Patriots vs. Broncos Picks, Lineup Tips for Daily Fantasy DraftKings for SNF
While Week 16's Sunday slate won't end with a potential playoff preview, the nightcap will carry playoff implications.
The New England Patriots have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the 7-7 Denver Broncos are still mathematically alive. Denver can't afford another loss and should hold serve at home, but the Patriots have been playing well as of late, and prime-time games have been wacky in 2023.
If the prospect of uncertainty can't get fans motivated to watch Sunday Night Football, they can always make things a little more interesting with some daily fantasy sports (DFS) action.
Below, you'll find a few DFS tips and top picks for Patriots-Broncos.
Get the latest DFS values at DraftKings.
General DFS Tips for SNF
1 of 3
For the most part, it should be worth leaning on Broncos players in this matchup. Before last week's blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, Denver's defense ($3.3K) was playing extremely well. It should rebound at home against the offensively inconsistent Patriots.
While the Patriots defense ($2.8K) has been playing well enough, Russell Wilson ($6.1K) is the quarterback to roster in this matchup. Bailey Zappe ($4.9K) has limited upside. While he did throw three touchdowns against Pittsburgh two weeks ago, he regressed against the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
Zappe finished that game with 180 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also doesn't possess the scrambling upside that Wilson does.
With Rhamondre Stevenson continuing to battle a knee injury, Ezekiel Elliott ($5.8K) is one of the few Patriots players worth considering here. He's likely to see a high volume of work, and the Broncos have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Elliott should probably be considered RB1 in SNF-only games, given Denver's unpredictable split between Javonte Williams ($5.8K) and Samaje Perine ($4.4K). While Elliott only had 25 rushing yards in Week 15, he caught five passes for another 21 yards.
Because of New England's offensive struggles—it still ranks dead-last in scoring—Denver's D/ST unit is the clear one to target. It's even a viable play in weekend-long DFS games.
Consider Demario Douglas for Value
2 of 3
Because Denver hasn't found sustained success in its ground game, we'd strongly advise against a three-RB lineup.
Most lineups should start with Broncos receivers Courtland Sutton ($6.5K) and Jerry Jeudy ($4.8K) for two reasons. For one, both have played prominent roles in Denver's passing attack this season. Secondly, while the Patriots defense is solid, it hasn't exactly shut down opposing receivers.
New England has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to WRs this season.
It's worth sneaking Patriots wideout Demario Douglas into the flex as a third-receiver value play. He's coming off an unimpressive three-catch, 33-yard game, but Douglas has consistently been a focal point.
Douglas has been targeted at least five times in each of his past six outings, and he's caught at least five passes in four of the last five. He's certainly worth a flier at $4,100 in Sunday night-only games.
To be clear, though, none of these wide receivers are really worth considering in multi-game matchups.
Consider Mike Gesicki at Tight End
3 of 3
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has emerged as Zappe's top target—Henry was targeted nine times last week—and the two have formed a solid rapport, which has allowed the tight end to thrive.
Over the last two weeks, Henry has caught 10 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
However, Henry was downgraded to out with a knee injury on Saturday. Because of this, it's worth considering fellow Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki, who is value priced at $2,500. Gesicki has rarely had a prominent role in the offense this season, but with Henry out and Zappe in, that could change.
And while Denver's defense has been better over the second half of the season, it has had issues with opposing tight ends. In fact, no team has surrendered more fantasy points to the position in 2023.
Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich has also been ruled out for Sunday.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
Eligibility restrictions apply. See DraftKings.com for details.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
