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Ahh, Turkey Day. One of the best days of the year.
A day of family, food, football and dogs. Don’t forget about the dogs.
But for now, we will.
Flavor of the Week is about football, and with three games on Thursday, we’re having a Thanksgiving edition of the weekly fantasy football column. Don’t worry, there will still be one on Sunday.
This column will highlight a player that you must have, could do without and is worth a shot for each of Thursday’s three games.
Make sure to set your lineup early. The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions kickoff at 12:30 p.m. sharp!
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions, 12:30 p.m.
Must have: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
A tight end as my must have? I know, but the talented Minnesota defense coupled with neither team having a strong running game doesn’t really help.
The Lions are lackluster against tight ends. Rudolph is about to eat.
Could do without: Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
Stafford has been a top-10 quarterback throughout most of the season, but with a matchup against a tough Vikings defense, the Lions QB isn’t a must-start this week.
If I have a better option on my bench, I’d let Stafford sit.
Worth a shot: Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings don’t have a great running game, Asiata is fantasy-relevant because of his ability to fall in the end zone.
Asiata has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games and chances are high of it happening again as long as the Vikings get close to the goal line Thursday.
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m.
Must have: Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins
Crowder has either caught a touchdown or totalled 100 receiving yards in five straight games.
Against a weak Dallas secondary, I’m all in.
Could do without: Robert Kelley, RB, Washington Redskins
As much as I love Fat Rob — and it’s a lot — a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys isn’t something I’m too keen on.
If there’s one thing the Dallas defense does well, it’s defend the run.
Oh, and don’t worry, Fat Rob is literally Kelley’s nickname.
Worth a shot: Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys
With Dez Bryant likely seeing Josh Norman most of the game, Beasley should get some opportunities out of the slot.
The Dallas wideout has hauled in at least one touchdown in four of his last six games.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts, 8:30 p.m.
Must have: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
I understand Big Ben struggled last week against the Cleveland Browns, and has been worse on the road than he has at home as of late, but this is a dome in Indianapolis. Expect Roethlisberger to bounce back.
Could do without: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Hilton has been phenomenal this season, and while the Steelers secondary doesn’t present much of a challenge, the strong possibility of Andrew Luck not playing scares the bejesus out of me.
Who is Scott Tolzien? I don’t like the idea of starting anyone that is relying on the play of a quarterback making his third-ever start to get the job done.
Worth a shot: Ladarius Green, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Green is a complete dart throw. But honestly, there aren’t many more intriguing fantasy options out there in this game.
Green is just a tight end flier at this point, but he has the talent to make an impact, and could overtake Jesse James at some point.
