Love
KC WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. LV CB Jack Jones
In the Chiefs’ first meeting with the Raiders, it was Hopkins’ first game on the roster, but he did register two catches. Fast forward to this week, Hopkins has had more time in this offense, and I am sure Patrick Mahomes has still not forgotten the Kermit puppet the Raiders players decided to troll Mahomes with. Las Vegas has lost seven straight and given up over 258 passing yards over their last three games. Hopkins is due for a great game on Black Friday.
NYG WR Malik Nabers vs. DAL CB Trevon Diggs
It is looking more likely that QB Tommy DeVito will not play, which leaves Drew Lock to start in his place. Lock provides more to the position that DeVito does, which bodes well for Nabers. Meanwhile, Dallas’ secondary is dealing with injuries. It is not a sure thing that Diggs and other starting corner DaRon Bland will play, and the Cowboys are not deep at the corner position. Nabers could provide a Thanksgiving feast for your team to kick off your week right.
DEN WR Courtland Sutton vs. CLE CB Denzel Ward
Over the last five games, Sutton has become a must-start for fantasy managers. He is a smash start once again this week despite the Browns coming off a big win against Pittsburgh. QB Bo Nix has found his rhythm and is firing on all cylinders with Sutton and even rookie WR Devaughn Vele. Cleveland is allowing around 214 passing yards a game in what has become another lost season. Fire up Sutton this week yet again.
Hate
MIA WR Jaylen Waddle vs. GB CB Keisean Nixon
Waddle finally broke through with a monster performance Sunday, posting his first double-digit scoring and first 100-receiving-yard game since Week 1. Unfortunately, the Dolphins will travel to frigid Green Bay this week, where they will try to change the narrative that Miami cannot perform in cold weather games. The narrative is fact, as the Dolphins have not won a game in which the temperature was below 40 degrees. The Packers’ defense has been stout this season with new DC Jeff Hafley at the helm. The cold weather plus a good defense spells disaster for Waddle and Miami.
BAL WR Zay Flowers vs. PHI CB Darius Slay
Philadelphia has only allowed 139 passing yards a game over the last three games. The Eagles defense is looking lethal in their first year under DC Vic Fangio, and QB Lamar Jackson could become the next victim of this defense. Flowers had an average outing against a tough Chargers secondary, and he has not had any explosive games since his back-to-back 100-yard games back in late October and early November. It will not get any easier for Flowers facing off against a secondary that includes the veteran Slay, rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell, and safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship.
NO WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. LAR CB Darious Williams
The Saints were on a bye last week, but they are still on a two-game winning streak since firing Dennis Allen. A big part of the Saints success fell on the play of Valdes-Scantling, who was signed to the team on October 21. He was able to bring the explosive plays back to the Saints offense, racking up three touchdowns and 196 receiving yards during this two-game revival. However, water seeks its own level. The Rams need a win to keep pace in the playoff hunt, and Valdes-Scantling has been a fairly average receiver unless he pops a big play. Be cautious about entering him into your lineups this week.
