Thursday Showdown Week 11

Photo: USA Today Sports

NFL Showdown can be a fickle beast. These contests do not rely on median projections so much as leverage and uniqueness. Fading the highest-rostered plays can be a risky proposition. Typically, your edge will come by identifying the best low-rostered plays and finding clever ways to pair them with the juggernauts of the slate.

This article will have a heavy DraftKings lean simply because the decision-making process is more interesting, given the salary premium attached to the Captain spot. FanDuel's pricing is the same for both MVP and Flex spots. You will usually need the slate’s top scorer at MVP, so FanDuel strategy revolves around unique Flex builds.

Advice in this article will pertain predominantly to tournament lineups and strategy. For cash lineups, build around median projections. For head-to-head contests, continue to lean into the median projections, but if two options project closely, give the nod to the lowest rostered player.

GAME THEORY

The Tennessee Titans are heading to Green Bay to take on the Packers as 3-point underdogs. The game total is set at 41. We’ve got two of the most effective running games in the league going head-to-head in a low total game. Ryan Tannehill is back after a brief injury absence, which is at least a bit of good news to go along with the return of Treylon Burks. For the Packers' offense, DraftKings did us a favor and priced up both viable receivers, making it less likely that either of them becomes too chalky. Typically, I’m looking to stack the favorites, but I’m not buying a Packers win here. Instead, I’ll stick to more balanced builds.

INJURY ROUND-UP

• Ryan Tannehill – Ankle – Full Participant
• Randy Bullock – Calf – Did Not Participate
• Allen Lazard – Shoulder – Limited
• Aaron Jones – Shin – Limited

CAPTAIN CONSIDERATION

1. Derrick Henry
2. Aaron Jones
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Allen Lazard

TENNESSEE OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Ryan Tannehill $9,600 – Flex

Ryan Tannehill is expected to get his second consecutive start on Thursday night after returning from injury on Sunday. While he hasn’t been very effective as a passer throughout the season, he was certainly a boost for the passing offense. Malik Willis attempted 26 total passes over his two starts. Tannehill attempted 36 passes just last week. With Tannehill priced under $10,000 and the expected low roster percentage of the Titans receives, we’ve got an opportunity to be unique by including Tennessee’s passing game.