Looking back to the 2016 Thanksgiving Slate (Min/Det, Was/Dal, Pit/Ind), the Washington vs Dallas game was the game that you wanted to stack (Dallas 31 Washington 26) with Kirk Cousins (449 passing yards, 3 touchdowns), Jordan Reed (10/95/2), Jamison Crowder (8/88/0), DeSean Jackson (4/118/1), Dak Prescott (195 passing yards, 39 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns), Ezekiel Elliott (20/97/2 w/ 2/23), and Cole Beasley (5/56/0). What game do you want to target this year and what players intrigue you most from that game?
Phil Alexander: The obvious answer is LA at Dallas, especially with Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyron Smith expected back for the Cowboys. But for GPPs, I've got my eye on New York at Washington. The Giants are still a wreck on offense but assuming Sterling Shepard's migraines have subsided, they'll have one more playmaker on the field than they did in last week's kicker-fest vs. the Chiefs. New York's only other offensive threat-- Evan Engram -- couldn't ask for a better bounce-back spot following last week's 1.9-point dud. Washington ranks dead last in both pass success rate and yards per pass attempt allowed to opposing tight ends.
Washington's offensive production should also be heavily concentrated in the wake of season-ending injuries to Chris Thompson and (likely) Terrelle Pryor. Jamison Crowder has combined for 32 targets over the last three games and surged in Thompson's absence last week. Josh Doctson has been in on over 90% of the team's offensive snaps in each of the last three games. His targets are also on the rise, and he's flashed big-play ability with two 30+ yard receptions since becoming a full-time player. A push/pull game stack with Kirk Cousins, any two of Crowder/Doctson/Vernon Davis (tight end vs. Giants alert) plus Samaje Perine on one side, and Shepard and Engram on the other could go somewhat overlooked in the least meaningful game on the slate.
John Mamula: I agree with Phil that the obvious answer is the Chargers/Cowboys game. The Chargers have allowed an NFL worst 138.9 rushing yards per game. If Tyrod Smith returns, Alfred Morris has a prime matchup and a legitimate shot at 100+ yards and a touchdown. In a disappointing loss to the Eagles, Morris was still able to run for 91 yards on 17 carries (5.35 Yards per carry).
On the other side, most will chase Keenan Allen's breakout performance from last week where he finished with 12 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Melvin Gordon will be a very popular option on a slate with a limited amount of choices at the RB position. If you are game stacking, it is feasible to do a Philip Rivers/Keenan Allen/Alred Morris stack along with 1-2 players lesser-owned players, such as Cole Beasley or Mike Williams.
Prescott/Bryant or Prescott/Witten stacks make sense, as do Rivers/Henry and Rivers/Allen stacks. I'll have a lot of Melvin Gordon (as will most people), and in GPPs you have to consider an Ekeler lineup or two.