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Divisional Round RB/WR punt plays

Green Bay Packers' James Starks is stopped during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Eight more teams are in action for as NFL Playoff DFS continues for the Divisional Playoffs. Running back seems to hold the most value in terms of salary relief this weekend, and another Green Bay receiver makes the list in back-to-back weeks. Let’s take a look the top running back and wide receiver punt options for this weekend.

 

Running Backs

C.J Anderson, Denver Broncos- FanDuel $5,900, DraftKings $3,700, Yahoo $17

The case can certainly be made for either Ronnie Hillman or Anderson to make your rosters this week, but we’ll give the slight nod to Anderson for being $400 cheaper on DraftKings. He finished the season strong at home for the Broncos, averaging 7 yards per carry over the last two games, and finding the endzone in Week 16 and Week 17. Anderson also has a top-five point projection at running back this week (12.1 DraftKings points) and is the only running back in the group priced under $4000.

Anderson should benefit from facing the worst run defense among the eight teams left in the playoffs, with Steelers finishing the season ranked 22nd against the run and 20th in overall defense. The Broncos are the biggest favorites on the board this weekend at -7.5. If they are able to take a lead into the second half, look for Gary Kubiak to pound the rock and protect Peyton Manning from adding to his 17 interceptions that he’s thrown this season. Anderson is great GPP value on DraftKings this Sunday.

Fitzgerald Toussaint, Pittsburgh Steelers- FanDuel $6,200, DraftKings $4,200, Yahoo $12

Toussaint showed that Mike Tomlin has tabbed him as the running back to own in the Steelers backfield, earning 21 touches to Jordan Todman’s 11 touches last week in Cincinnati. It may seem surprising that Toussaint has a higher projected point total as the No.2 running back in the PFF lineup optimizer for this week, over names like Marshawn Lynch and Jonathan Stewart. Keep in mind that Toussaint is clearly the most healthy tailback among the trio, and figures to be an even bigger factor in the passing game (4 catches, 60 yards last week) with Antonio Brown ruled out due to concussion issues. With Big Ben suffering from torn ligaments in his shoulder after last week’s game, it makes even more sense that Toussaint could be featured in the short passing game. Take advantage of the bargain pricing here on DraftKings and Yahoo.

James Starks, Green Bay Packers – FanDuel $5,800, DraftKings $4,000, Yahoo $16

Starks checks in this week with a price tag that is $400 cheaper than Eddie Lacy, and out-touched his backfield partner 14 to 12 last week in Washington. That slight edge as the primary 3rd down back is likely why Starks carries  a higher point projection over Lacy this week.

After allowing eight sacks to the Cardinals in Week 16, Green Bay has to know that they’re getting a heavy dose of blitzes again in Arizona. This should set up the game flow swings and screens passes to Starks; something they failed to take advantage of in their last matchup. It’s worth noting that Starks’ 43 catches in the regular season were just seven receptions behind James Jones and Davante Adams. Starks is a tournament flex option on DraftKings this Saturday.

 

Wide Receivers

James Jones, Green Bay Packers – FanDuel $6,500, DraftKings  $4,600, Yahoo $19

For the second week in a row, Jones makes this list, mainly due to DraftKings making 13 other receivers more expensive than him on their site. Jones has a top ten projection among wide receivers for this week, and led the team with a whopping 13 targets last week against the Redskins. That brings his total to 47 targets over the past month, again more than any other Green Bay receiver. This is his eighth season playing in Green Bay alongside Aaron Rodgers, so he’s clearly the receiver that ARod trusts the most and has the most experience with. Look for Jones to hit double-digit targets again in a potential shootout this week versus the Cardinals.

Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals – FanDuel $6,500, DraftKings  $5,100, Yahoo $21

Coming off the bye week, and with home field advantage, the Cardinals have all three of their starting wide receivers ranked in the top eight on PFF’s wide receiver/cornerback matchup chart this week. Speaking of the cornerback matchup, Floyd is currently projected to draw Sam Shields in coverage, who will have to shake off the rust after being out of action since Week 14 due to concussion protocol.

Floyd gets the nod this week for having a higher point projection (14.4) than both Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown in our PFF lineup optimizer. DFS players also get the benefit of the sale price, which happens to be $1400 cheaper than Fitz and $100 cheaper than Brown on DraftKings. Floyd is a solid flex option on DraftKings this Saturday.

Jermaine Kearse, Seattle Seahawks – FanDuel $5,800, DraftKings $3,200, Yahoo $13

Here is your designated home run punt play for this week, brought to you by DraftKings at $200 above minimum salary. I like Kearse this week for a few reasons. For starters, he’s the biggest starting receiver that Seattle at 6-1, making him a strong asset in the red zone. Second, Carolina has had two full weeks to game plan for Doug Baldwin, and will likely have Josh Norman in coverage against Tyler Lockett and Jermaine Kearse. Because he is the designated third wheel in Seattle, we can expect the ownership level to be the lowest among any of the wide receivers on the slate this week, which is what you’re looking for in your GPPs if you hit pay dirt with him. Kearse is worth a flier on Yahoo and DraftKings.  

 

 

You can reach Josh on Twitter @JoshHayesFS and find him hosting the Daily Slant. You can also find him talking fantasy football on the Rotowire DFS Podcast at Rotowire.com and at thefantasyfootballinsider.com.

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