NFL DFS Picks for Divisional Round Playoffs

Quarterbacks

Spend up:Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

I’m not afraid to spend up for the no. 1 DFS quarterback this year, despite the tough matchup. Allen is always a threat through the air and, of course, with his legs. He accounted for four total touchdowns last week vs. the Steelers and, during the regular season, led the NFL with 44 total scores. Besides, we’re all hoping for another Chiefs-Bills playoff thriller, right?

Spend down:Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Love looks incredible, ably targeting any pass-catcher that gets open. It won’t be the easiest task vs. the Niners defense. Still, with Aaron Jones taking up enough attention and Vegas expecting the Packers to be playing from behind, it could add up to a nice DFS finish for the young signal-caller playing in the game with the highest total of the week.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Assuming his pass-catchers can hold onto the ball, no QB has a more favorable matchup than Mayfield, who will face Detroit. The Lions allowed the third-most DFS points this year to opposing passers.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The Lions have allowed the most DFS points of the remaining teams, but the Bucs have allowed the most passing yards. That bodes well for Goff with his impressive home splits.

Running Backs

Spend up:Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

The number one DFS running back should be worth spending up for vs. a Green Bay team that has allowed the most DFS points to running backs among the remaining playoff teams. This game total is the highest of the week, and CMC has scored 21 total touchdowns across 16 games played this year.

Spend down:Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs continue to run the ball with White, who has had 15 or more attempts in 12 games this year. Yes, the Lions’ run defense is tough, but White is also an able pass-catcher, and it’s a good salary for him vs. a Lions team that struggles vs. the pass.

Devin Singletary, Houston Texans

The Ravens’ defense has been good this season, but they have not been as strong vs. the run as in years past. The Ravens allowed more than 90 yards per game to runners during the regular season and 100 yards per game between Weeks 14-17. Singletary is the clear leader in the Houston backfield, averaging more than 17 attempts per game in the final five games of the regular season. We saw Singletary rush the ball 13 times for 66 yards vs. a tougher Browns run defense last weekend, and though the game script is expected to be different this weekend, Singletary should still be a big part of the game plan.

Wide Receivers

Spend up:Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

All hail the Sun King. There’s no doubt if the Lions advance, St. Brown will be a significant part of the picture. Yes, Todd Bowles will put together a strong game plan, but we saw DeVonta Smith have a massive game last week, hauling in eight of his 12 targets for 148 yards and a score for the Eagles on Monday. St. Brown had the same number of catches as Tyreek Hill in the regular season (119), tying for second in the league. He will go off on this Bucs defense that allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and the sixth-most catches (13.5 per game) to wideouts during the regular season.

Spend down:Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Forget last Monday. Evans is going to have a big game this weekend. Evans also tied with Tyreek Hill for an important regular-season counting stat: they led all wideouts with 13 receiving touchdowns. The Lions allowed the third-most DFS points to opposing wide receivers this year, including the third-most touchdowns to the position (22).

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

Williams can break off a big play at any moment, and the matchup with the Buccaneers looks like a good opportunity for just such a moment.

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

If you’re spending up for Allen, try pairing him with Shakir. Gabe Davis is still not practicing, and you better believe the Chiefs will be all over Stefon Diggs. Shakir has put together back-to-back strong DFS finishes.

Tight Ends

Spend up:Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Despite being banged up and originally not expected to play, the rookie sensation scored a touchdown last week vs. the Rams. The matchup this week is just as good vs. a Tampa Bay team that has allowed the fourth-most DFS points to the position this year.

Spend down:Isaiah LIkely, Baltimore Ravens

Yes, Mark Andrews is practicing, but I’ll bet the Ravens still find a way to make sure Lamar Jackson gets the ball to Likely, who has been excellent in Andrews’s absence. The Texans allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to tight ends this season. We saw David Njoku succeed last week, and I’d expect Andrews and Likely will this week as well.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Are you tired of all these Bucs and Lions yet? I love the salary for Otton, the surprise leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets on Monday night for the Bucs. The matchup is excellent again, with the Lions allowing the sixth-most DFS points to the position this season.