In this weekly article, we will provide you with some popular "chalk" stacks and some "under the radar" stacks to use in your DraftKings GPP tournaments. (GPPs)
Welcome to the Division Round of the NFL DFS playoffs! This weekend we have four games on the schedule. With the reduction in overall games, there will be overlap at every position. The "under the radar" stacks will not carry as much of a lower ownership percentage as usual due to a lack of games. In order to conquer a GPP this weekend it is a necessary roster the correct stack and build around it. Rostering a double stack (1 QB with 2 receivers from the same team) will be more popular this weekend. For the playoffs, I recommend playing less of your daily bankroll (25%-30%) as compared to most NFL weeks.
CHALK STACKS
Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers, Team Total 28.5 points
QB Carson Palmer $6,500-WR Larry Fitzgerald $6,500 Total Stack $13,000 (26.0% of salary)
QB Carson Palmer $6,500-WR John Brown $5,200 Total Stack $11,700 (23.4% of salary)
QB Carson Palmer $6,500-WR Michael Floyd $5,100 Total Stack $11,600 (23.2% of salary)
RB David Johnson $6,000-DST Cardinals Defense $3,800 Total Stack $9,800 (19.6% of salary)
The Cardinals are 7 point home favorites with the highest game total (50) and team total (28.5) of the weekend. Carson Palmer is under-priced as the sixth most expensive QB on DraftKings. He will be a very popular QB to roster with his matchup and salary savings. The key will be deciding which wide receiver to stack with Palmer. Many will flock to Michael Floyd after his surge over the past 2 months. In Floyd's last 8 games, he has (5) 100 yard performances and 4 touchdowns. David Johnson has the best RB matchup of the weekend and will also carry a high ownership percentage. If you are playing multiple GPPs this weekend, I recommend having at least 25-30% exposure to the Cardinals offense.
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Team Total 23 points
RB Ronnie Hillman $4,100-DST Broncos Defense $3,900 Total Stack $8,000 (16.0% of salary)
RB C.J. Anderson $3,700-DST Broncos Defense $3,900 Total Stack $7,600 (15.2% of salary)
The Broncos are 7 point home favorites vs. the Steelers. The Broncos/Steelers game has the lowest game total (39) of the weekend and the Steelers have the lowest team total (16). This is a stark contrast from their Week 15 matchup in which the Steelers won 34-27. The Steelers will limp into Denver with Antonio Brown already announced out and Ben Roethlisberger and DeAngelo Williams questionable to play. Brown's absence will have a dramatic impact for the entire Steelers offense. Roethlisberger struggled on the road to finish the regular season. In Roethlisberger's final 4 road games, he threw 7 interceptions. The Broncos number one ranked defense is rested for this prime matchup. Look for the Broncos to control the pace of the game with the running game, short passes, and solid defense. Ronnie Hillman is my preferred option to stack with the Denver defense. Over the last 8 games, Hillman has a minimum of 13 touches/per game.
UNDER THE RADAR STACKS
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals, Team Total 21.5 points
QB Aaron Rodgers $6,700-WR Randall Cobb $5,900 Total Stack $12,600 (25.2% of salary)
QB Aaron Rodgers $6,700-WR James Jones $4,600 Total Stack $11,300 (22.6% of salary)
QB Aaron Rodgers $6,700-TE Richard Rodgers $4,000 Total Stack $10,700 (21.4% of salary)
The Packers are 7 point road underdogs in Arizona with the highest game total (50) of the weekend. The game script projects that the Cardinals will build a lead and the Packers will be playing from behind. Aaron Rodgers will have to put points on the scoreboard if the Packers have any chance of winning the game. WR DaVante Adams has missed practice all week with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to be inactive. This means there will be a few additional targets for the Packers receivers. Over the Packers last 4 games, James Jones has been the most consistent Packers receiver with at least 4 receptions and an average of 16.0 fantasy points/per game.
New England Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Team Total 23.5 points
QB Tom Brady $7,400-TE Rob Gronkowski $7,500 Total Stack $14,900 (29.8% of salary)
QB Tom Brady $7,400-WR Julian Edelman $7,100 Total Stack $14,500 (29.0% of salary)
The Patriots are 5 point home favorites vs. the Chiefs with the 2nd highest team total (23.5 points) of the weekend. The Patriots high salaries and questionable injury designations will help keep their ownership percentages down. When you consider the Chiefs shut-out of the Texans last weekend, many will avoid the Patriots offense for a more attractive option in Arizona. All signs point to Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski to play without restrictions. Wouldn't it be just like Bill Belicheck and Tom Brady to surprise us this week with a huge performance in the playoffs.
