We always make it a point to share any trends we find when making our lineups, and this week featured a clear one. That is, the number of bargains we were able to use allowed us to pay up for the players we considered ‘must-owns.’ This isn’t exactly a ‘stars-and-scrubs’ approach since some of the higher-priced players aren’t the traditional ‘stars’ we would have named, but the dispersion of salary isn’t balanced, and we’re fine with it.
Based on our expected Week 13 DFS game flow analysis and Week 13 Games to Target published 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 13 Plays:
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger – Ben Roethlisberger has hardly been a regular in this article this season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers need a vintage performance form their veteran quarterback in the worst way. After a strong string of wins, the Steelers are winless in their last three games and in danger of falling out of the playoff race. We always have faith in the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin to turn things around, but the defense has not been as reliable as we are used to. That puts the burden on Roethlisberger to lead the way this week, and with this matchup, that is very possible. The Ravens’ defense has allowed more passing yards than any team in the league, and they rank 29th in the league in net yards allowed per pass attempt. Considering the Steelers are 4th in the league in pass attempts, that high volume could pay big dividends against this Ravens defense.
Gardner Minshew II – As of this writing, it is unlikely that Jalen Hurts starts for the Philadelphia Eagles. If he does, then he fits the same mold that follows — with the exception of price. Let’s start there. Gardner Minshew II is the lowest price possible for a starting quarterback on DraftKings, and that value is too great to ignore. That would be the case even if Minshew only had some potential in his start. Instead, he has one of the best matchups possible against a New York Jets team that ranks in the bottom-two for yards and points allowed. In addition, New York’s offense is so pathetic that it has given opponents, on average, the best starting field position in the league. Hurts would have arguably been a ‘must-start’ if he were healthy. Minshew slides in for a fraction of the cost.