Pigskin Panel: The Biggest Questions of the Divisional Round
Each week, theScore's DFS experts tackle the biggest questions of the week. Here are four of the most significant issues of the Divisional Round:
The Chiefs-Patriots DFS MVP will be __________.
James Bisson: Patriots WR Julian Edelman, who returns from a multi-week absence and should be a difference maker for New England's languishing offense. Edelman should be the freshest offensive player on either side of the ball, and gives Tom Brady another reliable pass-catching option alongside TE Rob Gronkowski. He should be rostered in all formats.
Esten McLaren: Edelman. The Chiefs had the NFL's No. 8 rush defense during the regular season, and they had Football Outsiders' No. 2 DVOA against tight ends. But Kansas City was weak against No. 1 wide receivers, allowing 9.4 targets and 93.3 yards to the position. Edelman will take on a huge workload in a game where Gronkowski will struggle.
David Chernish: Brady has been playing lights out throughout the entire season, and with his Edelman back in the mix, the Chiefs defense could struggle mightily to shut down the Patriots potent offense. Yes, the Chiefs shut out the Texans, but that was with journeyman QB Brian Hoyer under center for Houston. Firing up Brady at home is a must.
Josh Wegman: The sure-handed Edelman will see plenty of targets in a game expected to be played in wet conditions at Gillette Stadium. Edelman will be looked upon frequently in New England's short, quick-hitting pass plays to slow down the Chiefs' vaunted pass rush. Edelman makes for an excellent contrarian having not played since Week 10.
The Packers-Cardinals DFS MVP will be __________.
James Bisson: Cardinals RB David Johnson is far and away the best option at his position in daily fantasy, and is a good bet to return value in a Week 16 rematch with the Packers. Johnson torched Green Bay for 127 yards on just 12 touches in the 38-8 blowout victory, and should be productive regardless of how this weekend's game plays out.
Esten McLaren: Packers WR Jared Abbrederis. With WR Davante Adams unlikely to play, a new No. 3 receiver will have to emerge for the Packers behind James Jones and Randall Cobb. Due to their inconsistencies and high price tags neither is a safe option against the Cardinals' excellent defense. Neither are RBs Eddie Lacy or James Starks, due to their timeshare.
David Chernish: Johnson will run all over the Packers defense, both on the ground and through the air en route to domination. Despite combining for 64 yards on 20 carries in his most recent two games. The Packers defense ranked 21st in the NFL and conceded 119.1 yards per game in the regular season, so expect Johnson to be heavily involved.
Josh Wegman: Cardinals WR Michael Floyd was excellent down the stretch, posting five 100-yard receiving games since Week 8. He torched Green Bay for six catches and 111 yards when they met back in Week 16. Floyd is a true big-play threat, and the Packers don't have a CB with enough length to contain the big-bodied playmaker.
The Seahawks-Panthers DFS MVP will be __________.
James Bisson: Panthers TE Greg Olsen. The Seahawks were in the bottom third in the league in tight end defense, and Olsen gouged them for a 7/131/1 line in their Week 6 encounter in Seattle. He'll likely face a much stiffer challenge in this one, but Olsen has the hands and frame to overcome most defensive matchups - and Cam Newton should feed him plenty.
Esten McLaren: Panthers WR Devin Funchess. Seahawks CB Richard Sherman will be locked onto WR Ted Ginn Jr., while SS Kam Chancellor and CB DeShawn Shead will likely double team Olsen. This leaves Corey Brown, Jericho Cotchery and Funchess to provide the bulk of Carolina's offense. Funchess saw 45 targets in his final seven games.
David Chernish: WR Doug Baldwin and his late season emergence has been the story in Seattle, and rightfully so; he possesses big play ability and has caught 12 touchdown passes in his last seven games. QB Russell Wilson is playing the best football of his career at the most opportune time, which bodes well for Baldwin despite a daunting matchup with CB Josh Norman.
Josh Wegman: Wilson was 18-of-30 with 241 passing yards, 53 rushing yards and one touchdown in Week 6 against Carolina. This was far before the passing game of the Seahawks really took flight. Carolina's defense is strong, but it's very turnover reliant. Baldwin is too risky against Norman, and Tyler Lockett and Jermaine Kearse are too hit-or-miss.
The Steelers-Broncos DFS MVP will be __________.
James Bisson: Broncos QB Peyton Manning. Seriously. With the Steelers' offense in tatters, Denver will likely produce the most valuable daily fantasy option. And that only happens if Manning produces. Don't expect a 400-yard, four-touchdown day, but with Manning's price as low as it has been all season, he should easily return value against a porous Pittsburgh pass D.
Esten McLaren: Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas. Despite Manning's well-documented struggles, Thomas averaged over 93 yards per game in Manning's eight full games. He only scored one TD, but would have returned value four times if his price had been as low as it is now. He's a guarantee to see double-digit targets against Pittsburgh's weak pass defense.
David Chernish: Don't look for Manning to sling the ball 40 yards around the field - that's what WR Emmanuel Sanders is for. He will be able to get loose against his former team and decimate in yards after the catch against a secondary that struggles to slow down explosive threats. In my eyes, Sanders is a must-roster in all formats as a home-run type player.
Josh Wegman: Thomas had his best weeks of the season with Peyton Manning at the helm, never catching less than five passes. He's so dangerous after the catch, and we all know Manning loves audibles to WR screens. Pittsburgh has a terrible pass defense, and Manning is plenty smart enough to exploit it - even if he is throwing muffins.