2021 Divisional Round Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Wide Receivers - Fantasy Football Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains
Divisional Round Weekend Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas vs. Buccaneers (Sun. 6:40 p.m. ET, FOX): Thomas scored his first touchdown of the season last week (not a typo), posting an additional 73 yards and 18.3 fantasy points. Next up is a date with the Buccaneers, who Thomas has owned in his career. In nine meetings against the NFC South foe, the veteran has averaged nearly 21 fantasy points. Tampa Bay also allowed the 10th-most points to opposing wide receivers during the 2020 regular season.
Antonio Brown at Saints (Sun. 6:40 p.m. ET, FOX): Brown has looked like his old, superstar self in recent weeks, averaging 23.5 fantasy points in his last three games. This week’s contest against the Saints looks like a potential scoreboard scorcher, as DK Sportsbook has the over/under at 51.5. New Orleans also allowed 14-plus fantasy points to eight wideouts in its final four regular-season games, so the matchup looks good for Brown to produce another nice line.
DFS Bargains
- Marquise Brown at Bills (DraftKings: $5,200)
- Demarcus Robinson vs. Browns (DraftKings: $4,300)
Divisional Round Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
- QUARTERBACKS
- RUNNING BACKS
- WIDE RECEIVERS
- TIGHT ENDS
- TEAM DEFENSES
Be sure to check out my divisional round rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.
Divisional Round Weekend Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Jarvis Landry at Chiefs (Sun. 3:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Landry has produced 16-plus fantasy points in five of his last six games, including three with over 20 points. So while it’s tough to fade him, keep in mind that the Chiefs have allowed 15 scores and the second-fewest fantasy points to wideouts. What’s more, slot receivers have averaged 3.6 catches and a mere 10.3 fantasy points a game when facing Kansas City. Don’t be surprised if Landry posts modest totals this week.
Cooper Kupp at Packers (Sat. 4:35 p.m. ET, FOX): Kupp is dealing with a case of bursitis in his knee, but early reports suggest he could play against the Packers. Regardless, the matchup in Green Bay is a tough one for the veteran slot man. Their defense has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts overall, and slot receivers have averaged just 4.3 catches per game. With Jared Goff (thumb) at less than 100 percent, Kupp is a risk for fantasy managers.
DFS Fades
- Robert Woods at Packers (DraftKings: $5,900)
- Cooper Kupp at Packers (DraftKings: $5,300)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!
