We have back-to-back weeks with an NFC West matchup to kick things off. From an injury perspective, things are quite interesting and potentially one-sided. The San Francisco 49ers are without Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings, which will make things difficult. For that reason, it’s not surprising to see the Los Angeles Rams favored by 8.5 points (and climbing) entering action. Let’s dig into my Thursday Night Football DFS picks and rankings to help you set a winning lineup.
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Thursday Night Football DFS Notes
A Receiver Out of the Backfield
Yes, the Rams are the toughest defense for opposing running backs from a DFS perspective. We also can’t ignore the fact that Christian McCaffrey is only averaging 3.3 yards per carry this season.
However, we also can’t ignore the injury situation when it comes to San Francisco’s receivers. That means the 49ers have been treating McCaffrey more as a wide receiver so far this season. That doesn’t mean they don’t give him a chance on the ground, but his value has been as a receiver.
With 31 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns, McCaffrey has been quite productive. By necessity, I’d expect it to continue tonight.
Nacua is a Cheat Code
Is there really any other way to describe Puka Nacua? He’s nine yards shy of four straight games of at least 100 yards to begin the season while averaging 126 yards per game. Last week, Nacua finished with 170 receiving yards and 13 receptions. On the season, Nacua is at 42 catches for 503 yards and two touchdowns while being incredibly consistent.
At this point, there’s nothing we’ve seen to expect anything but a continuation from Nacua.
Let it Fly
We know how good Nacua has been this season, and that traces back to his quarterback. It’s also been a strong start to the season for Matthew Stafford, and he’s coming off his best game of the season. Last week, Stafford threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns in a strong victory against the Colts.
Things have been tough for the 49ers without Nick Bosa, and that was very evident last week. Not only did San Francisco fail to get a sack, but they didn’t even manage a hit on the quarterback. That should give Stafford plenty of time to look downfield and take advantage of his weapons.
Jones Should be Solid
It’s not ideal that Brock Purdy is out again, but Mac Jones is a solid replacement. In his first two games this season, Jones has 563 passing yards and four touchdowns. He should continue to be a solid option, but this week, there’s going to be a solid set of options.
The fact that Jones doesn’t run does hinder his value. But for Week 5, adding Pearsall and Jennings to the injury list will be a problem.
Williams Will Help Control the Tempo
Based on the expected game flow, the Rams will be looking to manage the clock in the second half. That should lead to Kyren Williams controlling things for the Rams.
So far this season, Williams hasn’t had fewer than 13 carries, and he’s averaging 76 rushing yards per game. When you factor in a few catches, there’s a solid floor in play. With two touchdowns so far this year, Williams has a clear nose for the end zone. The second half could be huge here.
Ride the Replacement
While it’s possible George Kittle can return next week, we need to live in the present. And that means Jake Tonges, who has proven to be a worthy option. Last week, Tonges caught three passes for 58 yards and his second touchdown of the season. With the 49ers missing their top two receivers, it’s only natural to expect Tonges to see more action.
San Francisco Does Need to Go Downfield
While McCaffrey will be busy and Tonges should receive more targets, the 49ers will still need to look to a wide receiver at times. That means we have the potential for a revenge game out of Demarcus Robinson.
The former Ram has produced in flashes in the past, so the capability is there. This week, the expectation is that the targets will follow.
Check out all of our Week 5 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
TNK DFS Rankings and Picks
| Rnk | Pos | Player | Team | DK Salary | FD Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WR | Puka Nacua | LAR | 11600 | 12,800 |
| 2 | QB | Matthew Stafford | LAR | 10400 | 11,800 |
| 3 | RB | Christian McCaffrey | SF | 11400 | 13,200 |
| 4 | RB | Kyren Williams | LAR | 9000 | 10,800 |
| 5 | QB | Mac Jones | SF | 9200 | 1,000 |
| 6 | WR | Davante Adams | LAR | 9600 | 9,800 |
| 7 | TE | Jake Tonges | SF | 4200 | 6,000 |
| 8 | WR | Demarcus Robinson | SF | 3600 | 5,200 |
| 9 | RB | Blake Corum | LAR | 3000 | 4,400 |
| 10 | K | Eddy Pineiro | SF | 5000 | 6,200 |
| 11 | K | Joshua Karty | LAR | 5400 | 6,400 |
| 12 | WR | Kendrick Bourne | SF | 4600 | 3,600 |
| 13 | DST | Rams | LAR | 4000 | 6,600 |
| 14 | WR | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | SF | 2600 | 1,000 |
| 15 | WR | Skyy Moore | SF | 800 | 1,400 |
| 16 | RB | Brian Robinson Jr. | SF | 2400 | 3,000 |
| 17 | TE | Tyler Higbee | LAR | 2800 | 3,400 |
| 18 | WR | Tutu Atwell | LAR | 3200 | 4,000 |
| 19 | TE | Colby Parkinson | LAR | 600 | 2,000 |
| 20 | RB | Isaac Guerendo | SF | 400 | 1,000 |
| 21 | RB | Kyle Juszczyk | SF | 2000 | 1,600 |
| 22 | DST | 49ers | SF | 3800 | 5,800 |
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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