Daily fantasy is about the hardest game of skill we can think of. It involves many factors that can be really hard to calculate. You've got to consider matchups, salary, ownership, weather, and stacks, among many other things to assemble that perfect lineup.
We here at the Beatdown are trying our best to demystify the art of making the perfect lineup. This here is our stab at Week 17's perfect lineup. You can find last week's picks here, to see how we stacked up. Had you used our lineup last week, you probably would've lost a few bucks. Sorry. We'll try to make it up to you.
QB:
Teddy Bridgewater, QB (MIN) - $6,600
We're not ones to ride the hot hand, but it might be the right thing to do this week. Bridgewater scorched the Bears for four touchdowns and posted his highest fantasy score of the year. While this might seem like a lone outlier, we think Bridgewater could post another impressive game. With Minnesota making a push for the postseason, they are moving away from the run and giving Teddy the ball. There's no one better to air out against than the league's worst pass defense of the New York Giants, the team the Vikings face in Week 16.
RB:
Tim Hightower, RB (NO) - $6,300
Hightower is getting bell cow carries at the price of a backup. Volume over skill is a big factor at the running back slot. We can't think of anyone else who offers so many touches at such a low price.
David Johnson, RB (ARI) - $7,300
The man got over 200 all-purpose yards last week. He's arguably the best back in the league fantasy-wise down the stretch, and I'd start him over the likes of Gurley, Peterson, and Martin with no hesitation.
WR:
Stefon Diggs, WR (MIN) - $6,000
Diggs is our stack alongside Bridgewater. If our hypothesis is correct about the Vikings airing out, then Diggs will almost certainly be the main recipient of Bridgewater's targets.
Allen Hurns, WR (JAX) - $7,100
The Jacksonville passing attack wasn't in full force last week, and the result of the game wasn't the shootout that the Jaguars' receivers usually benefit from. I could definitely see that change when the Jaguars face the vulnerable New Orleans Saints. Take advantage of the recency bias.
Antonio Brown, WR (PIT) - $9,300
You know, I know, we know, everyone knows that Antonio Brown is insanely good. Everyone also knows that the Ravens' secondary isn't exactly insanely good. With Brown roasting the best secondary in the league for 189 yards, 16 catches, and two touchdowns, it's unfathomable to think of what he might do to the Ravens secondary this week.
TE
Rob Gronkowski, TE (NE) - $8,200
Gronkowski is the main man when everyone is healthy, receiving many targets. Without guys like Julian Edelman or Danny Amendola on the fields, those targets are going to jump. Gronkowski has scored in each of his past three games, and that's not changing this week against the Jets.
K
Justin Tucker, K (BAL) - $4,500
At minimum pricing, we are just trying to save some money here. While the Ravens' offense might be horrible, we do believe they can at the very least move it down the field. With Tucker's range and the team inclined to let him kick long field goals, he certainly has a high ceiling.
D/ST
Arizona Cardinals - $4,700
The Cardinals boast an average score of 11.5 fantasy points over the past four weeks. That's pretty good, especially considering the offenses they've faced in the last couple games. We expect them to have another solid performance against the Packers' offense.
Best of luck this week! We hope you'll join us on FanDuel soon!
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