Check out the Desai Guys Podcast and articles for all things fantasy football.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”1215787″ player=”32134″ title=”Chargers%20vs%20Colts%20%20Chargers%20vs%20Rams%20%20Defense%20is%20ELITE%20QB%20is%20ELITE%20Offense%20needs%20WORK%20″ duration=”2966″ description=”Sponsor Link: AthleticGreens.com/LAFBYT Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football after the Christmas Day NFL football games was a playoff-clinching win for the LA Chargers Week 16 game this 2022 NFL Season. The Chargers have officially made the Wildcard playoffs under Brandon Staley this season. Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense struggled not getting many highlights in Chargers vs Colts and with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Josh Palmer, Josh Kelley, and DeAndre Carter all healthy and playing, Justin Herbert still looks like the elite top 5 QB in the NFL that we all know he is. The Chargers defense only allowed 3 points vs the Colts and Nick Foles and the defense had 7 sacks and 3 interceptions! Derwin James, Asante Samuel Jr., Kenneth Murray, Morgan Fox, Khalil Mack, Kyle Van Noy, Drue Tranquil, and Michael Davis all played great to get some Highlights for this Chargers defense to close out the 2022 NFL Regular Season very soon!Listen to our Chargers Podcast: https://www.lafbnetwork.com/la-football-show/ and https://www.lafbnetwork.com/chargers-unleashedGo to www.LAFBNetwork.com for FREE full access to all of our podcasts and join the community!Text ‘Bolts’ to 31032 to join the conversation!Social Media: @LAFBNetwork | @Michael_Maclane | @RyanDyrudLAFB | @LAFBJamzSponsors: TickPick is the official ticket partner of the LA Football Network: https://www.tickpick.com/LAFB” uploaddate=”2022-12-30″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/22501/snapshot/1215787_th_1672427024.jpg” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/22501/sd/1215787.mp4″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
Daily Fantasy Football Optimal Lineup
Daily Fantasy Football QB Pick: Jared Goff vs. Chicago Bears ($5,600)
The Lions are playing at home and that’s where Goff has shined. Although if you look at his last game on the road in Carolina, Goff ended up scoring his highest point total in DFS this season. He totaled 355 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Detroit is hosting the Chicago Bears this week and they still have a good shot at nabbing a playoff spot. You can expect the Lions offense will be scoring in bunches against a weak Bears defense. The last time these two teams met, it was in Week 10, and Goff ended up scoring a little under 15 fantasy points but that was a road game. Goff is playing really well these last handful of games and this should be a great start in Week 17 at a very affordable price.
Other QB Options: Mike White vs. Seattle Seahawks ($5,400), Justin Fields vs. Detroit Lions ($7,900)
Daily Fantasy Football RB Pick: AJ Dillon vs. Minnesota Vikings ($5,800)
While it would make sense to start Aaron Jones in this spot, Dillon has actually been the more valuable fantasy running back in the Packers’ backfield. Dillon has scored a touchdown in four straight games now and has five total in that same span. The big thing too is that Dillon is seeing more rushing attempts in the red zone compared to Jones. Jones has only six rushing attempts in the red zone over the last two games and Dillon has nine.
While both Packer running backs are involved in the offense, it seems like Dillon has been the beneficiary of scoring opportunities compared to Jones. While Dillon has the hot hand, he’s the Green Bay running back to roster in your DFS lineup right now. Also at a price under $6,000, this is a great value pick as well in Week 17.
Other RB Options: Miles Sanders vs. New Orleans Saints ($5,900), Leonard Fournette vs. Carolina Panthers ($5,600)
Daily Fantasy Football WR Pick: Amari Cooper vs. Washington Commanders – $5,800
The Browns may be eliminated from playoff contention, but they still have something to play for. Deshaun Watson is trying to shake off the rust after not playing football for close to 700 days. As he’s trying to find his footing as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, he’s trying to build a rapport with Cooper. Since Watson came back into the starting lineup in Week 13, Cooper has seen an increase in receiving yards every game since that week. So you can see that the chemistry is building between him and Watson.
While Washington has been good at stopping the pass, they also haven’t faced a high-level quarterback since Week 10 when they faced the Eagles and Jalen Hurts. While Watson is not at the level he once was when he played for the Texans, he’s slowly getting better and this means that Cooper will be a great play this week. This Browns passing offense is going to be dangerous in 2023 and we might see a preview of that this weekend against the Commanders.
Other WR Options: Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Chicago Bears ($7,800), Garrett Wilson vs. Seattle Seahawks ($5,500)
Daily Fantasy Football TE Pick: Tyler Higbee vs. Los Angeles Chargers – $4,600
Since Baker Mayfield has become the starter for the Los Angeles Rams, Higbee has once again become a prominent piece of the offense. In the last three games with Mayfield under center, Higbee is averaging five receptions, 44 receiving yards, and one touchdown per game. Yes, the Rams offense has suffered injuries and Higbee has become a primary option by default but it still makes a difference because he’s making the most of this opportunity.
Playing their intracity rivals, the Chargers this week, Higbee will definitely have his number called often as the Chargers are giving up the 10th most receiving yards to opposing tight ends. It’s safe to say that Higbee’s scoring drought is over and if you need a good option in Week 17 for your DFS roster then this is the guy to roll with.
Other TE Options: George Kittle vs. Las Vegas Raiders ($5,900), Evan Engram vs. Houston Texans ($4,400)
Daily Fantasy Football FLEX Pick: Tyler Allgeier vs. Arizona Cardinals – $5,300
The Arizona Cardinals are conceding 27.2 fantasy points per game in DFS, which is ranked fifth worst in the NFL right now. The Atlanta Falcons have put more of an emphasis on the running game with the insertion of rookie Desmond Ridder under center. In the two games that Ridder has started, Allgeier has totaled 41 touches for 253 scrimmage yards and one touchdown. Head coach Arthur Smith may not be fighting for a playoff berth anymore, but he’s using these last couple of games to see what he can build around in 2023 and beyond.
This rushing attack has been looking pretty good and the coaching staff needs to have a plan for life after Cordarrelle Patterson because he is getting up there in age.
Allgeier will continue to be at the forefront of the rushing attack for Atlanta and he could be a great early-round pick in your 2023 fantasy draft. Until that rolls around, insert Allgeier into your DFS lineup this week because while he’s a bargain deal, he’ll be a serious difference-maker this week.
Other FLEX Options: Jerick McKinnon vs. Denver Broncos ($6,000), Allen Lazard vs. Minnesota Vikings ($5,400)
Daily Fantasy Football D/ST Pick: 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders ($2,900)
This price is just criminal this week. For under $3,000, you can get arguably the hottest defense in the NFL right now. The 49ers defense is ranked near the top in most major defensive metrics. Fewest points allowed (first), fewest total yards allowed (first), fewest rushing yards allowed (first), most turnovers forced (tied for fourth), most sacks forced (tied for seventh)…should I keep going?
This really seems like an absolute steal in DFS leagues this week considering that San Francisco is playing the Las Vegas Raiders without Derek Carr as the starting quarterback. Carr will sit out the rest of the season and the Raiders are going with Jarrett Stidham to start against this dominant Niners defense. There really is no need to explain this any further. The 49ers defense could end up being the highest-scoring defense in fantasy leagues here in Week 17.
Other D/ST Options: Jaguars vs. Houston Texans ($3,600), Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams ($3,700)
