10 DFS Knowledge Nuggets for Week 17

As I write this, I tend to get ADHD-like symptoms and click on various social mediums to see what’s going on in the world. I’ve seen a bunch of posts and albums reflecting on 2017 and what it brought to us. In DFS it brought us the reigns of various rookies such as Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt and DeShaun Watson. It brought us the sad letdowns in Jordy Nelson and Terrelle Pryor. But before we say goodbye, we have one last chance to go out with a bang. The Nuggets this week will be a little different. Every Knowledge Nugget below will be for a boom or bust, they’re in and you win, bottom of the barrel players that few people will be playing on Sunday. Let’s make up for any shortcomings this year or expand on what’s been a season of blessings. Let’s play some dark horse candidates and place in some tournaments! Here are your last Knowledge Nuggets of 2017.

Feel free to reach out to me via Twitter @robbyjeffries with any questions or feedback! Let’s get mining.

The Detroit Lions are coming off a bad loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and it has been reported that Coach Jim Caldwell is out the door. With the team struggling to stop the pass, what better week to dive deep down and play a little bit of Brett Hundley? Hundley is the definition of a boom or bust play and many DFS players will be scared off towards other QBs that have been more consistent. Hundley is a great value this week as one of the cheapest starting QBs
Oh, I never thought I would write a Knowledge Nugget on a reason to start Paxton Lynch but here we are. Lynch will be the starter for Denver that will likely see a second-string Chiefs defense at some point if not most of the game. Lynch is an average QB but with the weapons that the Broncos have, there is some big potential here for Lynch who will be making his 4^th start ever.
Matt Breida has shown some flashes throughout the season and has helped give Coach Kyle Shanahan reason to let starting RB Carlos Hyde walk in free agency this spring. Breida had 74 yards and a touchdown last week and should get to see a second-string defense against the Rams. Not many people will be playing Breida and he has a great shot to see double-digit carries again in Week 17 as Shanahan looks at what he has for next year to pair with Jimmy G.
Bilal Powell has quietly scored three times in the past four weeks and is coming off his best game of the year in Week 16. With Matt Forte officially on IR, it will be just Powell and Elijah McGuire against the Patriots. The Pats have bigger fish to fry in the playoffs and I think the Jets will lean heavily on the run with Bryce Petty under center. Powell could be a great play that many will overlook.
If you haven’t heard of him, Jakeem Grant managed 104 yards and a touchdown on only 11 offensive snaps. While I don’t think he can repeat that performance, I do think his teammate can. Kenny Stills is dirt cheap and has Jay Cutler playing in probably his final game. Cutler is gonna be slingin’ for the moon and Stills has the best wheels in Miami.
Kirk Cousins might be playing his last game as a Redskin on Sunday. I think he has one last performance to show that he is worth big money. The main beneficiary will be none other than Ryan Grant. Grant has been second in snaps ever since the failings of the Terrelle Pryor experiment. With no Eli Apple, the Giants will probably start rookie Michael Hunter as an outside corner. This bodes well for Grant and I think Cousins will take advantage.
Bennie Fowler will get the start opposite Demaryius Thomas on Sunday. Fowler has looked good in limited action this season and will get a Chiefs defense who will rest most of their starters early in the game. The Chiefs rank 31^st against WRs this season and I can’t expect their second-string to be any better. Fowler is worth the deep shot.
Nobody in their right mind is starting Stephen Anderson after two goose-egg games. But winning a tournament is all about doing the unthinkable and that’s exactly what should be done with Anderson. The Colts struggle against the position and TJ Yates isn’t exactly airing it out downfield. It’s a Hail Mary call that just could work out as Indianapolis ranks 9^th worst against TEs.
The Cowboys defense has actually played pretty well despite their offensive struggles. With the Eagles home field advantage clinched for the playoffs, the Eagles have little to invest in this game and want to get out with their starters healthy. I think the Cowboys can shut out the Eagles and backup QB Nate Sudfeld. Yea, I dunno who that is either.
The Seahawks are playing for their playoff lives right now and get Drew Stanton. I get that Stanton is serviceable and seemingly can find a way to make Larry Legend look ageless, but he gets a Seahawks in a do or die situation. I’ll side with Seattle on this one. Seahawks get multiple sacks and turn Stanton over a few times in this one.