This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Cash Games
In 50/50s, double-ups or heads-up contests, always aim for a lineup that has a higher floor rather than a higher ceiling. In 50/50 contests, the top half of all entries finish in the money, which means you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. Rather, build these lineups with safe players who can be counted on for production.
QB: Cam Newton, CAR at NO ($9,000): It's too tempting to pass on Cam given the matchup and belief that New Orleans should put up points, as Drew Brees has historically played better at home in the dome. It helps when looking at roster construction that the value still lies at running back and the upper-tier players at that position all seem to have tough matchups. There isn't much to say about Newton; he's a frontrunner for MVP and has had at least 16 fantasy points in every game this season. He's a threat to run for a score or throw for one no matter who the passing targets are.
RB: David Johnson, ARZ at STL ($5,900): Johnson has a tough road matchup going into St. Louis but should handle the bulk of the work and be good for 15-plus touches. Over the last two weeks in a limited role he scored 9.9 and 9.6 fantasy points, respectively, which would seem where his floor would be at this week. He's a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield and has the size to handle the goal line work as well. He's one of the better values this week at any position.
RB: DeAngelo Williams, PIT vs. IND ($7,200): Williams has a nice home matchup against the Colts and his value is much higher with Ben Roethlisberger under center. He was able to score 21.2 fantasy points on the road in Seattle last week and has the ceiling to go over 30 like he did three weeks ago.
WR: Julio Jones, ATL at TB ($9,200): It's tempting to take either Odell Beckham for $200 more or Antonio Brown for $200 less in this spot. However, between the three of them the Jets still strike me as the best defense, especially if they get Darrelle Revis back (though that is unlikely at this point). Jones has already torched the Buccaneers once this season, finishing that game with a 12-162-1 line at home in the dome. Still, this looks like a nice game for the Falcons to bounce back offensively and the return of Devonta Freeman should help kick start the offense as well.
WR: Alshon Jeffery, CHI vs. SF ($7,700): It's odd to quote home and away stats for NFL teams but the 49ers have played markedly better at Levi's Stadium this season. Jeffery appears to be fully healthy and has been a target monster since returning to the lineup. Jay Cutler has targeted Jeffery at least 11 times in five out of six games this season and the effective running tandem of Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford will help keep the 49ers defense honest.
WR: Danny Amendola, NE vs. PHI ($6,700): The Patriots are going to be down their two best receiving options, so it seems wise to take a couple of their replacements. Amendola had a nice game against Buffalo a couple of weeks ago before suffering an injury and finishing with 16.2 fantasy points. New England will be without the services of Rob Gronkowski, and Amendola is almost a lock for 10-plus targets. The Eagles look like a team that's quit on the season and they're coming off giving up big games to Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate on Turkey Day.
TE: Scott Chandler, NE vs. PHI ($5,300): As previously mentioned, getting a couple of cheap pieces of the New England passing attack is not a bad idea. Chandler had a big game last week and while he won't fill Rob Gronkowski's shoes, he has the ability to fill around 75 percent of them. That means there's both a nice floor and upside, as Chandler's 14.3 points last week indicate.
K: Dustin Hopkins, WAS vs. DAL ($4,500): Hopkins is at the minimum price here and, as usual, there's always value with the cheaper kickers. The Washington offense seems to have clicked better at home this season and the Cowboys are not a matchup to avoid defensively. At home this season Hopkins has scored nine, 18, seven, 11 and seven fantasy points.
DEF/ST: Miami Dolphins vs. BAL ($4,500):Matt Schaub.
Tournaments
For tournament lineups, you have to look at upside and use some "outside-the-box" picks if you want to cash. Don't use this type of lineup completely, as there is a lower floor with a lot of players. A mix of studs with a few of the cheaper options could net the top overall prize.
WR: Dez Bryant, DAL at WAS ($7,200): The price is too good to ignore and the Redskins just gave up a monster game to Odell Beckham. Dez has 3.6, 12.5 and 7.0 fantasy points in his last three games, respectively, so he'll have a low ownership rate despite the price dropping. He'll get red zone targets and is still talented enough to take a short pass and turn it into a long touchdown.
QB: Sam Bradford, PHI at NE ($6,400): This is the ultimate contrarian play given that Bradford is coming off an injury, the Eagles have looked terrible lately and he doesn't have a fantasy game of over 20 points since Oct. 4. That being said, Bradford, like Drew Brees this week, should be on the wrong end of the score in a game that should feature a lot of offense. Bradford should have to air it out against New England as a result of game flow with the Eagles trying to keep pace with the potent Patriots offense. He's very cheaply priced this week as the 27th-highest priced option at the position and could be under five percent owned.
