After 20 weeks of competition, we are down to only four teams. Both games are scheduled for Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship. After that, the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship. For those playing DFS this weekend, there are plenty of excellent options for your lineups. This article will focus on players you should and shouldn’t use in your cash contests. Unlike GPP, cash games are all about finding the players with the best matchup and avoiding players who will bust. Let’s take a look at nine players you should or shouldn’t put in your lineups this weekend.
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Core Plays
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC): $8,800 vs. CIN
If you had doubts about Mahomes’ talent, last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills should put those doubts to bed. Mahomes has been on fire during the playoffs, scoring at least 38.1 fantasy points in both games. He has eight passing touchdowns compared to only one interception in the playoffs. Furthermore, Mahomes has scored at least 20.3 fantasy points in seven straight games, including against the Bengals in Week 17. If the Chiefs are going to win this game, they will need another strong performance from Mahomes. While he is the most expensive quarterback this week, Mahomes is worth every penny.
Deebo Samuel (WR – SF): $8,400 at LAR
While many will slide Cooper Kupp into their lineups this week, he is $1,300 more than Samuel and comes with less upside. Samuel was quiet last week against the Green Bay Packers, scoring only 9.8 fantasy points. However, the weather conditions limited the San Francisco offense. This week they are playing in a dome. So expect Samuel to have a bounce-back game. Before last week, he had scored at least 15.7 fantasy points in eight or the past nine games, including twice against the Rams. Furthermore, Samuel scored 27.8 and 27 fantasy points in the two games against the Rams this season. With his role on the ground and in the passing game, Samuel is the best fantasy option from this game.
Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN): $8,000 at KC
Chase is the heavy favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and rightfully so. Over the past four games with Joe Burrow, Chase has been unstoppable. Chase averaged 24.5 fantasy points per game in those contests. He has also seen at least 10 targets in three of the past four games with Burrow. Furthermore, Chase scored a career-high 50.1 fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 17. He finished with 11 receptions on 12 targets for 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Chiefs. His 266 receiving yards were the most in a game this season, 60 more than any other player. While it’s unlikely Chase scored 50 fantasy points again this week, he is a must-play in all cash lineups.
Values
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – KC): $5,700 vs. CIN
Last week, Jerick McKinnon played 70 percent of the snaps compared to 30 percent for Edwards-Helaire. However, Edwards-Helaire was more productive with his snaps than McKinnon. Edwards-Helaire scored 7.4 fantasy points last week despite not playing in almost a month, while McKinnon scored 10.3 fantasy points. Furthermore, Edwards-Helaire averaged 0.93 fantasy points per touch while McKinnon averaged only 0.69 fantasy points per touch. The appeal with Edwards-Helaire is his price. At $5,700, he is only $400 more expensive than Sony Michel, who had one rushing attempt last week. Even if the Chiefs split the backfield work 50-50 this week, Edwards-Helaire is a bargain at this price compared to McKinnon.
C.J. Uzomah (TE – CIN): $5,600 at KC
After last week’s performance, many will put Travis Kelce in their lineups this week. However, the smarter move is to save your salary and play Uzomah. Over his past four games, Uzomah is third on the team in targets, averaging 6.8 per game. He has seen at least six targets in six of the past seven games, including against the Chiefs in Week 17. Furthermore, Uzomah has scored at least 10.6 fantasy points in both playoff games. Meanwhile, the Chiefs gave up an average of 9.9 fantasy points per game to tight ends during the regular season. With the money you save playing Uzomah over Kelce, you can play Samuel instead of Odell Beckham Jr. in your flex spot.
49ers Defense (DEF – SF): $4,200 at LAR
The 49ers’ defense has been excellent lately. Not only did they score 21 fantasy points against the Packers last week, but they have also scored at least eight fantasy points in nine of the past 11 games. Furthermore, they scored nine and 16 fantasy points in the two games against the Rams this season. Even in showdown lineups, the 49ers’ defense is a solid option. While Matthew Stafford hasn’t thrown an interception this postseason, he had nine turnovers over the final three games of the regular season. Stafford also had two interceptions in both games this season against the 49ers. If Stafford has another turnover heavy performance, the 49ers’ defense could turn into a contest winner.
Players to Avoid
Tyreek Hill (WR – KC): $8,100 vs. CIN
Hill played a massive role in the Chiefs’ win last week, totaling 11 receptions on 13 targets for 150 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 26.3 fantasy points. However, he scored a total of 25 fantasy points over his previous four games, including only 7.2 fantasy points against the Bengals. Furthermore, Hill averaged only five targets per game over the last four games before last week. He has also been inconsistent for most of the year, scoring under 10 fantasy points in 52.9 percent of games during the regular season. For only $300 more, you can put Samuel in your lineup. His rushing ability gives you more upside for a similar cost.
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN): $6,400 at KC
Last week Higgins scored 13.1 fantasy points against the Tennessee Titans after catching seven of his nine targets. However, Higgins scored under eight fantasy points in three of the previous four games, including against the Chiefs in Week 17. Furthermore, he has seen under six targets in three of those four games. Burrow and Chase have been clicking lately, leaving limited targets for Higgins. Since Week 14, Higgins had only two touchdowns in six games. By comparison, Tyler Boyd had four touchdowns during that span. While Higgins was great for fantasy players during the regular season, he doesn’t belong in your DFS lineups this weekend.
Cam Akers (RB – LAR): $6,200 vs. SF
Everyone is excited to see Akers play just six months after tearing his Achilles. While he has looked good on the field, he hasn’t been great for fantasy players. Akers has averaged 2.5 yards per rushing attempt and only 7.2 fantasy points per game during the playoffs. He has scored under 4.5 fantasy points in two of the three games played this season. Furthermore, the Rams designated Darrell Henderson to return from injured reserve last week. While he didn’t play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Henderson could play this weekend. If Henderson is active, he only makes the Rams backfield even more unpredictable.
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Michael Fanelli is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, follow him @mikesports22.