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With Thanksgiving behind us, we’re nearly at full slate strength (only Cleveland and Tennessee on bye). There are a lot of great matchups and values out there, check out a few of my favorites below.
Paxton Lynch $6,000 – Denver (-3.5) @ Jacksonville, +/- 39.5
With starter Trevor Simian set to sit, Lynch becomes the value play of the week at quarterback. The play here is much more faith in the Gary Kubiak system than it is in the rookie that still has plenty of growing to do. The Broncos defense should carry the day against the bad-as-always Jaguars, and so I think Lynch does enough in a win to pay off his bargain basement price tag.
Carlos Hyde $6,700 – San Francisco (-1.5) @ Chicago, +/- 43
The Niners are heating (granted, from ‘months-old corpse’ to ‘freshly deceased’) up a bit as we close out the year, and a trip to Chicago has been a panacea for most offenses in 2016. Defenses now have to respect Kaepernick’s wheels opening things up for Hyde to take advantage.
Brandin Cooks $6,800 – Detroit @ New Orleans (-6), +/- 53
If there were ever a ‘he’s due’ narrative test, it’s Cooks this week. After being held without a catch last week, Cooks made some noise with the media this week. I love Michael Thomas and what he’s showing us in his rookie year, but remember, Brees spreads the ball around to all his weapons. This week, Cooks may get an extra look or two after making a fuss.
Tyler Eifert $6,800 – Philadelphia @ Cincinnati, (-1.5), +/- 42
The 3rd most expensive tight end isn’t exactly a screaming value play. We have an already shaky position that’s been hit with injuries with tight ends this year, and so sometimes you just have to play the guy that could get you a bunch of points regardless of his price. You could also take a look at Martellus Bennet with Rob Gronkowski out, but I’d rather pay up for Eifert in this spot.
Caleb Sturgis $4,500 - Philadelphia @ Cincinnati, (-1.5), +/- 42
Sturgis is putting up points consistently, and he’s min-price this week. The Eagles are moving the ball well, so I expect he’ll have plenty of chances to get you a little something against the Bengals.
Chargers $4,500 – Tampa Bay @ San Diego (-3.5), +/- 47.5
Joey Bosa’s play is pushing the Chargers defense to ‘respectable’ status. The over/under is a little scary here, but I’ll take a chance on Jameis Winston being bold against a secondary that is more than capable of stacking up picks.