It’s time to exhibit some patience and drink some cayenne pepper mixed with water. Apologies if you aren’t up to date with the latest of Aaron Rodgers’ ramblings, but here we are. The rest of the country gets to share in New York’s suffering as we have to deal with the Jets in primetime yet again. The good news though, is that things won’t be boring. Far from it in fact as the Jets have a plethora of star players and drama with all of it being led by Rodgers. Houston has to replace Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, but the show must go on. Let’s jump into some Thursday Night Football DFS picks with preferences ranked within each category.
Thursday Night Football DFS Picks – Houston Texans vs. New York Jets
Captain
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
Yes, I’m aware that the Jets allow the fewest DFS points to opposing wide receivers. They also have Sauce Gardner in their secondary, but he hasn’t been playing up to his lofty standards this season. For Tank Dell though, this is all about opportunity.
With Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins both sidelined, Dell is the only game in town. We already have a good idea of what Dell is capable of, and now he will receive all the targets he can handle. Dell has been used more in a supplementary role this season catching 24 of 28 targets for 229 yards and two touchdowns. However, he is capable of more. This is the week he’s in a position to deliver.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Even the most optimistic angle on things couldn’t have seen this coming. The Texans knew they were acquiring a legit number one running back, Joe Mixon has surpassed more reasonable expectations.
Aside from nine carries in Week 2, when he got hurt, Mixon really couldn’t be doing much more this season. In his other four games, Mixon has eclipsed the century mark each time. For as much as the Texans will look to Dell, they will need to control the game via Mixon. Coming off back-to-back weeks of 25 carries that shouldn’t come as a surprise. In each of the full games that Mixon has played, he has found the end zone at least once. This is something we can look to see continued tonight.
Flex
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
At what point are there too many weapons in one offense? From the perspective of the Jets, we might be missing that point following the acquisition of Davante Adams. Regardless of that, and any increased role we see from Braelon Allen, it’s still Breece Hall’s backfield.
Hall is a dynamic option who can make things happen when the ball is in his hands. With the Jets’ season truly on the line tonight, there is a lot of pressure to go down with their best players. New York needs to get the ball into Hall’s hands, and whether it comes on the ground or through the air is simply irrelevant.
Last week, Hall was only targeted three times, but coming off a 103 receiving-yard performance in the week prior, it’s clear he can make an impact there. He did have a strong week on the ground though gaining 80 yards on 16 carries and the Jets will look to utilize Hall to control the tempo once again.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
With Allen Lazard sidelined, there should be more targets available for Garrett Wilson tonight. Even with Davante Adams in the fold over the last two games, Wilson has still been busy. Over the past two weeks, Wilson has been targeted 17 times. It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, but that has translated to 10 receptions for 174 yards.
That made it three games over the last four in which Wilson has at least 101 receiving yards. We know how critical tonight’s game is for the Jets, so it only makes sense to target their most explosive receiver.
Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets
We know all about the chemistry that Davante Adams has with Aaron Rodgers, but the problem is that we haven’t seen it through his first two games with the Jets. Last week, Adams caught four of six targets for 54 yards and the hope is that he’s finding his groove. The short week doesn’t help Adams, but the urgency, talent, and connection is there.
CJ Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
Even though the Jets have Hasson Reddick in the fold now, this is still a defense CJ Stroud can handle. There is a clear connection between Stroud and Dell that has been established. Having Mixon control the running game also helps open things up for Stroud downfield.
Through eight games, Stroud hasn’t been extremely prolific with 11 touchdown passes, but he has been solid under center. In a Showdown Slate, the bar is set lower, and Stroud has an advantage since he’ll be handling the ball every play. With an average of 244 passing yards per game, he certainly is capable. The concern though is that there is a large performance gap for Stroud between home (305 yards) and on the road (182 yards).
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans
Someone other than Dell has to catch the ball for the Texans, so why not Dalton Schultz? There is already a comfort level between Stroud and Schultz which means the the groundwork already exists. Schultz is still looking for his first touchdown of the season, but finding the end zone isn’t a foreign concept.
Last week, Schultz caught four of six targets for 52 yards, and that is likely the floor.
Value
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Houston Texans
While the results haven’t been there for Xavier Hutchinson this season, the role certainly is. Overall, Hutchinson has five receptions for 64 yards this season, but he has been on the field for at least 60% of snaps in three of the last four games. That certainly counts for something tonight.
Robert Woods, WR, Houston Texans
Following a two-game absence with a knee injury, Robert Woods returned just in time. As the Texans receiving corps has become alarmingly thin, Woods caught two passes for 18 yards in Week 8. He should be in line for an expanded role this week.
Fade
Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
Can we really trust Aaron Rodgers at this point? We see flashes of success from the veteran, but he has been unable to put anything consistently together. Until we can trust Rodgers, it’s difficult to rely on him.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!