Thanksgiving Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Ranking Players, Pies & More

Welcome to the 17th annual Thanksgiving Day Cheat Sheet.

For the first-timers, it's great to have you aboard. Before we dive in, make sure you're tracking who's actually playing Thursday — the RotoWire depth charts are the fastest way to confirm starters and roles on a short slate, especially with late-week shuffle season in full effect. And because Thanksgiving inevitably comes with surprise inactives, keep an eye on the RotoWire injury report for the latest news leading up to kickoff. Also check out the Weekly Projections to see how the Thanksgiving matchups shape up.

For a fun-filled Thanksgiving fantasy football draft, you'll need three to six people, ideally those with whom you're sharing the holiday. But don't let that stop you if your family doesn't want to play. Reach out on social media or target some of your friends to have some fantasy football fun.

Next, be sure to leave enough time for a quick draft that will end before the Packers-Lions game kicks off. Should you need  to generate a draft order, either roll dice, draw playing cards from a deck or go to Random.org and use the free list randomizer.

Now that you have your competitors set, make some roster requirements and a scoring system, and, based on how many players you have, be sure to add some flex spots to add fun to your one-day league. Maybe start with a QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, TE, flex, kicker and defense and add spots if needed. And yes, even if you're anti-kicker, consider using one, as this adds fun on such a short slate. (If you only have three teams, you can add a second QB spot as well).

Recommended scoring system:

20 pass yards = 1 point
Pass TD = 4
10 rush/receiving yards = 1
Reception = 1
Rush/Rec TD = 6
2-point conversion = 2
Sacks = 1
INT (for defense) = 2
Safety = 2
D/ST TD = 6
FG = 3
PAT = 1

Otherwise, if you're playing with people in one of your fantasy leagues, or if you're playing DFS, consider using the same scoring system to keep the day nice and easy.

How about an entry fee? Having a little skin in the game makes it more fun, but know your audience. If you want to make this an annual tradition, make sure the entry fee is one that keeps people coming back year after year.

Of course, make sure you have an edge. I'll list my Thanksgiving cheat sheet below to get you started, and most important, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Game schedule & Vegas Odds

Packers at Lions (-3) (o/u 48.5) — FOX, 12:30 p.m. EST

Chiefs (-3.5) at Cowboys (o/u 52.5) —CBS/Paramount+, 4:30 p.m. EST

Bengals at Ravens (-7.5) (o/u 51.5) — NBC/Peacock, 8:20 p.m. EST

Implied Totals

Ravens - 29.5
Chiefs - 28
Lions- 25.8
Cowboys -24.5
Packers - 22.8
Bengals - 22

Fantasy Points Allowed by Position

The following table is based on full PPR scoring and uses data from the last five weeks exclusively. If using a different scoring system, use the RotoWire defense vs. position tool.

Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet

Quarterback

1. Joe Burrow CIN at BAL (toe)
2. Patrick Mahomes KC at DAL
3. Lamar Jackson BAL vs CIN (questionable - toe)
4. Dak Prescott DAL vs KC
5. Jared Goff DET vs GB
6. Jordan Love GB at DET
7. Joe Flacco CIN at BAL (questionable - shoulder)
8. Malik Willis GB at DET
9. Tyler Huntley BAL vs CIN
10. Gardner Minshew KC at DAL
11. Joe Milton DAL vs KC
12. Kyle Allen DET vs GB

RUNNING BACK

1. Jahmyr Gibbs DET vs GB
2. Derrick Henry BAL vs CIN
3. Josh Jacobs GB at DET (questionable - knee)
4. Javonte Williams DAL vs KC
5. Chase Brown CIN at BAL
6. Kareem Hunt KC at DAL
7. David Montgomery DET vs GB
8. Isiah Pacheco KC at DAL
9. Emanuel Wilson GB at DET
10. Keaton Mitchell BAL vs CIN
11. Justice Hill BAL vs CIN
12. Brashard Smith KC at DAL
13. Malik Davis DAL vs KC
14. Chris Brooks GB at DET
15. Samaje Perine CIN at BAL
16. Jaydon Blue DAL vs KC
17. Rasheen Ali BAL vs CIN
18. Sione Vaki DET vs GB (questionable - ankle)
19. Craig Reynolds DET vs GB
20. Jacob Saylors DET vs GB (questionable - back)
21. Elijah Mitchell KC at DAL

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Ja'Marr Chase CIN at BAL
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown DET vs GB
3. CeeDee Lamb DAL vs KC
4. Rashee Rice KC at DAL (questionable - hamstring)
5. George Pickens DAL vs KC  (questionable - knee)
6. Jameson Williams DET vs GB
7. Zay Flowers BAL vs CIN
8. Xavier Worthy KC at DAL (questionable - ankle)
9. Christian Watson GB at DET
10. Andrei Iosivas CIN at BAL
11. Romeo Doubs GB at DET
12. Hollywood Brown KC at DAL
13. Tyquan Thornton KC at DAL
14. Rashod Bateman BAL vs CIN (questionable - ankle)
15. Matthew Golden GB at DET (questionable - shoulder/wrist)
16. JuJu Smith-Schuster KC at DAL
17. Ryan Flournoy DAL vs KC
18. Jayden Reed GB at DET  (IR-R - collarbone)
19. Dontayvion Wicks GB at DET (questionable - calf)
20. DeAndre Hopkins BAL vs CIN
21. Mitchell Tinsley CIN at BAL
22. Jalen Tolbert DAL vs KC
23. KaVontae Turpin DAL vs KC (questionable - shoulder)
24. Isaac TeSlaa DET vs GB (questionable - hand)
25. Savion Williams GB at DET (questionable - foot)
26. Nikko Remigio KC at DAL
27. Tylan Wallace BAL vs CIN
28. Bo Melton GB at DET
29. Devontez Walker BAL vs CIN
30. Kalif Raymond DET vs GB (ankle - questionable)
31. Malik Heath GB at DET
32. Charlie Jones CIN at BAL
33. Jonathan Mingo DAL vs KC
34. Dominic Lovett DET vs GB
35. LaJohntay Wester BAL vs CIN
36. Jalen Royals KC at DAL
37. Jermaine Burton CIN at BAL

TIGHT END

1. Travis Kelce KC at DAL
2. Mark Andrews BAL vs CIN
3. Jake Ferguson DAL vs KC
4. Mike Gesicki CIN at BAL
5. Isaiah Likely BAL vs CIN
6. Brock Wright DET vs GB (questionable - neck)
7. Luke Musgrave GB at DET
8. Noah Fant CIN at BAL
9. Luke Schoonmaker DAL vs KC
10. Noah Gray KC at DAL (questionable - head)
11. Drew Sample CIN at BAL
12. Robert Tonyan KC at DAL
13. Charlie Kolar BAL vs CIN
14. Brevyn Spann-Ford DAL vs KC
15. John FitzPatrick GB at DET
16. Ross Dwelley DET vs GB
17. Josh Whyle GB at DET
18. Tanner Hudson CIN at BAL
19. Jared Wiley KC at DAL
20. Cam Grandy CIN at BAL

DEFENSE

1. Ravens(vs Bengals)
2. Chiefs  (at Cowboys) 
3. Lions (vs Packers)
4. Packers (at Lions)
5. Cowboys (vs Chiefs)
6. Bengals (at Ravens)

KICKER

1. Brandon Aubrey DAL vs KC
2. Jake Bates DET vs GB
3. Tyler Loop BAL vs CIN
4. Harrison Butker KC at DAL
5. Brandon McManus GB at DET
6. Evan McPherson CIN at BAL

Side Dish Rankings

Like Dan Campbell setting up the perfect game plan, be sure to have the same level of game planning when carefully selecting side dishes for the perfect meal. Each side has a role in the grand scheme, just like St. Brown, Gibbs, Montgomery and Williams in the Lions offense. Plan this part of the feast with the highest level of discretion.

1. Stuffing/Dressing
2. Mashed Potatoes
3. Green Bean Casserole
4. Sweet Potato Casserole
5. Cranberry Sauce
6. Mac and Cheese
7. Dinner Rolls/Biscuits
8. Cornbread
9. Cheesy Corn Casserole
10. Brussel Sprouts

Pie Rankings

Like running into a stacked box at the goal line, after eating all that food, we've got to plow through the pain and into the nirvana that eating the perfect pie brings.

1.  Pumpkin 
2. Apple
3. Pecan
4. Sweet Potato
5. Cherry
6. Berry
7. Key Lime
8. Cream (coconut and banana are tied)
9. Peach
10. Peanut Butter

Beer Rankings

Whether your holidays are (hopefully) joyful or even if they're stressful, let's bring some beer to the party! Enjoy the great taste and let some of the stress slip away while your fantasy team is piling up the points.

1. Voodoo Ranger IPA
2. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
3. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
4. Blue Moon Belgian White
5. Fat Tire Amber Ale

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Let me know in the comments where I went wrong.