Week 11 FanDuel NFL Tournament Pivots

Quarterback

Chalk

Kansas City here I come, and so does everybody else this week. The Chiefs come back after a much-needed bye week to face the hapless New York Giants' defense. DFS players have long exploited the Giants' weakness defended tight ends this season, but the team has gotten worse as the season has progressed and has now given up the most FanDuel points per game to quarterbacks, as well. This combination does not bode well against a mistake-averse passer like Alex Smith, who gets to throw to one of the best tight ends in the league. Smith's ownership deserves to be high this week.

Other than Smith, Tom Brady should see a lot of love from FanDuel players as he takes on an Oakland Raiders defense that has allowed three quarterbacks to hit the magical 300-yard, 3-touchdown combo this season. That trio sadly includes Jay Cutler, who had no problems picking them apart in Week 9. Coming off of a three-touchdown performance in an away game against the Denver Broncos, Brady should prove to be very popular despite his $8,500 price tag. On the cheaper end, expect to see some ownership move towards the aforementioned Cutler against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Blake Bortles against the Cleveland Browns.

Pivot

Blaine Gabbert, $6,000 (at Houston Texans)

With Drew Stanton likely out this week, Blaine Gabbert should get the starting nod for the Arizona Cardinals as they travel to face the Houston Texans. Gabbert's minimum salary immediately makes him intriguing. That price combined with his matchup this week make him a very interesting pivot option in tournaments. Gabbert started five games last season for the San Francisco 49ers. During that stretch, he returned at least two-times his salary-implied value in all but one game. In that stretch, he also topped 21 FanDuel points on two occasions.

Now, Gabbert certainly isn't great, but he's able to build a solid floor by running the ball. He had at least 22 yards rushing or a rushing touchdown in each of those five starts last season, and he added 185 yards on the ground in eight games the season before.

Houston's defense has been miserable since J.J. Watt went down in Week 5. Since then, they have allowed at least 29 fantasy points to quarterbacks in three of five games, and they now give up the third-most FanDuel points per game to the position. They have also allowed three different passers to rush for at least 30 yards in a game this season, which plays to Gabbert's strength.

If you are looking to pay up at other positions, then Gabbert offers excellent cap relief while also giving you a hint of upside this week thanks to his legs. It may not be a glowing endorsement, but Gabbert makes some sense in tournaments.