Stacking running backs with a defense/special teams can be a fruitful fantasy option, as teams who get out to a big lead may elect to attempt to shorten the game by running the ball more. A big lead can also lead to opposing teams elevating their passing output to try to catch up, which can create more opportunities for sacks and turnovers.
Here are some RB+D/ST stacks that fantasy owners can consider using on DraftKings’ four-game NFL playoff slate, which locks at 4:25 p.m. ET on Saturday:
Derrick Henry ($8,200) + Titans D/ST ($2,400) at Patriots
Stacking a road team for a playoff game at New England is playing with fire, but there are some reasons to believe this stack could be fruitful, especially in DraftKings tournaments. While New England’s offense does not turn the ball over much, the Patriots struggled to score points down the stretch. After their Week 10 bye, New England averaged the seventh fewest points per game over their final seven regular season games. The Titans’ D/ST posted respectable fantasy output, ranking fifth on the slate with 8.3 DraftKings fantasy points (DKFP) per game during the regular season.
If the Titans can get out to a lead, Henry could see big time rushing volume. Henry is coming off an explosive Week 17 where he carried the ball 32 times for 211 yards and scored three rushing TDs, one of the seven most productive individual fantasy games by a player this season. It was also the five highest touches a player got in an individual game this season. Because the Patriots limited RBs to the fewest DKFP per game during the regular season, this stack could be on the lower-owned side in tournaments.
Alvin Kamara ($7,400) + Saints D/ST ($3,000)
The Saints are 8-point home favorites this week on DraftKings Sportsbook, the biggest favorites on the NFL schedule this weekend. New Orleans’ total points of 28.5 also ranks as the highest among all teams on DK Sportsbook this weekend by a comfortable margin, so there’s a good chance the Saints will be putting up points and getting out to a lead in this game, which could create more opportunities for turnovers and sacks. And if New Orleans is putting up points, there’s a good chance Kamara will be involved in that point-scoring, as he led the team in touches and is one of the focal points among Saints skill players.
Marshawn Lynch ($5,200) + Seahawks D/ST ($2,800)
After being signed very late in the season, Lynch recorded a team-high 12 carries in the Seahawks’ Week 17 game. Also of note, Lynch was the only Seattle back to receive a red zone touch and got a goal line carry, which resulted in a rushing TD. Philadelphia’s run defense was stout during the regular season, but the Seahawks are rare favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook over a division winner as the road Wild Card team. In addition, the Eagles’ offense turned the ball over at the highest clip among teams on DraftKings’ four-game NFL slate this weekend.
Devin Singletary ($6,000) + Bills D/ST ($3,100)
Buffalo comes into the weekend slotted as 3-point road underdogs, but the Texans have been vulnerable on the ground, allowing the sixth most DKFP to RB during the regular season and ranking near the bottom third in rushing yards allowed. Singletary took over the primary RB role for the Bills as the season went on and averaged about 20 touches per game over his final six games. Buffalo’s defense is also one of the best in the NFL, and they draw a matchup against a Texans offense that turned the ball over at the second highest clip among teams this weekend.
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