In the introduction of our game flow analysis piece, we specifically mentioned how the season drawing to a close also points to a few rather straightforward outcomes. Now that we are assembling a team, it is clear that the pricing structure agrees with our hypothesis, leading to a high number of expensive players. This places a higher importance on finding the bargain plays. As you will soon see, an extreme ‘stars-and-scrubs’ approach might be the only way to come out ahead in Week 16.
Based on our expected Week 16 DFS game flow analysis performed earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.
Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 16 Plays:
Quarterback
Drew Brees – The last time Drew Brees took aim at the Atlanta Falcons, his team produced a season-low 17 points. Making matters worse, Brees, himself, sealed the loss by throwing an interception in the endzone while the team was deep within field goal range and trailing by three points. Sunday’s rematch appears to be everything we would want from a fantasy perspective, where the league’s top-ranked offense in yards gets another opportunity to establish itself as the class of the NFC South. And, it gets to do so at home. The Saints have certainly shown a commitment to running the ball more in 2017 than they have in the past, but we are approaching ‘win-or-go-home’ territory and the teams that typically survive December and January are the ones that can throw to win. Expect Brees to be the centerpiece of the offense on Sunday.
Drew Stanton – Stanton is far from an elite quarterback, but that does not mean that he cannot be a valuable commodity. This will be his third start of the season, and his first since Week 10. In his first two starts of the season, Stanton surpassed 15 fantasy points in each game. While that is not an incredibly difficult or impressive task, when a player costs only $4,500, eclipsing 15 points is very good value. It should also be noted that his second start was against the Seahawks, who in Week 10 had a much more complete group of defenders, and were infinitely tougher than the New York Giants. The Giants have allowed the second most passing yards in the league and the most passing touchdowns; Stanton should easily be able to replicate his steady performances from earlier in the year and return plenty of value and help you spend up on other top guys this week.