We are nearly putting the end to the 2021 season, with three games left of the season. With this being a smaller slate, I’m going to cover the options for each team in a little bit of detail. With some highlights for my favorite plays.
Cincinnati Bengals @Kansas City: O/U 54.5 points, Chiefs -7
San Francisco 49ers @Los Angeles Rams: O/U 45.5 points, Rams -3.5
Quarterback
Joe Burrow ($6,600) has looked confident in the pocket, able to move the ball as required. Last week he was under ALOT of pressure, sacked nine times. Although he was unable to score a TD, he still threw over 300 yards. This week brings him into a repeat of his Week 17 matchup, where he blitzed the team for 446 yards and 4 TDs. With the Chiefs expected to be the favorites, with a decent O/U there should be plenty of volume for Burrow to air it out.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon ($6,800) is the RB that has the best guarantee of volume and scoring opportunities. Mixon has nearly 19 touches per game, and especially with DraftKings PPR scoring, his pass-catching work is great. That is the reason for the price, as his rushing stats haven’t been fantastic. Infact, going back to week 13 he hasn’t had over 65 yards on the ground.
Wide Receivers
Ja’Marr Chase ($6,700) is a great stacking option with Burrow. In that Week 17 game, Chase erupted for 266 yards and 3 TDs. He isn’t likely to repeat that stat line, but there is no reason why he shouldn’t comfortably pass 100 yards. Outside of the Week 18 game where he played just 5 snaps, he has a streak of 4 games of over 100 yards receiving.
Tee Higgins ($5,700) performed well last week, with just under 100 yards in the victory over the Titans. Yes, in GPPs Higgins might be worth paying down for, but I’m find with just paying up the extra amount for Chase on the slate.
Tyler Boyd ($4,200) is a TD dependent play, as his yardage and reception totals won’t move the needle otherwise. Boyd feels like a punt play, but worth mixing in as a GPP alternative to Chase/ Higgins in a Burrow stack.
Tight Ends
C.J. Uzomah ($3,400) is the cheapest (viable, by that I mean starting) TE on the slate. The reason for that is relatively simple, he isn’t a reliable option. I’m ok going with him in a GPP, but I’m not slotting him into my cash game lineups.
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes ($7,400) has recaptured the magic after struggling at the start of the season with turnovers. In fact he has only lost one game in the last 11 games, which was against the Bengals. With his confidence restored, and at home, he should be a solid option at QB.
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($5,300) finds himself in a likely time-share with Jerick McKinnon after returning from a shoulder injury. He wasn’t really on the field all that much last week, but should be able to return to a larger workload this week. The thing is, the Bengals defense has been effective against the run this season, so he isn’t as appealing as he could be.
Jerick McKinnon ($5,100) is the back I’d be going for in the Chiefs backfield. The reason being the volume he gets through the air. McKinnon had the majority of the work last week, but CEH is likely to be given more early down work.
Wide Receivers
Tyreek Hill ($7,000) is always in play if he is on the slate. He is pricey, but after seeing his 150 yard game last time out against Buffalo he looks to be back to his best. The thing is, while he can have those big games, he can also disappear. Personally, I’m not paying up for Hill given the price.
Byron Pringle ($4,300) is a name that just keeps springing up during games. He has established himself as a reliable receiving option, with the price tag not really matching that, he is a good (cheap) option for exposure to the Chiefs passing attack.
I’m not considering either Mecole Hardman ($4,000) or Demarcus Robinson ($3,800). There are better options out there (Pringle) and it’s really not worth saving that little bit of salary to have all of the extra risk of a dud game.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce ($6,500) is obviously the most expensive TE on the slate for good reason. His usage puts him in the realm of receivers on the slate, and he is a constant TD threat. Even against the Bills defense that has been tough against TEs this season, he caught a TD and just under 100 yards. If you can afford him, slot him in.
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo ($5,400) ended the regular season with a string of strong performances, but hasn’t carried that into the playoffs. I can’t see me paying down to grab him this week. The upside just isn’t there.
Running Backs
Elijah Mitchell ($5,900) has been getting a healthy number of touches this season, with his streak of 20 touches broken by the Packers game with only 17. The 49ers key to victory is trying to establish the run, but the Rams have performed well against Mitchell this season, with no TDs or receptions in either game. But, at the price, it’s hard to turn down the volume he will have on the ground.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel ($7,200) is the prime weapon for the 49ers, working as a solid receiving and rushing option. In the games that he has faced the Rams he has performed, with over 130 all-purpose yards, as well as receptions and TDs thrown into the mix. Given his importance, you don’t need to stack him making him an attractive option.
Brandon Aiyuk ($5,000) is a solid GPP option, with big-play ability, but he feels like a risk in cash games. It’s not like he was particularly great against the Rams in either game either. With one 26 yard game, and one 107 yard game. There are options that I prefer in cash this week.
Tight Ends
George Kittle ($5,000) has had an inconsistent season, with the emergence of Samuel in the offense. At the price he is set at, he feels more like a pivot from Kelce than an option to target. With his ability the ceiling is there, but the floor isn’t.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford ($6,300) had a season best 366 yards through the air last week. But he has cleared the 300 yard bonus mark in 8 games so far this season. The 49ers secondary has struggled this season, if you fancy a change from the AFC options, Stafford has to be the play.
Running Backs
Cam Akers ($5,000) returned to the Rams lineup, looking great (ignore his fumbles). The 49ers rush defense is a solid unit, not as strong as Tampa Bay’s, but still a great defensive threat. The volume, however, is what makes him a solid play this week. Sony Michel ($4,600) isn’t going to be in my lineups this week. He doesn’t offer the same volume as Akers, and isn’t set at a basement price.
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp ($8,800) has had a great season, which constantly looks like it is going to get better. There are few more consistent options in the league, with 12 games over 100-yards this season as well as another five at more than 90 yards.
Odell Beckham ($5,100) has performed well opposite Kupp, with a healthy streak of scoring TDs. That is where his value lies, as he has only broken the 70-yard mark twice for the Rams. If you are looking for a mid-tier option, Beckham could be it but I prefer……
Van Jefferson ($3,900) has really become sidelined in the offense, but he still is on the field with a healthy snap count. With his downfield ability, he has the opportunity to hit value with a big-play. A nice spend-down option for GPPs.
Tight Ends
Tyler Higbee ($3,700) is probably my pivot from Kelce on this slate, given the difference in price and the ceiling he has. Yes, the 49ers are tough against TEs, but Higbee has had a solid involvement in the offense all season.
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Image Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig – USA TODAY Sports
