Thursday Night Football Preview
Los Angels Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Spread: Rams -3 | Over/Under: 54.5
Week 5 begins with a divisional battle between the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Seattle Seahawks this Thursday night. The Rams enter this week, coming off a loss to the Arizona Cardinals at 3-1, while the Seahawks enter Week 5, coming off a victory against the San Francisco 49ers to bring their team back to 2-2 for the season. Both teams need to win this game to keep pace with the undefeated Arizona Cardinals, which brings to question; How should each team approach this game to win? Let’s break it down below.
How Do The Los Angeles Rams Win This Game?
The Rams need to continue to trust Matthew Stafford to make the correct plays during the game while also feeding Darrell Henderson Jr. The Seahawks run defense has given up:
- The most rushing yards
- The eight most touchdowns to running backs
- The fourth most receptions to running backs
- The most receiving yards to running backs
Therefore, this game plan should center around feeding Henderson and letting Stafford handle to rest.
How Do The Seattle Seahawks Win This Game?
There are many interesting storylines to this game. For starters, the noise should be a factor, as the Seahawks home-field advantage in NFL stadiums is hands down one of the toughest places to play. It also looks like Chris Carson’s injury will force him to miss the game, which should create a game script where the Seahawks let Russel Wilson cook. This plays nicely as the Los Angeles Rams defense has been more susceptible through the air than expected, as they have been the seventh-worst defense against the pass (1188 yards). If the Seahawks hope to win this game, they will need their MVP caliber quarterback to carry their team.
Now that we know how each team should approach the game, how should you approach your DFS Showdown lineup? Let’s break it down by position below.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson ($11,800)
Russell Wilson will have to unleash “Mr. Unlimited” to help this team score a victory Thursday night. The Rams have allowed the seventh-most passing yards this season, and in a potential shootout, the attempts for Wilson should be there. Wilson should be a lock in your lineup this weekend if you can afford him.
Matthew Stafford ($11,400)
Matthew Stafford has started the season on fire with 11 touchdowns and already 1222 passing yards. This week he gets the Seahawks defense, the fourth-worst at yards given up to quarterbacks. The Seahawks are also the eight worst at touchdown(8)relinquish to quarterbacks. Stafford should perform to an MVP level with this potential shootout and a struggling defense lining up against him.
Running Backs
Darrell Henderson Jr. ($8,400)
Henderson was limited during practice Tuesday due to his rib injury, so monitor this update as the game approaches. However, if he plays, Henderson is a lock to be in your lineup. Earlier I discussed the Seahawks’ woes against the run game; however, let’s break it down one more time. The Seahawks run defense has given up:
- The most rushing yards
- The eight most touchdowns to running backs
- The fourth most receptions to running backs
- The most receiving yards to running backs
Henderson should be a lock for your team and possibly your captain for your lineup.
Chris Carson ($6,600)
Chris Carson is my expensive fade this week. He didn’t practice Tuesday due to a neck injury, and the Rams defense is strong against the run. So fade Carson this week, and look elsewhere for your roster.
Alex Collins ($3,200)
With Carson’s injury, Alex Collins becomes an intriguing play. He could be an inexpensive bell cow for your lineup. Even with Carson in the lineup, Collins poached ten carries and two targets last week. Carson has been capped at 13 carries for three straight weeks; Collins could be the play that allows you to spend up elsewhere and still get productivity from a cheaper player.
Sony Michel ($1,800)
Sony Michel could be a good play depending on Henderson’s injury, so as I stated earlier, monitor that situation. Michel fumbled last week and could be in the dog house if Henderson plays, so tread carefully.
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp ($12,400)
Cooper Kupp is expensive this week, and for a good reason, as he has had over ten targets in every game this season. With this type of volume, you should try to find a way to get Kupp in your lineups Thursday night.
DK Metcalf ($10,200)
In week one, Metcalf only saw five targets. Since then, he has had eight or more targets in each game and no less than 50 yards in those games. Metcalf could draw Jalen Ramsey this game, so Metcalf comes with a boom/bust label for me this week.
Tyler Lockett ($9,600)
Tyler Lockett started this NFL season on fire with three touchdowns in the first two weeks. Since then, he has failed to earn ten points in DraftKings lineups. Lockett is expensive this week again to play with the hot/cold ability he brings to the roster. I would look elsewhere for fantasy points and roster construction.
Robert Woods ($7,600)
Robert Woods has yet to score over 15 fantasy points this season, and Stafford seems to favor Cooper Kupp in this offense. With the Seahawks struggling against the run and Stafford hyper-focused on Kupp. I struggle to see a path for Woods to provide the ceiling you want in your lineup this Thursday night.
Van Jefferson Jr ($4,800)/ Freddie Swain ($4,600)/ DeSean Jackson ($4,400)
All three players represent dart throws for me this week. They could be the reason you win the week; they could also provide you with a low fantasy floor and wreck your lineup. Only use them if you need salary relief in your lineup, and you are looking for a stack play with one of your quarterbacks.
Tight Ends
Tyler Higbee ($5,600)
Tyler Higbee entered this week with an ankle injury and was limited in Tuesday’s walkthrough with the team. The Seahawks defense sits in a tie for the 13th-most receptions allowed (21) to tight ends. With a 77.4 percent snap share in the past two contests, Higbee has the potential to land in the endzone this week.
Gerald Everett ($4,000)/ Will Dissly ($3,800)
These two players are group together because Gerald Everett(at the time of this article) has not been activated off the Covid-19 list. Monitor this situation and consider using the starter in your lineups as the Rams sit at third-most yards(302) relinquished to tight ends this season.
Kickers and Defense
Matt Gay ($3,600)/ Jason Myers (3,400), Rams Defense ($3,000)/ Seahawks Defense ($2,800)
Kickers are never usually in my lineup, and that will hold true this week. If I use a defense, I am using the defense that brings the heat to the quarterback. With the Seahawks offensive line facing one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, the Rams defense should be looked at in your roster despite the potential shootout.
Prediction and Free Head to Head DFS Showdown Lineup
Rams defeat the Seahawks 27-23
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- Darrell Henderson Jr ($12,600) *Captain*
- Alex Collins ($3,200)
- Tyler Higbee ($5,600)
- Van Jefferson Jr ($4,800)
- Matthew Stafford ($11,400)
- Cooper Kupp ($12,400)
Are you looking for DFS projections for the entire slate of games this weekend? Then, check out our NFL DFS projections!
