Thursday Night Football Preview
New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts (-10.5)
Spread: Colts -10.5 | O/U 46.5
Week nine begins with the New York Jets heading to Indianapolis to face the Colts. The Jets are heading into the Thursday night matchup, coming off an upset victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Colts enter the matchup following a devastating loss to the Tennessee Titans.
So how should each team approach the game to come away with the victory on Thursday Night Football? Let’s break it down below.
How Do The New York Jets Win This Game?
The New York jets should duplicate the plan against the Bengals in week eight for success this week facing the Colts. They kept the playbook simple for backup quarterback Mike White by placing 14 of his 45 attempts either near, at, or behind the line of scrimmage. This game plan allowed the Jets to rely on their weapons such as Michael Carter, Ty Johnson, Elijah Moore, and the rest to produce with the ball in their hands.
How Do The Colts Win This Game?
The key to an Indianapolis Colts victory is limiting “bad” Carson Wentz. Wentz has the caliber to produce on the field; however, he has moments that make you want to pull your hair out. This week the Colts should limit his mistakes and lean on Jonathan Taylor, as they face a Jets defense that has allowed the most touchdowns to running backs on the ground this season. In addition, the jets have also allowed the most receiving yards to running backs this year. Therefore, the Colts would be wise to lean on their star running back to carry their team this game.
Now that we have dissected each team’s game plan, let’s break down which players would be best for your Showdown lineups this Thursday night.
Quarterbacks
Mike White ($9,800)
Mike White came off the bench and had a stellar game in week eight. He produced 405 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions to earn 31.1 fantasy points. The Colts defense has allowed the second-most touchdowns to quarterbacks this season with 19 passing touchdowns. So the question here is: “Do we trust Mike White two weeks in a row?”
That’s a decision you’ll have to make for your lineup; however, I will be looking elsewhere for my roster construction.
Carson Wentz ($10,800)
Carson Wentz has had more than 15 fantasy points in every week except one. Wentz has also scored over 20 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He can be Jekyll and Hyde for actual NFL stats; however, in fantasy football, he has been as steady as any option as you can name. If you can fit his salary into your lineup, you should have a safe floor.
Running Backs
Michael Carter ($8,600)/ Ty Johnson ($6,400)/ LaMichael Perine ($400)
Carter rushed 15 times last week for 77 yards and a touchdown while adding nine catches for 95 yards on 14 targets. To say that the team structured their play around the running back last week would be an understatement. I expect more of the same this week and think Michael Carter has to be in your lineup.
Ty Johnson could also enter your lineup. He rushed the ball four times and received six targets in last week’s game. We spoke about how Mike White kept the offense near the line of scrimmage, which plays in favor of the running backs. Ty Johnson has also scored 13 or more points in the last two weeks. So if you want to pivot to Johnson to save some cash, you can.
Jonathan Taylor($11,600)/ Nyheim Hines ($5,600)/ Marlon Mack ($800)
Indianapolis SHOULD lean on Jonathan Taylor. I emphasize should because we have all been victimized by the play calling by the Colts. However, Taylor has scored more than 22 fantasy points every week since week four. With the Jets allowing the most touchdowns in the NFL to running backs on the ground, Taylor should be in play for your captain role.
You can also look at Nyheim Hines in this game. Although he has disappointed fantasy managers in most weeks, the Jets have given up 561 yards receiving to running backs. That places the Jets as the worst defense against running backs in the passing game. So you can lean on a stack of running backs from the Colts this week.
Wide Receivers
Jamison Crowder ($7,800)/ Corey Davis ($7,600)/ Elijah Moore ($6,200)/ Braxton Berrios ($3,800)/ Keelan Cole Sr.($2,400)/ Denzel Mims ($2,000)
We have so many options here within the New York Jets wide receiver core; which would be the best play? Remember how we discussed a few times earlier how Mike White spent a lot of time with his passes near the line of scrimmage? So let’s bring it up one more time. This stat means my favorite options would be Jamison Crowder or Elijah Moore this week. I’ll lean on Moore for salary cap relief.
Please keep your eyes on Corey Davis and his injury designation. Davis did not practice on Tuesday, and with this being a short week, he becomes my expensive fade of the week.
Michael Pittman Jr. ($10,200)/ T.Y. Hilton *OUT($7,000)/ Zach Pascal ($6,600)
We start this section by stating that T.Y. Hilton is out, so please do not use him. Now that we have that out of the way, let us discuss Michael Pittman Jr. Coming off a 15 target game, Pittman has become Wentz’s favorite target on this Colts offense. In the last two weeks Pittman has scored more than 20 points a game. I don’t believe Pittman scores twice as he did in week eight. However, I think his target share stays elevated, and he is a safe play this week.
Tight End
Tyler Kroft ($4,000)/ Ryan Griffin ($1,400)
Neither of these players is my favorite for this week. But could they fall in the endzone? Sure. The Colts are tied for second-worst when it relates to touchdowns to the tight end position. So you could take a cheap flyer with either player here.
Mo Allie-Cox ($5,200)/ Jack Doyle ($4,600)
Another set of touchdown-dependent tight ends for Thursday night football. In this case, if I am choosing a Colts tight end to fall in the endzone, I’ll put my trust in Mo Allie-Cox. However, I may pivot elsewhere for my roster.
Kickers and Defense
Colts Defense ($5,000)/ Michael Badgley($4,400)/Matt Ammendola ($4,200)/ Jets Defense ($3,000)
Reading my articles, you know I like to fade these two positions. If I were to use any of these options, it would be the Colts’ defense. However, for their price point, you can find a better choice for your lineup.
Prediction and Free Cash Lineup
Colts draft the Jets 31-17
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Cash Lineup
- Jonathan Taylor ($17,400) *CAPTAIN*
- Michael Carter ($8,600)
- Nyheim Hines ($5,600)
- Ty Johnson ($6,400)
- Ryan Griffin ($1,400)
- Michael Pittman Jr ($10,200)
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