It was another successful week of NFL DFS cash games in Week 13 despite Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Jones disappointing in favorable matchups. Lawrence and Jones combined for 26.36 points on DraftKings in Week 13, though, both of them did suffer injuries in the first half that limited them in the second half.
Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs, Samaje Perine, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Garrett Wilson all carried my cash-game lineup as they combined for 114.3 of my 150.66 points. As a result of those guys performing well, I cashed in all of the double-ups I entered and won 17 of the 25 head-to-head contests.
With another week in NFL DFS upon us, here are my favorite cash-game plays for the Week 14 main slate on DraftKings.
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow vs. CLE ($7,000)
Burrow has made an appearance in the NFL MVP race with his recent play for the Bengals. The former No. 1 overall pick has the fifth-best PER (0.50) among QBs this season and he’s scored 30-plus points in two out of his last three games. The Browns have been great against QBs this season, allowing the 10th fewest points per game to the position. But with Burrow likely having his full arsenal of weapons at home on Sunday with Ja’Marr Chase back, matchups don’t matter for him right now.
Kirk Cousins @ DET ($6,100)
Cousins has been far from consistent this season despite the Vikings owning an impressive 10-2 record thus far. While Cousins hasn’t provided a safe floor, he’s involved in the game with the highest projected total (52.5) when the Vikings visit the Lions in Week 14. Back in Week 3 against Detroit, the veteran signal-caller produced a solid 18.3 points at home. Being that the Lions have been better against the run recently, and the Lions allow the most points per game to QBs, Cousins is a viable option on Sunday.
Jared Goff vs. MIN ($5,600)
When it’s all said and done, Goff will likely be the quarterback I elect to use in my cash-game lineup. Once again, he’s involved in the game with the highest projected total, he’s playing at home, and he just posted 24.6 points in Week 13 against the Jaguars. There have certainly been weeks where Goff has struggled, but he’s only $5,600 and there is undoubtedly potential for him to hit the 300-yard bonus for the second straight week. It also helps that the Vikings are giving up the sixth-most points per game to QBs.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon vs. CLE ($6,900)
All signs point toward Mixon returning for the Bengals in Week 14 following a two-game absence. Perine did a fantastic job filling in for Mixon, and while Perine could carve out a larger role, Mixon should still handle a massive workload upon his return. Besides permitting the third-most points per game, the Browns are allowing the second-most yards per attempt to RBs this season. If Mixon does get anywhere close to his usual usage on Sunday versus the Browns, he won’t be under $7,000 for much longer on DraftKings.
Tony Pollard vs. HOU ($6,700)
Even with Ezekiel Elliott back for the Cowboys, Pollard has remained heavily involved in the offense in recent weeks. In Week 13 versus the Colts, Pollard had 106 total yards and 2 touchdowns to score 24.6 points. While Elliott will get the carries inside the five-yard line, Pollard should have a chance to have a couple of explosive plays against a Texans defense that is bleeding the most points per game to RBs this season. Houston’s defense has been better against the pass and with Dallas being favored by 16.5 points, Pollard should get plenty of run in Week 14.
D’Andre Swift vs. MIN ($5,800)
Playing Swift in cash games doesn’t feel like a safe pick, but there is a chance he’s earned his starting job back in Week 13. Swift had 14 carries compared to Jamaal Williams getting 11 a week ago. He also scored a touchdown while catching 4 of his 6 targets for 49 yards. The dynamic back now has six-plus targets in back-to-back games and he boasts the second-highest PER (1.18) among RBs. If you aren’t using Goff in your cash-game lineup, Swift is a nice way to save salary on DraftKings.
Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. MIN ($7,800)
I’ll continue to play St. Brown until DraftKings increases his salary to a point where I have to consider whether or not he can return value. St. Brown has scored 30-plus points in back-to-back weeks, eight-plus targets in six straight games (10-plus targets in four of those), and three touchdowns in his last two appearances. There aren’t many WRs that provide a safer floor than St. Brown right now and with the Vikings giving up the second-most points per game to WRs, he’s in a great spot entering Week 14.
Christian Kirk @ TEN ($6,600)
Trevor Lawrence didn’t practice on Wednesday for the Jaguars, but the expectation is for him to play on Sunday versus the Titans. If Lawrence does play, then Kirk is in a prime spot to return decent value. Kirk just notched 19.4 points in Week 13, giving him 19-plus points in three of his last four games. There isn’t a team that is allowing more points per game to WRs this season than the Titans, making Kirk a viable cash-game option as long as Lawrence is throwing him the ball.
Garrett Wilson @ BUF ($5,900)
DraftKings continues to increase Wilson’s salary, but it still hasn’t reached a point where he doesn’t feel underpriced. With Mike White under center for the Jets, Wilson has now combined for 13 receptions, 257 yards, and 2 touchdowns on 23 targets in the last two weeks. He’s also scored 26-plus points in back-to-back games with White targeting him. Even though the Bills are a stiffer matchup for the rookie wideout, the Jets will likely need to throw to keep up and Wilson will see plenty of looks in a crucial AFC East bout.
Related: Week 14 Fantasy Football Must Starts
Tight Ends
David Njoku @ CIN ($3,900)
Njoku was inactive for the Browns in Week 13, but he was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday. If Njoku returns to the field on Sunday versus the Bengals, he could become a favorite target of Deshaun Watson’s rather quickly. The former first-round pick had 13.9 points in Week 12 against the Buccaneers and he’s averaged a solid 10.9 points per game on DraftKings. For those that have salary left over or Njoku is ruled out again, Dalton Schultz at $4,400 is a viable cash-game option.
Greg Dulcich vs. KC ($3,400)
The Broncos are a mess this season, but Dulcich has emerged as a trustworthy target for Russell Wilson. The rookie tight end produced a season-high 14.5 points in Week 13 versus the Ravens and he’s now registered 10-plus points in four games this season. With Courtland Sutton doubtful to play on Sunday against the Chiefs, Dulcich could see an increase in usage, making him the likely candidate for my cash-game lineups.
D/ST
Cowboys vs. HOU ($3,800)
Paying down at defense is typically the way to go in cash games, but if you’re able to afford them, the Cowboys defense is an elite option in Week 14 versus the Texans. Even with the Texans going with Davis Mills over Kyle Allen on Sunday, the Cowboys have the highest pressure rate, the most sacks, and the third-fewest points per game allowed in the NFL.
Steelers vs. BAL ($2,800)
Lamar Jackson is week-to-week with a knee injury, and while Tyler Huntley has proven to be an effective backup, he’ll be facing a Steelers defense at home that has T.J. Watt screaming off the edge. Since returning to the defense in Week 10 from an injury, Watt has helped the defense of the Steelers score 10-plus points twice in the last four games. The Buccaneers, the Jets, and the Panthers are other defenses to consider in cash games.