Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
One of the most intriguing matchups on the Week 14 NFL slate will make its presence felt on Thursday Night Football when the Los Angeles Rams host the New England Patriots. Los Angeles is 8-4 and tied atop the NFC West, while the Patriots are 6-6 and in the mix for a wild-card spot in the AFC. Needless to say, both teams could really use a win on Thursday. And football fans could always use a productive fantasy performance, whether it be in daily fantasy or in your traditional league.
Let’s take a look at our six-man lineup for this Thursday night contest, and be sure to check out our full game preview prediction on the side and total.
Captain: Robert Woods, WR, Rams ($9,200, or $13,800 as captain)
I think the Rams will have more success through the air than on the ground in this one. New England’s defense is formidable and only getting better and better, but it can be vulnerable against the pass. Its 7.7 yards per pass attempt allowed ranks 26th in the NFL. Woods, especially, should be able to capitalize. His three most recent reception totals are 12, seven, and 10 while being targeted 15, 12, and 11 times. Woods, who has 764 yards and five touchdowns this season, went for 295 yards and a score in those three games.
Flex: Jared Goff, QB, Rams ($11,000)
With Woods and Cooper Kupp as capable pass-catchers, Goff is at least a decent option on Thursday. The former No. 1 overall pick bounced back from a dreadful performance in Week 12 by torching Arizona during a crucial 38-28 victory this pass Sunday. He completed 37 of 47 passes for 351 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Flex: Damien Harris, RB, Patriots ($8,800)
Not too much unlike New England, L.A’s defense has no real weaknesses. And that’s an understatement. It is the No. 2 overall defense in the league (would be at the very top if not for the Saints’ gimme against a QB-less Denver team) and it is ranked No. 1 against the pass. Thus if it can be hurt anywhere, it’s via the run. Harris has gotten at least 14 carries on six occasions in 2020, including in each of the past two contests. The Alabama product may not go for a ton of yards, but he has a good a chance as any Patriot other than Cam Newton of finding the endzone.
Flex: Cam Akers, RB, Rams ($8,000)
Although I don’t feel great about the Rams’ running game in this one, Akers has established himself as the most productive member of their backfield trio. As a result, he could do some damage at New England’s expense. The 2020 second-round pick out of Florida State got a season-high 21 carries last weekend and turned them into 72 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 22-yard reception. One week earlier against San Francisco, Akers racked up 84 yards and a TD.
Flex: Rams Defense ($4,400)
As referenced above, the Rams’ defense is incredibly stout—arguably the best in the business right now. Aaron Donald is an absolute force in the middle of the line and is the biggest reason why his team is allowing an average of just 15 points per game at home this season. As for Newton and New England’s offense, they have improved in recent weeks but are without question inconsistent. The Pats have scored no more than 21 points in five of their six losses.
Flex: Nick Folk, K, Patriots ($4,000)
It’s very easy to see the Patriots getting enough yards to move into scoring position more than a few times on Thursday but also bogging down in the red zone. They are 22nd in the NFL in red-zone scoring percentage—both overall and on the road. Don’t worry about Folk’s questionable designation; he is going to play. The veteran has converted 19 field-goal tries in a row and has made multiple field goals in six of the last eight games.
Pickswise is the home of free NFL picks. Check out the latest NFL props and NFL parlays as well as expert underdog predictions and computer picks.
