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NFL FD and DK Building Blocks

Conference Championships

Well, we’ve made it to the end. One more two-game slate to cover. One more chance to win the big one.

Just like the last couple weeks, we’re trying to build a unique lineup that can win it all. We’re not taking the most obvious lineups; we’re looking to get some leverage on the field. We can do that by mixing in some low-owned players, by making some non-traditional stacks, or by building around an unexpected game script.

With only two games it’s easy to find leverage spots. There are usually some players that are so highly owned that you can get a significant advantage by fading them. Now, they’re highly owned because they’re the “best” plays but that’s not what we’re after this week. So let’s see where we can find our advantage.

Mahomes and Allen will be the most popular, maybe three times as popular as Rodgers and Brady. So that means two lineups: 1) A Mahomes or Allen stack with some low-owned players mixed in. 2) A Brady or Rodgers stack mostly fading the Chiefs and Bills. Let’s see what those could look like.

  1. Mahomes stack. Go full chalk with Mahomes, Hill, Kelce. To make this work you’ll have to come back with Brown or Beasley rather than Diggs. Then get a little unique on your other pieces. Maybe you play Ronald Jones and Fournette with the Bucs DEF. Maybe you add Edwards-Helaire for a full Chiefs stack. You’ll get exposure to the chalk, but you’ll have some unique stacks that will give you some leverage.
  2. Aaron Jones and Fournette figure to be the most popular RB plays. You can skip them all together in this lineup or stack them with their QB. Because Aaron Jones should be the most popular RB, my path here is Rodgers + Adams + Ronald Jones (rather than Fournette). I’m fading the Chiefs chalk pieces here, so maybe I add Edwards-Helaire. Or maybe I go full fade and throw in a Singletary + Bills DEF stack. All it takes is a couple turnovers for an unexpected DEF to lead the field. You have to make some bold picks in this lineup.

For both lineups, WR ownership is expected to be pretty even at the top. All the names you’d suspect in the range of 30 to 40% owned – Adams, Hill, Diggs, Godwin, Evans, then even Brown and Beasley. So the clear path to leverage here is a player like Lazard, Watkins, Hardman, or even Valdes-Scantling. Scotty Miller is also in play with Antonio Brown already ruled out.

These are the low-owned pieces you can add to lineup 1 or the core stacks you can build in lineup 2. A Rodgers + Lazard + Valdes-Scantling stack. Throw in Scotty Miller on the other side. You’ll be left with enough salary to do anything you want… could then add Hill and Kelce. Could add Aaron Jones as well. Lot of different ways you can go.

Remember, there is no wrong way this weekend. These two-game slates are the time to get silly. Make a lineup you’d never dream of making during the regular season and just have fun. You probably won’t win, but if it hits, you’ll win all the money rather than sharing it with 1,000 other people.

Good luck!

Recent News

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Bears are "heavily pursuing" former Saints interim HC Darren Rizzi for their vacant ST coaching position.
Rizzi has been linked to over a half-dozen teams in various capacities, with the report indicating he could be lured to the Bears to form a star-studded cast of new coaches under new head coach Ben Johnson in a complete turnover. The report comes after rumors swirled that Johnson was likely to bring on former Saints head coach Dennis Allen to serve as his defensive coordinator, potentially drawing another link to Rizzi, who previously served as the special teams coordinator under Allen in New Orleans. There are still many dominoes to fall in this year's coaching cycle but top candidates appear to be flying off the shelf.
(Jan 20 -- NBC Sports)

Sunday's Eddie George interview paved the way for the Bears to move quickly on Ben Johnson
From the moment the Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus, they were committed to conducting a wide-ranging and deliberate search for a new coach.
(Jan 20 -- Yahoo Sports)

Report: Bears "heavily pursuing" Darren Rizzi for special teams coordinator job
The Bears aren't wasting any time in putting together a coaching staff after hiring Ben Johnson as head coach.
(Jan 20 -- ProFootballTalk.com)

Bears to hire Lions OC Johnson as new coach
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has agreed to a deal to become the Bears' next head coach.
(Jan 20 -- ESPN)

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Jaguars will have a second interview with Buccaneers' OC Liam Coen for their head coaching vacancy.
Coen clearly made a good impression in his first interview with the Jaguars and will now have a chance to sit down with them in person. The 39-year-old offensive coordinator shined in his first season with the Buccaneers, as his offense finished in the top five in both points and yards per game, while Baker Mayfield turned in his best season as a pro (4500-41-16) in his seven years as a pro. Coen has at least two more finalists to compete with in Robert Saleh and current Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, but he could be exactly what Trevor Lawrence needs to turn things around after a disappointing 2024.
(Jan 20 -- NBC Sports)