This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.
TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)
QB: Andy Dalton (CIN, $27)
Dalton has quietly recovered from a slow start to the season, especially after Bill Lazor took over as offensive coordinator. He's thrown for multiple TDs in three of his last four games, and he's been getting rid of the ball quickly and into the hands of his playmakers to offset the team's O-line issues. As he continues to move the offense effectively, he'll have an excellent matchup against the Colts, who allow the fourth most fantasy points to opposing QBs along with an average of 311 yards per game. Indy will also be short-handed after losing their playmaking rookie safety, Malik Hooker, to a season-ending knee injury.
RB: Ameer Abdullah (DET, $19)
Assuming the Lions coaching staff used the bye week to assess their offense, a quick look would indicate that Abdullah was a reliable weapon, as he had at least 86 yards in three straight games before seeing his touches reduced in the two games that followed. Since Detroit will be without Golden Tate, they would be wise to feed Abdullah against a Pittsburgh defense that's allowed the 12th most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Since Week 3, the Steelers have given up at least 78 combined yards to four different receivers while also giving up at least three receptions to seven different RBs over their last five games. Especially at his bargain price, Abdullah should be a valuable part of GPP lineups.
WR: Keenan Allen (LAC, $25)
Recency bias will ensure that Allen is largely ignored in DFS after last week's disappointing effort. However, a combination of game script and opponent were the main reasons behind his lack of production. He's typically a lock for at least nine targets, a number he's matched or exceeded in every 2017 contest before last week. He'll face the Patriots, who've allowed the fourth most fantasy points to WRs. In addition, they've given up at least 70 yards to 11 different WRs along with five TDs over their last five games. This is a potential blow-up spot for Allen.
Other Against-the-Grainers
QB: Trevor Siemian (DEN, $24), Josh McCown (NYJ, $25)
RB: Wendell Smallwood (PHI, $16), Rob Kelley (WAS, $17), Jordan Howard (CHI, $27)
WR: Alshon Jeffery (PHI, $20), Kendall Wright (CHI, $12), Josh Doctson (WAS, $13)
TE: Tyler Kroft (CIN, $13), Nick O'Leary (BUF, $10)
DST: Seattle Seahawks ($18), New Orleans Saints ($19)
CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (WAS, $32)
Cousins has been money lately, as he's accounted for 11 TDs over his last four games while surpassing 300 yards three times during that span. He should continue to keep rolling at home, where he's thrown for at least 330 yards in his last two matchups. It also helps that he'll be facing a Dallas defense that allows two passing scores per contest, and they've played many offenses with inferior passing attacks. Cousins has a very high floor and is an excellent cash-game option.
Running Back
Melvin Gordon (LAC, $33)
He's clearly not an efficient runner, as his yards per carry is far from acceptable. However, when seeing as much volume as Gordon typically does, he always has an excellent floor. Although he touched the ball just 18 times last week, he had at least 26 touches in his previous two games, which is fairly typical volume for him. As a dual-threat running back, he should excel against the Patriots, who allow the sixth most fantasy points to RBs. They also have allowed at least five yards per carry to both Doug Martin and Devonta Freeman over the last three weeks while also giving up at least four receptions and 30 yards to five different RBs this year. It goes without saying that this is a fantastic spot for Gordon.
LeSean McCoy (BUF, $29)
Even though last week was McCoy's first big game of the season, there are some trends aside from his most recent performance that make him a great DFS option this week. He's had at least 23 touches and at least 89 total yards in each of his last three games, so he has one of the best floors of any RB in the league. He's also facing an Oakland defense that's given up at least 73 rushing yards to a RB in four straight games. In addition, they've struggled covering dual-threat RBs, as they've allowed at least 67 yards and a TD to two different RBs as receivers. Fire up McCoy without hesitation.
Wide Receiver
Doug Baldwin (SEA, $25)
Metrics will show that the Texans are one of the better teams in terms of limiting wide receivers. However, their schedule has done them plenty of favors in terms of which receivers they've faced. Since the team lost J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, their pass rush won't be able to take advantage of the weak O-line of the Seahawks, which should allow the Seattle receivers plenty of time to complete their routes. Baldwin's been targeted at least eight times in four of his last five games, and he'll continue to be Russell Wilson's most reliable weapon in the passing game. Expect him to be busy and productive while also having the ability to post a huge stat line.
Devin Funchess (CAR, $22)
No Panther has benefitted more from the loss of Greg Olsen than Funchess has. Not only has he scored in three of the last four games, but he's been targeted at least eight times in five straight contests. He has a fantastic matchup against the Bucs, who have allowed the second most fantasy points to WRs, which includes seven TDs over the last five weeks. They also have given up at least 63 yards to 10 different receivers over their last six games. With his volume not in question, along with a great matchup, he's looking great this week.
Demaryius Thomas (DEN, $21)
It would be completely understandable to avoid Thomas this week after his nine-yard effort last week. However, he's been targeted at least eight times in every game except two this year, so he's typically a very consistent option. He'll be able to take advantage of a great matchup against the Chiefs, who have given up at least 92 yards to five different receivers this year, so he should be able to pile up the yardage. This also could be a game in which he breaks his TD drought, since KC has allowed 10 TDs over the last five weeks. Even if Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) is back in the lineup, Thomas is in a great spot this week against a team that's been the worst in the league against WRs.
Tight End
Hunter Henry (LAC, $22)
After a slow start to the season, Henry is becoming a star right before our eyes. He's posted at least 73 yards in each of the last two games while scoring twice over the last four. He also benefits from the fact that the Chargers have a number of weapons, so defenses are typically unable to make him the focal point of their attention. He'll not only face a Patriots defense that's allowed four TDs to tight ends over the last five games, but they have given up at least 61 yards to a tight end in three of the last four contests.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals ($19)
The Colts won't have the benefit of playing at home in the dome, as they travel to Cincinnati. Indy's O-line has been a turnstile, having allowed a whopping 28 sacks, and center Ryan Kelly left last week's game with an injury and is questionable this week. If that's not enough, the Colts allow the second most fantasy points to opposing defenses.
Honorable Mentions
QB: Russell Wilson (SEA, $35) Carson Wentz (PHI, $37)
RB: Le'Veon Bell (PIT, $39), Devonta Freeman (ATL, $35)
WR: Pierre Garcon (SF, $18), Danny Amendola (NE, $17)
TE: Travis Kelce (KC, $24), Jason Witten (DAL, $19)
DST: Kansas City Chiefs ($18)
