Thursday Night Football Preview
Baltimore Ravens vs Miami Dolphins
Spread: Ravens -7.5 | O/U 46.5
Week 10 begins on Thursday night with the Baltimore Ravens(6-2) visiting the Miami Dolphins (2-7). The Ravens enter Week 10, winning against the Minnesota Vikings, while the Dolphins enter the week victorious after defeating the Houston Texans. This game has a few storylines we need to focus on surrounding each team’s quarterback, but first, let us break down the game plan each team should follow for the best chance to win this game.
How Do The Baltimore Ravens Win This Game?
The name of the game for Baltimore is to run the ball. That is what this team is based on at its core. Thankfully, the Miami Dolphins have given up the tenth most rushing yards this season and tied for the fifth-most touchdowns relinquished to running backs. Therefore, the Ravens should stick to their team’s philosophy and run the ball while sprinkling some passing attack from Lamar Jackson to coast to victory.
How Do The Miami Dolphins Win This Game?
The Dolphins enter this week with questions surrounding their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. He missed last week’s action with a finger injury and was a limited participant this Tuesday in practice. Due to the uncertainty of Tua, this means Jacoby Brissett could end up starting the game(or jumping into the fray mid-game). This year, the usually vaunted Ravens defense is a shell of its former glory, as they ranked ninth-worst against passing yards this season. However, the Ravens can still stop the run game. They are ranked sixth-best with only allowing 644 yards all season long. Therefore, whoever is under center will need to find the way to work the passing game down the field to put up points while simultaneously keeping Lamar Jackson on the sideline.
Now that we know how each team should approach the game, let’s break down who we should use in our DFS Showdown lineups.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson ($13,800)
What else can you say about Lamar Jackson other than he has been exceptional this season. In eight games this season, he has only scored under 20 fantasy points once. In three games this season, he has scored more than 35 fantasy points. Lamar needs to be in your lineups against a defense allowing the most passing yards in the NFL this season.
Tua Tagovailoa ($10,200) */ Jacoby Brissett ($9,800)
Tua Tagovailoa gets an asterisk next to his name this week as he enters the week with an injury that forced him to miss last week. Keep an eye on these two quarterbacks, as you may want to use the starter in your lineups. As we mentioned above, the Ravens are susceptible to the passing attack.
Personally, this will be my expensive fade regardless of who is the starting quarterback.
Running Backs
Latavius Murray ($7,000)/ Devonta Freeman ($6,600)/ Le’Veon Bell ($5,400)/ Ty’Son Williams ($1,200)
The Baltimore Ravens backfield is a pandora box of confusion. Last week the backfield was led by Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell. Freeman last week achieved 6.1 yards per carry, which was a season-best for the back. Freeman also has a touchdown in three straight games. So if I am using a running back this week from the Ravens, Freeman is my choice.
Myles Gaskin ($9,400)/ Salvon Ahmed ($800)
Myles Gaskin has had a roller coaster of a season when it comes to fantasy output. He has followed every game that he has scored more than ten fantasy points up with a fantasy performance under ten. Unfortunately, this week he gets one of the better rushing defenses in the league, and I would fade him from my lineups.
Salvon Ahmed is an absolute dart throw/salary relief player for your lineups. However, you can find a better option.
Wide Receiver
Marquise Brown ($11,000)/ Rashod Bateman ($5,800)/ Sammy Watkins ($5,600)/ Devin Duvernay ($4,800)
Marquise Brown is expensive this week, but for a good reason. He is averaging 85.3 yards a game while recording six touchdowns this season. He also averages 20 fantasy points per game. So if you can fit him into your lineups, Brown is one of the safer bets this game facing a Dolphins defense that has given up the second-most yards to wide receivers. Unfortunately, the Dolphins also allowed the second-most touchdowns(12) to the position as well.
With these stats, even if you can’t fit Brown into your salary cap, I suggest having a piece of the wide receiver pie. My favorite option is Rashod Bateman. His price point allows for flexibility in your lineup. Plus, in the last three games, he has seen six or more targets.
Jaylen Waddle ($8,200)/ Mack Hollins ($4,200)/ Albert Wilson ($400), Isaiah Ford ($200)/ Preston Williams ($200)
When it comes to the Dolphins wide receiver core, I think only two players are worthy of discussion today: Jaylen Waddle & Preston Williams. Jaylen Waddle has been crucial for the Dolphins with all the injuries to their wide receiver core. In three of his last four games, he has seen ten plus targets(seeing eight in the game he didn’t reach that mark). He should continue to be targeted early and often by whoever is under center for the Dolphins.
As for Preston Williams, coach rain Flores said Monday that Williams will be available for Thursday night’s game. With this core as depleted as they are, combined with his MASSIVE salary cap flexibility that he offers, being priced out at $200. Williams becomes the ultimate dart throw this week.
Tight End
Mark Andrews ($8,800)
Mark Andrew is a top-two option for Lamar Jackson. The Miami Dolphins have allowed 585 yards to tight ends, the fourth-worst to the position. So, Mark Andrews seems like the safe floor your lineup craves this week.
Mike Gesicki ($7,400)
The Ravens also struggle against the tight end, allowing Mike Gesicki to be an excellent option for your lineup. The Ravens have allowed the third-most yards(595) to the position while allowing the second-most touchdowns to tight ends. This week your lineups can safely handle having both tight end options.
Kickers and Defense
Ravens Defense ($4,400)/ Justin Tucker ($4,000)/ Jason Sanders ($3,400)/ Miami Dolphins ($2,800)
As you know from reading this series, I don’t like to dabble in these positions too often. However, one exception I’ll make is Justin Tucker. Tucker has five games over ten fantasy points and is one of the safest kickers in the league.
Prediction and Free Cash DFS Showdown Lineup
The Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins: 31-13
Would you like to use our DFS Lineup Optimizer? Click Here
DFS Showdown Lineup
- Lamar Jackson ($20,700) *Captain*
- Mark Andrew ($8,800)
- Rashod Bateman ($5,800)
- Justin Tucker ($4,000)
- Jaylen Waddle ($8,200)
- Preston Williams ($200)
Are you looking to use our NFL Optimizer? Click Here
