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 JAC @ TEN.  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.

Win $300K playing FanDuel’s NFL Sunday Million

Quarterback

Jameis Winston (TB vs. NO): $7,700
The Tampa Bay-New Orleans game has by far the highest expected total of the week with a 56.0 O/U. Winston gets us a big piece of this shootout for a small price tag. Winston is criminally underpriced considering he averages 23.4 FanDuel points per game in games that he starts and finishes, which would make him the second-highest scoring quarterback on a points-per-game basis. He and Ryan Fitzpatrick have scored the second-most overall fantasy points among quarterbacks this season. The Tampa Bay quarterback is conducive to high-scoring thanks to their aggressive play-caller, subpar running game, talented group of receivers, and atrocious secondary. New Orleans has also allowed the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season and surrendered 529 yards of offense to Tampa Bay the first time these teams met back in Week 1. That makes Winston a no-brainer at quarterback.

Running Back

Christian McCaffery (CAR @ CLE): $9,100
McCaffery is getting a ton of volume as of late and turning it into production, averaging an insane 29.26 points per game over the last five weeks. Many of McCaffery’s performances have come against weak rush defenses, and he gets a crack at another this week in Cleveland. The Browns have allowed the sixth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing running backs this season, as well as the third-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL. Sure, McCaffery will be chalk, but he’s also shaping up to be the top running back on the slate thanks to injuries and tough matchups for several of the other elite backs.

Aaron Jones (GB vs. ATL): $7,500
Jones was arguably being under-utilized by former Packers’ coach Mike McCarthy. Jones never received more than 15 carries in a single game or received more than 20 touches in a single game despite averaging 5.7 yards per carry, the second-highest average in the league. Jones has still produced thanks to four straight games with a touchdown, but hopefully his volume increases with the coaching change. This would be a great week for him to get more work, as Atlanta has allowed 4.9 yards per carry to opposing ballcarriers this season along with the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to running backs. Jones should be in a prime spot to perform as Green Bay attempts to run out the clock on their season.

Wide Receivers

Michael Thomas (NO @ TB): $8,300
The last time New Orleans faced Tampa Bay Thomas caught 16 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. That was all the way back in Week 1, and Tampa Bay’s secondary has only suffered from more attrition since that game. Not only have they lost three defensive backs to the injured reserve since Week 1, but Tampa Bay was also without their top three cornerbacks last week against Carolina. Six defensive backs, all of which were starters at one point, are on the shelf for Tampa Bay. Of their five healthy cornerbacks, only two were even drafted. Don’t be fooled by this team’s four-interception performance against Carolina last week; that says a lot more about Carolina’s offense and Cam Newton than it does about this unit. Thomas should have no trouble getting open this week.

Mike Evans (TB vs. NO): $7,700
Evans has been frustratingly inconsistent this season, but he’ll get a chance to showcase his talent this week against New Orleans. The Saints have been the worst team against wide receivers this season, allowing the most FanDuel points per game to opposing receivers as well as the third-most passing yards in the NFL. When these teams met in Week 1, Evans put up 147 yards and a touchdown on seven catches himself, and as Tampa Bay’s top receiving option makes for a good play in this game.

Chris Godwin (TB vs. NO): $5,600
Godwin has seen an increase in targets over the past few weeks and turned in his best game of the season last week against the Panthers. For a cheap WR3, Godwin gives us plenty of upside against a bad secondary in what should be a high-scoring game.

Tight End

David Njoku (CLE vs. CAR): $5,300
The Panthers have allowed the fourth-most points to opposing tight ends this season and are tied for second-most touchdowns allowed to tight ends. Njoku is heavily involved in Cleveland’s offense as well, at least by tight end standards. Njoku has had fewer than five targets only twice this season. At this position, all we’re looking at is matchup and opportunity, and Njoku has both going for him in this game.

Flex

Jaylen Samuels (PIT @ OAK): $4,600
James Connor has already been ruled out for this game, making Samuels the default number one back in Pittsburgh. He’ll probably share work with Stevan Ridley, but Samuels is the upside play in this game. He also draws a rather favorable matchup against Oakland, as the Raiders have allowed the second-most rushing yards this season and 5.0 yards per carry to opposing running backs. Samuels will be chalk, but at this price point he is too valuable to pass up.

Defense

Buffalo Bills (BUF vs. NYJ): $4,200
Hopefully, Sam Darnold returns for this game, as he leads the league in interceptions despite having started just nine games. Regardless of whether the Jets start Darnold or Josh McCown, Buffalo is still a good value on this slate. They are a talented unit, having allowed the second-fewest yards per game along with the fewest points per game to opposing quarterbacks. On the flipside, the Jets have scored the seventh-fewest points per game and have committed the fourth-most turnovers. In a game with a 38.5 O/U little offensive scoring will be done, which makes this the ideal situation to deploy the Bills defense.

Create Optimal FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS

Elliott Baas is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Elliott, check out his archive and follow him @elliottbaasbb.