It’s late on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving as I write this (but you probably won’t read this until Thursday morning, like a normal person). Maybe your turkey is brining, maybe it’s resting in your fridge, maybe it’s on the smoker, maybe you aren’t doing a turkey at all. Whatever Thanksgiving looks like for you, I wish you nothing but the happiest Thanksgiving.
As you get your holiday started, I put together a DFS lineup based on the two games at our disposal, since the Baltimore vs Pittsburgh game was moved to Sunday. The limited slate certainly makes it more interesting, but there are some good routes to go. Personally, I like to pick a couple narratives and go with it. The two games we’ll see are Houston vs Detroit, and Washington vs Dallas. I personally think Detroit will be playing catchup and will make it a close game, and that Washington will kick the shorts off Dallas. Here’s what I put together based on Draftkings’ price structure and a $50,000 salary cap.
QB: Matthew Stafford, DET. $5,800
This last week was a weird, awful week for the Lions offense. Stafford only put up 7.6 points on DraftKings last week against the Panthers, contributing to his lower cost. Houston has allowed the 6th-most fantasy points to the quarterback position. Stafford and Co. should be looking for a quick bounceback against a weak defense.
Cash remaining: $44,200
RB: D’Andre Swift, DET. $6,500
A huge part of the Lions’ struggles last week was because Swift was missing with a concussion. Two weeks ago, he put up 25.9 fantasy points against a tough Washington defense on 16 carries and five receptions. I expect him to regain that role in the offense this week. His passing usage keeps him on the field no matter the game script, and he has a great chance at finding the end zone in this one against the worst defense in the NFL against the run.
Cash remaining: $37,700
RB: Antonio Gibson, WAS. $6,000
Listen, it’s a common theme… but three of the four defenses playing tomorrow are effing terrible. Gibson is in a smash spot against Dallas after hanging 128 rushing yards and a touchdown against them in Week 7. Washington’s defense is going to make life hell for Andy Dalton, and I expect them to lean on the ground game after getting out to a good lead.
Cash remaining: $31,700
WR: Terry McLaurin, WAS. $7,000
Speaking of getting out to a good lead, that’s where I expect McLaurin to come into play. He’s the most expensive wide receiver on the slate, but I’m paying up for him. This Dallas secondary is atrocious, and I expect Terry to have his way with them early and often. I will be shocked if he doesn’t have 100+ yards a touchdown in this one.
Cash remaining: $24,700
WR: Will Fuller V, HOU. $6,400
I mentioned earlier that I think Houston will get out to an early lead, and I think the passing game will be a big part of it. Rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah will be out during this matchup, leaving some very easy corners for Fuller and Brandin Cooks to feast on.
Cash remaining: $18,300
WR: Marvin Jones, DET. $5,500
Without Kenny Golladay, who will be sidelined in this one, Jones will serve as the primary wide receiver. It’s a bit boom/bust, but against a weak secondary in a game
script where I expect them to be trailing, I think Jones could see a good target share. Two weeks ago, he saw 10 targets, hauled in eight, for 96 yards and a touchdown. A similar output could be very possible this weekend. I’m all in on the Lions offense in this game, which is mildly terrifying.
Cash remaining: $12,800
TE: Dalton Schultz, DAL. $3,800
To diversify my portfolio a bit and not pay up for T.J. Hockenson, I’m going with Schultz at tight end. He has seen six or more targets in the last three games, and punched in a touchdown last week against the Vikings. At his price, he’s a cheap boom/bust option that is seeing a good amount of targets each week. If he can log one touchdown, he’ll earn his keep in this one.
Cash remaining: $9,000
Flex: Brandin Cooks, HOU. $5,300
Cooks is a great matchup this week against the depleted Detroit defense that I mentioned earlier. His target share has been incredibly consistent as of late, minus last week against a good Patriots secondary where he still saw only five. Before that, Cooks saw nine targets three weeks in a row before seeing eight looks in Week 10. Target share vs a weak secondary puts Cooks in a lock spot this week. He and Fuller should both be heavily involved.
Cash remaining: $3,700
DST: WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM $3,700
I decided to pay up for the Washington defense, which I don’t generally recommend, but I couldn’t pass up on its defensive front going up against the injured Dallas offensive line and Andy Dalton. They should have a field day teeing off on Dalton, and should easily be able to generate a turnover in this matchup. Washington generated four sacks, a fumble, and an interception against the Bengals last week.
Cash remaining: $0
This two-game slate features some very juicy matchups. Get those lineups set in the morning before preparing your Thanksgiving feast, then sit back and enjoy the games. Good luck!
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