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Don’t worry, we didn’t skip Thursday, Friday and Saturday and move right to Sunday.
This is just your Thanksgiving Edition of the Flavor of the Week. A look at the three games this Thursday. And yes, you’ll still get your normal Flavor of the Week for the remaining Week 12 games on Sunday.
That’s right! Double the amount of fantasy football tips this week.
Ah, Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite days of the year.
Family, friends, food, football and fantasy football. The six F’s of Thanksgiving.
In the age of fantasy sports, the holiday has become even sweeter. With the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins all taking the field on Thursday, many fantasy studs will be in action. So much so this one day of football could determine many matchups.
If you thought last Thursday made a major impact in the fantasy world — with big-time performances from Antonio Brown (42 points in points per reception leagues), Ben Roethlisberger (29), Rishard Matthews (22), Le’Veon Bell (19), Chris Boswell (yes, the kicker) booting 19 fantasy points and the Steelers defense (16) — just imagine what could happen when Dez Bryant, Dak Prescott, Keenan Allen, Adam Thielen, Melvin Gordon and Kirk Cousins all take the field on Turkey Day.
We could be in for some major fun.
Since this column only features three matchups, this is going to be geared a little more toward daily fantasy because some of the players you’ll see in the “pass” category will still be very startable. There aren’t as many options as normal.
But don’t worry, this will still be very useful for your season-long league.
QUARTERBACK
Must have: Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins
Facing the New York Giants, Cousins is set up for a big day. You can’t go wrong with a Cousins stack. However, it’ll likely be a popular route chosen by many daily fantasy players.
Pass: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
I’m nervous starting Prescott in any format. He’s facing a Los Angeles Chargers defense that just picked off Nathan Peterman five times and forced a scoop-and-score off of Tyrod Taylor. Prescott could be without his left tackle, Tyron Smith, again. He might leave his owners craving a little more after Thursday. Not to mention, Prescott is the highest-priced quarterback in FanDuel. In the words of Michelle Tanner, “No way, Jose!”
Worth a shot: Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t the stingiest defense in the world. Rivers has a chance to build on his big Week 11 performance with Keenan Allen.
RUNNING BACK
Must have: Latavius Murray, Minnesota Vikings
You could go with either Vikings running back here — Murray or Jerick McKinnon. Honestly, you could go with both. The Detroit Lions aren’t the best against the run and both get enough touches to be in the RB2 category. Murray gets more touches in goal-to-go scenarios.
Pass: Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions
Abdullah has had three straight games with double-digit efforts. The buck stops here. Minnesota’s tremendous against the run.
Worth a shot: Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys
I’m still a little unsettled with the Cowboys’ backfield, but this is just too good of a matchup to pass up. The Chargers were just smoked by LeSean McCoy. Morris isn’t as good as Shady, but he still has some gravy left in the boat.
WIDE RECEIVER
Must have: Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins
Doctson is liked canned cranberry sauce. It’s super cheap, but it’s oh so good. Doctson has great value this week, and with Terrelle Pryor on the IR and Jordan Reed listed as questionable, the former TCU star could be in for a big day. Great value here.
Pass: Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions
Just temper expectations. The Vikings are really good against the deep ball, which is Jones’ specialty.
Worth a shot: Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins
Crowder has lead his team in targets or at least shared the lead in three of his last four contests. Against a subpar Dallas defense, he’s a solid flex option.
TIGHT END
Must have: Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins
If Jordan Reed was definitely going to play Thursday, he’d switch spots with Davis. Either way, the Washington tight ends are in for big days. Davis is a must start.
Pass: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
The Chargers are too good against tight ends.
Worth a shot: Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
A dart throw. The Cowboys are good against tight ends, but Henry has the talent to break out.
THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES
Must have: Stuffing
This is probably going to bother a lot of people — I know it bugs my family when I bring this up every Thanksgiving — but Stove Top is at the top of my stuffing power rankings. I’ll hang up and listen.
Pass: Brussels sprouts
I mean, come on. Do I really have to explain my decision here?
Worth a shot: Broccoli casserole
A real underdog here. A combination of broccoli, cheese and Ritz crackers. So good.