Fantasy News & Analysis

Fantasy 5: DFS enthusiasts have a new option

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 28: (L-R) Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants talks with Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints after a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 28, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

 (The Fantasy 5 is a quick-hit wrap-up of some of the biggest news topics of the day for fantasy football players, giving you advice you need to set your lineup or pick your DFS roster.)

We’re back at it again for this week’s Fantasy 5, focusing on the key things you need to know entering Week 15. Whether you’re researching information for your season-long leagues or trying to narrow down your DFS player pool, there’s generally something for everyone featured here. Here’s a look at the some of the more interesting pieces of fantasy news to know heading into the weekend games.

1. FanDuel introduces Superflex

I love Superflex leagues. They are hands-down my favorite way to play fantasy football. I was ecstatic when I heard that FanDuel would be introducing them this weekend and immediately started entering lineups. There are two pieces of advice I feel are paramount to having sustained success in these types of leagues. The first is that if you have the option to play a second quarterback, play a second quarterback. You’re given QB/RB/WR/TE designation flexibility, but quarterbacks routinely score more than their positional counterparts. Unless you have the Back to the Future almanac, your best odds at a higher-scoring lineup is by fielding two quarterbacks. The second piece of advice I’d suggest is that paying down at quarterback is the way to go. In a similar vain to going “late-round quarterback,” there’s tremendous value to be had late, providing you salary savings to pay up for studs at running back and wide receiver. I’m extremely thrilled to see FD give this a shot and I encourage any other Superflex-enthusiasts to play in these contests and voice your support for the new idea.

2. How best to leverage PFF’s tools to win your fantasy playoffs

Congrats my fellow fantasy football friends. If you’re reading this article, you’re likely still looking for some fantasy football advice as we head into the most important time on the fantasy calendar — the fantasy playoffs. Pro Football Focus has everything you need to get your lineup in the best possible shape prior to kickoff. Our Cheat Sheet page is our one-stop place holding all of our analysts’ well-researched work on just about anything you need to know. From last-minute waiver-wire advice, to optimal defenses to stream, and potential breakouts, there’s everything you need to learn how to best prepare. Our team dives even deeper into things like Actual Opportunity, Snaps, Pace, & Stats, and WR-CB Matchups to exploit and fade. The Tools available help you perform your own analysis and can give you an edge in a plethora of way as well. No matter what you need for your playoff fantasy matchup this week, PFF can help you gain an edge on the competition.

3. AFC playoff preview — New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

This week’s projected highest-scoring game on the slate is a matchup between the Patriots visiting Heinz Field to take on the Steelers. The 54-point total for this game should be one that’s up in pace while providing a ton of fantasy potential at multiple positions. Tom Brady has shown massive success during his career when playing against the Steelers and should be started with confidence this week:

Brady will also be getting back one of his most dangerous weapons in Rob Gronkowski following his one-game suspension, who has averaged 25.5 fantasy points in the five games he’s played the Steelers. Chris Hogan played on over 90 percent of the snaps last week in his first action since Week 8. He should be in for a much better game this week. Pittsburgh’s offense comes alive playing at home, with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell all fantastic fantasy assets this week. We’ve seen Bill Belichick often focus on limiting his opponent’s top weapon. It’ll be interesting to see how he tries to slow down two of the best players at their respective positions. The Patriots are currently three-point road favorites in this one. There is plenty of offensive firepower in this matchup, and you should be starting every fantasy-relevant player in what figures to be an AFC shootout.

4. Sneaky Week 15 shootouts

The Patriots-Steelers game isn’t the only one that should feature some fantasy goodness this week. There are several games that could be worth game-stacking in DFS tournaments this week. The Packers-Panthers game has already seen the total rise +2.5 points from its opening line. We aren’t sure what condition Aaron Rodgers will be in during his first game back. Will the team rely heavily on Jamaal Williams? Does Rodgers rekindle his long-lost spark with Jordy Nelson right off the bat? Both pass defenses have been atrocious as of late and should provide some significant fantasy potential. The Bengals happen to be missing a ton of players due to injury this week. We’ll have to wait for the final report to see who’s ruled out, but at this time, the 11-point spread favoring the Vikings looks like it could continue heading in Minnesota’s favor. My favorite wild card of the bunch is the Rams-Seahawks game. Divisional rematches generally are much lower scoring the second time around, but both of these offenses are rolling on all cylinders and have defense that have been depleted by injuries. Never fade Russell Wilson in December.

5. PFF Grade of the Week: David DeCastro

Through 14 weeks, our highest-graded guard is Pittsburgh’s DeCastro. DeCastro has been having a phenomenal 2017 season, ranking as our third-highest pass-blocking guard and second-highest run blocker. No one has played more pass-blocking snaps and allowed fewer pressures for their opposing quarterback. He has yet to allow a sack and has given up just one QB hit on 525 snaps. DeCastro has also been a major cog in the rushing success Pittsburgh has had this season. The Steelers’ offensive line is creating plenty of room for the backs with them seeing 2.02 yards before contact, a top-12 rate in the league. That extra room has allowed Le’Veon Bell’s patient running style to wait for his blockers to engage before he hits and crease and picks up big yards. It’s led to Bell being the league-leader in rushing at 1,105 yards so far. DeCastro is in the second year of the six-year, $58 million contract extension he signed in 2016. He’s proven to be worth every penny this season.

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