As usual, the DFS Lineup Genius will have you covered for cash games and tournaments on both DraftKings and FanDuel for the upcoming Sunday slate of games. I’m here with a special post to share our favorite Thanksgiving Day tournament lineup on DK as well as some thoughts on overall roster construction. Playing Thanksgiving cash games on DK may require checking your head to heads for opportunities to utilize late swap to avoid overlapping players by checking your opponent’s remaining salary and player slots. However, I’m more focused on creating highly violate tournament lineups with a lot of correlation. This one is heavy on the cheap Minnesota wide receivers and pricey Washington pass catchers.
Minnesota at Detroit
These teams recently played in Week 9 and ended with Golden Tate‘s sensational game winning touchdown. Taking aim at strong correlation plays, I’m immediately interested in playing Cordarrelle Patterson ($3,600) and the Vikings Defense/Special Teams ($3,400) together. Last week, Patterson scored his fifth career kickoff return for a touchdown. He’s now scored double-digit DK points in four of his last six games. Stefon Diggs (knee) did not practice on Tuesday. Also missing from practice was punt returner and defensive back Marcus Sherels (rib, ankle). If both Diggs and Sherels miss the game, Patterson could be needed to also return punts. However, I’d prefer Diggs play and be ineffective because I also want to play Adam Thielen ($4,000), owner of double-digit DK points in three consecutive games.
Since I’m playing Vikings D/ST the Lions offense is a total fade for the purposes of this lineup. Through 10 games, Matthew Stafford ($5,700) has thrown for zero touchdowns twice and a single touchdown in three games. Theo Riddick ($5,400) was bailed out by a 42-yard run against the Vikings in Week 9 and was targeted a season-low three times.
Washington at Dallas
Following an appetizer of Vikings players, the main course comes from this game. Assuming Rob Kelley ($4,300) and Riddick are highly owned I’m all about using a wide receiver or — gasp — a second tight in the Flex spot.
Ezekiel Elliott ($8,500) …one of the two auto-plays this week.
Jordan Reed ($6,200) …Dallas ranks 31st in DVOA against tight ends and I’m assuming low ownership for the most expensive tight end on the board.
Kirk Cousins ($5,900) …20+ DK points in three of his last four games, multiple touchdowns scored in all four.
Jamison Crowder ($5,800) …Coming off his best game of the season, Pierre Garcon ($3,900) will be too cheap for many to pass up. In that same game, Crowder only saw three targets but went off for 102 yards and his sixth touchdown of the season. Back in Week 2, Crowder caught six passes for 39 yards and a touchdown against Dallas. The Cowboys have struggled against slot receivers all year and while the price on Crowder is rising, he’s only $300 more than Cole Beasley.
Jason Witten ($3,200) …Washington is 26th in DVOA against tight ends and has been rocked by Tyler Eifert (9 receptions, 102 yards, TD), Kyle Rudolph (5/69/1), and Jared Cook (6/105/1) over their last three games. Flexing a tight end is ultra contrarian, but each team has their issues defending the position.
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis
Le’Veon Bell ($9,000)…the second auto-play of the week and DFS dessert is Bell. Everyone will have Elliott and Bell, so it’s likely a 7 on 7 game this week. Without Andrew Luck (concussion) there’s little chance that the Steelers passing game can be coaxed into the shootout to make anyone other than Bell worthwhile in tournaments.
Suggested Thursday Slate Lineup on DraftKings
Steelers DST ($2,800) and Ladarius Green ($2,600) are certainly worth discussing. There are positive reports coming out about Green playing a lot more snaps in his third game back. His price tag opens up a lot of options if you are looking at the expensive wide receivers. As for the Pittsburgh defense, expect very high ownership. Ride the variance wave toward Vikings DST, especially paired with Patterson in hopes of capturing a special teams touchdown.
