NFL DFS predictions post here every week, including projected outcomes and players to watch for every matchup. For more player selections, check out our free NFL Lineup Builder (now in beta).
Saturday, Jan. 8th (2 Games)
CHIEFS (11-5) AT BRONCOS (7-9) — 4:30pm ET ABC
Favorite: Kansas City (-10) O/U: 44
The Chiefs suffered a stunning last-minute loss to the surging Bengals who rallied down 21-0 to topple the pride of Kansas City 34-31 in one of the season’s most edge-of-your-seat games. At 11-5 the Chiefs can still clinch the first seed in the AFC but they’ll have to down the 7-9 Broncos and have the 4-12 Texans sweep the Titans. The Chiefs still need to handle their business either way against a middling Denver squad. The Broncos once again had a subpar year, not having made the playoffs since 2016. Head coach Vic Fangio will try hard to close the year with a win to stay in President John Elway’s good graces.
DFS Player to Watch: Patrick Mahomes | QB | $7,500 DraftKings | $8,500 FanDuel
Patrick Mahomes had another efficient day against the Bengals with 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. With a 10:1 TD/INT ratio in his last four games, he’ll likely put up even better numbers on primetime. The Broncos are vulnerable to the pass and a mid-tier defense at best.
COWBOYS (11-5) AT EAGLES (9-7) — 8:15pm ET ABC
Favorite: Dallas (-7) O/U: 42.5
Both the Cowboys and Eagles have already punched their tickets to the 2021 playoffs with the former locking up the NFC East title but there is still plenty at stake for both teams. The Cowboys may have won the division but another win would increase their chances at a top 2 or 3 seed in the conference with a little help from other teams on Sunday. Dallas is the highest graded offense in the NFL, according to PFF. The Eagles, meanwhile, are the fourth best rushing team in the last four weeks, with a strong pass-rush but weak run-D. They’re playing for a higher wild card spot and would temporarily take over the sixth seed with a win. An Eagles loss would almost assuredly make them the seventh seed so the Cowboys should expect nothing but their best come Saturday.
DFS Player to Watch: Dak Prescott | QB | $6,800 DraftKings | $7,700 FanDuel
We flagged Dak Prescott for two straight weeks now. This will make it three. Last week, in a loss, he threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns. This week he faces a bottom-half pass defense that’s vulnerable to the run. Elliott’s likely success on the ground should keep Prescott’s passing lanes open.
Sunday, Jan. 9th (Early Games)
BENGALS (10-6) AT BROWNS (7-9) — 1:00pm ET FOX
Favorite: Cincinnati (-3) O/U: 41
The Browns look awful. Thankfully they only have one more game to play and it’s against a team they manhandled earlier in the year. Now that they’ve won the AFC North, the Bengals will sit multiple starters including Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon. They’d love a higher playoff seed but by starting QB Brandon Allen, that won’t come easy. Allen averaged just 185 passing yards in his five fill-in starts for Joe Burrow last year. Their come-from-behind victory against the Chiefs was indicative of just how far this team has come.
DFS Player to Watch: Nick Chubb | RB | $7,900 DraftKings | $8,200 FanDuel
With backup Case Keenum at QB and Kareem Hunt questionable (limit in practice all week), Chubb should get ample carries to end out the year. Cincy is only average in defending against the run and Chubb is second only to Johnathan Taylor in yards after contact.
PACKERS (13-3) AT LIONS (2-13-1) — 1:00pm ET FOX
Favorite: Green Bay (-2.5) O/U: 42.5
The Packers locked up the first seed in the NFC and can now rest some starters against a Lions team that’s had their eye on 2022 since October. If Green Bay’s main offensive starters do play, expect them out by the second half. To the Lions’ credit they have never stopped fighting any opponent, regardless of score. While the Lions’ season has been filled with heartbreaking losses and plenty of lopsided affairs, the team puts out their best and has upset potential against Green Bay’s second string.
DFS Player to Watch: Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | $6,800 DraftKings | $7,500 FanDuel
Amon-Ra St. Brown has had at least 90 yards receiving and a touchdown in the last three games he’s played. His targets have been double-digit for weeks. He’s a solid fantasy option against a GB defense that’ll be resting some talent.
BEARS (6-10) AT VIKINGS (7-9) — 1:00pm ET FOX
Favorite: Minnesota (-2.5) O/U: 44.5
What do the Bears and Vikings have in common besides playing in the NFC North? They’ve both been eliminated from playoff contention and both will likely be looking for new head coaches come Monday morning. The Bears, who start Andy Dalton at QB, are merely playing for pride—like the Vikings. The Vikings are a more talented team offensively and they’re also graded higher defensively by PFF. Playing at home, WR Jefferson and RB Cook should be able to manhandle Chicago.
DFS Player to Watch: David Montgomery | RB | $6,800 DraftKings | $7,600 FanDuel
David Montgomery had a solid afternoon against the Giants with 64 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Look for him to get plenty of carries against the Vikings on Sunday. Minnesota’s defense is ranked 21st at stopping the run, per PFF. Montgomery could easily 3x his salary, as he’s done the last two weeks.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (6-10) AT GIANTS (4-12) — 1:00pm ET FOX
Favorite: Washington (-6.5) O/U: 38
Washington and the Giants have both been eliminated from playoff contention but, unlike the Bears and Vikings, both organizations should keep their head coaches for 2022. Washington has gone through plenty of upheaval both on the field and behind the scenes and Ron Rivera has done an incredible job keeping his squad in the mix. A season ending win against the lowly Giants would go a long way to carrying positive momentum into 2022.
DFS Player to Watch: Saquon Barkley | RB | $6,100 DraftKings | $6,400 FanDuel
Saquon Barkley rushed for 102 yards against a stout Bears defensive front last week. The former #2 pick will desperately want to keep momentum going into next season. He should have no issues doing that against the Washington banged-up run defense. And the blue men will need him with backup QB Jake Fromm under center.
COLTS (9-7) AT JAGUARS (2-14) — 1:00pm ET CBS
Favorite: Indianapolis (-15.5) O/U: 44
The Colts desperately need a win after losing to the Raiders at home last week. This week, the NFL schedule makers have blessed them with a gimme. The Jaguars have been all-in on searching for their next head coach since the highly publicized firing of Urban Meyer. And with a top-two pick in their grasp it would serve them well to roll over and let the Colts take the W. The Colts are fully capable of making noise in the playoffs but in order to ensure their entry into the postseason they need to handle their business against the Jags. If the Jags are able to put up a fight against the Colts, that could be a bad omen for Indianapolis going forward.
DFS Player to Watch: Carson Wentz | QB | $5,800 DraftKings | $7,200 FanDuel
Carson Wentz returned in time for the game against the Raiders and had a solid day with 148 yards and a touchdown. The Jags secondary is the NFL equivalent of Swiss cheese, giving up the 2nd most points per game behind Washington, these last four weeks. Given everything that’s on the line, Wentz should have one of his best games of the year.
STEELERS (8-7-1) AT RAVENS (8-8) — 1:00pm ET CBS
Favorite: Baltimore (-5.5) O/U: 42
Big Ben had his final game at Heinz Field turn out exactly as we all expected, as a win. The Steelers defense was nothing short of lethal as they sacked Mayfield nine times, four of them by T.J. Watt. The Steelers’ playoff hopes are technically alive but the stars must align. In order to make it they have to win against the Ravens and hope for a Colts loss to the Jags. Unlikely but they’ll still look to finish with a 9-win season. The Ravens are also in a must-win situation after losing last minute to the Rams last week. John Harbaugh’s guys will no doubt be up for the challenge but given QB Huntley gets the start, and given how many other games must go their way, the playoffs are a long shot.
DFS Player to Watch: Najee Harris | RB | $7,200 DraftKings | $8,500 FanDuel
Harris was terrific against the Browns last week, rushing for 188 yards and a touchdown to put an exclamation mark on the night. The Raven have a capable run defense but in the last four weeks Harris has run for 90+ yards three times. He should also be good for 4 or more receptions.
TITANS (11-4) AT TEXANS (8-7) — 1:00pm ET CBS
Favorite: Tennessee (-10.5) O/U: 43
The Titans, despite losing Derrick Henry for most of the season and suffering various other injuries and absences to other key players, find themselves one win away from clinching the first seed in the AFC. All that stands in their way is the 4-12 Houston Texans. What makes it interesting is that Houston has already handed them a loss. The Texans are coming off of a 23-7 defeat to the Niners but they’ve shown vast improvements across the board since the beginning of the year. This has trap gameWhat is a trap game? It's a game where a heavy favorite underestimates and under-prepares for a supposedly lesser opponent. That opponent is motivated to play hard (maybe it's a prime time game on National TV) and they exploit a few key matchup advantages to come away with the up... written all over it but the Titans already fell into that trap earlier in the year. And double-digit spreads rarely lie.
DFS Player to Watch: Ryan Tannehill | QB | $6,000 DraftKings | $7,300 FanDuel
Ryan Tannehill has not been stellar, throwing for just 120 yards and two touchdowns last week, albeit against one of the hottest defenses in the league. Moreover, he had a disaster against the Texans the last time they played. But with so much on the line and his receiving core back in the fold, he’ll shoot for playoff momentum and locking down the top seed in the AFC. With the NFL’s 2nd worst coverage unit, Houston should help him do that.
Sunday, Jan. 9th (Afternoon Games)
SAINTS (8-8) AT FALCONS (7-9) — 4:25pm ET FOX
Favorite: New Orleans (-4.5) O/U: 40
The Saints, somehow, find themselves at 8-8 and on the brink of a playoff berth. While they need some help from the Rams to get in, they first must handle their business against the Falcons. Atlanta edged them 27-25 their last meeting. A loss to the Falcons will put the Saints’ 2021 season on ice. The Falcons put up a serious fight against the Bills but were ultimately vanquished. The Falcons will be playing at home and would love nothing more than to ruin their division rival’s postseason hopes. New Orleans’ defense outclasses Atlanta’s by a longshot, which should force Ryan into making enough mistakes to lose.
DFS Player to Watch: Matt Ryan | QB | $5,200 DraftKings | $6,400 FanDuel
Matt Ryan could be the difference maker in this matchup as he knows Dennis Allen’s defense just as well as any opponent the Saints face. Keep in mind that the last time these two teams faced in New Orleans Ryan threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns. He should have another big day here.
JETS (4-12) AT BILLS (10-6) — 4:25pm ET CBS
Favorite: Buffalo (-16.5) O/U: 43.5
The Bills have found their groove again and will now try to tie up the AFC east with a win over the New York Jets. Buffalo throttled New York 45-17 earlier in the season. The Jets have competed hard in their recent games but the Bills are not only more talented but motivated to steal back the division from the pesky Patriots. For the Jets it’s all about building for the future. With the NFL’s second worst defense (as graded by PFF), that starts with taking one more loss, getting yet another top-five draft pick and preparing for a brighter 2022.
DFS Player to Watch: Josh Allen | QB | $8,100 DraftKings | $8,800 FanDuel
Josh Allen had his worst game of the season against the Falcons and yet the Bills still won convincingly. Allen is nonetheless the NFL’s QB1. He rarely follows up a poor performance with another dud so expect his 120-yard, 3 INT performance to be long forgotten by the time the Bills take the field against the Jets.
49ERS (9-7) AT RAMS (12-4) — 4:25pm ET FOX
Favorite: Los Angeles (-4) O/U: 44.5
The 49ers took care of business against the Texans with Trey Lance under center. With Garoppolo getting the start this week, they still control their playoff fate. Win against the Rams and they’re in. Lose and they better hope the Saints lose too. The Rams have the NFC West crown to play for and will be doing their best to not only win it but to avoid being swept by the 49ers for three straight seasons. Plenty at stake in this matchup and it should make for an entertaining battle.
DFS Player to Watch: Elijah Mitchell | RB | $6,000 DraftKings | $8,000 FanDuel
Elijah Mitchell returned in a big way against the Texans with 119 rushing yards and 11 additional receiving yards with a touchdown. Shanahan loves to run the ball against the Rams so expect Mitchell to get plenty of carries.
PATRIOTS (10-6) AT DOLPHINS (8-8) — 4:25pm ET CBS
Favorite: New England (-6.5) O/U: 40
The Dolphins became the first team in NFL history to lose seven straight games and then win seven straight games. Unfortunately those wins meant next to nothing as they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after a 34-3 loss to the Titans. The Patriots need to avenge their week-one loss to the Dolphins if they want any shot at winning the AFC east from the Bills. But winning in Miami has proven difficult for Belichick’s team in recent memory. The Dolphins might be out of the postseason dance but rest assured they’d love nothing more than to prevent the Patriots from winning the division.
DFS Player to Watch: Mac Jones | RB | $5,400 DraftKings | $7,000 FanDuel
Mac Jones feasted on the Jags by throwing for 227 yards and three touchdowns, a big bounce back from his debacle against the Bills the week previous. The Pats need his ‘A’ game if they’re to beat a Dolphins defense, graded 7th best by PFF.
SEAHAWKS (6-10) AT CARDINALS (11-5) — 4:25pm ET FOX
Favorite: Arizona (-6.5) O/U: 48
The Seahawks are in the unfortunate position of not having a first-round draft pick to look forward to in 2022. That’s despite being just 6-10 and fourth in the NFC West. There’s more pressing issues than that at hand however: will this be Russell Wilson’s last game as a Seahawk? Will this be Pete Carroll’s last day as head coach of the Seahawks? These are questions that will linger throughout the game as they try to play spoiler for the Cardinals. Arizona is looking to win the NFC West for the first time since 2015. The Cards need this win badly as a loss would relegate them to the wild card bracket as opposed to hosting a playoff game. The Cardinals won handily in Seattle back in November with Colt McCoy as their QB. Hence, they are favorites with Murray under center. Then again, if this is truly Wilson’s last game as a Seahawk, he won’t want his tenure to end with a loss.
DFS Player to Watch: Russell Wilson | QB | $6,300 DraftKings | $7,500 FanDuel
Russell Wilson threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns against the Lions. With the potential to play spoiler on the road, and with this potentially being his last hurrah in Seattle, expect another big stat line against a flagging Cardinals defense.
PANTHERS (5-11) AT BUCCANEERS (12-4) — 4:25pm ET CBS
Favorite: Tampa Bay (-8) O/U: 41.5
The Buccaneers survived a scare against the Jets as Brady rallied—down 24-10—to win 28-24 in the game’s closing seconds. That was hardly the most dramatic occurrence at Metlife stadium, however. At the end of the third quarter, Antonio Brown took off his jersey, chucked it into the stands and then jogged off the field — all but quitting on his team. The team must move forward amid this drama against one of the NFL’s better pass-rushing D-lines. Brown’s talents will be missed considering the absence of Chris Godwin. Despite all this, the Bucs should sweep the Panthers and earn a top seed in the NFC.
DFS Player to Watch: Tom Brady | QB | $7,500 DraftKings | $8,100 FanDuel
Tom Brady did Tom Brady things as he led a depleted Bucs offense, down 17 points in the second half, to win 28-24. His stat line? 410 yards, 3 touchdowns and only 1 INT. He should finish the regular season strong against a Carolina team that’s allowed the 8th most PPG in the last four weeks.
Sunday, Jan. 9th (Late Game)
CHARGERS (9-7) AT RAIDERS (9-7) — 8:20pm ET NBC
Favorite: Los Angeles (-3) O/U: 49.5
You want high stakes? This game is not only the final divisional match between two heated rivals but it could also decide who advances to the playoffs. The Chargers won the previous meeting back in Los Angeles, a game that turned out to be one of Gruden’s last as Raiders head coach. They’ll now seek the season sweep to punch their ticket to the postseason. One has to give the Raiders credit. You suffer the resignation of your coach early on and then lose your best receiver to a completely avoidable tragedy. Yet, here they are, on the precipice of their first playoff berth since 2016. There’s a possibility that the outcomes of earlier games will render the winner of this one moot, however.
DFS Player to Watch: Justin Herbert | QB | $ DraftKings | $ FanDuel
Justin Herbert threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos, a nice bounce back from the disaster against the Texans the previous week. The Chargers will need him at his best for this one.
About the Author: Steven A. Cravens has been a professional sports better and analyst for over a decade. As a former Fox Sports NFL researcher and data logger, he specialized in player profiling and performance statistics.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all fantasy stats are based on point per reception (PPRPoint per reception This is a DFS scoring system that awards offensive players (e.g., WR, RB and TE) one point for each reception. This is the standard scoring method of DraftKings.) scoring.
