Week 16 Sunday Night Football is upon us like a thick blanket on a cold night, featuring one of the biggest rivalries in professional sports. Are you competing in DFS tournaments or 50/50 competitions? If so, here are our two recommended NFL DFS lineups for Week 16’s matchup between the Cowboys and the Washington Football Team. Each set of fantasy football picks for Sunday Night Football reflects the most likely game scripts. As always, these Week 16 NFL DFS picks are based on FanDuel pricing.
Top NFL DFS picks for Sunday Night Football Week 16 | Lineup No. 1
This DFS lineup assumes a comfortable Dallas victory, leading to a negative game script for Washington’s backfield. In fact, I believe four of the top five fantasy performers in this game will be Cowboys, including their most overlooked, underachieving asset.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys ($16,000)
Dak Prescott has not looked the same since coming back from a midseason calf injury. In his six pre-injury games, he had 16 TDs. In seven games since returning, he’s had only 10 TDs. Additionally, he’s averaging only 2.7 yards per carry this year despite averaging 5.1 ypc entering the season.
So how can we trust Dak? Well, he’s excelled at home with 17 TDs to 2 interceptions (compared to 9 TDs and 8 interceptions on the road). Washington is yielding the most fantasy points in the league to opposing quarterbacks. Although he’s been subpar since Week 9, Prescott is in a prime position to shine tonight.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys ($13,500)
Fantasy’s WR13 is not really a “safe” DFS start in a loaded Dallas offense. CeeDee Lamb has enjoyed three games with more than 20 points, four games with 15-20 points, and has finished between 10 and 15 these past two weeks. But with four games under 10 points, Lamb has just enough bust potential to keep him from being a near-universal DFS start. That said, against Washington’s porous pass defense, I’m banking on him to deliver at least one score.
Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys ($12,000)
I pay more attention to what players say publicly than what coaches say publicly. Coaches keep things close to the vest. Players make their feelings known. In a Thursday radio interview, Amari Cooper expressed what “frustrates” him: “I think I can do more in the red zone if I get some targets. I can do more on third down if I get the targets. To help the offense be what we need to be, I think I can definitely help change that.”
If you’re going to bet on any player tonight, bet on Cooper. Of course, anything can happen. But I’ve seen this happen too often not to ignore it. When talent and frustration meet opportunity, great things happen. I’m predicting 10+ receptions for 140+ yards and at least 1 score. If you have a DFS MVP slot, plug him in there.
Tony Pollard, WR, Dallas Cowboys ($11,000)
Tony Pollard has no injury designation, and Dallas should win this comfortably. So if we believe the higher-priced Zeke Elliott won’t be a major beneficiary of this big win, then Pollard is a worthwhile bargain. One of the NFL’s most elite handcuff RBs, Pollard has elevated his fantasy status as a weekly contributor when healthy. He’s earned 9+ touches in five straight games and is a solid bet for 10+ fantasy points.
Adam Humphries, WR, Washington Football Team ($7,000)
There’s not a lot of flash to Adam Humphries’ game. But he’s been a reliable contributor throughout his seven-year NFL career. Owning a solid 71% catch rate since entering the league, he could be Washington’s top fantasy producer tonight if he finds the end zone. With a snap count above 50% in each of his last three contests, Humphries is the boom-bust option we need at the back of this lineup with only $7,500 remaining.
Top NFL DFS picks for Sunday Night Football Week 16 | Lineup No. 2
This DFS lineup assumes a similar outcome but with slight lineup tweaks based on different potential outcomes. In this lineup, Prescott would slide into the DFS MVP slot, and Cooper and Lamb would remain. The following are the two additions, replacing Pollard and Humphries.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys ($13,000)
Ezekiel Elliott has been marginally better than last year, which isn’t saying much, since last year was statistically the worst per-game season of his career. But he’s still a threat in the passing game, he’s still earning the most backfield carries, and 8 of his 10 touchdowns this year have come from inside the 5-yard line. In other words, if Dallas gets close to the end zone, Zeke has a good chance of converting the score. In a game where I believe the Cowboys will score 30+ points, Zeke is a solid bet despite his relatively steep price.
Jonathan Williams, RB, Washington Football Team ($5,500)
With only $5,500 remaining, our options are limited. No, they’re worse than limited. We can afford Jonathan Williams, Wendell Smallwood, and Joey Slye. As of Sunday morning, Washington is carrying two kickers, so there’s no guarantee Slye will be kicking for them tonight. If he is, it would be sensible to plug in the $5,000 Slye and hope for a couple of field goals. Otherwise, roll with Williams, expecting second-half mop-up duty.