Week 12 DFS Contrarian

Photo: USA Today Sports

Contrarian means opposing or rejecting popular opinion, going against the current practice. Being a contrarian in fantasy football is difficult because it's not chalk as the DFS kids would call it today. Risk is involved, but it could be a league-winning selection. Contrarian is where the big money is made within DFS, especially in large tournaments, because you'll submit more unique lineups than your competitors.

Do mix in one or two of these players within a lineup to maximize individuality.

Do not create your entire lineup based on the contrarian picks below.

Key for charts:

• Player = recommended contrarian play
• Opponent = Home or away and the opponent
• FD Roster % = This week's FanDuel roster percentages
• FD Salary = FanDuel salary to roster the player
• DK Roster % = This week's DraftKings roster percentages
• DK Salary = DraftKings salary to roster the player

CONTRARIAN QUARTERBACKS

The unfortunate injury to Joe Burrow allows Jake Browning to start. Browning started 54 games in college, but this will be his first in the NFL. Last week, as Browning played after the injury, he ran for 40 yards and threw for a TD in limited time. The Steelers defense hasn't played stellar football lately against mediocre to bad QB matchups. Pittsburgh will be without Minkah Fitzpatrick and Montravious Adams this week on defense, with a few other defenders limited in practice as well. Tee Higgins will not play for Cincinnati, but Ja'Marr Chase and a good offensive game plan should allow Browning to be a value in DFS.

Playing against an elite defense is why most people are pausing on playing Russell Wilson this week. However, the Browns defense will be missing some key contributors on defense and could be missing more when the inactive players lists are released on Sunday. Denzel Ward will not play. Anthony Walker Jr. and Juan Thornhill are questionable, with several other members of the defense limited by injuries as well. Denver has quietly won four games in a row, and Wilson has thrown 7 TDs with 0 INTs in those matchups. The Broncos are fighting for a playoff birth, they're home, on a hot streak, and play a beat-up defense.

Derek Carr suffered a concussion and shoulder injury in week 10. A convenient week 11 bye allowed Carr to heal up, as he's not on the injury report. This matchup against Atlanta is crucial as it will pit two of the three teams in the division race for the NFC South against each other. Prior to being injured, Carr averaged 294 passing yards and 2 TDs over his last four games. Atlanta is allowing the 10th-highest QB passer rating to opponent QBs this year.

Kyler Murray's return from the ACL hasn't prevented him from running, as he's averaged 42 rushing yards and a touchdown in his two games. Murray hasn't been as productive passing, averaging 231 passing yards and a touchdown. The Rams defense is a middling unit which has overachieved this season. Murray's running ability provides a high floor for him in fantasy, but his ceiling is also high if his passing numbers can improve as he regains rapport within the offense.