Things to know before Thursday Night Football: Week 10
(Photo by Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press via businessinsider.com)
We are officially past the halfway point in the NFL season; Odell Beckham could be headed to the Rams, Cam Newton went back to Carolina, and we are creeping up on some important time stamps in Fantasy Football. Odds are pretty good that you are close to that trade deadline, and you’re probably debating on going after and pawning off players. Not only that, but the playoffs are shaping, and most likely only 5 weeks away from the start.
It’s exciting stuff, unless of course you sit at the bottom of the podium in your League Standings, then it most likely sucks. But, I’ve seen some crazy turnarounds in Fantasy Football, and no team is ever really out of it.
So let's get moving in this week's Thursday Night Football, which holds a pretty decent 46.5 o/u with the Baltimore Ravens favored by 7.5. Miami isn’t going to go down lightly most likely, and that’s because the Baltimore defense isn’t all that it used to be. They give up points, and give up fantasy points, especially to the running back, and the Dolphins have a tight end that has been nothing short of a blast for Fantasy owners. (All $ amounts via DraftKings)
Lamar Jackson is once again proving to everyone why you spend up on certain quarterbacks in your fantasy football draft, and can help you win leagues. Jackson sits as the QB3 overall right now in PPR leagues, and has been on a tear the last 3 of 4 games. In those games he scored 41.8, 11.7, 23, and 30.6 points. Thursday Night that should continue without question. Miami is the 29th overall defense against fantasy quarterbacks, and Jackson should have no issue tossing the ball downfield to “Hollywood” Brown, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman. Start him with full confidence as per usual, and enjoy the show. ($13,800 or $20,700 as Captain)
Jacoby Brissett. I’m going to make this short. He’s most likely starting, and if this posts before the decision is made and Tua starts, sorry, but sometimes this happens. If Brissett goes, you bench him as fast as possible. If Tua starts, if you need to, start him, and hope for the best. Other than that I have limited valued thoughts on these two in this match up. In other words; I hate both no matter who starts. ($9,800 or $14,700 as Captain)
It sounds like it’ll be the Devonta Freeman and Lev Bell show again tonight as well. Which bodes well considering Miami’s defense isn’t strong, against either aspects of the offensive game. Out of the two I like Freeman a bit more, I think he has looked better between himself and Bell, but this game could be a crap shoot on deciding who to pick in DFS. Freeman had 13 carries and was more efficient than Bell’s 11 carries last week, so I lean Freeman. But, if the Ravens get up by a bunch, and I expect them to, then both may have a decent game in the second half. I say plug either or in your DFS match up, and pray the one you pick falls into the end zone. (Freeman $6,600 or $9,900 as Captain) (Bell $5,400 or $8,100 as Captain)
Good game, bad game, good game, bad game. Wash, rinse, repeat. That’s the Myles Gaskin story this season. If that trend continues, then tonight is a bad game. What he does have going for him is that Baltimore’s rush defense is nothing to what it used to be. They’re middle of the pack, 17th to be exact against fantasy running backs in PPR. Gaskin also logged the most carries of the season last week with 20, and even though I don’t think he hits 20 tonight, I think he could be used in DFS. The Ravens defense loves to give up big plays, and I could see Gaskin break away on a screen play tonight to the house. ($9,400 or $14,100 as Captain)
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been doing nothing but getting better and better as the season chugs along, and is one of my favorite players to help you win your leagues the second half of the season. He started out dropping balls like Robby Anderson, and has now hauled in 12+ catches the last two games. Now tonight he gets to take on Miami, a passing defense that ranks dead last against fantasy wide receivers. LAST. You are starting him in every format possible tonight, and may very well be a high floor candidate for “Captain” in DFS Showdown games tonight. There is a genuine possibility Brown logs 150 plus receiving yards tonight and at least a score, and could be a ton of fun to watch. ($11,000 or $16,500 as Captain)
That leads me into the other side of the Ravens wide receiver room. My boy Rashod Bateman should have a good game as well tonight, but that’s only if Sammy Watkins (who returns tonight), and Mark Andrews don’t take all the targets away. Bateman is another big play threat, and I like his upside a lot more than Watkins. But, if they shut down Bateman, and key on Brown, then Mark Andrews could see an enormous amount of targets. It’s kind of a pick your poison type of game for the Miami defense tonight, and as a DFS or Fantasy Football player, I’m not sure there is a certain “wrong” choice in a player. It will basically come down to salary in DFS, and you might have to get creative. (Bateman $5,800 or $8,700 as Captain) (Watkins $5,600 or $8,400 as Captain) (Andrews $8,800 or $13,200 as Captain)
Jaylen Waddle, the rookie for Miami has quietly become the WR24 in PPR this year. Considering the Dolphins as a whole, I love to see it. That trend upward should continue tonight. As I mentioned prior, the Ravens love to give up big plays, and if Miami gets a big play through the air tonight, there’s an 80% chance it comes from Waddle. Why do I say that? Waddle is playing anywhere from 87-94% of snaps this season, and the last 4 games he hasn’t seen less than 8 targets. The last 4 games go as follows for targets-receptions. 13-10, 8-7, 11-4, 10-8. Fantastic stat line. He’s a must start tonight, and you could see a pretty cool breakout from a stud rookie receiver in Miami, even if they do get their asses kicked. ($8,200 or $12,300 as Captain)
The main man. Mike Gesicki is the TE3 this season, only behind Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews. Who knew right? We knew he had some talent, he flashed last season, but no way did I think of this consistency. Besides weeks 1 and 2, Gesicki hasn’t scored less than 8 points this season. You’re almost guaranteed 7 or more targets, and you can bet that 2 or 3 will be end zone targets. The Dolphins just have to get there. Did I mention that the Ravens are second to last against fantasy football tight ends? Yeah, start him. ($7,400 or $11,100 as Captain)
Good luck tonight, we could have a pretty entertaining game ahead of us!
Be sure to check back this weekend for my full breakdown of the Week 10 Main Slate!
Here’s to high floors and scores!
SKOL
- JD