Fantasy football is more than just the weekly head-to-head games we all love. On Underdog, fantasy managers can put their player-projection skills to the test by predicting player stat lines.
Here are my top Underdog plays for the Thursday Night Football Pick’em contest between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams.
Top Underdog Pick’ems for Thursday Night Football
Underdog Pick’ems allows fantasy managers to predict stat lines and fantasy-point totals for almost all fantasy-relevant players. You can make two picks that pay out 3x even money or add more selections to your entry for higher payouts.
The levels are 3x, 6x, 10x, and 20x, progressing with each additional pick ’em you add to your entry. Let’s take a look at this week’s Thursday night Underdog Pick’ems.
A.T. Perry Lower Than 13.5 Receiving Yards
Last week, New Orleans Saints WR A.T. Perry played just 42% of the snaps. He split the WR3 role with Keith Kirkwood, who played 40% of the snaps. Both played well behind WRs Rashid Shaheed and Lynn Bowden.
In that game, Perry caught both of his targets for 34 yards. The week before he saw just a single target, which he caught for 44 yards.
Yes, Perry has gone above this number in three straight games, but his playing time and target share suggest it is more flukey than anything.
With WR Chris Olave back, Perry will now be the WR4/5 with Kirkwood. His snap share may even be below 20%. It is unlikely he sees more than one target, making it very likely he doesn’t catch a pass.
Kyren Williams Higher Than 19.5 Rush Attempts
The Saints have become a run-funnel defense. This once-solid unit has fallen apart, as of late — they are now allowing 22 carries for 93 yards a game.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Over his last three games, Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams has carried the ball 21, 25, and 27 times. This is a game where the game script should not get away from L.A. They should be able to keep pounding the ball, as that is the way to move the ball on the Saints. Expect the second-best running back in fantasy football to once again reach 20 carries.
Rashid Shaheed Higher Than 2.5 Receptions
I debated going with Shaheed’s yards here, but ultimately, he’s not being used downfield that often. Yes, he will get his deep shots, but I’d rather bank on a couple of short receptions than him connecting on a low-percentage bomb.
Shaheed has caught at least three passes in five of his last six games, and his snap share and role didn’t change with Olave out of the lineup. He still primarily plays in 11-personnel and averages around a 60% snap share.
The Rams are an average matchup for wide receivers. Look for Shaheed to catch 3-4 balls again Thursday night.
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