Thanksgiving NFL DFS and Betting Cheat Sheet: Christian Watson, The Bengals and More

While people debate the merits of turkey, the best sides and desserts, we can all agree that Thanksgiving is about football. It’s tradition to watch football all day, and this year we get a great slate. The Packers-Lions game has big playoff implications and has a game total of 47.5 points.

The Chiefs are battling to make the playoffs in the AFC, while the Cowboys defense has improved since the trade deadline, and they need a win to have playoff hope. The game total is 52.5 points. While the Bengals are 3-8, the return of Joe Burrow to take on the Ravens makes the game fun to watch and has a high total of 52.5.

Here are some players to consider for DFS lineups and some player props to make the day more interesting and fun.

NFL DFS Plays For The Thanksgiving Slate

Patrick Mahomes (QB, Chiefs)

$6,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel

Mahomes hasn’t been great for fantasy recently, with one TD pass in the last three games. He has attempted at least 45 passes in each of the last two games and passed for 276 and 352 yards in the last two games. Mahomes can also add points with his rushing. He has rushed for at least 30 yards in six of 11 games. While the Cowboys defense has improved, they are still vulnerable against the pass and have allowed the most fantasy points per game to QBs. Jalen Hurts passed for 289 yards last week against Dallas. The Chiefs will be without guard Trey Smith and will lean on the pass.

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Lions)

$8,800 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel

Gibbs is playing more snaps and seeing more touches the last few games with Dan Campbell calling plays. He has played 73% and 74% of the snaps the last two weeks. The Lions are feeding their best player in critical games. Gibbs has totaled 172, 146 and 264 yards the last three games with six TDs. Gibbs has 19 receptions in the last two games. Gibbs is expensive, but easier to fit in on FanDuel.

CeeDee Lamb (WR, Cowboys)

$6,900 DraftKings, $8700 FanDuel

Lamb is too cheap on DK. Much has been made about his drops, and George Pickens has been better, but this is a spot where Lamb can excel. The usage has been there for Lamb, and he had 11 targets last week, and has at least 10 targets in five of seven games. After Lamb dropped three passes in the season-opener, he had nine catches for 112 yards the next week. Brian Schottenheimer has said Lamb will get plenty of opportunities against the Chiefs.

Christian Watson (WR, Packers)

$4,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel

Watson has become the top receiver for the Packers, especially with Tucker Kraft out for the season. Watson has a 25% target share over the last two games and gets a Lions’ defense that plays a lot of man. The Lions allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and the fifth-most receptions of 20-plus yards. Watson is one of my favorite plays on the slate, especially at the price. The Packers didn’t activate Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden is listed as questionable.

Mark Andrews (RB, Ravens)

$3,600 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel

Start your tight ends against the Bengals! Cincinnati allows the most fantasy points per game by more than five points over the next team. They have allowed 13 TDs to the position and 87.5 receiving yards per game. Three tight ends have reached 100 yards, including Hunter Henry last week with 115 yards. Andrews has been a red zone threat and has four TDs in the last four games. Even Isaiah Likely can be considered at $2,600 on DK and $4,800 on FD.

NFL DFS Value Plays For The Thanksgiving Slate

Mitch Tinsley (WR, Bengals)

$3,500 DraftKings, $4100 FanDuel

Tinsley played 74% of the snaps last week with Ja’Marr Chase out due to suspension. He had six targets and caught two passes for 29 yards with a TD and beat Christian Gonzalez on the play. Tee Higgins is out with a concussion and Tinsley should see a similar snap rate. Tinsley had a strong training camp and preseason and drew praise from Joe Burrow. Especially important, he allows you to get in high-priced players.

Mark Gesicki (TE, Bengals)

$3,100 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel

Gesicki returned from injured reserve last week and was on pace for a big game after getting three targets on the first drive. He finished with six targets, catching four passes for 35 yards. Gesickii excelled last season when either Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins was out last season and Higgins is in the concussion protocol. In five games without Higgins last season, Gesicki averaged 13.6 points per game. Gesicki ran 65% of the routes and had a 16% target share last week. Gesicki could be part of a two-TE build to get in the elite players.

NFL Player Prop Bets For The Thanksgiving Slate

Christian Watson over 51.5 receiving yards (-114, FanDuel)

Watson has quickly played himself into a primary role in the Packers offense. He has played at least 74% of the snaps in each of the last three games. The Lions play a lot of man and Watson has the speed to get open, especially downfield. Watson is averaging 16.6 yards per reception and had a season-high seven targets last week. He has a 25% target share over the last two games. The Packers will likely be pushed more in this game compared to recent weeks and need to pass more. Watson has the ability to get the bulk of the yards on one play.

Rashee Rice over 74.5 receiving yards (-115, BetMGM)

It’s clear the Chiefs are making an emphasis on getting Rice the ball. Since his return from suspension, he's had at least seven targets in every game. Rice has at least 80 receiving yards in three of the games and is coming off a 141-yard game last week. The Cowboys have struggled to contain wide receivers, with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both reaching 89 receiving yards last week. They have allowed the fourth-most yards to wide receivers. The Cowboys tend to play more zone defense and Rice excels in that matchup.