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Here we go with the Single Game NFL DFS slate for Thursday Night Football of Week 14. Today’s matchup is between the Steelers and Vikings with Minnesota checking in as a three-point home favorite. The over/under currently rests at 44 total points. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 ET.
We’ll highlight the top picks and best bargains to assemble a cash-inducing lineup. On top of that, the “additional notes” section will feature several tournament selections while adding context to the rest of this slate.
We will be producing these articles for Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football matchups, so be sure to bookmark the NBC Sports EDGE DFS Page for those occasions - not to mention all the other fantastic daily fantasy content.
TOP PICKS
Justin Jefferson - WR - Minnesota (DK: $11,000 / FD: $13,500 / Yahoo: $32)
Jefferson has been an absolute beast over the last month or so, and he has notched 39+ fantasy points (PPR) in two of his last three games. That is not a typo. Adam Thielen is out for Minnesota on Thursday, so Jefferson should see even more targets. The Vikings could have trouble running the ball against Pittsburgh, so that will force even more looks towards Jefferson. The Steelers have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers this season, and I’m expecting “JJ” to continue his heater.
Diontae Johnson - WR - Pittsburgh (DK: $10,200 / FD: $13,000 / Yahoo: $28)
It’s unusual to have a pair of receivers in the top picks section. Usually, we have a quarterback (or two) mixed with an alpha running back of sorts. However, this is a strong spot for the leading receiver from both sides. Johnson has a commanding 30% target share for the Steelers, and he’s facing a Minnesota defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Look towards Pittsburgh’s top wideout through all formats in this primetime matchup.
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BEST BARGAINS
K.J. Osborn - WR - Minnesota (DK: $5,600 / FD: $8,000 / Yahoo: $15)
As mentioned earlier, Thielen will miss time for the Vikings. He was injured early at Detroit last week, and Osborn admirably filled in with a cool 4-47-1 line on seven targets. The second-year receiver has gone for five or more receptions with 75+ yards in three contests this season, so he has proven himself capable when the targets are coming his way. That should be the case tonight with a WR2.
Chris Boswell - K - Pittsburgh (DK: $3,800 / FD: $9,000 / Yahoo: N/A)
I like both kickers tonight, especially on DraftKings where there are no comparable options to realistically deliver 10+ fantasy points. Both Boswell and Greg Joseph could come through with that production on Thursday. Playing in a dome certainly helps, and Boswell should get plenty of looks due to a shaky Pittsburgh red-zone offense.
TOURNAMENT LOOKS
Tyler Conklin - TE - Minnesota (DK: $6,200 / FD: $8,500 / Yahoo: $14)
Osborn will pick up some of the slack vacated by Thielen tonight. However, there’s a good chance Conklin will see a few extra targets as well. Thielen was a viable red-zone threat, and it’s conceivable to think that Conklin could be featured on some of those underneath routes near the goal-line. Fresh off nine targets last week, Conklin is very much in play for this single-game slate.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Ben Roethlisberger (QB - PIT) doesn’t have much upside to speak of, but the matchup looks nice against a Minnesota team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Chase Claypool (WR - PIT) and Pat Freiermuth (TE - PIT) are both fine tournament choices who are borderline playable in cash games. Looking at roster configuration, I don’t mind Claypool paired with Roethlisberger (alongside Jefferson and Johnson) on FanDuel and Yahoo. It might be tough to swing that on DraftKings.
Kirk Cousins (QB - MIN) will be under pressure for most of the game tonight, but he’s still a very plausible fantasy option. The way to move the ball on Pittsburgh is by quick passes, and Cousins is an accurate signal-caller who can make that happen. He’s certainly cash playable through all formats as a nice stack with Jefferson and Osborn.
Dalvin Cook (RB - MIN) is an against-the-grain tournament option on Thursday. He’s coming off an injury, and we don’t know what the workload will look like. Throw in a tough matchup against the Steelers, and Cook is a hard sell at an inflated price point. However, we know the Minnesota RB is one of the most talented players of his position, so there’s plausible upside in large-field tournaments.
Greg Joseph (K - MIN) was mentioned earlier as a nice bargain on DraftKings. You could look towards him and Boswell in the same lineup for salary relief over on DK. Boswell is a little cheaper while playing for an offense with a lower red-zone touchdown rate, so he’s the preference when choosing between the two.
