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NFL DFS: Thursday Night Showdown Week 9

TNF DFS Showdown
Titans at Steelers (-3) 
O/U 37

Tonight we have what looks like a slow, low-scoring game between Tennessee and Pittsburgh. Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins are coming off an exciting game last week at home, but the rookie now has to travel to one of the hardest places to play. 

I am not a fan of Hopkins tonight. Last week, he caught 3 TD on 4 targets, one of which was an OPI. He has been priced up on DK to the second most expensive player and he will probably have high ownership. You also have a rookie Quarterback, starting his first road game, on a team that prefers to run the ball. I see a heavy dose of Derrick Henry and a lot of field goals.

My main lineup build this week will be contrarian and weird, in an attempt to leverage a field that will be gravy in kickers and defenses. Defense is definitely in play in a game like this, so don’t be scared to use them.

My Favorite Plays

Captain

WR, George Pickens, PIT – This week I am going against the grain and dropping down to Pickens at Captain. The Titans are vulnerable to the pass and Pickens at home has blowup potential. This also should be a lower ownership play that could win a tournament.

Flex

RB, Derrick Henry, TEN – With a rookie quarterback, the Titans will look to run and control the clock. Henry is also catching the ball at the highest rate of his career. He is expensive, so using him in Flex allows us to roster better players.

QB, Kenny Pickett, PIT– The Steelers running game is a mess and the Titans are good against the run. This should force Pickett to the air, throwing short passes to Dionte Johnson and capping it off with Pickens in the end zone.

WR, Dionta Johnson, WR – Dionte doesn’t score touchdowns, but he gets a lot of targets and makes a lot of catches. On a full PPR site like DK, this is a safe play.

Value/Sleeper

TE Chig Okonkwo, TEN – Chig has had a disappointing season, but he runs the second most routes on the team and only costs $4200 on DK. 

As I stated at the beginning, both defenses and kickers are in play.

Recent News

Christian Kirk expected to make season debut in Week 3
WR missed first two games with hamstring injury #Texans HC DeMeco Ryans on Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios: 'Progressing very well, expect to get those guys back this week' (KPRC - Aaron Wilson) FF Today's Take: Kirk was supposedly having a very strong offseason before suffering his injury, so this should be a boost to the offense. He is one of the few receivers on the roster who has proven capable of getting open quickly against NFL corners as well, so his return could be part of what helps this offense get on track. The Texans are averaging 14 points and have yet to see a pass-catcher top 52 yards receiving.
(Sep 16 -- FF Today)

Aaron Jones lands on injured reserve
Week 2 hamstring injury puts Jordan Mason in the spotlight The Vikings are placing starting RB Aaron Jones on Injured Reserve, knocking him out four games, per me and @TomPelissero. He has a hamstring injury. Jordan Mason now becomes RB1. Cam Akers is signing to the practice squad. (NFL Network - Ian Rapoport) FF Today's Take: Jones will not be eligible to return until Week 8 because of Minnesota's Week 6 bye. While Akers will almost certainly find his way into a few carries, the Vikings traded for Mason this offseason with an eye on him complementing Jones for as long as the 30-year-old could stay healthy and featuring him if he was unable to avoid injury. Minnesota's offense is in a world of hurt right now, but it seems quite likely that the Vikings will lean heavily on the run with Carson Wentz replacing J.J. McCarthy (ankle) for at least the next couple of weeks.
(Sep 16 -- FF Today)

Brady shown in Raiders' coaching booth on MNF
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was seen wearing a headset in the team's coaching booth during Monday's game vs. the Chargers.
(Sep 16 -- ESPN)

Takeaways from every game: Baker magic, Eagles defeat Chiefs in Super Bowl rematch
NFL Nation reporters react to all the action, answering the biggest questions coming out of each game.
(Sep 16 -- ESPN)

49ers star Fred Warner makes bold proclamation about Brock Purdy's NFL future
San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner told 95.7 The Game's "Willard and Dibs "that quarterback Brock Purdy could become the best in the NFL.
(Sep 16 -- Yahoo Sports)

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