RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! Thursday night's game was an absolute disaster. I don't think anyone saw that there wasn't going to be a single touchdown scored in that game. Hopefully, we can bounce back with this game that has some playoff implications. The LA Chargers (9-6) need a win to lock in a playoff spot but they will have to travel to Gillette Stadium and take on the New England Patriots (3-12) to get it!
We have been pretty successful so far with these showdown slates, and hopefully, that trend will continue from last year into this year. Most of us started our fantasy journeys with football, so it's always nice when it comes around. 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.
I will provide you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Patriots vs. Chargers 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 on both DraftKings and FanDuel. If you have any questions, you can follow me on X @DFSKoby and fire away, or sign up for a premium RotoBaller NFL package and chat with me and other NFL DFS analysts whenever you'd like!
MVP/Captain Plays
Ladd McConkey - WR, Los Angeles Chargers - $15.9K (DK), $14K (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 94 targets, 69 receptions, 960 receiving yards, five touchdowns
Ladd is in prime position for a big game, the Patriots haven't been giving up big games to WRs this season but McConkey gets a fantastic matchup as he likely will be lined up against Jonathan Jones in the slot. Jones has given up .33 FP per route run which is very high, on top of that Ladd has been one of Herbert's favorite targets garnering 40 targets across the last five games. With the season on the line, I'm expecting a big game from this Chargers offense.
Ladd McConkey is 3 catches and 87 receiving yards away from passing Keenan Allen for the most in both categories by a Chargers rookie in franchise history ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/EUe3yKtBVp
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 27, 2024
Justin Herbert - QB, Los Angeles Chargers - $15K (DK), $16K (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 3,243 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 252 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
I'm keeping it here with Justin Herbert. Like I said this game is to lock up a playoff spot. They need this win more than ever and I expect Herbert to have one of his best games of the season against the Patriots who have nothing to play for but a better draft pick. In a big spot last week he came up big and dropped 24 FP against a much tougher Broncos defense. I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar out of Herbert here against the Patriots.
Other Captains/MVPs: Drake Maye, J.K Dobbins (if he plays), Kimani Vidal (if Dobbins doesn't play)
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DFS Flex Plays
Drake Maye - QB, New England Patriots - $9.8K (DK), $14.5K (FD)
Key Stats
- 2024 Stats: 2,159 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 389 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
If the Patriots are smart they are going to give Maye every chance to show improvement and chuck this ball as much as he wants. They will likely play from behind here and Maye looked solid in their outing against the Bills. He has thrown 30+ times in five of his last seven games and thrown at least one touchdown in each of those seven. Drake is also able to move his legs and is good for close to 30 rushing yards a game. If Maye can fix his turnover problem, he has a solid shot in this league.
Hunter Henry - TE, New England Patriots - $7.2K (DK), $11K (FD)
If you are stacking Patriots players, Hunter Henry is a requirement. He has become one of Drake Maye's favorite targets as of late with 38 targets across the last five games! He is playing upwards of 80% of the snaps and it's likely the Patriots are playing from behind in this one so expect Henry to be peppered with targets in this matchup.
Other Flex Options: Rhamondre Stevenson, Quentin Johnston, DeMario Douglas
DFS Value Plays
Kimani Vidal - RB, Los Angeles Chargers - $4.2K (DK), $7K (FD)
UPDATE: Dobbins has been activated and is expected to play. Vidal is still a GPP option, but Dobbins will likely get more touches in the backfield.
Gus Edwards is out, and J.K. Dobbins is questionable and has yet to be removed from the IR. If that is the case, Vidal should take over full-time RB duties. With more opportunity, Vidal could be an explosive option for this offense. However, Dobbins is quite cheap on FD and would take full priority if he plays.
Kayshon Boutte - WR, New England Patriots - $6.4K (DK), $8.5K (FD)
Kayshon is coming off his best game of the season where he had five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. He is the clear No. 1 WR in New England, he is playing 88% of snaps and should continue to see a large workload in this Patriots offense.
Kayshon Boutte deserves a lot of credit this season.
Emerged out of the Bill Belichick doghouse to be your #1 WR option.
Good for him
— Savage (@SavageSports_) December 23, 2024
Other Value Plays: Joey Slye, Stone Smartt, Chargers D/ST
Enjoy your week, and good luck, everyone!
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