NFL

Week 17 Game Scripts to Target in Daily Fantasy Football

David McCaffery  —  @mccaffmedia Dec 27th, 2017
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Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Over/Under: 41.0
Titans Implied Team Total: 23.50
Jaguars Implied Team Total: 17.50

The Tennessee Titans are fighting for a playoff spot. That Jacksonville Jaguars are locked into the third seed in the AFC and have nothing to play for. The Titans would be thrilled if their AFC South rivals were to do them a solid and rest their starters, but the Jags don't appear ready to oblige. For that reason, this game could prove to be a doozy.

It makes sense for the Jaguars to trot out their starting lineup. They's coming off a tough loss, and need to get back on track prior to making their first playoff appearance in a decade. A tune-up game against their divisional rivals is probably in their best interest.

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
FanDuel Price: $5,800

Make no mistake about it, Week 17 is a big moment in the young career of Derrick Henry. Ever since being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the former Heisman Trophy winner has flashed considerable ability, but has largely functioned as a direct backup to DeMarco Murray. While it's often looked clear that Henry deserves a larger workload, Murray has earned his reps, and the Titans' coaching staff hasn't handed Henry the reigns as of yet.

But Murray sustained a third-degree MCL tear in Week 16 and is highly questionable for this contest. Murray could miss the game altogether, but even if he plays, he's likely to be limited. As such, this is Henry's chance to state his case for an increased role in the team's backfield, now and into the future.


Indeed, Henry should carry the load against a Jaguars defense that has been brilliant against the pass, but only so-so against the run. In fact, Henry himself took 14 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown against this very defense back in Week 2. Henry has produced a solid 4.6 career yards per carry in his limited role, and has to be licking his chops at this opportunity. At such an incredible discount, Henry could prove to be the value play of the week in daily formats.

Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
FanDuel Price: $5,900

I know we talked about him last week, but it needs to be revisited. Keelan Cole has emerged as the Jaguars number-one wideout, with 393 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his last three games. A week ago, the 13 targets he received were a career high, and it's clear he's earned the trust of quarterback Blake Bortles. On the season, he's averaging a nasty 18.8 yards per reception, and the Jaguars' passing game is suddenly both prolific and voluminous.

For all those reasons, I have no idea why he continues to be such a deal on FanDuel, but this is the time to capitalize. The Titans' defense is surrendering the tenth-most FanDuel points per contest (28.2) to opposing wideouts, but more importantly than that, Cole can has been the fantasy WR1 over the last two weeks and can be started for WR41 cost. I have no idea how that's possible, but this situation should be exploited.

Others to Consider

The aforementioned Blake Bortles ($7,500) may have tossed three interceptions against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, but he also threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns, while chipping in 31 rushing yards. The fourth-year pro has now surpassed 18 points in five straight contests and has proven to be one of the value quarterbacks of the late-season stretch. This week's match-up with a Titans defense that is surrendering 17.6 FanDuel points per contest isn't particularly imposing, so Bortles should be a solid starting candidate once more.

It's been a disappointing season for Marcus Mariota ($6,700), and it could get a lot tougher this weekend. The Jaguars have given opposing quarterbacks nightmares for much of 2017 and will have something to prove after getting picked apart by Jimmy Garoppolo last week. Mariota is not in an enviable position.

Rishard Matthews ($5,500) and Corey Davis ($5,500) don't make for particularly inspiring plays against a Jags defense that has stifled opposing wideouts and features Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. The matchup is only slightly better for Delanie Walker ($6,100), but he remains in play because of his consistency. The veteran has seen five or more targets in all but one contest this season, and Mariota will likely look his way early and often.


David McCaffery is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, David also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username dmccfb. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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