This article is part of our Four-Down Duel series.
50/50 or Heads Up
In 50/50 or Heads-Up contests, you should aim for a lineup that has a higher floor over a higher ceiling. If you're in a 50/50 contest, the top half of all entries finishes in the money, meaning you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. I build these lineups with the players I need regardless of their price while including my rationale.
Dez Bryant, DAL, $9100 - The fact that he's upset about his lack of target makes me love this pick even more. Minnesota is coming off giving up more than 27 Fanduel points to Jordy Nelson, and I have to think Dez is in for a huge game at home.
Cam Newton, CAR, $8900 - I don't have much respect for the Atlanta defense, and while Cam is at a premium price, I have to think he'll earn it. One of the keys to his fantasy value is the increase in his rushes; he's averaged 10 over his last three games with two touchdowns after averaging six rushes with only one touchdown over his first three games.
LeSean McCoy, PHI, $8800 - I know of the woes that the Philadelphia offense is going through. However, it seems like a trip to Oakland could be just what they need. I'd look for McCoy to get back on track this week whether it be through the air or ground.
Zac Stacy, STL, $5800 - Stacy had
50/50 or Heads Up
In 50/50 or Heads-Up contests, you should aim for a lineup that has a higher floor over a higher ceiling. If you're in a 50/50 contest, the top half of all entries finishes in the money, meaning you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. I build these lineups with the players I need regardless of their price while including my rationale.
Dez Bryant, DAL, $9100 - The fact that he's upset about his lack of target makes me love this pick even more. Minnesota is coming off giving up more than 27 Fanduel points to Jordy Nelson, and I have to think Dez is in for a huge game at home.
Cam Newton, CAR, $8900 - I don't have much respect for the Atlanta defense, and while Cam is at a premium price, I have to think he'll earn it. One of the keys to his fantasy value is the increase in his rushes; he's averaged 10 over his last three games with two touchdowns after averaging six rushes with only one touchdown over his first three games.
LeSean McCoy, PHI, $8800 - I know of the woes that the Philadelphia offense is going through. However, it seems like a trip to Oakland could be just what they need. I'd look for McCoy to get back on track this week whether it be through the air or ground.
Zac Stacy, STL, $5800 - Stacy had an impressive game that could have been more had he not injured his ankle. His price is a great value for a player who is guaranteed 20 touches if he plays. Should he suffer a setback, I'd be fine with turning to Daryl Richardson, who is another bargain at $4700.
T.Y. Hilton, IND, $6000 - I'm a little surprised at the price considering Reggie Wayne is out for the season and Hilton should see plenty of targets. The hope here is that people forget about that with him coming off the bye and ignore him. At this point I was looking for some values and with the cheapest wide receivers at $4500, I love Hilton.
Keenan Allen, SD, $6000 - I found Allen right next to Hilton, and apparently he still isn't getting the respect he deserves. Allen has had fantasy games in terms of points of 8.2, 21.6, 20.5 over his last three games, and the Redskins defense against the pass is a very favorable matchup.
Jordan Reed, WAS, $5600 - Reed has emerged as the top target in the passing game over the Redskins last two games. He has a whopping 23 targets and has games of 13 and 23.9 fantasy points over his last two games.
Rob Bironas, TEN, $5000 - Kicking is incredibly random so I rarely spend any more than the minimum of $5000. Bironas is indoors this week, and I'd think coming off the bye the Titans will move the ball against their former coach.
Tennessee Titans Defense, $5200 - Kellen Clemens didn't look good Monday night and is facing a rested team coming off its bye. Clemens has had a short week and can't have a ton of confidence at this point. I might tinker with this lineup overall and see if I can sneak in the Seattle defense ($6300) as a second option.
Tournaments
For tournament lineups, you have to look at upside and use some "outside-the-box" picks if you want to cash. Remember, I probably wouldn't use this lineup completely as there is a lower floor here with a lot of players. A mix of studs with a few of the cheaper options listed below could net you the top overall prize.
Nick Foles, PHI, $6800 - As of now it appears Foles will be under center against the Raiders this weekend. Do you think anyone will seriously consider him after his perfomance against the Cowboys? Take from it what you will but other than that game he looked fantastic in a game and a half against the Buccaneers and Giants. I'll take my chances that the Raiders haven't become the '85 Bears on defense, and a cheap Foles earns his price and then some.
DeSean Jackson, $7200 - Sticking with the same theme as I did with Foles, I have to think people will stay away from Jackson after a bad game against Dallas and then an average game against New York. Just watch his status for this weekend as he deals with an ankle injury.
Darren McFadden, $7100 - Last week McFadden looked fantastic scoring two touchdowns while doing what is most important for him: staying healthy. I'm not sold on the Eagles defense, which gave up 85 yards from scrimmage to Peyton Hillis last week.
Ryan Mathews, SD, $6500 - Kind of odd I mention such ironmen as Mathews and McFadden back-to-back, isn't it? Mathews has consecutive 100-yard rushing games and even has a touchdown over that span.
Antonio Brown, PIT, $6700 - Brown hasn't found the end zone in his last four games despite being heavily targeted. I think he's overdue and he's one of the few wide receivers who still has great value in PPR formats with the volume of targets he gets. In four of his last five contests he has had at least 11 targets, showing his rapport with Ben Roethlisberger.
Dwayne Bowe, KC, $5000 - If I told you this preseason that a healthy Bowe would only have 302 receiving yards and two touchdowns but be 8-0, you wouldn't believe me, right? Bowe's price is rock bottom, and the Bills' secondary just got torches through the air. Bowe won't have to go up against Joe Haden this week and I think there's a rebound in store here.
Coby Fleener, IND, $5400 - Like I mentioned earlier, the absence of Reggie Wayne is going to open up targets for the other Colts receivers. I like Fleener because while Hilton stretches the field, I think Fleener could take over as the safety option for Andrew Luck.
Stephen Gostkowski, NE - With the Patriot's offense struggling this season, it's been a little lost as to how good Gostkowski has been. He's now 20-for-21 on the season (95.4%) and has never missed an extra point in his career.
Kansas City Defense, $5800 - Thaddeus Lewis is considered 50/50 to play and did not look good last week in New Orleans. This means either this defense is going to get Lewis at less than 100 percent healthy or undrafted free-agent Jeff Tuel. Kansas City is first in the league with 37 sacks (Buffalo's 27 rank second), and tied for sixth with 10 interceptions in the league.
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Good Luck!
