The New York Giants will travel across the country to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. This was supposed to be a battle between Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey, but Barkley was injured last week. The Giants better not show up with the offense they had against the Cowboys in Week 1 or the offense they had against the Cardinals in the first-half last week, or this game will get ugly fast. Hopefully the Giants can put up a fight Thursday Night.
Here are my picks for the Thursday Night Football Showdown slate…
GIANTS PLAYERS
The Giants built their offense around Saquon Barkley. So, how will they move the ball without Barkley in the lineup? The 49ers have the No. 1 Pass Defense through the first two games. They have 6 sacks and 4 INT’s. So, the Giants will likely run the ball Thursday night, right? Good luck with that strategy too. The 49ers have the No. 1 Run Defense in the NFL threw two weeks. They are giving up 65-yards per game on the ground. We cannot fade all of the Giants players (DraftKings rules state we must use players from both teams). So, who do I trust?
DANIEL JONES is going to need to run a lot Thursday Night. His running ability makes “Danny Dimes” the best play from the Giants side of the ball…. The 49ers do not have many weaknesses on Defense, but they have allowed some TE’s to have success. Pat Freiermuth scored a TD vs. the 49ers in Week 1, and the Rams took advantage of their defense over the middle in Week 2. DARREN WALLER will be the go-to-Receiver for the Giants and he could be a sneaky good play Thursday Night…. I would not be surprised to see the Giants throw it deep and hope to connect on a few passes. This strategy will bring DARIUS SLAYTON and JALIN HAYATT into play…. STERLING SHEPARD and DANIEL BELLINGER are two “punt plays” for the Giants, but I do not expect much from either of these players.
* WAN’DALE ROBINSON may make his return from his ACL injury last year. He is only $200, so he does not need to do much in order to return value. I will take a chance with Mr. Robinson, if he plays.
SAN FRANCISCO PLAYERS
I am not going to try and be cute in this game. The 49ers should will this game easily, so I will be building my lineups around their players.
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY is expensive but he is the best play from the Captain Position. The Giants have allowed 273 rushing (136.5 per game) and 5 TDs on the ground. This should be a HUGE game for MCCAFFREY…. The pivot to McCaffrey in the Captain Position is BROCK PURDY. “Mr. Irrelevant” has completed 67% of his passes this year and he is averaging 16.3 DK Points per Game (24.45 from the Captain Position). I will have McCaffrey and Purdy in all of my lineups Thursday Night…. I really like DEEBO SAMUEL tonight. I will even play him in the Captain Position in a few of my lineups. Samuel has the best match up on the slate, according to Pro Football Focus….. Zack Ertz had 6 catches for 56 yards vs. the Giants last week. GEORGE KITTLE has not ben too good this year, but this could be a “get right” game for Kittle. His price is cheap enough to fit him into a lot of lineups… Mike Shanahan said they need to get ELIJAH MITCHELL more involved in the offense. Mitchell may get a lot of carries and McCaffrey could get some rest, if the 49ers get a big lead… The 49ERS DEFENSE/ST scored 13 DK Points vs. the Steelers in Week 1. I expect a similar performance from the 49ers Defense tonight. They are in play for both Cash and Tournament lineups…. JAKE MOODY has made 3 FGs in both games this year. I like him more for Cash Contests tonight, because I think he will be kicking more extra points, than FGs.
* BRANDON AIYUK is questionable to play tonight I will use Aiyuk if he plays. JAUAN JENNINGS will be a good play if Aiyuk is out tonight.
DRAFTKINGS SHOWDOWN CASH CONTEST PICKS
DRAFTKINGS SHOWDOWN TOURNAMENT CONTEST PICKS
FANDUEL SHOWDOWN CASH CONTEST PICKS
FANDUEL SHOWDOWN TOURNAMENT CONTEST PICKS
* I know it is risky to fade Christian McCaffrey, but how did fading Nick Chubb on Monday Night Football work out? I will take a chance that the 49ers get a big lead with their passing game and then rest McCaffrey and use Elijah Mitchell.
SURVIVOR PICK: DALLAS COWBOYS
Teams used so far: Buffalo (W), Baltimore (W)
Good Luck Tonight!
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