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Hearing that the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars have the premier Thursday Night Football time slot would usually draw yawns in years past, but there should be points aplenty this time around.
Both are fighting for their playoff lives in the lackluster AFC South, with the Jaguars just a game back of the Colts and the Texans and the Titans just two back--despite a 2-7 record.
AFC South divisional battle—let's dive in.
Titans @ Jaguars - Thursday Night Analysis
Blake Bortles: Admittedly when everyone was searching for Big Ben and Andrew Luck replacements, Bortles was a popular name being thrown around. But Bortles has always been the guy where right when you trust him, he has a clunker. It seems the clunkers are gone (from a fantasy perspective). He's had at least 50 pass attempts twice this season and has 40 and 45 in his past two games. The Tennessee defense has given up the ninth-most points to quarterbacks this season, so feel free to ride with Bortles despite the dreaded Thursday night matchup.
Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson: One thing I personally learned this fantasy season is that Allen Hurns is a gamer. He is on the injury report week-in and week-out yet he always seems to power through and suit up. He's also been effective regardless of his health, as he's gone seven consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. He hasn't had fewer than six targets since Week 3 and Blake Bortles is no longer a liability. Hurns is a must-start WR2.
As good as Hurns has been, Allen Robinson has been better. Robinson is a lock for double-digit targets every week and is working on a streak of six-straight weeks of double-digit fantasy points (at least in 0.5 ppr). With T.J. Yeldon not being 100%, expect both Hurns and Robinson to fill up tonight.
T.J. Yeldon: I'm sitting Yeldon if better options are available. If the Titans defense is good at anything, it's stopping the run as they have allowed the third least amount of points to running backs all season. Yeldon did get rid of the walking boot on Wednesday but is still listed as questionable and isn't 100%.
Julius Thomas: Not a huge fan personally, but if a streaming option is needed there are plenty of worse options. Thomas is working on a four-game streak of at least five targets and with the Yeldon issues brewing, some extra pass attempts are on the way. Here's to hoping he finds the end zone if he's inserted into your lineup.
Marcus Mariota: There's no questioning the potential of the second-overall pick in this year's draft. He's thrown for four touchdowns twice this season, albeit against the horrible Tampa Bay and New Orleans pass defenses. While the upside is there, it's tough to trust Mariota to have a great game on short rest and with top wide receiver Kendall Wright still out. Bench him unless you have no better options.
Tennessee Running Backs: There's too much uncertainty in this backfield to warrant a start from any specific back. If you're ravaged by byes or injuries, Antonio Andrews is still likely to lead the committee in carries. However, rookie David Cobb is likely to see action for the first time this season, and as the much more talented back he will likely eat into Andrews' touches. Dexter McCluster catches enough passes to be a desperation flex play, but only in PPR formats. Ultimately there's nothing to like here.
Delanie Walker: If it's not a PPR league it is tough to vouch for Walker, as he rarely finds the end zone aside from his somewhat lucky two-touchdown performance two weeks ago. With Kendall Wright ruled out again, Marcus Mariota just doesn't have many targets to throw to, so his upside is up there with the best of them as far as tight ends are concerned.
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