We’re proud to partner with ThriveFantasy yet again for the 2021 NFL season! New users to Thrive can get an instant deposit match up to $100 when using promo code FANTASYPOINTS. We’ll be making our ThriveFantasy picks all season long to help you PropUp with Thrive. Find out more here.
Thursday Night Football
It’s been a loooooong wait for the National Football League to return, but we’ve made it. You deserve this…now let’s win some money. The Buccaneers’ offense really hit its stride at the end of last season with Tom Brady throwing multiple TD passes in his final 11 games (playoffs included). He also reached 40+ TDs for the first time since his historic 50-TD campaign in 2007, and his 6.6% TD rate was its highest since 2010. I’m going for a big score with Tom Brady over 3.5 TDs+INTs (120 pts) against a Cowboys’ defense that allowed the third-most TD passes per game (2.1) to opposing quarterbacks. The Cowboys will likely have to throw it more than they’d like to in Dak Prescott’s first game back off of his leg injury, but they’ll have to do all they can to keep pace. I’m expecting CeeDee Lamb to pace this passing game after he averaged 17.1 FPG in his five games with Dak last season, with at least five receptions in every game. He also gets to face Sean Murphy-Bunting, who allowed the second-most yards per slot, so I’m taking CeeDee Lamb over 68.5 receiving yards (100 pts). Enjoy the first action of the year! — Tom Brolley
Sunday Football
Stefon Diggs passing volume was elite last season, with nine games above seven catches and five with 10+ catches. One of those 10+ games last season was against a solid Steelers defense that he faces on Sunday in a game where Buffalo may continue to establish the run. Added pass-catcher Emmanuel Sanders is now listed as questionable. With that being said, I am comfortable taking Stefon Diggs over 7.5 receptions (105 pts).
The Washington Football Team gave up the 2nd least passing yards in 2020, but in his rookie season Justin Herbert was able to overcome some stellar defenses such as the Saints D that gave up the fifth least passing yards where he threw four TD’s. Out of Herbert’s 15 starts, he threw above 1.5 TD’s in 10 of them (66.66%). Herbert threw three or more TD’s in 40% of his games as well. Even against a tough defense, knowing the Chargers will be throwing often in this one I am taking Justin Herbert ABOVE 1.5 total passing TD’s (85 pts).
- Nick Skrip
Monday Night Football
The Ravens have absolutely been demolished by running back injuries over the last couple of weeks with J.K. Dobbins (ACL), Gus Edwards (ACL), and Justice Hill (Achilles) each going down with season-ending injuries. The Ravens will be trotting out the likes of Ty’Son Williams and Latavius Murray on Monday Night Football so I’m expecting Lamar Jackson to have to carry this offense with his arm and legs. I’m looking to pair Lamar Jackson over 209.5 passing yards and Mark Andrews over 57.5 receiving yards since Andrews is the new focal point of the offense (outside of Lamar, of course). The Raiders are transitioning to a new Cover 3 scheme this season and 32-year-old K.J. Wright will be in charge of patrolling the middle against Andrews. I’m expecting Greg Roman to try to exploit that matchup this week. Good Luck! — Tom Brolley
