DraftKings Week 14 Lineup Recommendations

Week 14 sees the return of the full 13-game Sunday slate on DraftKings. This week has some huge matchups in terms of playoff potential. However, the weather is also starting to turn, meaning that we are seeing some totals starting to creep down in expectations of some tough weather. Saying that the general forecast around the NFL this week is actually for relatively mild temperatures, so just maybe it can be a high-scoring Sunday for us. So with that in minds let’s take a look at the Week 14 lineup recommendations for the featured DraftKings slate this week.

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In this article, you will find my DraftKings Week 14 picks on, which are based on matchups, situation, weather and betting lines. The focus of this piece will be looking at upside, and is, therefore, more suited for use in GPP formats. However, the names below can also double up as options in cash games, alongside some safer bets.

This week I will be taking part in a very special contest in honour of the late Steve Raynes. Steve was an extremely respected member of the fantasy community and one I had some great interactions with. He recently passed away after a short battle with cancer and leaves behind a wife and a young son. His co-hosts at the Kickers Matter podcast have set up a Just Giving page with the intention of supporting Steve’s family through this difficult time. 

As part of that effort they are running a Week 14 DFS contest with some fantastic prizes. I will now leave you with Jamie Byrom who will explain exactly how you can get involved in the video embedded in the tweet below.

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins, MIN vs. DET | $6,700

This is a juicy matchup for Cousins to lead his team back from the loss last week. This will be his second home game since Week 8, and his only other home game saw him score 26 fantasy points. The last time these two teams matched up Cousins came away with a 32 point performance. Detroit are allowing over 22 FPPG to quarterbacks, and this is the perfect opportunity for the Minnesota offense to lay down a marker, especially with the passing game if Dalvin Cook is limited.

Sam Darnold, NYJ vs. MIA | $6,000

Last week was rough for Darnold as he struggled to just 10.46 fantasy points. However, prior to that he had scored an average of 26 FPPG in the previous games. The Miami defense played him well last time, but have allowed nearly 23 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks. In New York this feels like a perfect opportunity for Darnold to bounce back.

Running Back

Derrick Henry, TEN @ OAK | $8,200

There are not many hotter players in the NFL right now than Derrick Henry. The Tennessee running back has scored 24.9 or more points in each of his last four games. In that time he has scored seven touchdowns, six rushing and one receiving. He has also rushed for 149 or more yards in each of the last three games. The Oakland defense has been solid against lead running backs, but they do allow over 26 FPPG to running backs as a whole.

Sony Michel, NE vs. KC | $5,600

I am really struggling not to look back at what New England did last year and think they are going to go down a similar path this season. The offense has been completely bunted recently and they need to get some momentum. Kansas City has struggled against the run game allowing over 22 FPPG to lead backs this season. The Patriots need to get Michel rolling, and this is the time to start.

Alexander Mattison, MIN vs. DET | $4,500

While Dalvin Cook is promising his presence on the field this week, Minnesota would be wise to limited his exposure in this start. That would lead to Mattison seeing extra touches against a Detroit defense which is allowing over 20 FPPG to lead backs. This game could get one-sided very fast, and that would play into the hands of more Mattison touches even more.

Wide Receiver

Stefon Diggs, MIN vs. DET | $7,600

You could do a lot worse this week than stacking Cousins and Diggs together this week. The Detroit defense is allowing an average of 18.4 FPPG to lead receivers. While last week was a disappointment for Diggs, it was not due to lack of opportunity. Diggs was targeted nine times, but had a couple of costly drops, ending up with just four receptions for 25 yards. He saved his day somewhat with a 27 yard rush, but importantly the opportunities were there. With Adam Thielen expected to be absent or limited those opportunities should remain and Diggs is capable of bouncing back.

James Washington, PIT @ ARI | $6,000

AFC North, DRAFTKINGS WEEK 14 LINEUP RECOMMENDATIONS​

Washington is finally producing on the talent many believed he had. He has scored 18.8 or more points in three of his last four games, scoring three touchdowns and going for 90 or more yards in those three games. He appears to have found his place in this offense, and now he has a wonderful match up with an Arizona defense allowing nearly 20 FPPG to lead receivers.

Curtis Samuel, CAR @ ATL | $4,900

Samuel is the perfect boom-or-bust option for this situation. He has a matchup with a defense that has allowed over 40 points to the wide receiver position this season, which is especially interesting for a team which largely leans on two receivers. Samuel has seen plenty of opportunities this season with six targets or more in all but two of his games this season.

Tight end

Jack Doyle, IND @ TB | $4,600

This is a really tough week for the tight end position. The best tight end on the slate is Travis Kelce, but he is likely to be the aim of the famous New England taking away what a team does best. With no clear second option I am pivoting to Jack Doyle who saw 11 targets last week with Eric Ebron hitting the injured reserve last week. This week he has a match up with a team allowing 16 FPPG games to opposing tight ends. This feels like a perfect storm for Doyle and one in which he could even lead the position this week.

Jonnu Smith, TEN @ OAK | $3,100

This is a shot that the last couple of games have been due to a match up with a tough opponent when it comes to the tight end position. This week he faces a team which ranks 24th against the tight end position. He should see a bump in targets from the last couple of weeks and has the talent to make the most of those targets. This is really only a play if you cannot afford Doyle, and it is a massive Hail Mary attempt.

Defense/Special Teams

Baltimore @ Buffalo | $2,900

IT feels like a huge bonus to be getting the Baltimore defense below the $3,000 mark. The Buffalo offense has not made many mistakes recently, but they have not faced many defenses of the calibre of Baltimore. Having scored double-digits in five of their last six games, this defense is always a good consideration for using on these slates.

Disclaimer: I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is brolfe1507) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.

Ben Rolfe

Head of NFL Content

BEN IS THE HEAD OF NFL CONTENT FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YOU CAN ALSO FIND HIS WORK AT; FFSTATISTICS, PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK & ROTOBALLER. FOLLOW BEN @BENROLFE15 ON TWITTER.

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