Fantasy Football Week 13: Complete Thanksgiving Preview
First things first and that’s happy Thanksgiving to all.
It’s a time for being grateful for what we have. It’s also an opportunity to spend time with family and friends…and watch three NFL games. And all of these contests are of the divisional variety.
The Chicago Bears are headed to Detroit to battle the Lions, the Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers renew acquaintances.
This week, we are going to change things up a bit from our usual Thursday and Monday prime-time fantasy previews. While we will obviously focus on all six starting quarterbacks, we will highlight the top performer(s) for each team at running back, wide receiver and tight end.
Don’t worry. We won’t ignore the defenses and the injury report for all of these clubs. And we’ll take some time to give you the best of the best when it comes to adding to your lineup and what key decisions are to be made when it comes to sits and starts.
So check out what we have served up for you here. The sooner the better so you can get to basting that turkey.
Bears vs. Lions: Starting Quarterbacks
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Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler
To say it’s been another erratic season for the much-maligned signal-caller would be somewhat of an understatement.
Cutler has thrown 10 more touchdown passes (22) than interceptions (12) but has also lost six fumbles. While he’s thrown for two or more scores in seven of his 11 outings, he’s also been picked off at least twice in five of those games.
Fantasy Prediction: 23-of-35, 263 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 2 carries, 11 yards, 0 TD
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford
While the Lions are in the midst of a successful season, the six-year pro has not put up eye-popping numbers. Stafford is completing just 58.8 percent of his passes this season, good for just 13 touchdowns while throwing 10 interceptions.
In the back-to-back losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots the last two weeks, the Lions have combined for five field goals and zero touchdowns. Stafford was picked off once in each of those setbacks. Then again, he should find the Bears' 28th-ranked pass defense a little more to his liking.
Fantasy Prediction: 30-of-40, 321 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 3 carries, 7 yards, 0 TD
Eagles vs. Cowboys: Starting Quarterbacks
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Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Sanchez
You know it is coming. No ifs, ands or butts.
For the second time in three years, Sanchez will start a game on Thanksgiving Day. Two years ago it was for the New York Jets against the New England Patriots. Enough said.
This week, the six-year pro makes his fourth straight start for Chip Kelly’s team. In his previous four appearances this season (one in relief of Nick Foles), Sanchez has thrown seven touchdown passes and has also totaled 300-plus passing yards in three straight games.
However, the Eagles quarterback has also been picked off six times and has fumbled on five occasions, losing two of those miscues.
We will see if the Dallas defense takes advantage of any possible opportunities.
Fantasy Prediction: 19-of-31, 311 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 4 carries, 26 yards, 0 TD
Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo
There have been a couple of potholes along the road this season for the talented Romo. But he’s more than responded to any challenges this season.
After throwing three interceptions in the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, he’s been picked off just three times since. Since sitting out the contest with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9, he’s thrown a combined seven touchdown passes without an interception in consecutive wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.
Romo has reached the 300-yard passing mark just once in 10 games this season, a good sign thanks to the Dallas running game, and still managed to throw two or more touchdown passes in seven of his last eight games.
Fantasy Prediction: 24-of-29, 345 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 0 carries
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Starting Quarterbacks
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Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson
Last week epitomized what you get from the savvy performer.
Wilson was sacked seven times by the Arizona Cardinals. But he also ran for a team-high 73 yards and threw the only touchdown pass of the game in the 19-3 victory.
The Super Bowl XLVIII champion has thrown 14 touchdown passes and committed only five turnovers this season. Add 644 yards rushing and four scores and good luck 49ers defense.
Fantasy Prediction: 18-of-23, 196 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 8 carries, 65 yards, 0 TD
San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick
Despite his history in this series, we are going to be a little bold in our forecast for the fourth-year quarterback.
Including last year’s NFC title games, Kaepernick has made four starts vs. the Seahawks and lost three of them. He’s thrown three touchdown passes while committing nine turnovers (seven interceptions, two lost fumbles) and his team has score a combined 52 points.
With the help of his running game and tight end Vernon Davis, look for the young signal-caller to flip the script a bit.
Fantasy Prediction: 20-of-31, 230 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 5 carries, 31 yards, 0 TD
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Bears vs. Lions: Running Backs
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Chicago Bears: Matt Forte
The versatile running back is closing in on another 1,000-yard season on the ground. Forte has rushed for 822 yards and five touchdowns this season, running for 100-plus yards in two of his last four games.
The productive performer not only leads the team in catches but ranks fourth in the league with 72 receptions, good for an additional 598 yards and three scores. Forte has totaled five or more catches in 10 of his 11 outings in 2014.
Fantasy Prediction: 15 carries, 38 yards, 0 TD; 6 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD
Detroit Lions: Reggie Bush
Injuries have kept the nine-year veteran out of the lineup this season. Bush has missed two straight and four of the team’s last six contests. Hence the talented performer has totaled only 53 carries for 191 yards and one touchdown on the ground in seven games this season.
Bush ranks third on the team with 26 catches but those grabs have added up to just 169 yards and zero scores.
Fantasy Prediction: 8 carries, 45 yards, 0 TD; 2 receptions, 28 yards, 0 TD
Detroit Lions: Joique Bell
He’s been the team’s most reliable running back this season. When Bush is healthy, the Lions have an effective 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
Bell leads the team with 490 rushing yards and has run for three scores. He’s totaled more than half (141) of the team’s 271 rushing plays this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 17 carries, 96 yards, 0 TD; 2 receptions, 17 yards, 0 TD
Eagles vs. Cowboys: Running Backs
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Philadelphia Eagles: LeSean McCoy
After a sluggish start, you can once again find McCoy among the NFL leaders in rushing. He currently ranks fourth in the league with 859 yards on the ground (three touchdowns) and comes off a 130-yard, one-score performance in last Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans.
With Darren Sproles in town, McCoy is not the factor he has been in the passing game. He’s totaled just 23 catches for 111 yards and zero touchdowns this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 23 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD; 4 receptions, 35 yards, 0 TD
Philadelphia Eagles: Darren Sproles
Speaking of the former Saint (and not the devil), the big-play performer has lived to his billing after making the trip from the Big Easy to the City of Brotherly Love this offseason.
Sproles ranks second on the team with 282 yards rushing and five touchdowns, as well as fifth on the club with 26 catches for 294 yards. He also has returned two punts for scores.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 27 yards, 0 TD
Dallas Cowboys: DeMarco Murray
A year ago, it was McCoy who led the NFL with 1,607 yards rushing. Barring injuries, it figures to be Murray this season, whose 1,354 yards on the ground is 403 more than Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who ranks second in the league.
Murray has rushed for 100 or more yards in 10-of-11 games this season. He’s enjoying a career year and takes aim at a Philadelphia defense than ranks 16th in the NFL in 2014 in run defense.
Fantasy Prediction: 25 carries, 165 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 16 yards, 0 TD
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Running Backs
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Seattle Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch
It’s been an all-purpose year for Lynch, who has been a beast when it comes to running the ball and reaching the end zone.
The Seahawks offensive unit has totaled 28 touchdowns this season (14 rushing, 14 receiving). The hard-charging running back has a dozen of those scores, rushing for 852 yards and nine touchdowns and catching 27 passes, good for three scores.
Fantasy Prediction: 22 carries, 83 yards, 0 TD; 3 receptions, 21 yards, 0 TD
San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore
The Niners are a better football team when they are feeding Gore. He’s rushed for 684 yards this season but has run for only two touchdowns. And Gore has caught only eight passes in 2014, although one was for a 55-yard score.
Fantasy Prediction: 25 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 17 yards, 0 TD
San Francisco 49ers: Carlos Hyde
The rookie from Ohio State has four of the team’s six rushing touchdowns this season. Hyde has totaled 255 yards rushing on 70 carries in his debut campaign. And like Gore, he’s totaled only eight receptions this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 12 carries, 66 yards, 0 TD; 1 reception, 8 yards, 0 TD
Bears vs. Lions: Wide Receivers
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Chicago Bears: Brandon Marshall
It’s not been the kind of year you would expect from Marshall, and injuries have played a part in that. Still, the talented wideout knows his way to the end zone, totaling a team-high eight touchdown receptions this season.
Marshall ranks fourth on the team with 52 catches, averaging just 11.9 yards per reception. He won’t find the Detroit defense easy to exploit on Thursday.
Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 78 yards, 0 TD
Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery
The third-year wideout exploded in the second half of 2013, but, like Marshall, injuries have been a factor in 2014. Still, Jeffery ranks second on the club with 58 grabs, good for a team-high 783 yards and five touchdowns.
The talented performer has scored in three of the team’s last four games.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD
Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson
We have been waiting for a mega-effort from arguably the league’s best wide receiver when healthy and you get the feeling Thanksgiving Day will be no holiday for the Bears.
After missing three straight games, Johnson has been targeted a combined 37 times the last three weeks. But he’s totaled just 16 catches for 230 yards and one touchdown. Look for some very different numbers against the Bears.
Fantasy Prediction: 8 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD
Detroit Lions: Golden Tate
The Super Bowl XLVIII champion has proven to be one of the tremendous additions for any team this offseason. Tate is tied for fourth in the league with 72 receptions, good for 1,047 yards and three scores.
During this career year, the former Seattle Seahawks’ performer has totaled 100 or more receiving yards in five games and 90-plus yards in two more.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
Eagles vs. Cowboys: Wide Receivers
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Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremy Maclin
The one-time first-round pick missed all of 2013 due to injury. It’s safe to say he’s made up for lost time this season.
Maclin has accumulated team highs in catches (63), receiving yards (980) and touchdown grabs (nine). He’s scored at least one touchdown in seven games this season and has reached the end zone five times in the team’s last five outings.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 54 yards, 0 TD.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Matthews
You get the feeling that while Nick Foles got the majority of reps this summer with veteran wideouts Maclin and Riley Cooper, this rookie was spending a little more times with backup quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Matthews currently ranks second on the team with 50 catches, good for 635 yards and six touchdowns. But it’s interesting to note that in his last four games, most of that with Sanchez at quarterback, the talented youngster has totaled 21 catches for 362 yards and four of his six scores.
That’s some impressive rapport.
Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Cooper
While Cooper ranks third on the team with 39 receptions, he’s scored just one touchdown and is averaging just 10.9 yards per catch.
One season ago, the fifth-year pro totaled 47 grabs for 835 yards and reached the end zone eight times.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 19 yards, 0 TD
Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant
He’s been hot in recent weeks when it comes to the end zone.
Bryant leads the Cowboys with 63 catches, good for 879 yards and 10 scores. In his last four games, the talented performer has scored six touchdowns, two each in the recent wins over the Jaguars and Giants.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
Dallas Cowboys: Terrance Williams
After a very strong start, Williams’ production has fallen off for any numbers of reasons. While he ranks fourth on the team with 28 catches and second on the squad with six touchdown receptions, he’s totaled only three catches for 37 yards in his last three outings.
Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 111 yards, 0 TD
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Wide Receivers
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Seattle Seahawks: Doug Baldwin
It could be a big night for Baldwin, who hopes to take advantage of a Niners defense that has allowed 18 touchdown passes in 11 games. Baldwin leads the team with 46 catches for 491 yards and a pair of scores this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 7 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
Seattle Seahawks: Jermaine Kearse
He’s listed on this week’s injury report but we’ll forecast him to play. Kearse has totaled 26 catches for 380 yards and one touchdown this season.
Kearse has not scored a touchdown in seven straight games.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 25 yards, 0 TD
San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree
Crabtree ranks second on the team with 48 catches and 567 receiving yards while being tied for the team lead with four touchdown receptions. And yes, we all can’t wait for him and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman to renew acquaintances on Thursday night.
Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions, 54 yards, 0 TD
San Francisco 49ers: Anquan Boldin
Boldin remains the Wes Unseld of the NFL. If the ball is thrown his way, traffic or not, he’s likely to get the rebound, per se. The 12-year veteran leads the team with 65 grabs, good for 825 yards and four touchdowns.
After not catching a touchdown pass in the team’s first five games this year, all four of Boldin’s scores have come in the Niners’ last six contests.
Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 48 yards, 0 TD
Bears vs. Lions: Tight Ends
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Chicago Bears: Martellus Bennett
Some were expecting a bit of a falloff for Bennett this season but he’s responded with solid numbers.
The well-traveled performer ranks third on the team with 57 catches, five of those for scores.
Last season, his first with the Bears, Bennett finished with 65 receptions, also good for five touchdowns. It appears he has finally found a home.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 35 yards, 0 TD
Detroit Lions: Brandon Pettigrew
Nine catches for 68 yards is a respectable game for some players. But those are Pettigrew’s numbers for the season. The former first-round pick has missed two of the team’s last four contests and hasn’t been targeted in three of his last four appearances.
Fantasy Prediction: 0 receptions
Detroit Lions: Eric Ebron
The 10th overall pick in May’s draft has shown flashes at times but it has not been a good year for tight ends in the Motor City as injuries have been an enormous factor.
Ebron has totaled 16 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown this season. He’s caught six passes for 45 yards the last two weeks after missing three straight games.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 37 yards, 0 TD
Eagles vs. Cowboys: Tight Ends
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Philadelphia Eagles: Brent Celek
Celek is still waiting to score his first touchdown of this season but it certainly hasn’t been for a lack of trying, especially in recent weeks with quarterback Mark Sanchez at the controls.
In his last three games, the unsung tight end has caught 11 passes for 175 yards. That compares to his first eight outings this season, when Celek totaled 14 catches for 90 yards. Still, it remains to be seen how many opportunities he gets against the Dallas defense.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 12 yards, 0 TD
Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Ertz
Early in the season, he appeared to be a good bargain for fantasy owners. But Ertz has totaled just 10 receptions for 106 yards in his last four games and hasn’t scored a touchdown in five straight contests. In 2014, Ertz has totaled 34 catches for 460 yards and a pair of scores.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 41 yards, 0 TD
Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten
It’s hasn’t been an enormous year for the perennial Pro Bowler in terms of receptions (43). Then again, it hasn’t had to be.
Witten is averaging 10.7 yards this season per catch and has scored only four touchdowns. But it should be noted that three of those four scores have come in three of the team’s last four games.
Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 31 yards, 0 TD
Dallas Cowboys: Gavin Escobar
While Witten is clearly the man at tight end, Escobar intrigues at times. He’s totaled just eight catches for 99 yards this season but has scored three touchdowns. Both he and his veteran sidekick could exploit the Eagles’ 3-4 defensive unit.
Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 22 yards, 1 TD
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Tight Ends
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Seattle Seahawks: Luke Willson
It has not been a banner year for tight ends nor any pass-catchers in the Pacific Northwest.
Willson has totaled 12 catches for 151 yards, his lone touchdown of the season coming in the team’s 13-9 win at Carolina a few weeks ago.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 12 yards, 0 TD
Seattle Seahawks: Tony Moeaki
The one-time Kansas City Chiefs performer hasn’t been with the team long but he could be a long-term answer at the position. Moeaki has caught five passes for 35 yards and one touchdown in two games with the Seahawks.
Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 23 yards, 0 TD
San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis
Injuries have limited Davis to nine games this season. He’s caught just 21 passes for 197 yards and two scores, both touchdowns in the Week 1 win at Dallas.
However, this week he takes aim at a Seattle defense that has allowed just 15 scores through their air this season but 10 of those have been to tight ends.
Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions, 65 yards, 2 TD
Defense/Special Teams
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Chicago Bears Defense/Special Teams
One year ago, the Bears allowed 478 points and a total of 47 offensive touchdowns.
While they have been a bit better in recent weeks against the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the jury is certainly still out.
It is worth noting that the team has totaled 27 sacks this season, just four fewer sacks than they managed during all of 2013.
Fantasy Prediction: 24 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 0 FF
Detroit Lions Defense/Special Teams
Last week, the Lions gave up a season-high 34 points in the lopsided loss to the New England Patriots. Despite that performance, Jim Caldwell’s team has allowed a league-low 190 points this season. And defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has seen his unit surrender only 20 offensive touchdowns in 11 games in 2014.
All told, Detroit has totaled 26 sacks in 11 games this season compared to 33 sacks during all of last season. The team’s 17 takeaways this year are just five fewer (22) than last season.
Fantasy Prediction: 20 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
Philadelphia Eagles Defense/Special Teams
A year ago, these Birds gave up the most passing yards in the league. Things aren’t much better this season as Philadelphia ranks 30th in the NFL in pass defense.
So why has this unit been such a boom for fantasy owners? The Eagles have a combined 10 return touchdowns this season. There’s also been the matter of 38 sacks and 19 takeaways.
Fantasy Prediction: 35 points allowed, 2 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF
Dallas Cowboys Defense/Special Teams
How good is the Cowboys defense? Who knows? Thanks to the team’s commitment to the running game, we haven’t seen a lot of Rod Marinelli’s unit in 2014.
Dallas defenders have picked off 11 passes this season (part of the team’s 18 takeaways) and have returned two of those thefts for scores. However, a struggling pass rush has produced only 18 sacks this season.
Fantasy Prediction: 24 points allowed, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FF
Seattle Seahawks Defense/Special Teams
One season ago on their way to a title, the Seahawks allowed the fewest points, fewest yards and totaled the most takeaways in the entire NFL.
While Pete Carroll’s team currently ranks first in the league in fewest yards allowed, some of the team’s other numbers have been disappointing—especially for fantasy owners.
The Seahawks have produced just 16 sacks in 11 games, down considerably from last year’s performance (44 sacks). And while the team has come up with 10 takeaways in their last five outings, they have forced only 15 turnovers in 2014, quite the falloff from a year ago when they totaled 39 takeaways.
Fantasy Prediction: 21 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF
San Francisco 49ers Defense/Special Teams
Now that former Pro Bowl outside linebacker Aldon Smith is back, you can look for the Niners’ sack numbers to increase. He’s totaled two sacks in as many games, bringing the team’s total to 22 sacks this year.
During the team’s current three-game winning streak, San Francisco has totaled seven sacks and nine takeaways (five of those thefts via interceptions of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in Week 11).
Fantasy Prediction: 19 points allowed, 6 sacks, 0 INT, 2 FF
Best Sleeper Adds
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Rest assured, when it comes to this kind of shopping, you will beat the Black Friday crowd (obviously because these games are on Thanksgiving Day). So is there a bargain still available in your league?
1. Theo Riddick, Running Back, Detroit Lions (Owned in 7.2 percent of ESPN leagues)
With Reggie Bush hurting and the tight end not being much of a factor in the Lions offense these days, Riddick could see more than a few passes his way.
2. Gavin Escobar, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys (Owned in 0.5 percent of ESPN leagues)
The Philadelphia defense hasn’t shown too much resistance this season. Don’t be shocked if the young tight end treats himself to a Thanksgiving Day touchdown.
3. Christine Michael, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks (Owned in 2.3 percent of ESPN leagues)
It will be all hands on deck in a physical matchup with the 49ers. Michael could spell Marshawn Lynch on numerous occasions, especially on this short week.
4. Stevie Johnson, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers (Owned in 6.5 percent of ESPN leagues)
The Seattle defense has given up only four touchdown receptions to wide receivers this season in 11 games. But the speedy Johnson could succeed where Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin may not.
Injury Report
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Injuries always play a big part in these games, so here’s a look at some of the key performers for each team and who may or may not be available. The complete list can be found courtesy of NFL.com.
Chicago Bears | ||
Player | Status | |
Lance Briggs | LB | Out |
Jay Ratliff | DT | Doubtful |
Kyle Fuller | CB | Questionable |
Brandon Marshall | WR | Probable |
Brock Vereen | S | Probable |
We won’t see Briggs on Thursday and Ratliff did not practice all week. Both Fuller and Marshall were limited in practice the last three days but the latter figures to play.
Detroit Lions | ||
Player | Status | |
Larry Warford | G | Out |
Nick Fairley | DT | Out |
Reggie Bush | RB | Questionable |
Riley Reiff | T | Questionable |
Calvin Johnson | WR | Probable |
Ezekiel Ansah | DE | Probable |
Both Bush and Reiff were limited in practice the last few days. Along with Ansah, the secondary is too represented on the injury report with cornerback Rashean Mathis and safeties James Ihedigbo and Glover Quin. However the trio and “Megatron” are all expected to be ready.
Philadelphia Eagles | ||
Player | Status | |
Jordan Matthews | WR | Probable |
Zach Ertz | TE | Probable |
Jason Peters | T | Probable |
Nate Allen | S | Probable |
As expected, we won’t see quarterback Nick Foles once again. We do expect for Mark Sanchez to have both Matthews (perhaps his favorite target) and Ertz, as well as his sturdy left tackle in Peters, at his disposal.
Dallas Cowboys | ||
Player | Status | |
Tony Romo | QB | Probable |
Terrance Williams | WR | Probable |
Doug Free | T | Probable |
Tyrone Crawford | DE | Probable |
Nick Hayden | DT | Probable |
Rolando McClain | LB | Probable |
There’s no reason to think we won’t see any of these performers on Thanksgiving Day. Romo returned to practice on Tuesday and Williams on Wednesday.
Seattle Seahawks | ||
Player | Status | |
Cooper Helfet | TE | Out |
Max Unger | C | Out |
Marshawn Lynch | RB | Probable |
Jermaine Kearse | WR | Probable |
James Carpenter | G | Probable |
Helfet scored the game’s only touchdown last week in Seattle’s 19-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals but he’s out this week, joining Unger on the list. There’s no reason to think we won’t see the remaining names for this NFC West showdown.
San Francisco 49ers | ||
Player | Status | |
T | Out | |
Frank Gore | RB | Probable |
Brandon Lloyd | WR | Probable |
Justin Smith | DT | Probable |
Eric Reid | S | Probable |
Gore, Lloyd and Reid all figure to be ready. Meanwhile, the intriguing decision will come with Smith, who didn’t practice on Monday or Tuesday and was limited on Wednesday. Stay tuned.
Sit or Start
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Who plays and who doesn’t? Here is a look at all six teams playing on Thursday and one key decision you may be forced to make.
RB Matt Forte (Bears): Unless you’re the New England Patriots, that Detroit defense is pretty tough. But while Teryl Austin’s unit is focusing on Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, Forte could succeed as a pass-catcher.
Verdict: Start
TE Brandon Pettigrew (Lions): Pettigrew did not catch a pass last week despite starting the game. But he could get healthy production-wise against Chicago’s woeful defense. It would be a big-time surprise.
Verdict: Sit
QB Mark Sanchez (Eagles): We expect the much-maligned quarterback to put up some respectable yardage numbers in this contest, but his penchant for turnovers may prove too costly.
Verdict: Sit
TE Jason Witten (Cowboys): He’s given the Eagles fits in the past but he’ll do it in a different way on Thursday via his stellar blocking.
Verdict: Sit
WR Doug Baldwin (Seahawks): With the team hurting a bit at wide receiver and tight end, Baldwin could be busier than usual. Look for him to score Seattle’s only touchdown of the evening.
Verdict: Start
QB Colin Kaepernick (49ers): As we have noted, facing the Seahawks defense no matter where the game is has been a problem for the young signal-caller. But Kaepernick will benefit from his teammates in the backfield and Vernon Davis is an inviting target.
Verdict: Start
Some statistical support provided by Pro-Football-Reference, NFL.com and ESPN.com. Depth chart info provided by Ourlads.
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