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Thursday Night Football
This isn’t the most exciting Thursday night contest, but I’m interested to take a closer look at the last two top overall picks. I also want to take a closer look at what Urban Meyer is doing in Jacksonville to see just how big of a trainwreck this team is in the early going. I’m looking for the Bengals to control this game so I’m taking Joe Mixon over 91.5 rushing and receiving yards (105 pts). This week’s gamescript sets up for another heavy workload for Mixon — he’s averaging 22.3 carries per game — and the Jaguars have allowed four rushing touchdowns to RBs in the early going. I’m also going with outstanding rookie Ja’Marr Chase over 57.5 receiving yards (80 pts). He’s scored from 30+ yards away in each of his first three games as a pro and the Jaguars are allowing 14.8 YPR to WRs in the early going. Good luck tonight! — Tom Brolley
Looking into some over and under selections available for tonight on the Thrive Fantasy app, the immediate smash to me is Marvin Jones Jr. over 4.5 total receptions (75 pts). The veteran of the Jaguars receiving core is Top 15 in the league currently for targets, and has had over 4.5 receptions in all three weeks so far this season (5-6-6). Another selection will be Carlos Hyde under 40.5 rushing yards (75 pts). James Robinson looks to have established himself yet again as a feature back for the Jaguars, evident the last two games as Robinson carried the ball 11 times in Week 2 to Hyde’s two carries, and then last week with Robinson carrying the ball 15 times to Hyde’s eight. Although Hyde hit 44 yards exactly twice this season, those average yards gained were 4.9 and then last week 5.5 which is not sustainable and not to be expected from him. I do not see Hyde’s volume increasing a ton if at all vs. the Bengals who are favored. - Nick Skrip
Sunday Football
Another Sunday, another set of Thrive Fantasy selections. Despite Kirk Cousins playing a tough Browns pass rush that ate up Justin Fields last week, his #6 rank in pressured completion percentage along with holding the second highest QBR this season should keep the confidence. Cousins has thrown for over a 73% completion rate in ⅔ of his games this season, and has yet to turn over the ball at all in any of his three games. I will smash the Kirk Cousins under .5 INT (125 pts) option with it being for higher points. Tom Brady vs. the Patriots will be a future ESPN 30 for 30, and I expect Bruce Arians to push for Brady to have a big day vs. his former team and coach. Week 1 Brady threw for 32 completions and last week he threw 41 completions so the option for Tom Brady over 25.5 total completions (100 pts) will be another Thrive Fantasy selection. - Nick Skrip
Everyone can’t stop talking about the big #RevengeGame today…Jacoby Brissett taking on his old Colts’ squad. Tom Brady is also closing out the day against the Patriots, which might be interesting to some in the New England area. The slate starts out with a big matchup with the Panthers heading to the Big D, and I’m taking Sam Darnold (Car) over 267.5 passing yards. He’s averaged 8+ YPA in each of his first three starts with the Panthers, all victories, and the Cowboys have given up 325+ passing yards in every game this season. I’m also taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) over 57.5 rushing yards against another defense that invites opponents to run the ball. He took advantage of it last week after an early lost fumble, posting 17/100 rushing against the Chargers. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combined for 28/155/2 rushing against the Eagles last week. All eyes will be on Brady in the final game of the day, but I’m looking at TB12’s successor on the other sideline and taking Mac Jones (NE) over 256.5 passing yards. Tampa Bay is the top pass-funnel defense, and the Buccaneers’ secondary is giving up a league-high 338.3 passing yards per game. Good luck! — Tom Brolley
Monday Night Football
We have a huge AFC West showdown to finish the week, and I’m wondering if the Raiders will have more fans in the stands in this one as they come back to their old stomping grounds. I’m looking at Hunter Renfrow (LV) over 3.5 receptions (90 points) for my first prop in this contest. Renforw led the Raiders in fantasy production (18.7) with 5/77/1 receiving on six targets in Week 3, and he now has 5+ catches and 55+ receiving yards in each of Las Vegas’ first three games. He could be active this week since the Chargers sell out to stop deep threats, which is why I’m also looking at Henry Ruggs (LV) under 50.5 receiving yards (100 points). He’s running routes on just 64% of Carr’s dropbacks through the first three weeks, and the Chargers kept Tyreek Hill in check with 5/56 receiving last week. Good luck! — Tom Brolley
