NFL DFS Thursday Night Football: FanDuel single game contest preview

The NFL presents the DFS/FanDuel community with a clash of NFC teams to start week 14! Let’s take a look at Thursday night’s game from a fantasy football perspective!

Before I discuss my FanDuel player picks for Thursday night’s game, let’s take a look at the key DFS injuries for both teams, review the rules for the FanDuel single game contest, and briefly discuss a few key points regarding both teams that I think are relevant to roster construction for the FanDuel single game contest.

Key DFS Injuries

Dallas Cowboys: QUESTIONABLE: Tony Pollard, RB.

Chicago Bears: QUESTIONABLE: Benjamin Braunecker, TE: OUT: Taylor Gabriel, WR.

Now let’s discuss the rules for the FanDuel single game contest. You have $60,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team MVP. The FanDuel MVP accumulates 1.5 times the standard FanDuel points value.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard FanDuel points value. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your MVP position if you hope to win a FanDuel single game contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the FanDuel single game contest, I recommend that you check out the FanDuel website for more details.

As I evaluated the Cowboys defensive statistics it became evident to me rather quickly that this is a unit that is clearly struggling defending the pass. The Cowboys allowed Bills slot receiver Cole Beasley to catch six balls that resulted in 110 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown on Thanksgiving day. It also has to be said that the Cowboys have had issues defending running backs that catch passes out of the backfield in 2019.

Obviously, the Dallas offense has an abundance of talent. However, the offense has not been the force that it was predicted to be at the start of season. Regardless of the fact the offense has not peaked in 2019, all of the Cowboys skill position personnel are viable plays in Thursday night’s FanDuel single game contest.

Let’s transition to what I love doing the most! Here are my FanDuel player selections for Thursday night football!

MVP-Ezekiel Elliott $14,500

The Cowboys are a team in crisis. The team currently has a record of six wins and six losses. Additionally, Dallas is desperately holding onto first place in the NFC East. The team’s owner has applied relentless pressure to the coaching staff and the players throughout this difficult season.

Where am I going with the Cowboys issues you may ask? Well, my point is this, Dallas head coach Jason Garrett knows he better get back to the team’s offensive strengths immediately if he hopes to stay employed. That means, in my opinion, that you can expect to see a HEAVY dose of Ezekiel Elliott on Thursday night.

The Cowboys have invested a large number of high draft picks to have an outstanding offensive line and a great running back for a reason. Also, keep in mind that weather could be a factor in Chicago. If bad weather does come into play on Thursday night, it will only benefit Elliott from a fantasy perspective.

Flex Plays

Mitchell Trubisky $15,000

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been playing much better lately. How well? Let’s focus on his last two games. In his last two football games, Mitchell Trubisky has averaged a very impressive 22.92 FanDuel points a game.

Additionally, the Cowboys have injuries to multiple defensive starters which will likely help Trubisky’s chances to succeed in this game. It was announced on Wednesday afternoon that outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and safety Jeff Heath have both been ruled out for Thursday’s game. In summary, I think Trubisky is an outstanding flex play.

Michael Gallup $11,000

Yes, I know that Amari Cooper is the most talented receiver on the Dallas Cowboys roster. However, I also know that Cooper has been awful from a statistical perspective when playing on the road in 2019. Due to that fact, I am rolling with Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup as one of my flex plays.

Gallup has shown the Cowboys organization that he has the ability to perform at a high level this season. An illustration of Gallup’s ability to play outstanding football can be seen in his performance in week 11 of the 2019 season. In week 11, Gallup accumulated nine receptions and 148 receiving yards versus the Detroit Lions. Additionally, he was targeted by Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott 13 times in the week 11 contest!

I should also note that Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara has been officially declared doubtful for this Thursday night’s game. That obviously helps Gallup’s chances to succeed as well.

Anthony Miller $10,500

Quite simply, Miller has been playing some outstanding football lately. Additionally, it appears that Miller is developing a a very good rapport with his quarterback. Bears quarterback Mitch Trubusky has targeted Miller a whopping 33 times in the Bears last three games!

The Bears have officially ruled out wide receiver Taylor Gabriel for the Dallas game. That certainly will only help Miller’s chances to stay productive on Thursday. I expect Miller to perform at a very high level from a fantasy perspective in this football game.

Tarik Cohen $9,000

For my last flex play selection, I am rolling with Bears running back Tarik Cohen. Earlier in this article I made reference to the fact that the Dallas Cowboys have struggled defending running backs that excel as receivers this season.

Well, Cohen should benefit in a big way from the Cowboys inability to stop pass catching backs. Cohen is one of the best running backs in the league at doing just that. In his last three games, Cohen has 16 receptions and a receiving touchdown. I think Cohen is an outstanding flex play with high upside at a FanDuel price of only $9,000.

As always, good luck!