INDIANAPOLIS --- If you are like me, you enjoy watching some pigskin on turkey day. You might also enjoy playing in a FanDuel tournament for just the games on Thanksgiving. I know I do. So here are my picks for Thanksgiving.
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STEVE'S FANDUEL THANKSGIVING LINEUP
QB - Cam Newton (CAR, $8,900)
RB - Darren McFadden (DAL, $8,100)
RB - Eddie Lacy (GB, $6,500)
WR - Randall Cobb (GB, $7,400)
WR - Alshon Jeffery (CHI, $7,600)
WR - James Jones (GB, $5,800)
TE - Greg Olsen (CAR, $6,400)
K - Graham Gano (CAR, $4,900)
DEF - Lions ($4,400)
Total Salary - $60,000; Remaining Salary - $0
LINEUP NOTES
Let's start at the bottom. I went cheap on defense for Thanksgiving in hopes of giving myself some better options for the rest of my lineup. The Lions defense has an above average pass rush, and the Eagles offense has struggled lately turning the ball over. That's a good fantasy recipe.
Cam Newton is on fire, regardless of whether he's throwing touchdowns or running them in himself. I debated playing Aaron Rodgers but wanted to play Eddie Lacy. Playing a quarterback and running back from the same team though would have hurt my overall upside. I'm stacking Newton with Olsen too, hoping for double points.
Why play Lacy? He bounced back with 20 carries and 100 yards against a tough Vikings defense. It's been my belief all year that Lacy's struggles were based more on health than anything. I'm buying him on Thanksgiving being healthy at a big discount from his early season FanDuel price.
Darren McFadden is touching the ball more than 30 times per game. That's invaluable in FanDuel. He's worth every penny.
Brett Favre is getting his number retired Thanksgiving night. I find it hard to believe that Packers won't play well for him. That's why I want Cobb and Jones to go with Lacy, with only players from six teams to choose from for Thanksgiving.
Alshon Jeffery is a target machine, and I expect the Bears to be playing from behind. If he's out again due to injury, I will swap in Golden Tate from the Lions.
