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Tonight's top NFL DFS lineup picks for DraftKings, FanDuel -- Cardinals vs. Rams Showdown slate Week 17 (Dec. 28, 2024). John's NFL daily fantasy sleeper picks.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have an NFC West showdown tonight as Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (7-8) head out to the City of Angels to take on Matthew Stafford and the Rams (9-6). With the Cardinals already eliminated from playoff contention, their only job is to play spoiler in this one. Let’s see how it plays out.
Thanks to today's advanced analytics, I'll do my best to provide you with as much in-depth analysis as possible regarding positional matchups and the like to help put some lunch money in your pocket. Let's make some coin this season, gang, and get right to it.
I will provide you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Cardinals vs. Rams NFL DFS showdown slate on December 28. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks. For questions, follow me on X @LucidMediaDFS, or sign up for RotoBaller premium to chat any time!
MVP/Captain - NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Kyler Murray - QB, $15,000 (DK), $13,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 3,288 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 71 rushing attempts, 518 rushing yards, five touchdowns.
- Projected Pass DVOA: 22.75%
I’ll start the slate off with Kyler Murray. Murray’s had a respectable season from a fantasy perspective. He had his best season against the Rams back in Week 2, throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 59 yards on five carries. The Rams defense has struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks all season, and Kyler will look to end his season on a high note.
My model projects Murray to throw for 224.8 yards and 1.42 touchdowns, adding 36.65 yards on 6.33 rushing attempts and 0.36 rushing touchdowns.
Kyren Williams - RB, $15,900 (DK), $15,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 303 rushing attempts, 1,243 rushing yards, 37 targets, 31 receptions, 166 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns.
- Projected Rush DVOA: -0.59%
I’ll flip the field and take a look at Kyren Williams next. Williams has had an excellent season and will look to keep the momentum rolling against Arizona’s 19th-ranked rushing defense. Williams had a rough go of things on the ground against the Cardinals in Week 2, rushing for just 25 yards on 12 attempts, but was able to find the end zone and haul in four receptions. I expect more from him on the ground in this one.
My model projects Williams to run for 109.45 yards and a touchdown on 19.78 attempts, adding 2.49 receptions on 2.53 targets for 16.58 yards and 0.11 touchdowns receiving.
Other Captains/MVPs: Matthew Stafford, James Conner, Puka Nacua, Marvin Harrison Jr., Cooper Kupp
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Flex Plays - NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Trey McBride - TE, $9,200 (DK), $11,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 120 targets, 92 receptions, 958 receiving yards, one touchdown.
- Opposing DVOA vs. TE: -4.9%
I’ll take a look at Trey McBride next. McBride has had a solid season, averaging 14.7 points on DraftKings and 11.43 points on FanDuel despite having just one touchdown. Kyler Murray made a statement a few weeks back noting that they’d find him in the end zone, but that’s a tough ask against this Rams defense that ranks 10th in touchdowns allowed on the year and hasn’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end in the last four weeks.
Nevertheless, my model projects McBride to score well. He’s projected to haul in 6.63 of 9.07 targets for 64.68 yards and 0.31 touchdowns.
Matthew Stafford - QB, $9,800 (DK), $12,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 3,573 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions.
- Projected Pass DVOA: 25.15%
Instead of choosing between Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, I’ll “meet in the middle” and recommend Matthew Stafford on this slate. Stafford has had a quiet year overall, mostly due to the success the Rams have gotten out of the backfield with Kyren Williams. Stafford struggled against the Cardinals in Week 2, throwing for just 216 yards and no touchdowns.
My model projects Stafford to throw for 241.74 yards and 1.67 touchdowns in this one though as the Rams look to sneak their way into the NFC playoffs.
Other Flex Options: Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Marvin Harrison Jr., James Conner
Value Plays - NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Tyler Higbee - TE, $3,200 (DK), $7,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: Two targets, one reception, 11 receiving yards, one touchdown.
- Opponent DVOA vs. TE: -4.9%
Funny enough, I’ll look at a pair of guys who made their season debut just a week ago in my value spots. We’ll start with Tyler Higbee, who saw just two targets last week. Fortunately for anyone who may have rostered Higbee last week, that one reception was for a touchdown. I expect Higbee to be integrated a bit more into the offense this week, and while the Cardinals defense has been quality against tight ends this season, Higbee is cheap enough on both sites to take a shot at.
Tyler Higbees return last week brought great energy to the team! #89 ranks 9th all time in franchise receptions, which is 1st as a Tight End
Last season in the win over Arizona, Higbee caught 2 touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford. An added red zone threat for tomorrow pic.twitter.com/XW3YJBNgjx
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) December 27, 2024
My model projects Higbee to catch 2.45 of 3.02 targets for 21.29 yards and 0.28 touchdowns.
Michael Carter - RB, $4,000 (DK), $9,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: Five rushing attempts, 18 rushing yards, five targets, five receptions, 30 receiving yards.
- Projected Rush DVOA: 1.81%
I’ll wrap things up with running back Michael Carter. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, James Conner is “trending in the right direction” towards playing in this one, but who knows how much work he’ll see with the Cardinals season mathematically over.
Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) is 'trending in the right direction' for Saturday vs. Rams, per @JFowlerESPN pic.twitter.com/FF6o8II7GJ
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 27, 2024
My model projects Carter to run for 22.68 yards on 4.76 attempts while adding 3.53 receptions on 3.74 targets for another 27.68 yards and 0.12 touchdowns. While the Rams rank 20th in rushing DVOA, they rank 26th in DVOA against running backs in the passing game, where I think Michael Carter will make his money. He’s a bit too expensive on FanDuel for my liking, but I love him as a DraftKings play.
Other Value Options: Blake Corum, Colby Parkinson, Chad Ryland
Have a good week, everyone!
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