The NFL continues its holiday week schedule with two games Saturday: the Chargers will host the Texans followed by the Ravens taking on the Packers. These two matchups also provide us with a two-game DFS slate, so let's break down each position on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Quarterback
Injuries will play a role at quarterback for this slate. The Ravens have listed Lamar Jackson (back) as doubtful, setting up Tyler Huntley ($4,800 DK, $7,100 FD) to start. It won't be an easy matchup considering that the Packers have allowed the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt in the league. The Packers have their own injury issues at quarterback with Jordan Love (concussion, $5,500 DK, $7,600 FD) and Malik Willis (shoulder/illness, $5,000 DK, $7,600 FD) both listed as questionable. If Love plays, he is an appealing option given the Ravens have allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game.
It's difficult to get overly excited about either Justin Herbert ($6,000 DK, $8,400 FD) or C.J. Stroud ($5,300 DK, $7,300 FD). Herbert could be in for a rough day because the Texans have given up the fourth-fewest passing yards per game, are tied for the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns allowed and are tied for the third-most interceptions. It won't be much easier for Stroud, as the Chargers have allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns and are tied with the Texans for the third-most interceptions. If Love plays, it's difficult to argue against him.
Running Back
Derrick Henry ($7,200 DK, $9,200 FD) and Josh Jacobs ($7,000 DK, $8,400 FD) are the two big names at running back for the slate. Henry is coming off back-to-back games with at least 100 rushing yards and could receive a heavy workload with Jackson expected to be sidelined. Jacobs has battled injuries lately, but he has already been cleared for Saturday. His receiving prowess could benefit him because the Ravens have given up the fourth-most receptions to running backs in the league.
The Chargers might be without Kimani Vidal (neck, $4,800 DK, $5,700 FD), who is listed as questionable. Omarion Hampton ($6,300 DK, $6,900 FD) has already passed him on the depth chart, rushing 31 times over the last two games. He won't have an easy matchup, though, with the Texans allowing the fifth-fewest yards per carry to running backs. A more favorable matchup awaits Woody Marks ($6,000 DK, $6,700 FD) against a Chargers defense that's allowed the 11th-most yards per carry to the position.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
It's difficult to be overly excited about any of the pass catchers on the Ravens or Chargers. Huntley hasn't thrown for more than 227 yards in a game since 2021, and his last game with at least two passing touchdowns came in the 2022 playoffs. The only Raven to even consider is Zay Flowers ($6,400 DK, $7,700 FD), who had seven receptions for 84 yards last week despite Jackson leaving early against the Patriots. The reason to avoid the Chargers' pass catchers is that the Texans have allowed the third-fewest receptions to wide receivers in the league and the fifth-fewest yards per target to tight ends.
The Chargers have had problems defending tight ends, giving up the 10th-most yards per target to the position. That fits right into the Texans' wheelhouse because one of their best options in their passing attack is Dalton Schultz ($4,200 DK, $5,600 FD), who has been targeted 26 times over the last four games, finishing with at least five receptions in three of them.
As far as the wide receivers go, Nico Collins ($7,400 DK, $8,500 FD) does at least come with big-play upside. He has an average depth of target of 12.4 yards and has accounted for 35.7 percent of the Texans' air yards. It might only take a couple of big plays to be worth his salary. Christian Watson ($5,000 DK, $6,500 FD) is listed as questionable for the Packers with an illness. The Ravens aren't a bad matchup, but Romeo Doubs ($4,900 DK, $6,200 FD), Jayden Reed ($4,500 DK, $5,900 FD), Matthew Golden ($3,800 DK, $5,200 FD) and Dontayvion Wicks ($3,600 DK, $5,300 FD) are all healthy now. If Watson plays, it's almost a coin flip as to which player will be productive in any given game. Considering their salaries, the player to take a chance on might be Reed, who has been targeted 13 times over three games since returning from injury.
Defense/Special Teams
The Texans ($3,000 DK, $4,600 FD) have allowed just 16.6 points per game, which is the fewest in the NFL. The Chargers ($2,900 DK, $4,000 FD) and Packers ($3,200 DK, $4,200 FD) also rank inside the top-10. The Texans and Chargers rank inside the top-10 in most sacks. The Ravens ($2,700 DK, $3,800 FD) have struggled in that department as they are tied for the fifth-fewest sacks.
