Plenty on the line in Thursday Night Football when the Tennessee Titans host the Indianapolis Colts for what is likely to be the first of a two-part series to decide the winner of the AFC South. The 6-2 Titans currently lead the standings by one game from the 5-3 Colts, who put in a brave effort in last week’s loss to Baltimore.
From a fantasy viewpoint, owners might feel cautious about starting their Titans not named Derrick Henry against a good Colts defense. While on the other side of the ball, Indianapolis’ offense has a chance to rediscover its identity against a Titans D that struggles to stop the pass or the run.
Be sure to check out our thoughts on the side and total, but for now, let’s dive into our choice for the best daily fantasy lineup for Thursday’s big game.
Captain: Jordan Wilkins, RB, Colts ($8,100)
Marlon Mack’s season-ending injury looked to have presented Jonathan Taylor the keys to the Colts’ backfield but the first-year rookie hasn’t been able to grasp the opportunity presented to him. Taylor had six rushes for 27 yards in the loss to the Ravens while also giving up a back-breaking fumble and just isn’t worth the money this week.
Leading the snap count the last two weeks for the Colts has been Jordan Wilkins and he should get plenty of touches again on Thursday. Indianapolis’ gameplay still involves establishing a ground game as a point of priority and they could get some joy against a Titans defense ranked 17th against the run.
Flex: Derrick Henry, RB, Titans ($10,800)
If you have the option to start Derrick Henry, then you start last year’s leading rusher. Henry has racked up 843 yards on the ground — the second-highest total in the NFL — and eight touchdowns through eight games.
Henry had over 200 yards and two touchdowns in two games against the Colts last season and Tennessee is averaging the sixth-highest number of rushing attempts in the NFL. Indianapolis has been good at stopping the run but slowing down an express train like Henry is an entirely different proposition.
Flex: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans ($11,200)
Of the two quarterbacks on show, Ryan Tannehill gets the nod despite a below-par showing against the Chicago Bears last week. The Titans didn’t need Tannehill to be at his best after jumping out to a 17-0 lead against the toothless Bears and he still played turnover-free football for the fourth game this year.
The signal-caller has thrown at least two touchdown passes in all but one game this year and even with Tennessee’s preference to run the football, he gets preference over Philip Rivers due to his low turnover numbers and superior weapons on offense.
Flex: A.J. Brown, WR, Titans ($10,400)
Speaking of Tannehill’s superior weapons, A.J. Brown has been consistently excellent for fantasy owners after a slow start to the season. The Titans receiver has posted double-digit returns in five straight weeks, finding the endzone in each one of those games.
He should lead Tennessee in terms of targets once more and can expose a Colts defense that has given up 100-plus receiving games to the Bengals’ Tee Higgins and little-known Marvin Hall of the Lions in two of the last three weeks.
Flex: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts ($4,400)
The Colts are looking a bit banged up on offense heading into Week 10 with tight-ends Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox set to miss out, and T.Y. Hilton carrying a groin injury. Those injuries could present an opportunity for Michael Pittman Jr. to really stamp his authority on this offense, having led the team in targets last week.
Pittman’s rookie year hasn’t been helped by injuries and while he’s yet to catch a touchdown pass, he could soon become a favorite redzone target of Rivers if he can stay healthy. He was drafted to help the Colts in that area and caught 11 touchdowns in his last year at USC, making it just a matter of time before he finds the endzone.
Flex: Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Colts ($4,000)
With money at a premium to fill the last spot, it was a straight fight between the Colts defense and kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. Before Indianapolis’ bye, it would have been an easy decision to side with Blankenship, who led the league in points at the time. The return of Darius Leonard to the Colts defense and a poor showing at Detroit in Week 8 by Blankenship made the choice a bit harder, but in a game that could come down to the last kick, it is worth rolling the dice on the man nicknamed ‘Hot Rod’.
As sturdy as the Colts defense has been, that isn’t always reflected in their fantasy points return due to a lack of turnovers. Blankenship was perfect in the minimal work he did last week in the loss to Baltimore, and offers a bit more value in the price range.
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