We’re looking at the Thursday NFL slate on FanDuel in this article. Every game from Thursday to Monday is on the slate we’re playing, starting tomorrow with NO @ DAL. One important thing to note when playing the all-week slate is how the Thursday and Monday games affect ownership.
Often when fantasy players choose to play the all-week slate, it’s because they like a player or players in the Thursday or Monday game. That can make Thursday or Monday players a little more chalky than they usually would be if the game occurred on a Sunday. As a result, sometimes we can get more favorable ownership on Sunday chalk.
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Quarterback
Cam Newton (CAR @ TB): $8,700
It’s no secret that Tampa Bay has an atrocious secondary, and Newton could certainly take advantage of them in what should be a high-scoring matchup. This game has the second-highest expected total with a 55.5 O/U, and with Carolina a -4 road favorite it should be a competitive, back-and-forth game. Newton has scored at least 21 points in six of his last seven games and has scored fewer than 18 points just once this season. With much attention surrounding Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes, Newton could wind up underowned in such an enticing matchup.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt (KC @ OAK): $8,900
Oakland has the last ranked rush defense by FanDuel standards and are allowing 151.36 rushing yards per game this season. Things have somehow gotten worse for Oakland since their bye, as they have allowed an average of 174.8 yards per game in the five games since their bye week. Kansas City has unleashed Hunt against bad defenses this season, leaning on the running back when the situation calls for it. That is evidenced by his 27.26 FanDuel points per game against bottom-10 rush defenses. The only thing limiting Hunt in this game is the clock.
Gus Edwards (BAL @ ATL): $6,400
Edwards was chalk last week after Alex Collins was surprisingly inactive, but owners should hop back on the Gus Bus for one more week against Atlanta. Baltimore has made the transition from Collins to Edwards as their primary ball carrier, and that’s a smart move considering Edwards has put up more rush yards in his last two games than Collins put up in his last five. With Lamar Jackson under center Baltimore will try to limit their pass attempts. If the Ravens gain control of this game early they might only throw it 20 times. That means plenty of carries for Edwards against the soft Atlanta front seven. Atlanta has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs and have allowed 164.3 rush yards per game over their last three games.
Wide Receivers
Adam Thielen (MIN @ NE): $8,200
After back-to-back dud weeks Thielen bounced back against Green Bay, putting up 125 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. He’s proven to be a top-tier receiver, yet his price is a little depressed this week, perhaps due to the bad two weeks. New England has allowed the eighth-most passing yards this season, and with Minnesota as -7.5 point underdogs they will need to throw often against this defense. Thielen is a good value priced just below the top-tier receivers on this slate.
Amari Cooper (DAL vs. NO): $6,900
Cooper just had his best game all season and the second-best game of his career, and yet is priced under $7,000 on FanDuel against the Saints. New Orleans has been abysmal against wide receivers, allowing the most FanDuel points per game to wide receivers by a significant margin. They have allowed 38.1 points per game to wide receivers, while the second-highest team (Philadelphia) has allowed 35.2. That 2.9-point gap between the Saints and the number two team is the same amount of points that separate the number two team from the number seven team. Basically, the Saints are the worst team against receivers and it’s not even close. With Cooper, Dallas actually has a receiver that can take advantage of this defense, and he’s a good bargain at this price.
D.J. Moore (CAR @ TB): $6,400
Cam Newton has a new number one target, and it’s not Devin Funchess or Greg Olsen. Moore has averaged 8.5 targets, 7.5 catches, and 124 receiving yards over the past two weeks as Newton’s number one receiver. The rookie has shown flashes before, but now appears to have taken the next step in the NFL.
That is great timing for a date with the porous Tampa Bay secondary in Week 13. Tampa Bay has allowed the fourth-most FanDuel points to opposing wide receivers this season. As if their secondary wasn’t bad enough, Tampa Bay could be without their best defensive back this week, as safety Justin Evans has already missed the last two weeks with a toe injury. Third cornerback M.J. Stewart is also dealing with a foot injury, and star linebacker Lavonte David is banged up and could miss this game too. A defense built on a rocky foundation is crumbing, and they are looking vulnerable coming into this matchup.
Tight End
Cameron Brate (TB vs. CAR): $4,900
Brate was a no-brainer plug-and-play last week after O.J. Howard was placed on injured reserve, and he’s a great option again this week against Carolina. The Panthers have allowed the second-most FanDuel points to opposing tight ends this season. They allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end for five straight games between Weeks 6-10 before taking on Detroit and Seattle, two teams weak at the tight end position. Last time Tampa Bay played Carolina, Howard scored two touchdowns. Brate is in prime position to have a nice day against the Panthers.
Flex
Austin Ekeler (LAC @ PIT): $5,400
Melvin Gordon won’t play in this game, meaning Ekeler will serve as the Chargers’ primary ball carrier. He has shown flashes of skill as Gordon’s understudy this season, and Ekeler will get his chance to shine against Pittsburgh this week. Pittsburgh has been solid against running backs this season, allowing the ninth-fewest FanDuel points to opposing running backs thus far.
This one is more about price and opportunity than matchup. Ekeler is looking at probably a minimum of 15 touches in a game with a 52.5 O/U. Even though Ekeler will be chalk, the $5,400 price tag is too good to pass up.
Defense
Miami Dolphins D/ST (MIA vs. BUF): $4,100
Whoever is playing Buffalo is always a good option at defense, and Miami’s squad comes in reasonably priced at $4,100 on this slate. They’ve been knocked around by tougher opponents, but Miami has mostly delivered against bad teams, averaging 12 FanDuel points per game against bottom-10 offenses. Only their Week 7 doughnut against Detroit was a big letdown. Otherwise, Miami has handled teams like the Jets and Titans well this season.
In case you need a little more convincing, keep in mind that Buffalo has averaged just 14.64 points per game this season and is tied for the third-most turnovers committed in the NFL. They do average a slightly higher 16.17 points per game with Josh Allen under center, but that would still be the second lowest in the league.
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Elliott Baas is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Elliott, check out his archive and follow him @elliottbaasbb.