I’ve been lucky to attend big-time college football games thanks to my four kids. Abby and Taylor went to Penn State and Billy is at the University of South Carolina. But there’s something magical about game day at James Madison University. Gracie is in JMU’s Marching Royal Dukes with the Color Guard. We attended her final regular season performance last week. The JMU Dukes (10-1), ranked 20th in the nation, beat Washington State, 24-20. As much as we love seeing JMU win, we are most proud of Gracie, a kid from a small town in N.J., who trained hard to make a Division I college’s Color Guard four years in a row. Spinning flags and catching rifles thrown into the air in synchronicity with 60 teammates is no small feat. We shed a tear as we watched her leave the field one last time. Congrats on an incredible accomplishment, Gracie.
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving full of fabulous food and copious fantasy points.
GOBBLE UP!
QB Josh Allen at Steelers — The Bills are suddenly as sour as Uncle Frank’s cranberry sauce? As wobbly as Grandma’s Jell-O mold? As runny as Aunt Nancy’s gravy? Don’t quit on Josh cold turkey. He will go feast mode in Pittsburgh this Sunday.
QB Jacoby Brissett at Buccaneers — The best fantasy quarterback since Week 6, J.B. is thankful he faces the Bucs, who have surrendered eight TD passes and almost 1,200 yards in their last three games.
RB Chase Brown vs. Ravens — Cincy is not afraid of Baltimore. Especially with Joe Burrow back at QB. Enjoy Turkey Day with a heaping helping of Brown, coming off his best game of the season (130 total yards).
RB Jaylen Warren vs. Bills — Start your running backs against Buffalo. Giving up over 800 yards rushing in their last six games, the Bills’ D is softer than Nana’s mashed potatoes.
WR Troy Franklin at Commanders — Washington has the 30th ranked pass D. Franklin is the leading receiver for the Broncos with 45 targets since Week 7. If you think that’s good, you ain’t seen stuffing yet.
WR Ladd McConkey vs. Raiders — McConkey is not big, not fast and is coming off a 13-yard effort. But beauty is in the pie of the beholder. He will bake you happy with 15 fantasy points this week.
TE Darren Waller vs. Saints — An injured pec has squashed Waller’s season since Week 7. Before then he carved up defenses with four TDs in three games. If he’s active this Sunday, give thanks.
NIBBLE DOWN!
QB Caleb Williams at Eagles — Caleb’s next four games are brutal: Eagles, Packers, Browns and Packers again. Pass on him the next few weeks just like you pass on Aunt Lily’s turnips.
QB C.J. Stroud at Colts — The Colts’ secondary just held Patrick Mahomes without a TD. If you start Stroud (concussion, check status) this week, I’d say the buckle on your hat is too tight, Pilgrim.
RB Devin Neal at Dolphins — Neal ran seven times for 18 yards replacing an injured Alvin Kamara last week. I’d rather eat disgusting strawberry rhubarb pie than start Neal this Sunday.
RB Josh Jacobs at Lions — Don’t ruin your holiday starting Jacobs. The Lions devour RBs (five TDs all year) like Uncle Charlie at the dessert table.
WR D.J. Moore at Eagles — Moore’s two TDs last week were an outlier. Previously, he had one all year. The Eagles are no turkeys. They are birds of prey, and Moore is next on the menu.
WR Michael Pittman vs. Texans — Pittman padded his gawdy stats (607 yards, 7 TDs) against some very weak competition (Miami, Pittsburgh and Tennessee twice). But when he faces a tough pass D like the Texans, he melts faster than a pad of butter on a warm dinner roll.
TE Mason Taylor vs. Falcons — The return of Tyrod Taylor at QB was supposed to speed up Mason’s development. But last week’s output (3/21 yards) was slower than a tryptophan-induced coma.
Turkey Day Specials:
The Lions’ offense is too gourd-geous. Lions 24, Packers 21
Dallas gets basted. Chiefs 27, Cowboys 20
Burrow’s return against the Ravens is fowl play. Ravens 28, Bengals 27
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com.
