FANTASY FOOTBALL: Turkey Day Starters

What would Thanksgiving Day be without the annual NFL games? It’s a tradition in just about every American household, turkey and football. During past years, the games have been good, close football games.

However, this year’s NFL games look as though they are going to be very one-sided. That is great news for fans of the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and fantasy football owners who have any players on either of these two teams. Let’s now take a look at these match-ups and see who the best starting players are on Thanksgiving Day.

Game #1

New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions

New England Patriots- For the visiting Patriots, there are no valuable starters on this team this week. The Lions got an emotional win last week and are in prime condition to earn a wild card spot in the playoffs. It will be very tough for Drew Bledsoe and the rest of the Patriots to put points on the board in this game.

Detroit Lions- For the home team, there will be a couple of impact players in this game. Here is a list of who they are and what you can expect from them.

Charlie Batch- Last weekend against the NY Giants, Batch had an awesome game. In that game, Batch threw for 225 yards passing and three touchdowns. This week, Batch could see similar numbers. The Patriots’ defense is injury plagued and the secondary has just been horrible. This is another big game for the Lions, so look for them to come up big in this game. Look for Batch to throw at least two touchdowns and have close to 250 yards passing.

James Stewart- In last weekend’s game, Stewart had almost 70 total yards and one score. Coming into this week’s game against the Patriots, Stewart is a little banged up. In that game, Stewart suffered a hip pointer and was hurting throughout the game. So far this week, the pain has somewhat subsided. Since, Stewarts’ backup is injured as well; Stewart should still get the most carries at running back this week. Look for Stewart to get close to 100 yards against the Patriots’ porous defense and score at least once.

Herman Moore/ Johnnie Morton- Two other quality starters this week are the duo of Moore and Morton. Since the injury to Germane Crowell, both of these wide receivers have to step up and make some plays. Since the Patriots have played poor defensively, both of these receivers should have good games. Both Moore and Morton should each have around 75 yards receiving but only one will score a touchdown.

Game # 2

Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys-

Minnesota Vikings- Let’s start with the away team, but where should we start? Just about every offensive fantasy player for the Vikings should be started this week. Let’s look at the best players and see what they can do for your fantasy team this week.

Daunte Culpepper- Well this is pretty much a no brainer. In this game against the woeful Dallas defense, Culpepper will be able to put up huge numbers. There is no one on the Cowboys’ defense that will be able to stop this high-powered offense. Culpepper should easily be able to throw for 350-400 yards and have five touchdowns. However, realistically, Culpepper should throw for around 300 yards and have three touchdown passes.

Robert Smith- The most underrated running back in the NFL today is Robert Smith. Already this season, Smith has a total of 1450 yards and seven touchdowns. Look for Smith to add to that total this week. Last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys’ run defense gave up a total of 250+ yards. That’s great news for Robert Smith owners. Look for Smith to once again get close to 150 total yards and at least one touchdown.

Randy Moss- Yeah, you can bank on this: Randy Moss will have close to 150 yards receiving and at least two scores. Over the past few games against the Cowboys, Moss has been a Cowboy killer. He has dominated the Cowboys’ defense every time these two teams played. This year will be no different. If you have Randy Moss on your fantasy football team, just sit back and relax and see the best wide receiver in the NFL do his thing.

Cris Carter- Another great fantasy starter on Thanksgiving Day is Cris Carter. Both Moss and Carter should have stellar games against the Dallas defense. Even though Carter won’t do as well as Moss, he should still have close to 100 yards receiving and one score.

Dallas Cowboys- In this game against the Vikings, there are only two viable starters on the Cowboys. These two players are Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman. Let’s look at these two players and preview what they can do this week against the Vikings.

Troy Aikman- Two years ago against the Minnesota Vikings, Aikman threw for 450+ yards and had a couple of touchdown passes. This year, Aikman will most likely have to throw a lot again to try to keep up with this Vikings’ offense. Even though the Cowboys do not have their two starting wide receivers, James McKnight, Wayne McGarity and Jason Tucker could surprise some people this week. Look for Aikman to have close to 250 yards passing and two scores.

Emmitt Smith- In the game against the Vikings a year ago, Smith ran for almost 140 yards and two scores. However, the amazing part is, Smith was injured in that game and didn’t even play a full game. This week, expect Smith to have another “Emmitt-like” day. Smith should be used early and often in this game to run some time off the clock to keep the Vikings’ offense on the sidelines. Look for Smith to have close to 125 total yards and at least one score.