The 13-5 Baltimore Ravens will travel to Buffalo Sunday to take on the 14-4 Bills, as Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are the front runners for MVP. With freezing cold temperatures in the forecast, expecting the run game to be heavily established early from both teams. However, that has been the gameplan for the most part, as both teams dominated their opponents in the wildcard with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.
A turnover or two could be the difference in this game between two AFC powerhouses, as one will be sent home and one will play the winner of the Houston Texans-Kansas City Chiefs game for a chance at a title. Unfortunately, one of these teams will not make it to the Conference Championships next week, as this is the biggest game of the weekend with the Ravens playing the Bills in Buffalo.
Ravens vs. Bills DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Khalil Shakir ($5K DraftKings; $6.1K Fanduel)
Shakir has been the most consistent receiver for the Bills. Allen will have plenty of targets to go to when the Ravens’ defense keys in on the run. The passing offense, besides Shakir, has been way too spread out this year to really hone in on a target earner. The wide receiver has been way more involved than rookie Keon Coleman, veteran Amari Cooper, Mack Hollins, and Curtis Samuel.
Isaiah Likely ($3.5K DraftKings; $5.1K Fanduel)
While Mark Andrews has plenty of touchdown equity, with Zay Flowers out, we saw Likely take more opportunities in the passing game as a receiver. Both tight ends for the Ravens have been Jackson’s favorite targets in the middle of the field. With their salary, it is worth plugging in one of Baltimore’s tight ends compared to their receivers. However, Likely is cheaper and has stepped in for big games.
Ravens vs. Bills DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Zay Flowers ($5.9K DraftKings; $6.9K Fanduel)
Even if Flowers is out there, the volume will still go to their tight ends and Rashod Bateman. The run game will still be the obvious focus and Baltimore’s offense was still dominant without their young star pass catcher. Veteran Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace also stepped in for a few catches as well.
Dalton Kincaid ($3.7K DraftKings; $5.4K Fanduel)
The young tight end Kincaid hasn’t been more than a part-time receiver for the Bills, as their offense involves a bunch of other offensive players, including veteran tight end Dawson Knox. This includes running backs like Ty Johnson, who scored last week, or an ancillary wide receiver on the team. Even at a reduced salary, it is better to plug in another player who has a higher floor for daily fantasy.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Derrick Henry ($8K DraftKings; $9.6K Fanduel)
Everyone knows the Ravens will give King Henry the rock early and often. Whether they stop him or not is yet to be seen, even if the Bills are getting some defensive players back healthy. Henry has had over 130 yards on the ground in the last four games and I don’t envision it to be easier to tackle him in colder temperatures. If Buffalo’s defense doesn’t sell out to limit Henry, then Jackson will likely eat and it could flip after halftime like the Wildcard. Don’t be surprised if Henry throws a pass either.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
James Cook ($6.7K DraftKings; $7.4K Fanduel)
Against a tough Ravens-run defense, playing Cook seems like a bad move. However, he has the highest touchdown equity in general, scoring the most amount times with 16 touchdowns on the year with 2 through the air. This tied with Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs’ touchdown totals on the ground and just second behind Gibbs in total touchdowns for running backs. James Cook gets featured enough as a pass-catcher to have a high floor for daily fantasy even with Johnson involved as a receiver as well.
