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Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• The BEST DFS matchups for the first round 💲 

• DraftKings tips to help you build a lineup 📈 

• Tournament plays with lower ownership 💪 

• The latest NFL news and notes 🏈 

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QB: Dak Prescott (DAL) - $7,600

The matchup, the implied team total, and the eye test all point to Dak being the best QB play of the weekend. The Packers’ rookie defensive backs have had difficulty stopping opponents, and Dak has had a career year, especially when throwing to CeeDee Lamb.

The issue you’ll have is stacking Dak with CeeDee. It will hamstring your build. But, the idea that Dak has been a top-tier QB is supported by Fantasy Life’s statistics, showing that he’s top of the league in completions, completion percentage, and a bunch of other important stats.

QB: Cheaper Options

My favorite pick out of the lower salary bunch is probably Joe Flacco. The elder statesman of the weekend has a date with Houston’s tough defense, but Flacco has performed well against good defenses recently this season.

Jordan Love was a top QB over the last 5 weeks, but there’s a certain level of risk involved against the Cowboys who are capable of causing his game to go completely sideways. If his ownership ticks up higher he may not be worth it in the end.

Finally, I don’t love Jared Goff if Sam LaPorta isn’t going to play. He’s been such a big piece of that Detroit attack and there really isn’t anyone behind him picking up the slack.

Tournament Pivot: $6,500 projected ownership 8-10%

RB: Kyren Williams (LAR) - $7,300

Kyren may be expensive this week, but as my friend Jake Ciely likes to say, you have permission to play him.

This is a volume play, regardless of how strong the Lions have been against the run. He should get 20+ touches, which I’ll take any day. I worry about the RBs getting ready to play in poor weather because that could limit the upside. Williams is in a spot where I don’t really worry about it at all.

RB: Isiah Pacheco (KC) - $6,400

Pacheco is playing in the frigid cold, causing some risk, but he’s another guy who is going to get most of the backfield touches and all of the goal line work for his team. So even if the cold weather depresses the total volume for the game, Pacheco could be in line for most of it.

He’s one of the 3 RBs I predict going for around 20 touches, which is the most important thing for the RBs this weekend.

RB: Aaron Jones (GB) - $6,300

Jones rounds out my trio of backs who will get the most volume this weekend. His last 3 regular season games were strong, with 20+ touches and 100+ rushing yards in each. He finally looks healthy just at the right time of year. Plus, the Cowboys aren’t all that fearsome against the run.

Tournament Pivot: $6,500 projected ownership 20-22%

WR: CeeDee Lamb (DAL) - $9,000

As I mentioned above, this is a highly expensive click. But Lamb is one of the best receivers in the world at the moment, and even his props for the weekend show it. We’re talking about a 90-yard Over/Under.

You may have to get creative to fit him in, but he’s been on an absolute heater, so I think the price is right.

WR: Amari Cooper (CLE) - $6,800

You know where the weather won’t be an issue this weekend? Houston. Cooper has been GREAT with Joe Flacco in the later part of this season drawing about a million targets (ok, more like 14, 8, and 15 over his last 3 healthy games).

Cooper didn’t practice on Wednesday, but it looks like he should be good to go by the weekend, making him a nice little pay down from Lamb.

Tournament Pivot: $7,500 projected ownership 6-11%

TE: David Njoku (CLE) - $5,600

I don’t want to be too hyperbolic, but the way that Cooper and Njoku have played together reminds me of the way Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce used to produce. If they had a bigger name at QB we might be talking about them that way more often.

The utilization report from Fantasy Life demonstrates how much the Browns’ offense has relied on Njoku, especially late in the season. He has a couple of real spike weeks in his targets per route run that have sometimes inched close to 40%.

TE: Jake Ferguson (DAL) - $4,700

It’s easy to find the risks with most of the other TEs on the slate, so if you’re looking for someone cheaper than Njoku to slot into your lineup, Ferguson is the clear winner.

Tournament Pivot: $3,600 projected ownership <1%

DST: Buffalo Bills - $3,500

The Bills are the best option this weekend, and the field is trending that way too, so you’re not getting any ownership advantage here. Pittsburgh has the weakest offense left in the field, and Mason Rudolph has to be the weakest QB out there, so I think a turnover or 2 is likely.

Tournament Pivot: $3,600 projected ownership 1-3%

🗣 Belichick Speaks on Patriots Breakup

🦅 The Latest on Finger Injury for Jalen Hurts

🚨 Comments from Travis Kelce on 2024 Plans

🧲 Colts’ Richardson Has No Plans to Change Style

🧀 CB Jaire Alexander Can’t Catch Injury Break

🩼 Denzel Ward Sustains Practice Injury

🔥 Star Safety Returns to Aid Steelers this Weekend

🚨 Son of NFL Legend Formally Declares for Draft

👋 Pete Carroll Out as Seahawks’ HC

😢 Power Outage: No Watt for Pittsburgh

Bet responsibly this weekend, sweat it out with buddies, and above all, enjoy the games.

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