FanDuel players, it is definitely a bummer that Ben Roethlisberger won’t be around this week to go up against the Ravens in tonight’s Thursday Night Football game. So to make the game more interesting, enter a FanDuel tournament with this Thursday-only roster and make some money.
Quarterback: Joe Flacco ($8,000)
Michael Vick is filling in for Big Ben, and he’s cheaper, but no. Don’t bet on the historically inaccurate QB with a short week to prepare for a desperate Ravens defense. Don’t do it. Even if he has Antonio Brown. Take Flacco, who won’t be under as much duress as he’s been lately, to make big plays against Pittsburgh’s 26th-ranked pass defense.
Steelers Should Pare Down Playbook For Michael Vick
RB1: Le’Veon Bell ($8,900)
This is a no-brainer. Baltimore’s defense hasn’t been that good this season, and Bell didn’t miss a beat last week after his two-game suspension ended. Bell can hurt the Ravens in more ways than one, and with Vick running the show there should be plenty of check downs for Bell to do damage.
RB2: Justin Forsett ($6,700)
Forsett’s seen an enormous drop-off in production from last season, and is losing carries. Pittsburgh’s rushing defense is also surprisingly ranked fourth in the NFL. These are all bad stats for Forsett, but if the choices are between him, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Buck Allen, the choice becomes simple.
Top Bargains On FanDuel For Week 4 At Every Position
WR1: Antonio Brown ($8,900)
Brown is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, so even without Roethlisberger’s precision, and even with the drop-off in volume with Vick under center, Brown is likely to be the top-performing wide receiver in this game. If you’re making a Thursday only team for a Steelers game, you’re just giving away money if Brown’s not in the lineup.
WR2: Steve Smith ($7,300)
Many will say do not expect Smith to repeat his Week 3 performance when he went off for 13 catches, 186 yards and two touchdowns. I say expect a big game, even if it doesn’t match that peak. Smith is the only real threat in this passing game, and he’s up against a secondary this week that can’t contain him. If Forsett can’t get going, it’ll be another week of double-digit receptions.
WR3: Darrius Heyward-Bey ($5,100)
His targets have dropped, but he remains a home run threat down the field, and the Ravens’ pass defense has been shoddy through the first three games. If there’s one advantage Vick has over other quarterbacks, even at 34 years old, it’s arm strength. Vick’s legs have always drawn the most attention, but he has one of the NFL’s all-time best arms; if he uncorks one to DHB, it’ll be a points bonanza.
TE: Heath Miller ($5,500)
Miller is extremely touchdown-dependent, because his targets have not been there, even with Roethlisberger slinging it. In the red zone, however, Miller becomes a big option, especially with WR Martavis Bryant still out on suspension. Miller is also a safety valve-type player, and Vick will be asked to avoid taking too many chances tonight.
K: Justin Tucker ($4,900)
A no-brainer. Tucker is better than Josh Scobee by a mile; the Steelers don’t even trust him to attempt extra points.
Defense: Ravens
Vick is probably good for two turnovers. The Ravens badly need this game, and Vick, on short preparation, will not be able to establish a flow in this offense this quickly.
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