Well, this is strange. Normally we are here with you at the start of the week, but that has already taken place. We know that the holiday season wreaks havoc on any sense of normalcy when it comes to the schedule, but Week 17 began yesterday. The games could have been better as both the Chiefs and Ravens won what were one-sided matchups, but there was NFL action on a Wednesday. Tonight, we get another crack at some NFL action as the Seattle Seahawks travel to Chicago to take on the Bears. The home team is in a bit of turmoil this season and they are four-point underdogs tonight. An over/under of 42.5 points tonight expects a modest amount of offense as Seattle fights for their postseason potential. Let’s jump into some Thursday Night Football DFS picks with preferences ranked within each category.
Thursday Night Football DFS Picks – Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears
Captain
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Into the chalk we go. Acknowledging it is the first step, but that doesn’t mean we should avoid it. In these situations, there is good reason for the chalk existing. That’s certainly the case with Zack Charbonnet tonight.
With Kenneth Walker sidelined, Charbonnet steps right into the leading role tonight for Seattle. The fact that the Bears struggle against opposing running backs only adds to our excitement. In limited opportunities this season, Charbonnet has just 453 rushing yards while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Tonight, we don’t have to worry about the quantity, and that’s a great sign.
In Week 14, Charbonnet had full reign of the Seattle backfield and he promptly gained 134 yards on 22 carries. Granted 51 of those yards did come on one carry, but it was a solid glimpse into his capabilities. Perhaps more importantly, with nine touchdowns, he knows the way to the end zone.
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
While it hasn’t been the smoothest rookie season for Caleb Williams, does he also deserve all the blame? For some things yes, but things aren’t completely driven by the rookie. Instead of trying to pick which of the three Chicago receivers will have the best day, let’s just go after the player throwing those passes.
For the good, with just five interceptions, Williams has generally been careful with the ball. With an average of 29.5 rushing yards per game, the rookie isn’t going nuts on the ground, but he’s generating some solid production. In four of his last five games, Williams has multiple touchdown passes as he looks to finish out the season strong.
Flex
Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Don’t look now, but Jaxson Smith-Nijgba has developed into Seattle’s number-one receiver. After catching eight of 12 targets for 95 yards last week, Smith-Njigba is now up to 1,089 receiving yards on the season. With 93 catches, he’s certainly a large part of Seattle’s offensive attack. That will continue tonight as it has been quite the second season for Smith-Njigba.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
Say what you want about the Chicago offense, but there has been enough receiver production to work with. Seattle struggles against opposing receivers from a DFS standpoint so that helps here as well.
Even as Caleb Williams finds his footing and the Bears work through a change in the coaching staff, DJ Moore has had a solid season. Moore enters tonight with 83 catches for 826 yards and five catches. It’s clear that we don’t have to worry about quantity as Moore is generally busy on a weekly basis. In the last four weeks, Moore has been targeted 42 times which has translated in 29 receptions. While Moore isn’t breaking the big plays on a regular basis, there’s no arguing his part in Chicago’s offense.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
It was a tight game last week for Seattle, and Geno Smith, at least statistically, tried to keep up. Smith threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns. In facing the Bears tonight, there should be ample opportunities for Smith to continue his solid season.
We do have to live with the interceptions for Smith, 15 compared to 17 touchdowns, but he is already at 3,937 passing yards. Smith has the weapons, and at this point, there is nothing that’s going to truly cause me to avert and look away. There’s also nothing that says he has to be forced into my lineup either.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
With 13 targets in each of the last two games, Keenan Allen isn’t someone we should be taking lightly. The veteran in working his way into a solid season with the Bears. In those two games, Allen has 82 and 141 receiving yards, respectively, with touchdowns in each. It’s a far cry from Allen’s slow start he should be under consideration tonight in a favorable matchup.
Value
Noah Fant, TE, Seattle Seahawks
The Bears struggle against opposing tight ends, which bodes well for Noah Fant. So far this season, he has 39 catches for 394 yards, but he does have a consistent role in the Seahawks’ offense. In each of the last five games, Fant has three catches on a combined 25 targets. Perhaps this will be the week Fant reaches the end zone for the first time all season. His matchup does allow for it.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!