The Divisional Round is filled with many strong fantasy options at every position, but the recommended daily fantasy lineup includes five players from the Colts-Chiefs game to kick off the weekend.
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QB: Patrick Mahomes vs. IND
DraftKings: $7,000
I would feel comfortable with any of the eight starting quarterbacks in my daily fantasy lineup for this week, but some values at other positions allows the ability to spend big for Patrick Mahomes for this recommended lineup. A ton of points should be scored in the Saturday afternoon matchup, so Mahomes should be among the highest scorers of the week. Jared Goff and Dak Prescott might be the best values among quarterbacks if you want to spend big elsewhere, as the Saturday night game has shootout potential.
RB: Marlon Mack @ KC
DraftKings: $5,800
With the fifth-highest salary among running backs in DraftKings and substantially less than the top three options Ezekiel Elliott ($8,200), Todd Gurley ($8,000), and Alvin Kamara ($7,300), Marlon Mack’s value is too great to pass up in any lineup. Indy’s lead runner has been among the hottest players in the league in recent weeks, with a touchdown in each of his last five games (and six total in that span), putting up at least 119 yards in each of the three games he’s received 24+ carries (he received less than 15 carries in the other two).
RB: Damien Williams vs. IND
DraftKings: $5,100
If Spencer Ware (hamstring) plays, Damien Williams won’t be quite as good of a value. However, Williams could be set for 15-20+ touches and most of the premium red-zone looks against the Colts if Ware is out. Darius Leonard and the Indianapolis defense fly around and don’t make things easy for opposing offenses, but in a game where there could many points scored, Williams has obvious multi-touchdown upside.
WR: Tyreek Hill vs. IND
DraftKings: $7,400
Pierre Desir with safety help over the top, including from the rangy Malik Hooker, might make things tough on Tyreek Hill; but the third-year receiver is incredibly difficult to contain, especially with Patrick Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and hit him at any area of the field. Stacking Mahomes and Hill or Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton could payoff big during the Divisional Round.
WR: T.Y. Hilton @ KC
DraftKings: $6,700
T.Y. Hilton is the player to stop in Indianapolis’ offense, but no team has been able to do it the past several weeks. Despite dealing with an ankle injury that’s forced him to miss a ton of practice time, Hilton has 52 receptions, 925 yards, and two touchdowns… in his last eight games. Hilton is going to get his as the Colts look to advance to the AFC title game.
WR: Robert Woods vs. DAL
DraftKings: $5,900
Hill and Hilton probably have the most fantasy upside of any receiver in the Divisional Round, and Robert Woods has offered one of the best fantasy floors of any player this season. Woods had just two receptions for 24 yards in the regular-season finale—his first time under four receptions or 61 yards since Week 1—so he’s a good bet to bounce back with at least double-digit points Saturday night.
TE: Rob Gronkowski vs. LAC
DraftKings: $4,600
Rob Gronkowski has the fourth-highest salary for tight ends in the Divisional Round, which isn’t surprising after a trying, subpar regular season. However, Gronk still has as much upside as Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, and Eric Ebron at a premium price. Hope the bye week helped get the All-Pro tight end back closer to his usual self and it could lead to a couple of scores from your tight end spot.
FLEX: Sony Michel vs. LAC
DraftKings: $4,700
C.J. Anderson is playing great for the Rams, but it’s pretty surprising he has a higher salary than Patriots’ leading ball-carrier Sony Michel. While not heavily involved as a receiver, Michel could be a big factor as a between-the-tackles runner that helps control the game for New England, with Tom Brady coming through in the end like he typically does. 20-carry potential is a bargain at this price.
D/ST: Patriots vs. LAC
DraftKings: $2,600
All of these games could turn into shootouts, so selecting the right defense could take some luck. I think the Patriots are a solid option because they had the bye week to prepare, Foxboro is an elite home-field advantage in January, and Philip Rivers is prone to making a mistake or two because he’s willing to take chances. Not being talked about much, New England’s defense might want to make a statement on Sunday.
I never trust a man in his first playoff game.