The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs is here, and it’s my personal favorite of all the rounds. We get to see the one seeds in action and watch them face off against a few underdog teams this week. The beauty of these games this week is that every team has firepower on their offense to help us take down a slate in DFS.
How do we attack this slate properly so our lineups finish within the green? Let me help you with the research and guide you to the best setup you can use within your lineups.
NFL DFS Divisional Round Stacking Advice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
Welcome to our big stack on this slate. I believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a better chance of winning than most writers give them this weekend. However, we should expect their passing offense to do some damage against the Detroit Lions, who struggle to stop the pass all season long. The Lions have allowed the seventh-most receptions to wide receivers this season. They have also allowed the third-most yards and third-most touchdowns to the position. With offenses slicing and dicing their way down the field against the Lions through the air, opposing wide receivers have scored the third-highest DraftKings fantasy points per game (DK FPPG) with 41 against.
The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs is here, and it’s my personal favorite of all the rounds. We get to see the one seeds in action and watch them face off against a few underdog teams this week. The beauty of these games this week is that every team has firepower on their offense to help us take down a slate in DFS.
How do we attack this slate properly so our lineups finish within the green? Let me help you with the research and guide you to the best setup you can use within your lineups.
NFL DFS Divisional Round Stacking Advice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
Welcome to our big stack on this slate. I believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a better chance of winning than most writers give them this weekend. However, we should expect their passing offense to do some damage against the Detroit Lions, who struggle to stop the pass all season long. The Lions have allowed the seventh-most receptions to wide receivers this season. They have also allowed the third-most yards and third-most touchdowns to the position. With offenses slicing and dicing their way down the field against the Lions through the air, opposing wide receivers have scored the third-highest DraftKings fantasy points per game (DK FPPG) with 41 against.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans should be considered in your lineups, as this game is the second-highest point total on the slate. We should also consider using Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has risen from the ashes – especially towards the end of this season – to rebrand himself as a useable quarterback and a starter within the NFL. Since Week 14, he ranks eighth in yards per attempt and sixth in fantasy points per dropback. In that same span, Detroit’s defense has fallen apart by allowing the highest yards per attempt and seventh-most passing touchdowns. These stack options should flow smoothly for a big day in Motor City.
If the Tampa Bay offense will hum, we have to consider the Lions throwing points on the board to keep up with their opponents. Most DFS managers would use Amon-Ra St. Brown in their lineups. There is nothing wrong with that, but we will lean to Sam Laporta. Laporta is the slate’s second-highest salaried tight end on DraftKings, and we will use that to our advantage. Some players could be drawn to lower-priced options like George Kittle or Dalton Kincaid to pay up elsewhere. Therefore, Laporta will build our leverage within the lineup.
Laporta will also face a weak defense that allows the tight end position to own them all season. The Buccaneers allowed 102 receptions to the position, the third-most in the NFL. The Buccaneers also allowed 1,077 receiving yards, the third-most among teams, and seven touchdowns to the position. The former Iowa Hawkeye is crucial to this Detroit offense, and you should expect him to be the second read, if not the first read, in a majority of the Lions’ play calls this weekend.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills
One of my favorite rules is pairing my running back with my defense. This week, that combination comes from Buffalo. James Cook has been on a tear to end the season and he continued to see that heavy workload in the playoffs. In four of his last five games, Cook has handled the rock on 15+ rushing plays while being targeted three or more times in over 60% of those games. Volume is king when it comes to running backs, and the Bills will continue to use Cook as their win streak is directly correlated to the success of their former second-round pick.
Now, let’s unwravel why we also are targeting the Buffalo Bills D/ST. First, they are the home team; always use a slight home favorite. The Bills, at the moment, are -2.5 favorites. Also, factor in their opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs. Yes, they put up a lot of points in the Wild Card Round against the Miami Dolphins. However, the Dolphins were struggling with injuries and out of their element with the weather. In Buffalo, against a better defense, we suspect the regular-season Chiefs will return.
Remember that version of the Chiefs? That version struggled to move the ball and could barely put nay points on the board. It’s the exact version of a Kansas City offense that only had Rashee Rice and no one else producing for most of the season. Last week felt more like the outlier than the rule for the 2023-2024 Chiefs.
The last time they played, the Bills held the Chiefs to 17 points, recording an interception and a fumble recovery, catapulting their run to the playoffs. Pay attention to the Buffalo defense here.
Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers
This combination of players is here because they are salary savers who sit under $5K on DraftKings. The Green Bay Packers will have a rough time running the ball against the strong San Francisco defense. Therefore, the best way to move the ball is through the air. Dontayvion Wicks can deliver on his average of five targets per game. He has given us an average 14+ DK points in his last four games.
As for Christian Watson, it is a significant dart throw. However, we’ve seen what he can do with his size and speed when healthy. Most managers will remember the down year and avoid him. Therefore, we will use him and build leverage against the opponent.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Remember to read all the fantastic work at FantasyPros and contact me on X if you need extra assistance this week (@jpep20). Good luck!
