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Here we go with the Single Game NFL DFS slate for Thursday Night Football of Week 15. Today’s matchup is between the Chiefs and Chargers with Kansas City checking in as a three-point road favorite. The over/under currently rests at 49.5 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 Herbert - QB - LA Chargers (DK: $10,800 / FD: $16,500 / Yahoo: $38)
The last time Herbert faced the Chiefs (Sept. 26), he posted 31 fantasy points at Arrowhead Stadium. Granted, the Chiefs’ defense has gotten back on track since then, so don’t expect a repeat performance. Still, Herbert makes for a strong top pick on this single-game slate as the Chargers’ offense is concentrated through him. The second-year QB has topped 25 fantasy points in three of his last four, and I’m expecting him to fall in that range for this instrumental divisional battle.
Travis Kelce - TE - Kansas City (DK: $8,600 / FD: $12,500 / Yahoo: $31)
The Chargers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Kelce helped in that regard, going for 7-104 on 11 targets in the first meeting with Los Angeles. Opposing defenses are taking away the deep ball from Mahomes, which sometimes leads to more underneath targets for Kelce. Of course, the Chiefs’ tight end hasn’t been immune to Mahomes’ recent dip in production, but this is an encouraging bounce-back spot for Kelce.
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BEST BARGAINS
Darrell Williams - RB - Kansas City (DK: $3,200 / FD: $9,500 / Yahoo: $15)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire steps into a beautiful matchup against a Chargers defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. However, Williams should get in on that well-aligned draw as the Chiefs’ third-down and change-of-pace back. Take note that Williams is cheaper than expected on DraftKings, so I don’t mind using him as a salary relief option over there.
Mecole Hardman - WR - Kansas City (DK: $5,000 / FD: $7,000 / Yahoo: $10)
So we are looking towards Williams on DraftKings, but Hardman makes for a better value on FanDuel and Yahoo. The Kansas City WR has been hit or miss all season, but this seems like an interesting buy-low opportunity. Hardman could see more routes and targets with Josh Gordon sidelined, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a back-and-forth contest with plenty of passing attempts. Both of those situations are good for Hardman’s fantasy prospects.
TOURNAMENT LOOKS
Jalen Guyton - WR - LA Chargers (DK: $4,800 / FD: $9,000 / Yahoo: $13)
Keenan Allen is back for the Chargers, but that doesn’t mean we should immediately write off Guyton. If you recall, Guyton came through with a cool 4-90-1 showing two weeks ago at Cincinnati. Allen was active for that game, so it’s possible for these two receivers to coexist along with Mike Williams. Of course, we’ll need Guyton to connect on a big play in order to present respectable fantasy upside, so that’s the risk/reward scenario we are looking at.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Patrick Mahomes (QB - KC) has been down recently. He’s still one of the best QBs in the game, and this could be a high-scoring contest that requires Mahomes to throw the ball 45-50 times. If that’s the case, he’ll pay off for DFS purposes … Tyreek Hill (WR - KC) is more of a shaky DFS proposition, as defenses seem to be limiting his targets downfield. He’s a tournament-only choice for that reason.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB - KC) is cash playable on this slate. It’s tough to blend him alongside the other talented options, but “CEH” has an excellent matchup ahead of him. The Chargers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Austin Ekeler (RB - LAC) is a fantasy stalwart. He’s appealing through all formats tonight, but there’s some drawback with his injury status. Ekeler is battling through an ankle injury, and reports suggest that he won’t handle a full workload.
Keenan Allen (WR - LAC) is back in action for the Chargers, and he’s an excellent pairing with Herbert on this slate. Mike Williams (WR - LAC) deserves plenty of attention as well, and I actually like him better in tournaments while hoping for his recent touchdown drought to end. Perhaps Ekeler’s limited workload will translate to more looks for Allen and Williams - especially in near the red zone?
Jared Cook (TE - LAC) and Byron Pringle (WR - KC) are the dirt-cheap fillers to help round out your lineup. You know the drill with these guys: click them into your lineup, stack the rest of your roster with studs, and hope for a big play or touchdown from either of them.
