Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 2
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 2 After a sluggish Week 1, this week’s AFC East showdown has some potential. The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins are loaded with fantasy football talent. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 2
After a sluggish Week 1, this week’s AFC East showdown has some potential. The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins are loaded with fantasy football talent. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 2 looks at all the fantasy-relevant players to forecast the game.
Miami predictable moved the ball at will against Jacksonville. However, the Dolphins were held to 20 points. Now, there are health concerns and a formidable opponent to deal with on short rest.
Meanwhile, the Bills overcame a two-score early deficit to beat the Cardinals at home. Only six teams allowed more yards per carry in Week 1 than the Bills. That’s potentially troublesome against a Miami offense that leads the league in passing and has an imposing backfield. However, the Dolphins are short-handed with Raheem Mostert.
This game opened with Buffalo being half-point road favorites. However, the line has flipped. Miami is now favored by two. The total also dipped from 51.5 to 49 points.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Buffalo Bills | 12 | 9 | 14 | 8 | 4 |
| Miami Dolphins | 6 | 1 | 19 | 5 | 18 |
Buffalo Offense
After one week, Josh Allen finds himself in his usual spot as the leading fantasy signal caller. The volume wasn’t there but Allen…
How will Thursday’s Bills vs. Dolphins game go?
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Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 1
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 1 What a way to kick off a new season! After seven months, a rematch of last year’s AFC title game opens the 2024 season. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 1 breaks
What a way to kick off a new season! After seven months, a rematch of last year’s AFC title game opens the 2024 season. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 1 breaks down the fantasy and sports betting prospects for the season opener.
Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs were able to squeeze by the Ravens with a 45-yard field goal with three seconds left. That set up the club to win their second consecutive title. However, winning a third gets off to an ominous start against that same Baltimore team thirsting for revenge.
The Ravens enter the 2024 season with the third-highest Super Bowl odds. Only the 49ers and these Chiefs rank higher. These teams are familiar with one another and match up well. But if the Ravens want to prove they can make it back to the big game, they must find a way to win at Arrowhead.
Vegas sees these two teams as evenly matched. The Ravens are the standard three-point underdogs on the road. Additionally, the total of the game has risen to 47.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Baltimore Ravens | 6 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 9 | 6 | 19 | 9 | 15 |
These teams are fairly evenly matched on both sides of the ball. While Baltimore employs a run-first approach, the Chiefs will attack through the air.
On the other side of the ball, these two teams allowed the fewest points in the NFL in 2023. Baltimore ranked sixth overall and led the NLF with 31 turnovers. Conversely, Kansas City surrendered the second-fewest points and ranked fourth versus the pass.
For Baltimore, sticking with their strength should be the game plan. Instead of attacking through the air, the Ravens will attempt to slow down the pace and stick to what they do best. Run the ball.
There are lots of new elements to Kansas City’s offense. Expect Reid to take plenty of downfield shots. However, Baltimore’s secondary is stacked and received reinforcement in the first round with CB Nate Wiggins.
Baltimore Offense
How will Thursday’s Ravens vs. Chiefs game go?
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Super Bowl LVIII Fantasy Preview
Back in August, many football fans correctly projected the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers would square off in Super Bowl LVIII. The Niners did their part as the NFC’s top seed, but KC’s path to repeating was anything but conventional. Regardless, hundreds of millions will be watching and our Super Bowl LVIII Fantasy Preview has all you need to know about this rematch of Super Bowl LIV. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. San Francisco 49ers (14-5) at Kansas City Cheifs (14-6) Time: 6:30 Eastern Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada Line: 49ers -1.5 Total: 47.5 Money Line: Chiefs +104, 49ers -124 Kansas City Offense Even in a “down” year, here we are with the Chiefs in another championship game. QB Patrick Mahomes is well on his way to solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest signal callers in history. Just 28, Mahomes and the Chiefs are playing in their fourth Super Bowl in the last five years. After a middling season by his lofty standards, Mahomes has been stellar in Kansas City’s jaunt through the AFC. He’s averaged 264.3 combined yards with four TDs and no picks in the playoffs. And our RDA* projections agree nearly perfectly with those averages, making Mahomes our top overall play on Sunday. San Francisco’s eighth-ranked defense was far better against the run (3rd) than pass (14th). However, that won’t deter us from inserting RB Isiah Pacheco into lineups. Pacheco has been a workhorse in the postseason, accumulating 69 touches in three games and averaging a robust 17.4 fantasy points per game. Taking into account the tough matchup, our RDA* projections aren’t that high. But, Pachecho will get his touches and is the favorite for any rushing scores the Chiefs punch in. Jerick McKinnon has been designated to return from IR. If McKinnon is activated for the game, he becomes a sneaky red-zone receiving threat. Also, McKinnon’s presence would cut into Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s 25.7% snap rate in these playoffs. Update: Andy Reid stated that McKinnon is unlikely to suit up. We’ve boosted CEH’s numbers. WR Rashee Rice remains the only reliable wideout in Kanas City. The dynamic rookie roasted Miami for an 8/130/1 line in the Wild Card round. However, he’s been mostly corralled in KC’s other two playoff tilts. However, this is a solid spot for Rice, who is our No. 2 PPR wideout this week. Among players with 50 targets versus zone coverage this season, Rashee Rice ranks first in EPA per target and fifth in total EPA (out of 63). via SIS data. pic.twitter.com/2zte35lCHQ — Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) February 6, 2024 Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been in on 59% of Kansas City’s postseason snaps but has a middling target share under 9%. Justin Watson has seen his playing time decrease and hasn’t topped 50 yards since Week 11. Mecole Hardman has been seeing more playing time and occasionally gets the ball on a misdirection/gimmick snap. MVS and Hardman have some appeal in DFS lineups as boom-or-bust options. The safest bet among Kansas City’s pass catchers remains TE Travis Kelce. Undoubtedly, Kelce will receive more than his fair share of attention on the world’s stage. But the future Hall-of-Famer is more than worth of those accolades in fantasy leagues. Our RDA* projections have Kelce scoring the most points of any receiver or tight end in Super Bowl LVIII. San Francisco Offense Kansas City’s No. 2 ranked defense has set a record for most games not allowing more than 28 points. The balanced Chiefs allowed the second-fewest points and ranked fourth against both the pass and run. Still, Brock Purdy has made a name for himself overcoming the odds. From Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft to guiding his team to the title game, it’s been quite a two-year stretch for Purdy. The sophomore signal caller is surrounded by elite playmakers. However, our RDA* projections (238 yards, 1.4 TD) think Purdy could struggle against Kansas City’s elite defense. That puts Purdy firmly behind Mahomes, but still a player to consider in 2QB builds. The top fantasy option of this, and every week, RB Christian McCaffrey leads the way with a projected 19.7 PPR points. Fitting CMC into lineups can be expensive. Particularly in the captain’s slot. Regardless, McCaffrey is the safest bet on the board. He has an over/under of 123.5 scrimmage yards in this game. Elijah Mitchell has re-emerged as San Fran’s No. 2 back and has wracked up 25 touches in the Niners’ two postseason games. That kind of usage puts Mitchell on the radar as a solid DFS value on Sunday. WR Deebo Samuel has a much more difficult task. Led by elite CB L’Jarius Sneed, the Chiefs have locked down No. 1 wideouts all season. However, Sneed does not typically shadow and Samuel is often lined up in the backfield. That will allow Kyle Shanahan to get Samuel the ball in a variety of ways. Despite the matchup, Samuel is our No. 1 wideout to target. Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t fared quite as well against two-high safeties. That is the predominant formation the Chiefs use. Additionally, Aiyuk will see plenty of Sneed on the perimeter. Our RDA* projections have Aiyuk catching a modest four balls for 64.5 yards. Jauan Jennings caught two balls in each of San Francisco’s previous two postseason tilts but has a limited ceiling. Tight end George Kittle has had some success against this defensive scheme. However, the Chiefs surrendered just 10.7 PPR points per game to the position, which was the 10th-fewest in the league. He’ll see enough targets (including in the red zone) to be a decent start. But Kittle is overpriced in DFS formats. The most frequently used formation for the 49ers passing the ball has
Conference Championship Playoff Preview
By the time Sunday evening rolls around, we will know who will play in Super Bowl LVIII. In the AFC, Kansas City tries to repeat as the champions but must go through the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, in the NFC, Detroit hopes to make their first Super Bowl appearance by upsetting the San Francisco 49ers. Our Conference Championship Playoff Preview looks at the games from a fantasy and sports betting lens. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Kansas City Chiefs (13-6) at Baltimore Ravens (14-4) Time: 3:00 Eastern Line: Ravens -3.5 Total: 44.5 Money Line: Chiefs +170, Ravens -220 Kansas City Offense The defending champs got by the Bills despite being out-gained and losing the time-of-possession battle 37-22. Patrick Mahomes compiled a 131.6 QB Rating in Buffalo, throwing for 215 and a pair of scores. Unfortunately for Mahomes, this Baltimore defense is much more formidable. The Ravens boasted the top-scoring defense in football and ranked third in limiting fantasy points to quarterbacks. Additionally, the Chiefs still haven’t gotten much out of their wide receivers and Baltimore has surrendered just nine touchdown passes in 10 home games. Of course, you never count out Andy Reid and more Mahomes magic. Despite the tough matchup, Mahomes is still a viable option as a four-point underdog. RB Isiah Pacheco ran for 97 yards and a score in Buffalo. Although the Ravens have the NFL’s top run defense, Baltimore allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of their last five regular-season games. Also, Pachecho played 72% of KC’s snaps last week and is a capable receiver. Pacheco’s volume looks good, but the potential absence of Joe Thuney is worrisome. Rashee Rice has become the only reliable wideout in Kansas City’s offense. Baltimore allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the position and will undoubtedly make Rice a priority, as the Bills did last week. Rice is the only wideout in Kansas City that can be viewed as better than a low-cost dart throw. Those boom-or-bust options (with much more emphasis on BUST) for the Chiefs include Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, and Mecole Hardman. MVS and Watson play far more snaps. Kadarius Toney is OUT. The only other viable pass-catcher for the Chiefs is TE Travis Kelce. Kelce broke out of this slump in Buffalo, snagging a pair of scores and carrying fantasy playoff leagues. Baltimore only surrendered three touchdowns to tight ends this season and Kelce had his lowest TD output in four years. However, he’s by far the safest bet for fantasy managers looking for a KC stack. Baltimore Offense As clutch as Kelce was last week, his performance pales in comparison to what Lamar Jackson did against Houston. Overcoming a bland 10-10 tie at halftime, Jackson rushed for 100 yards and totaled four touchdowns to carry fantasy lineups and his Ravens to victory. However, the Chiefs present a tougher challenge. KC ranked second in the NFL in defense this season, including fourth versus the pass and second in points allowed. The modest over/under of 44.5 in an AFC Championship is indicative of the kind of battle this game is projected to be. Jackson remains the best bet to lead the Ravens in rushing. Gus Edwards is the de facto starter. But Edwards isn’t much of a factor in the passing game and is highly touchdown-dependent. Justice Hill led the backfield in snaps (39) last week and could factor in as an outlet receiver. Dalvin Cook only played in garbage time. But Cook has three-down ability and looks like a sneaky DFS punt play. Only two teams allowed fewer fantasy points to wide receivers than Kansas City. CB L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed is one of the top coverage corners in football and will pose a major problem for Zay Flowers. Sneed’s stellar play was integral in the Chiefs’ ability to consistently shut down opposing No. 1 wide receivers. Houston was able to limit Flowers to 8.1 fantasy points last week. Facing a far superior KC secondary, expecting a rebound seems like a tough proposition. Odell Beckham only played 20 snaps last week. He was out-snapped and out-targeted by Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor. If Mark Andrews can return, he’ll be a top-3 tight end in this slate. However, Isaiah Likely has fared very well in relief and is more than capable of making an impact. Projecting the Chiefs to slow down Baltimore’s wideouts makes both Baltimore tight ends viable plays in this game. The Ravens have won seven of eight and their strengths match up well with Kansas City. I’m not sure that the Chiefs will be able to score enough points in this one. It feels like Lamar Jackson is finally poised to win the big one. Ravens -3.5 Detroit Lions (14-5) at San Francisco 49ers (13-5) Time: 6:30 PM Eastern Line: San Francisco -7 Total: 51.5 Money Line: Lions +270, 49ers -340 Detroit Offense This is Detroit’s first road trip since Week 17 when they lost in Dallas by a controversial single point. We’re all aware of the home/road splits for Jared Goff. They were not as pronounced in 2023, but Goff must overcome that narrative if he hopes to keep Deroit’s season alive. Overall, San Francisco ranked eighth in defense and 14th versus the pass. The Niners picked off a league-leading 22 passes. However, a lot of that was gamescript-related. The 49ers allowed the third-most attempts due to playing with a lead often. Our RDA+ projections have Goff as the lowest-scoring signal-caller this week. But he makes an interesting option as a contrarian DFS option. Detroit will attempt to establish their running game to set up play-action opportunities downfield. However, San Francisco ranked third against the run. Expect David Montgomery to get the first drive and act as Detroit’s power back. The Niners did not allow a
Division Round Playoff Preview: Sunday
By the time this slate is over, we will know which two teams will battle it out for their respective conference championships. Our Division Round Playoff Preview: Sunday looks at the Bucs vs. Lions and Chiefs at Bills contests from a fantasy football and sports betting lens. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-8) at Detroit Lions (13-5) Time: 3:00 Eastern Line: Lions -7 Total: 49.5 Money Line: Buccaneers +250, Lions -300 Tampa Bay Offense Few people projected the Buccaneers to be playing in Week 20 when Tampa was sitting at 5-7. However, behind a strong defense and the heady play of QB Baker Mayfield, the Bucs rallied to win six of their last seven games and earned their spot into the divisional round of the NFC postseason. Their reward is a trip to Detroit to take on the surging Lions. Detroit boasted the league’s No. 2 run defense in 2023. Meanwhile, Tampa ranked dead last in the NFL in rushing. Subsequently, don’t expect a big rushing performance out of RB Rachaad White. However, White ranked fourth among all running backs with 64 grabs, so he’s plenty capable of producing PPR points in a game with a solid over/under of 49.5 The matchup is much more appealing for the receivers. Mike Evans led the league with 13 touchdown grabs but went scoreless in Week 6 against this secondary. Chris Godwin fared better in that game, snagging 6-of-7 targets for 77 yards. Both are solid options in a game where Tampa is projected to score over 21 points. Our RDA* projections have Tampa’s dynamic duo as top-5 wideouts this week. WR3 Trey Palmer was out-snapped by David Moore last week against the Eagles. Both have some appeal as cheap DFS options against a defense that yielded the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers per FullTime Fantasy’s points-allowed tool. Tight end Cade Otton saw a career-high 11 targets last week. He won’t play that big of a role against a Detroit defense that is more credible defending tight ends. However, all four of Otton’s touchdowns this season came on the road, which gives him some appeal as a low-cost flex option in daily lineups. Detroit Offense We all know Jared Goff tends to play better at home. However, Goff’s season-high total of 353 passing yards came back in Week 6 against the Buccaneers. Except that game was in Florida. Our updated RDA* projections for Week 20 predict Goff to have the most passing yards (268) of any signal caller this weekend. This game should feature a fearsome battle in the trenches. Detroit ranked fifth in rushing. Meanwhile, the Bucs ranked fifth against the run. Regardless of the imposing matchup, we’re not shying away from inserting Jahmyr Gibbs into our lineups. Gibbs has produced seven touchdowns in Detroit’s last six games. Additionally, both of his 100-plus yard rushing efforts came in this building. David Montgomery is also a top-4 play in our RDA* projections. But, it should be noted that Montgomery did nothing against Tampa Bay in their previous meetings- a game where Gibbs didn’t play. Our No. 1 wide receiver this week in full PPR formats is Amon-Ra St. Brown. With 18-plus PPR points in five straight, St. Brown is on a heater. Also, he destroyed the Bucs back in Week 6, snagging 12-of-15 targets for 124 yards and a score. With Kalif Raymond ruled OUT, Josh Reynolds will act as Detroit’s safety valve. Jameson Williams also has appeal as the Lions’ big-play threat. TE Sam LaPorta is questionable but played just fine last week. Only Denver allowed more fantasy points to tight ends than Tampa this season, so LaPorta looks appealing once word breaks that he is good-to-go. Many of the defenders who helped the Buccaneers win a title just three years ago make up the core of a Bucs’ defense that allowed the seventh-fewest points in football this season. Tampa ranked fifth against the run and the Buccaneers were a sparkling 8-1 against the spread on the road. Subsequently, I think they can keep this to a one-score game. Bucs +7 Kansas City Chiefs (12-6) at Buffalo Bills (12-6) Time: 6:30 PM Eastern Line: Buffalo -3 Total: 45.5 Money Line: Chiefs +130, Bills -150 Kansas City Offense The 2023 Chiefs are a long way off from last year’s championship roster. While the defense has more than lived up to the billing, it’s surprisingly been the offense that has regressed. Kansas City fell to ninth in yards and 15th in scoring. QB Patrick Mahomes had his worst fantasy season and tossed a career-high 14 picks. Also, this will be the first road playoff game of his career and it comes against a red-hot Buffalo team eager to avenge recent postseason losses to Mahomes. RDA* projections expect a big game out of Isiah Pacheco. The sophomore sensation is projected to have the second-most rushing attempts this week and comes in as our No. 2 running back. Pacheco ranked 19th with 4.5 yards per carry and should be able to find plenty of running room against a Bills’ defense that was 27th in that category. As has been the case all season, the receiving corps is uncertain. Rashee Rice has been the only dependable option for Mahomes. Meanwhile, Buffalo ranked seventh against the pass. Rice is a solid option, but KC’s other wideout are all gambles with extremely low floors. Buffalo allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Plus, with Travis Kelce‘s struggles, it’s not the best matchup. Kelce’s DFS salary makes him a cost-prohibitive choice, even if he is one of the safest starts of the slate. Buffalo Offense Only three teams allowed fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks than Kansas City. However, Josh Allen has been matchup-proof. Particularly at home. Allen has scored
Division Round Playoff Preview: Saturday
After going 5-1 picking the Wild Card games, my Division Round Playoff Preview: Saturday breaks down the upstart Houston Texans traveling to Baltimore, and the Green Bay Packers trip to San Francisco to face the NFC’s top seed. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Houston Texans (11-7) at Baltimore Ravens (13-4) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Baltimore -9.5 Total: 43.5 Money Line: Texans +340, Ravens -420 Houston Offense Look no further than last week’s thrashing of Cleveland to identify the value of probably rookie-of-the-year C.J. Stroud. Three weeks prior, that same Browns squad destroyed Houston on the same field. However, Stroud missed that game with a concussion. Back and healthy, the No. 2 pick lit up the league’s top defense. But things won’t get easier in the division round. Stroud now must go on the road to face a well-rested Baltimore defense that ceded the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Stroud has also played noticeably better at home and will contend with freezing temperatures and windy conditions. Baltimore ranked 6th against the pass but just 14th versus the run. That could mean a few more opportunities for Devin Singletary. “Motor” led all NFL running backs in the Wild Card round with a 72% snap share. Expect another week of heavy usage, making Singletary a strong option in DFS and playoff lineups. Back in the season opener, Nico Collins reeled in 6-of-11 targets for 80 yards in Houston’s 25-9 loss in Baltimore. This is a favorable game script for Collins, but Houston’s implied total of 17 points is a concern. Our RDA* projections have Collins approaching 12 points on Sunday. Noah Brown was placed on IR. That means No. 2 wideout duties will go to Robert Woods. Woods hasn’t done much this season but did go 10/6/57/0 against the Ravens in the season opener. John Metchie logged 35 snaps and a 13.6% target share last week. Xavier Hutchison was also in on 44% of Houston’s snaps. The Ravens only allowed three touchdowns to tight ends all season. But, with Houston’s receiving corps thin, expect Dalton Schultz to be heavily involved. Schultz has topped four catches in four of Houston’s past five road contests. Baltimore Offense Lamar Jackson had his worst fantasy game of the season against the Texans back in Week 1. He was limited to 169 passing yards and 38 on the ground. While the Texans have made significant strides on that side of the ball, we’re expecting a much different outcome in the rematch. In fact, our RDA* projections have Jackson as the top QB for the slate. The projections indicate Jackson will throw for 228 yards, two scores, and contribute an additional 64 rushing yards. That makes L-Jax a must-start in all fantasy formats paying in Week 20. Those strides Houston made defensively highlight the amazing job DeMeco Ryans did. The Texans improved to 6th in the NFL in run defense. Baltimore will employ a committee backfield. Gus Edwards leads the way but will need a touchdown to pay off. Edwards cedes most pass-catching work to Justice Hill. After cutting Melvin Gordon, don’t discount Dalvin Cook‘s chances of leading this backfield in touches, making him a sneaky DFS option. Zay Flowers is Baltimore’s No. 1 wideout. Only the Jets allowed fewer touchdowns to wideouts (5) than Houston’s 10. Flowers put 17.7 fantasy points on this defense in Week 1. He’s also scored five touchdowns in his last five games. Consider Flowers a strong WR1 play in this slate. After Flowers, it’s trickier. Odell Beckham is the best bet to make an impact downfield. Beckham’s 14% target share easily outpaced the ancillary wideouts. Of those lesser options, Rashod Bateman will see more snaps and targets than Nelson Agholor. Houston’s biggest defensive weakness came against tight ends. Now that we know the Ravens have ruled Mark Andres OUT, Isaiah Likely becomes a locked-in top-4 play this week. His reduced salary makes him particularly appealing in DFS showdown slates. If this game comes down to turnovers, it could swing Houston’s way. The Texans were +10 in turnover differential. The Ravens actually led the league with a +12 margin. However, Houston had an NFL-low 14 giveaways. Most of Houston’s key offensive contributors also have experience in colder weather. I think the Stroud can keep them hanging around in this game and will take the points. Houston +9.5 Green Bay Packers (10-8) at San Francisco 49ers (12-5) Time: 8:15 PM Eastern Line: San Francisco -9.5 Total: 50.5 Money Line: Packers +360, 49ers -450 Green Bay Offense Jordan Love and the Packers are on quite a heater. Green Bay has won four straight, seven of nine, and Love has produced 21 touchdowns and thrown only ONE interception since Week 11. Meanwhile, the 49ers have picked off a league-leading 22 balls this season. However, the Niners have had issues against the pass. The Niners are also below average in pass rush and on third downs. This looks like another favorable game script for Love to keep drives alive and keep the Packers within striking distance. Aaron Jones won many fantasy contests last week. His usage indicated that he was primed to exploit a sagging Dallas defense. San Francisco’s 4th-ranked fantasy run D will be a more formidable opponent. But Jones remains an elite play due to his involvement in the passing game. All of Green Bay’s wide receivers are in play against a subpar San Francisco secondary. Christian Watson returned last week but only played in 41% of Green Bay’s snaps. He did emerge unscathed, so fair to assume we’ll see a bump. Jayden Reed had a rare zero but had a 14% target share. Romeo Doubs had the finest game of his career last week thanks to a massive 29% target share. TE Tucker Kraft tripled Luke Musgrave in snaps
Monday Playoff Preview
What was originally scheduled to be one game is now a pair, due to inclement weather in Buffalo. Saturday’s slate brought a 2-0 start and Sunday featured a pair of intriguing NFC contests. After nailing both, I’m 4-0 to open Wild Card Weekend. FullTime Fantasy’s Monday Playoff preview breaks down the Pittsburgh at Buffalo and Philadelphia at Tampa Bay games. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at Buffalo Bills (11-6) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Buffalo -9.5 Total: 37.5 Money Line: Steelers +400, Bills -525 Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh dipped to 29th in offense, yet Mike Tomlin did another phenomenal job rallying his club above putrid quarterback play. Tomlin is sticking with the ‘hot hand’ in QB Mason Rudolph. However, expect the Steelers to feature both of their running backs heavily, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, against a suspect Buffalo run defense. Also, the Steelers won’t have their best defensive player in T.J. Watt. The Steelers have only garnered a single victory in the 11 games Watt has missed since debuting in 2017. The under has hit in 10 of Pittsburgh’s last 15 games and 7-of-8 when facing the Bills. Buffalo Bills The Bills are surging into the playoffs on a five-game winning streak. A change of offensive coordinators resulted in more emphasis on James Cook and the rushing attack. Of course, QB Josh Allen leads the club in rushing scores and is one of the top running QB threats in football. The Steelers ranked just 19th against the run this season. WR Stefon Diggs has not thrived since the scheme change. But Diggs remains a strong play against a modest secondary. This game was originally scheduled for Sunday and moved due to weather. The cold and snow could still factor in. Additionally, the under has hit in six of the last seven games played at Highmark Stadium. UNDER 39.5 LOSS Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) Time: 8:15 PM Eastern Line: Philadelphia -3 Total: 43.5 Money Line: Eagles -150, Buccaneers +130 Philadelphia Eagles The once-dominant Eagles are reeling. Philadephia enters the playoffs having lost five of their last six. That’s a terrible dynamic. In the Super Bowl era, the previous five teams that dropped 5-of-6 before entering the postseason are 0-5 in their playoff game. Additionally, the Eagles are beat up. QB Jalen Hurts has been contending with numerous ailments for a while and No. 1 WR A.J. Brown (knee) has been ruled out. Expect more targets to go to TE Dallas Goedert and WR DeVonta Smith, who is poised to have a big game. Also, it makes sense to project RB D’Andre Swift to have an expanded role. However, Tampa Bay ranked 5th against the run and Swift has only topped double-digit fantasy points once in his last six games. Philly’s chances rest with Hurts, as both a passer and runner. These two squads faced off in this stadium back in Week 3 and Hurts produced 305 yards of offense and two scores. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Meanwhile, Tampa is also dealing with injuries. QB Baker Mayfield was limited all week with ankle and rib injuries and is listed as questionable. Mayfield is tough and will play. But the matchup is a tough one. Particularly for a limited signal caller. In Week 3, the Eagles held Mayfield to 146 passing yards and one score at Raymond James. Despite the 25-11 loss to Philadelphia in September, this is a good matchup for Tampa’s skill-position group. The Eagles ranked 31st against the pass. Mike Evans scored seven touchdowns at home this season, including the team’s only TD in the previous matchup. Chris Godwin produced double-digit fantasy points in his final five outings of the regular season. Our RDA* projections love Godwin tonight. Also, RB Rachaad White can factor in as a dangerous receiving option if the Eagles’ No. 10 run defense factors in. With the Eagles struggling and Tampa winning five of their last six to win the NFC South, I like the Buccaneers to cover and might even consider the money line. Bucs +3 WIN Sign Up Before the NFL Playoffs & Double Your Bet Instantly With Edge Boost Offer is up for a limited time only! Special Offer For The FullTime Community: Users who sign up within the next 72 hours will start at $500 in advance limit from EDGE Boost (as opposed to $50). 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Sunday Playoff Preview
After a two-game slate on Saturday, Sunday offers two more playoff games. Our Sunday Playoff Preview breaks down the fantasy, DFS, and sports betting angles for the Packers at the Cowboys and the intriguing night game between the Rams and upstart Lions. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Green Bay Packers (9-8) at Dallas Cowboys (12-5) Time: 4:30 PM Eastern Line: Dallas -7 Total: 50.5 Money Line: Packers +270, Cowboys -340 Green Bay Packers Plenty of scoring is expected indoors between a Packers offense that ranked 12th in scoring and a Dallas unit that led the league. The biggest factor in the Packers’ scoring resurgence was QB Jordan Love. Fantasy football’s No. 5 signal-caller, Love tossed multiple scores in eight of his final nine games. However, things won’t be easy against a Dallas defense that ranked 5th overall and against the pass. With A.J. Dillon doubtful, Aaron Jones is a strong contender to approach 20 touches. Additionally, Christian Watson (hamstring)looks iffy. Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs remain solid options, as do the Packers’ rookie tight end duo. The Packers have covered nine of their last 10 games against the Cowboys and straight up won 4-of-5 in Dallas. Dallas Cowboys Dallas took control of the NFC East by winning 7-of-9 just as the Eagles were tanking. Much of the success can be attributed to an offense that has steamrolled opponents at home. The Cowboys led the NFL in scoring and were undefeated at AT&T. CeeDee Lamb was fantasy football’s top wideout in 2023 and sits atop our RDA* projection against a Green Bay secondary that ceded 13 scores to opposing wideouts. Green Bay allowed more sores to running backs. Therefore, Tony Pollard comes in as our No. 2 runner for the week. A Dallas stack led by QB Dak Prescott will be a popular DFS entry. The Cowboys are 6-2 ATS at home and the OVER is 10-3 since Week 6. However, Dallas has struggled against the Packers, dropping nine of their last 10 overall. Packers +7 WIN Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5) Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Line: Lions -3 Total: 51.5 Money Line Rams +140, Lions -165 Los Angeles Rams Like the second game, Sunday’s finale should feature plenty of scoring. The total of 51.5 points for this game is the highest of the Wild Card slate. For the Rams, QB Matthew Stafford thrived down the stretch as his offense got healthy. Sophomore RB Kyren Williams was a league winner. However, the Lions ranked 2nd in the league against the run. Conversely, Detroit struggled against the pass, ranking 27th. That puts both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in play as top-8 wideouts per our RDA* projections. Also, the Rams tend to show up as visitors. LA went 5-3-1 against the spread on the road and the OVER hit in six of nine. Detroit Lions Meanwhile, the Lions are more than capable of running teams out of the building. Detroit ranked 5th in the league in scoring and was an NFL-best 12-5 against the spread this season. QB Jared Goff plays his best ball at home, leading to the Lions covering 10 of their last 13 at Ford Field. Los Angeles allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Lions will heavily feature both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. However, the tough matchup favors Gibbs, who has a more prominent role in the passing attack. Speaking of the aerial game, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown should cook against a Rams’ secondary that surrendered the 9th-most fantasy points to wideouts. Our RDA* projections also favor Jameson Williams to be a sneaky start. There is a lot of history of OVERs in this series and with both teams in 2023. However, I think the Rams can hang around and that half-point is big. RAMS +3.5 WIN Sign Up Before the NFL Playoffs & Double Your Bet Instantly With Edge Boost Offer is up for a limited time only! Special Offer For The FullTime Community: Users who sign up within the next 72 hours will start at $500 in advance limit from EDGE Boost (as opposed to $50). Claim this offer using EdgeBoost now if you sign up before the Texans–Browns game kicks off on Saturday! Click on this link Click “Sign Up Today” & Double Your Bet Instantly! What is EDGE Boost? EDGE Boost is the first Bet Now Pay Later (powered by VISA) provider that enables you to take out a responsible, no-interest advance that you can use to bet on games of your choice at any sportsbook, DFS site, or the FFWC! You are then given four weekly installment payments to repay your advance, and if your wager hits, you double your winnings with no fees. 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It’s like being on a perpetual winning streak. And
Saturday Playoff Preview
The opening round of the 2023 NFL playoffs are all set. The FullTime Fantasy Saturday Playoff Preview looks at both the Browns vs. Texans and Dolphins vs. Chiefs games from a fantasy and sports betting perspective. Using our RDA* projections, we can break down each game to find the statistical edge that can give us a leg up in playoff fantasy and daily fantasy lineups. Also, we can determine the best bets to make. Before you place those winning bets, our partner Edge Boost can help you double your entries and payouts! Click below to increase your winnings today. Cleveland Browns (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Cleveland -2.5 Total: 44.5 Money Line: Browns -145, Texans +125 Cleveland Offense Back in Week, the Browns went into NRG Stadium and throttled the Texans 36-22. The game wasn’t even that close as Houston piled on 15 garbage-time points. In that game, Joe Flacco completed 27-of-42 for 368 yards and three scores. Flacco’s 22.8 fantasy points in that game were the second-most allowed by a much-improved Houston defense all season. In the rematch, Houston’s pass rush will be healthier. Additionally, the Texans will have more success moving the ball than they did with Davis Mills under center. Also, Flacco’s penchant for turnovers could make the difference in a close game. View Flacco as a solid start this week. However, the floor makes him a riskier play than the other three signal-callers suiting up Saturday. Houston’s run defense also made big strides in 2023. Jerome Ford was held to 25 yards on 15 totes in Week 16. Ford salvaged his day with a touchdown but was otherwise ineffective. Our RDA* projections call for Ford to get 16 touches, generate about 65 yards of offense, and is about a 50/50 bet to find the end zone. Kareem Hunt (groin) returned to practice Wednesday. Hunt won’t see as many touches as Ford in this game. However, Hunt is the preferred option in short-yardage. This week, he’ll be a TD-or-Bust option. That gives him some DFS appeal. Amari Cooper set a franchise record with 265 yards three weeks ago versus the Texans. However, Houston played without Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard in that game, which led to no pass rush. Cooper won’t have a repeat of his gaudy Week 16 figures, but he still comes in as a top-5 fantasy wideout per our RDA* projections. Elijah Moore didn’t do much in the previous game and is still questionable with a concussion. Cedric Tillman has also been ruled out, leaving David Bell as an interesting flier. The Texans allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2023. David Njoku caught six passes including a TD in the previous matchup. He’s our No. 2 tight end for the slate. Houston Offense It’s best to ignore the previous game from the Texans’ perspective. At least on offense. Houston didn’t accomplish much with Davis Mills and Case Keenum under center. However, with the return of C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ offense should be far more effective. After missing two games with a head injury, Stroud returned in the season finale to post solid, but unspectacular numbers. Stroud has been one of the best QBs in football at home. However, facing the NFL’s No. 1 defense will be problematic. If Stroud can continue his stellar play at NRG, the Texans have a good shot. Devin Singletary has taken over as the club’s feature back. Cleveland is far better against the pass than run, so expect Houston to make Singletary a big part of the game plan. Our RDA* projections have Singletary approaching 80 scrimmage yards. However, he is less likely to find to hit pay dirt. Cleveland ranked 4th in the league in limiting fantasy points to opposing wideouts. Nico Collins is Houston’s undisputed top wide receiver. But the Browns limited Collins to 18 yards on four receptions. Collins did score in that game to somewhat salvage his day. But our RDA* projections predict another modest outing. Robert Woods will return in this game and is likely to be Houston’s No. 3 with Noah Brown returning to practice Thursday. This is a tough matchup for Houston, even if the Texans have played much better at home. That makes all of their ancillary pass-catchers little more than DFS dart throws. Brown has more boom potential. Tight end Dalton Schultz should fill the void as Houston’s top target. Back in Week 16, Schultz reeled in a team-high eight grabs for 61 yards. However, the matchup is worse for tight ends. Cleveland allowed only 9.7 fantasy points per game to the position- second-lowest in the NFL. As much as Cleveland feels like the better team, eventually, the magic will run out, right? I’m on the home dogs. Houston +2.5 WIN Miami Dolphins (11-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Line: Kansas City -4.5 Total: 51.5 Money Line: Dolphins +190, Chiefs -225 Miami Offense For most of the season, this would have looked like a premier matchup with unlimited offensive potential. However, the Chiefs and Dolphins stumbled to the finish line to damper the fantasy appeal. The opening line of 51.5 seems high for two teams that have not played well. Also, weather will be a factor. The forecast calls for a high of 7 degrees with game-time temps hovering around 0. Brrrr. That will pose problems for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. In his last five road games, Tagovailoa averaged just 233.8 passing yards per game with seven touchdown passes. Meanwhile, facing Kansas City boasts a top-10 defense that surrendered the third-fewest touchdown passes in 2023. Kansas City was also stout against the run. However, the Dolphins boasted the NFL’s No. 6 rushing attack. Raheem Mostert will return after sitting out the last two regular-season games. Mostert led the NFL in rushing scores, including seven rushing TDs in seven road contests. De’Von Achane will also be heavily involved. Achane boasts enormous upside but has slowed down after eclipsing 100 rushing yards in three of
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 17
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 17 The highlight of the final Thursday game of the 2023 fantasy season is that the game gets to kick off championship week. While last week’s Saints vs. Rams tilt hit the over, FullTime Fantasy‘s
The highlight of the final Thursday game of the 2023 fantasy season is that the game gets to kick off championship week. While last week’s Saints vs. Rams tilt hit the over, FullTime Fantasy‘s Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 17 features the Browns hosting the NFL’s most futile offense in the lowly New York Jets.
16th-year pro Joe Flacco has been a revelation for the Browns. Cleveland has started four different signal-callers this season. However, the Browns are in contention for the AFC’s top seed with a nifty 10-5 record.
Meanwhile, the Jets have also had to play the quarterback carousel. But Robert Saleh has not enjoyed anywhere near as much success. At least not on offense. Saleh’s defense ranks third in the NFL.
Saleh does keep his club ready to compete and they will undoubtedly be ready to play spoiler.
New York opened as 6.5-point underdogs and the total was a ghastly 35 points.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| New York Jets | 32 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 |
| Cleveland Browns | 13 | 20 | 11 | 28 | 10 |
New York’s season effectively ended after four snaps. After losing Aaron Rodgers, the Jets have struggled to mount any kind of credible offense. Zach Wilson fared about as well as expected before losing – and regaining- the starting job. Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian have also contributed to the futility.
Siemian will make his second start this week and faces a tough task. Cleveland boasts the NFL’s No. 1 defense. The Browns lead the league in passing defense, interception rate, third-down efficiency, and fewest yards per play.
Meanwhile, Flacco has resurrected a stagnant offense. Cleveland has averaged 29 points per game in Flacco’s three starts. However, the Jets have the No. 2 pass defense and won’t allow the big plays that the Browns produced in Houston.
Points will be at a premium in this one. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean this game is a fantasy football fade.
New York Offense
How will Thursday’s Jets vs. Browns game go?
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