Strategies

Stafford and Johnson headline the fantasy lineup for Thanksgiving

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The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers at 12:30pm getting the trio of NFL games started. In their first meeting this season Stafford threw for over 270 yards without his star receiver. This week Johnson is expected to start and should be a big factor in the outcome of the game.

In eleven games this season Stafford has thrown for 3,495 yards and 24 touchdowns. In three career starts Stafford has thrown for 930 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions on Thanksgiving. His best game came in the Lions loss to the Houston Texans last season in which he threw for 441 yards and two touchdowns. His main weapon Johnson has 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013. In his five career games on Thanksgiving Johnson has 346 yards and four touchdowns with a touchdown in each of his last four games.

For the Packers it will come down to the play at quarterback and which one gets the start. Matt Flynn came in to replace Scott Tolzein who struggled early against the Minnesota Vikings. If Flynn gets the start I would consider playing Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Jarrett Boykin. Eddie Lacy will be a difficult play as the Lions run defense has played well including limiting Bobby Rainey in week 12. Prior to last their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers they had allowed a combined nine touchdowns to the running back with five coming on the ground and four through the air.

raiders vs cowboys

The second matchup on Thanksgiving includes the Oakland Raiders heading to take on the Dallas Cowboys at 4:30pm as the second game. This could be the best game of the three to pick starters as both teams have allowed tons of fantasy points to opposing players. The Cowboys have at least three players to start including Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. The fourth player to consider is DeMarco Murray who has put together back to back games with at least 80 yards on the ground.

Rashad Jennings is a must start for the Raiders as he finished with 73 yards against the Tennessee Titans in week 12. The Cowboys allowed 127 yards on 21 carries to Andre Brown in the Cowboys win over the New York Giants. The other fantasy start in this matchup is Rod Streater who has been targeted 17 times over the last two games and has pulled in 177 yards.

steelers vs ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens in the finale of the Thanksgiving lineup with both teams playing very well on defense. This game is a gamble as we have seen both of these teams fight to the end to get wins. Justin Tucker may be a great option at the kicker position as he hasn’t missed in his last 23 kicks including a 53 yards this weekend.

The other two players to consider is Torrey Smith for the Ravens and Heath Miller. After watching Josh Gordon scorch the Steelers secondary for over 200 yards and a touchdown this makes Smith a start. We also saw Flacco connect with Torrey on a 60 yard bomb in the wind against the New York Jets. Then there is Heath Miller who has pulled in six career touchdowns against the Ravens with over 500 yards for his career.

These are some great options for all your Thanksgiving lineups!