Thursday Night Football Preview: Washington at Philadelphia
This Thursday, we have an exciting matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both offenses are firing on all cylinders, but the Eagles’ defense has been stepping up, particularly in the red zone. Philadelphia boasts the league’s third-best red zone defense, often forcing opponents to settle for field goals. Washington’s defense, on the other hand, has allowed the second-fewest field goals, primarily because they struggle in the red zone, resulting in more touchdowns for opposing teams. This game could be Washington’s toughest defensive test since Week 1 against Tampa Bay.
Captain Considerations
Looking at projected ownership, here are the top contenders for the captain slot:
- Jalen Hurts – 20%
- Saquon Barkley – 14%
- Jayden Daniels – 13.5%
- AJ Brown – 10.25%
- Terry McLaurin – 8%
In small-field tournaments, sticking with the top three—Hurts, Barkley, and Daniels—is a solid strategy, as they offer the highest ceilings. However, in large-field tournaments, it’s crucial to differentiate your lineup. For these contests, I recommend targeting Brown, McLaurin, or DeVonta Smith (6%) as captain. A standout performance from one of these players could give you a significant edge.
Flex Spot Strategy
Ownership projections show over 50% for Hurts, Barkley, Brown, and Daniels. Roster constraints will make it difficult to afford all four, so constructing lineups based on specific game scenarios is key. Here are some notable flex options with their projected ownership:
- Terry McLaurin – 28.5%
- Noah Brown – 24%
- Dallas Goedert – 18%
- Zane Gonzalez – 14%
- Brian Robinson – 8%
Kicker Analysis
While I typically avoid kickers in Showdown formats, tonight presents a unique opportunity. Philadelphia’s red zone defense often leads to field goal attempts for opposing teams, which bodes well for Washington’s kicker, Zane Gonzalez, priced at a reasonable $4,800. In contrast, Jake Elliott may have limited opportunities if Philadelphia’s offense keeps scoring touchdowns.
Low-Cost Dart Throw
Luke McCaffrey, Washington’s WR3, has seen an uptick in routes run. Though he’s only getting a couple of targets per game, at $1,200, he’s a valuable option to save salary in large-field tournaments.
Final Thoughts
For single-entry or small-field tournaments, I’ll be using Hurts or Barkley in the captain slot due to their potential ceilings. In large-field contests like the $3 – $300k Play-Action, I’m building lineups around Brown, McLaurin, and Goedert to leverage ownership trends. Gonzalez will be a core play in most of my lineups, capitalizing on Washington’s red zone struggles.
Connect with Me
Find me on various Discords and social platforms: @brewerymark on Twitter and BlueSky. On Discord, I’m active in DRRoto.com and FantasyFootballBlueprint.com, and you can also check out my Substack at dfsquicksheet.substack.com.