The NFL season is on to Week 8, and there are far more ways to get involved in the action than just via traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this season is Pick6 Fantasy Football!
Here are my top Pick6 plays for Thursday Night Football.
Justin Jefferson Less Than 79.5 Receiving Yards
Justin Jefferson is a top-three receiver in the NFL and has been playing at an elite level his entire career. However, there have been some struggles this season with the questionable quarterback situation in Minnesota. Of course, those struggles are by Justin Jefferson’s standards, as he still ranks sixth in the NFL in receiving yards so far this season. However, Jefferson’s yards totals have been reliant on busting one huge play per game. In four out of six games this season, Jefferson has five or fewer catches. He had 10 catches for 126 yards against Pittsburgh, but that has been the only vintage Justin Jefferson performance this season. It took catches of 50 yards against the Falcons, 36 yards against the Bengals and 40 yards against the Eagles for Jefferson to clear his receiving total in those games. The Chargers have done well to limit explosive passing plays this season, ranking sixth in the NFL in 20+ yard passing plays allowed. They should do everything in their power to take away Jefferson and make everyone else beat them, which should keep Jefferson under this number.
Jordan Mason More Than 0.5 Rushing + Receiving TDs
Aaron Jones is likely to miss another game as he comes back from a hamstring injury. Jones is eligible to be activated this week, but on a short week, it would make sense to give Jones an extra 10 days of rest before he needs to play again, especially because Jordan Mason has done just fine in his stead. Mason is averaging 14 carries per game this season and has been getting some work in the passing game as well. He has scored four touchdowns in his past four games and should continue to be the go-to guy when the Vikings are close to the end zone as long as Jones is out. The Vikings have struggled to throw the football this season, ranking 25th in the NFL in offensive EPA/dropback. Against a Chargers defense that ranks 27th in defensive EPA/rush, this should be a run-heavy game for the Vikings. That should ultimately lead to Jordan Mason finding the end zone once again.
Oronde Gadsden II More Than 0.5 Rushing + Receiving TDs
Oronde Gadsden II had his breakout NFL game last week against the Colts. The rookie has pushed out the more experienced Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly, dominating the snaps at tight end. The Syracuse product showed what he was capable of in Week 6 against the Commanders, catching seven balls for 68 yards. He caught seven balls again last week, but took those for 164 yards and a touchdown. For a tight end, Gadsden is a tremendous athlete. At 6’5, 236 pounds, most cornerbacks have no chance against him on a jump ball. However, he is far too quick for linebackers to cover in open space, something the Colts learned last week. The Chargers’ running game has not been able to get going, so this should be a pass-heavy game once again for Justin Herbert. Gadsden and Herbert have officially found a connection, and Herbert should look to his rookie tight end early and often in this game. Gadsden has a great chance of making it two straight games with a touchdown.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice, and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
