This week I am going to be one of those contestants that I typically like to play against and I suggest you be one too. I will be loading up my roster with players from all of the Thanksgiving games. The difference is, the contest I join will exclusively be the turkey day games. I encourage you to try it out for this week too. When you do, involve the family and friends that are gathered with you. Have them help construct a lineup or at least give them your lineup so they know who to cheer for. Give them some tidbits of strategy and send them your referral code, you will have another person to compete against and strategize with each week. If you look forward to this column each week you can keep this secret to yourself or direct them here as well. At each position below I have included a value play for the Thanksgiving games to consider in your lineup. Enjoy the games and Happy Thanksgiving.

• Chicago (20) at Detroit (27)
• Philadelphia (25.75) at Dallas (28.75)
• Seattle (19.25) at San Francisco (20.25)
• Washington (20.5) at Indianapolis (30.5)
• Tennessee (18.25) at Houston (24.25)
• Cleveland (19.25) at Buffalo (21.75)
• San Diego (20) at Baltimore (25.5)
• NY Giants (23.5) at Jacksonville (21)
• Cincinnati (24) at Tampa Bay (20)
• Oakland (17.5) at St. Louis (24.5)
• New Orleans (24.5) at Pittsburgh (28.5)
• Carolina (20.25) at Minnesota (23.25)
• Arizona (23.5) at Atlanta (21)
• New England (27.5) at Green Bay (30.5)
• Denver (25.25) at Kansas City (24.25)
• Miami (23.75) at NY Jets (17.75)

Bye: N/A
Salaries: (FanDuel/DraftKings)

Drew Brees (9,000/8,500) – Coming off his best fantasy game of the season, Brees heads out on the road to Pittsburgh. His splits are not the best on the road but the Steelers are giving up top ten production to quarterbacks over the last five weeks. The Saints are still in the hunt for the NFC South and this game figures to be a shootout.

Matthew Stafford (8,300/7,600) - Stafford has been less than impressive of late, not having a touchdown pass in two weeks. He should bust out of his slump against the Bears who are giving up the second most points to opposing QB’s.

Drew Stanton (6,500/5,000) – If you are looking for a cheap tournament play, consider Stanton against Atlanta. He has been inconsistent and less than impressive, however, he is priced as the 29th (FanDuel) and 30th (DraftKings) QB which makes him a decent value.

Running Backs

Ellington faces the porous Atlanta-D in Week 13.

C.J. Anderson (7,800/6,900) – In the three full games since taking over for injured Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, Anderson has amassed 473 yards including 16 catches and 2 touchdowns. Over the last three games, Kansas City is giving up top-10 production to running backs. Start him with confidence.

Andre Ellington (7,700/6,200) – Limiting Drew Stanton’s (recommended above) upside would be the fact that Atlanta is the best defense for opposing running backs to face this season. Expect to see another 20-plus touches for Ellington this week.

Justin Forsett (7,600/6,300) – In the last two games, Forsett has seen 42 carries for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns. While San Diego is not the easiest defense to run on, Forsett should see top-10 RB production at a price outside of that top 10.

Frank Gore (3,500 DraftKings) – Seattle has the reputation of being a tough defense, but over the last three games they are giving up almost 4.6 yards per carry and have yielded 4 touchdowns. Gore has better splits against Seattle in San Francisco and at this price offers much salary relief to load up elsewhere.

DeMarco Murray (9,000 FanDuel) – Murray is the league-leading rusher and he still shows up on the value report. He has gone for over 100 yards rushing in all but one game and is heavily involved in the run-first Dallas offense. It is worth paying up for Murray.

Wide Recievers

Calvin Johnson (8,600/7,000) – Megatron has just one touchdown since returning from injury. Chicago’s suspect secondary should provide the spark he needs to get back on pace.

Roddy White (7,400/6,400) – Over the last three weeks White has had 23 catches on 28 targets and 2 touchdowns, which is good enough for the top-10 in PPR leagues. Arizona is a tougher matchup but with the amount of production at his current price, White still has value.

Steve Smith (6,400/5,000) – Steve Smith seemed to find his way back into the fold on Monday night in New Orleans. With 4 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, Smith showed signs of the player we saw early in the season. As Baltimore continues to battle for a playoff spot look for Smith to have similar looks and production this week.

Kenny Stills (5,100/4,800) – With a spike in targets after the Brandin Cooks injury, Stills figures to continue his key role in the Saints offense. Last week he hauled in 8 catches on 9 targets for 98 yards. Over the past five weeks Pittsburgh is top ten in points against to opposing receivers.

Tight Ends

Jason Witten (5,700/4,500) – Witten looks to be mediocre when compared to all tight ends for the weekend but if you are looking at the Thanksgiving slate he is the cream of the crop. With 30 receptions over the last four games against the Eagles, he is the best start for Thursday.

Travis Kelce (5,300/4,300) – Many believe Kelce continues to be underutilized, and the fact that he leads tight ends in yards after the catch helps support that statement. Denver is a top-10 defense for opposing tight ends and with the Chiefs inefficiencies at wide receivers, Kelce is a valuable play.

Kyle Rudolph (5,000/3,400) – Rudolph was a hot draft pick coming into the fantasy season. After his injury he returned for 3 catches for 50 yards on 5 targets. While that is not top tight end production it is a value play at tight end against a mediocre Carolina defense.

Defenses

NY Giants (4,900/2,800)
Cincinnati (5,000/3,200)
Detroit (5,200/3,400)

Good luck this week!

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