournaments most weeks. However, a combination of not making his value the last few games and a tough matchup make him the perfect tournament play this week. It's arguable that he has the highest upside of any player week-in and week-out and this week doesn't change that. All of these factors make him the perfect contrarian play.
WR: Cecil Shorts, HOU vs. NO ($5,600): Shorts has done little this season thanks to numerous injuries, but he makes for a play this week who should be under one percent owned. The key here is that he got four carries last week in addition to two catches, finishing with 77 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, giving him 4x value. Again, the Texans should put up points in the passing game and Shorts will be an afterthought for most owners.
