Thursday November 26, 2015
Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

We’re going to do the Thursday preview a little bit different this week than we usually do. Since there are three games this Thursday, we are going to build an ideal DraftKings team. There are a ton of DFS Thanksgiving only leagues and today we’ll help you fill out your rosters.

Quarterbacks

High Scorer
Cam Newton, CAR $7,100
Newton should be scoring the most points on Thanksgiving. He has been playing better than Aaron Rodgers and has a solid matchup against the Cowboys. The issue with Newton for defenses is the fact that he’s always the mismatch. He has the arm of an elite QB with the speed of a safety and the size of a defensive end. While he isn’t the most accurate QB in the world, he is the most dangerous on the ground because of his overwhelming combination of size and athleticism. The Cowboys secondary is banged up and mediocre, and their front seven just isn’t good enough to get to him or stop him with consistency.

Sleeper
Matthew Stafford, DET $5,800
This is purely matchup based. Stafford has a great matchup against the Eagles and of course has Megatron on the outside. It appears the Eagles are falling apart at the seams and Stafford could have a ton of upside on Thursday. Of course, there is a lot of downside too, but if there wasn’t, he wouldn’t be a sleeper.

Bust
Tony Romo, DAL $5,800
Yes, the Cowboys won last week, but Romo really didn’t look very good. The Panthers’ defense is much more dominant than the Dolphins defense. Top to bottom, Carolina’s defense is fast, tough and athletic. They have the perfect mix of youth and experience and Romo is going to have a long day.

Best Bet
Cam Newton
It’s going to be tough to pass up on Newton this Thanksgiving. If nothing else, he’s the most fun to watch out of any of these QBs. Roll with Super Man and enjoy your day.

Running Backs

High Scorer
Matt Forte, CHI $6,800
If Forte sees a full workload, he should lead all RBs in fantasy points scored. His upside is far and away the best of all the Turkey Day backs. Nevertheless, he will be returning from a knee injury and Jeremy Langford was great in his absence. There is a chance Forte is eased back in and Langford has certainly earned more snaps. We just don’t know how many.

Sleeper
Theo Riddick, DET $3,500
Riddick is the most productive RB in Detroit. He has a ton of PPR value. He’s almost like a poor man’s Danny Woodhead or Darren Sproles. Any given week he can come out and catch eight or nine passes, which makes him a weekly sleeper candidate.

Bust
Darren McFadden, DAL $5,500
McFadden has had his moments, but he’s been more of a volume back than a guy that’s impressive to watch. He’s still averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry and isn’t finding the end zone. The Panthers defensive front won’t be having that. Don’t over pay for McFadden this week, he’s just not worth it.

Best Bet
Jonathan Stewart, CAR $5,200
I am not a fan of Stewart in season-long fantasy, however, his floor is very high. If nothing else, he’s good for about 20 carries per game and has reached that mark in six straight games. While he’s only hit the 100-yard mark twice, despite the heavy volume of touches, he also hasn’t failed to rush for 50 yards. Stewart is a very safe play.

Wide Receivers

High Scorer
Calvin Johnson, DET $7,200
Megatron is a monster and the Eagles cornerbacks just can’t matchup with him. This one is pretty much a no-brainer. His injury issues are a bit of a concern but he’s expected to suit up and be fine. Of all the big name receivers this Thanksgiving, my money is with Johnson. Alshon Jeffery is really banged up and Randall Cobb has been subpar all season. We’ll get to Dez Bryant in a minute.

Sleeper
Marquess Wilson, CHI $3,900
Wilson is going to get the start once again in Chicago. Jeffery is expected to play but could be limited. Both Eddie Royal and Martellus Bennett have already been ruled out. Wilson could see a ton of targets Thursday night. He’s coming off a 100-yard game. He’s has shown flashes at times this season.

Bust
Dez Bryant, DAL $7,600
Bryant is an elite wideout, however, he has a lot working against him this week. His QB was clearly rusty last week and it’s unclear how much better he’ll be four days later. Bryant may not be fully healed from his broken foot and has a terrible matchup against Panthers corner Josh Norman. Norman is playing as well as any corner in the league right now. At $7,600, you should probably pass on Bryant this week.

Best Bet
Terrance Williams, DAL $4,200
With Norman on Bryant, Romo could look to the other side of the field. Look for Williams to have a really solid game and at a very reasonable price. No, I don’t think Williams will outscore Megatron, Dez, Jeffery or even Jordan Matthews, but at $4,200, I love his value on Thanksgiving. Hopefully that godforsaken Cole Beasley doesn’t butt in and ruin my prediction.

Tight Ends

High Scorer
Greg Olsen, CAR $6,200
Olsen is an absolute monster. He’s the top pass-catcher in Carolina by about a mile this season. If you don’t have Gronk, Olsen is the most valuable TE in fantasy football on a week to week basis. No one on Thursday is even close to comparing with him.

Sleeper
Zach Miller, CHI $2,900
Miller has been playing well and Bennett has been ruled out. This was a pretty simple conclusion to jump to. After being a complete non-factor all season, Miller has suddenly come on strong over the last three games. In the first seven games he caught three passes for 35 yards and no TDs. Through the last three weeks he has 10 receptions for 177 yards and three TDs.

Bust
Richard Rodgers, GB $3,100
There really wasn’t a true bust at TE. Nonetheless, of all the TE1s on Thursday, Rodgers is the worst option. I even like Miller and Brent Celek better and they’re only starting because of injuries.

Best Bet
Greg Olsen
This one isn’t close. You almost have to go with Olsen, he’s well worth the money. Sure, you can get some decent options cheap, but there is little to no downside with Olsen.

The Team I’m Rolling With (Which I may change 35 times by the time you read this)
QB Cam Newton
RB Jonathan Stewart
RB Eddie Lacy
WR Calvin Johnson
WR Terrance Williams
WR Davante Adams
TE Greg Olsen
FLEX Matt Forte
DEF Carolina Panthers