With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror and only two byes (Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns) on the Week 13 schedule, we are almost back at full force in the NFL, as there are 13 games on Sunday for the first time since Week 7. Of course, one stands out among the rest in terms of DFS potential. Detroit vs. New Orleans boasts a massive over/under of 54--which still might even be a conservative number when you consider that six games at the Superdome this year have produced an averaged total of 64.67 points--and many players from that game figure to be quite popular in both GPP and cash games. Still, with so many other options on the slate, stacking that game is far from the only the strategy this weekend. With that in mind, you can click through the gallery for my ideal Week 13 DraftKings lineup, or you can click here for some of the best sleepers and value picks at each position. (Getty)
QB: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
Price: $6,300
Fading both Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger, who both have a habit of putting up huge numbers at home, is undoubtedly dangerous, but they also both figure to be super popular. If you're looking to go contrarian in GPP formats and spend that money elsewhere, consider Wilson. He threw the ball poorly last week, but he had been playing well before that, he had his best game of the season on the ground (eight carries, 80 yards) and he should be much better this week at home against a Panthers defense that is 29th in passing yards per game allowed (275.2) and 26th in yards per pass attempt allowed. (Getty)
RB: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: vs. New York Giants
Price: $9,200
Since returning in Week 4, he has finished with less than 20.0 DraftKings points in just two games, both of which came on the road. Much like Big Ben and the rest of the offense, he has crushed it in four games at Heinz Field this year, averaging 87.0 rushing yards, 8.25 receptions, 66.8 receiving yards and 27.4 DraftKings points per contest despite only finding the end zone twice. He's the perfect mix of high floor and high ceiling, and this could be a game where he gets even more work, as the Giants defense has played very well against outside receivers on the boundaries but has allowed a healthy 5.3 running back receptions (10th most in the NFL) per game. (Getty)
RB: Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears
Opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Price: $6,900
Howard probably doesn't get enough respect for how good he has been this year. In games in which he has received at least 15 touches (there have been seven of them), he is averaging 96.7 rushing yards per contest and 5.21 yards per carry with three total touchdowns. On the year, he's fourth among qualified RB's in yards per carry (5.1) and second in Pro Football Focus' elusive rating. And oh yeah, there's the whole start-any-starting-running-back-playing-the-49ers strategy. San Fran is last in rushing yards allowed per game, last in yards per attempt allowed and last in DraftKings points allowed to running backs. (Getty)
WR: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Price: $8,700
After being slowed down by Patrick Peterson last week, Jones has now been held under 40 yards in four games this season. The three previous times, here is how he has responded the following game (targets-receptions-yards-touchdowns): 15-12-300-1, 9-7-139-1, 11-8-11-1. He is the King of Positive Regression, and you can expect him to take last week's frustration out on a Chiefs secondary that has given up the most DraftKings points per game to opposing wide receivers and was most recently torched by Trevor Siemian. (Getty)
WR: Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins
Opponent: at Arizona Cardinals
Price: $5,800
The Cardinals have a stingy defense, but Crowder has a couple things working in his favor here. First, Jordan Reed (shoulder) is out, which should free up more looks for a player already getting 6.9 per game. Second, Patrick Peterson will likely stay on the outside on DeSean Jackson, and Tyrann Mathieu is doubtful, giving the slot man Crowder easily the most favorable matchup for any of Washington's skill position players. (Getty)
WR: Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions
Opponent: at New Orleans Saints
Price: $4,400
We can't full ignore this game, as there figures to be lots of scoring on both sides. Jones has been a major disappointment since his red-hot start to the season, but he did see 11 targets last week (his most since Week 2), and the price is low enough now that there isn't nearly as much risk involved. He could easily disappear, but in this ideal matchup, he carries significant upside. (Getty)
TE: Josh Hill, New Orleans Saints
Opponent: vs. Detroit Lions
Price: $2,500
Not only is this a projected high-scoring game, but the Lions have been eviscerated by opposing tight ends, giving up an average of 6.1 receptions and 57.7 yards and nine total touchdowns to the position. Hill, meanwhile, is coming off a week in which he logged his second-highest snap percentage (78.4) of the year and tallied season-highs in targets (6), receptions (6) and yards (74). That fact that he has a bare minimum price tag doesn't hurt either. (Getty)
FLEX: Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
Price: $3,700
Dixon's role has been steadily increasing over the last several weeks, culminating in season-highs in both snap percentage (45.6) and touches (17) last week against the Bengals. The rookie stands as a better in-space, pass-catching back than Terrance West, and he should again have a significant role against a Dolphins defense that can clog the interior with Ndamukong Suh. Ultimately, even 10-to-12 touches, especially if many of those come in the passing game, would be enough for him to provide value at this price. (Getty)
DST: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at San Diego Chargers
Price: $2,500
The Bucs defense is averaging 10.3 DraftKings points per game over the last six weeks, and now they get to go up against a Chargers offense that can score points but has committed eight turnovers in the last four games. (Getty)
NFL DraftKings Week 13: Optimal Lineup Picks & Advice