Wild Card weekend DFS fades and players to avoid

With only four games to choose from this weekend, it’s difficult to cross players off your list entirely. You’re dealing with a small pool to begin with, and eliminating options only serves to slim the options even more.

But you have to draw the line somewhere, and this piece will attempt to draw that line.

Here are a handful of players I’ll be fading in DFS for Wild Card weekend.

Note: There’s always a case to be made for playing any player in tournaments. This list of “fades” is cash game focused, but most of these players can be avoided in tournaments as well. Keep in mind, however, that they might be good contrarian GPP plays because of their tough matchups and/or other issues making them “fade” candidates.

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan has either 1 or 0 touchdowns in six straight games, and he failed to throw for 3-plus scores in any game this year. The other big-named quarterbacks are simply better plays this week. Ryan draws the Rams defense, which has given up the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Mariota threw for 3-plus touchdowns in no games this year, 2 touchdowns in three games, 1 touchdown in seven games, and 0 touchdowns in five games. He’s been all over the stat sheet as a passer this year, and that level of inconsistency erases him from cash consideration.