Thursday Night Thoughts

A few thoughts for the Thursday Night game at Foxboro.

QBs: If you have a good back up you have to at least consider sitting Brady this week. With Vereen and Amendola joining the list of people he won’t be throwing the ball to on Thursday his list of WRs he trusts starts and ends with Julian Edelman. Someone like Carson Palmer or Eli Manning might just be a safer bet.

RBs: If you have Stevan Ridley you’re probably playing him despite his benching last week. With Vereen out he will get the chance to earn redemption. Temper expectations as the more talented Doug Martin could only muster 2.7 yards per carry in week one.

WRs: Amendola and Vereen combined for 24 targets in week 1 and there are not many options to spread them between against the Jets. That makes Julian Edelman and Kendrell Thompkins both worthy of starts in PPR formats that require a 3rd WR.

TEs: Kellen Winslow might put up passable PPR numbers but everyone should have a better Sunday option.

Defenses/Kickers: Gostkowski should be solid and the Patriots defense should be a good option.

New York Jets at New England

Keys to the Game:

New England: A week ago this might have read ‘Turn up’ but after the struggles against Buffalo they are going to have to trust Stevan Ridley.

New York Jets: The Jets can’t win the offensive battle so they need to win defense and special teams to have a chance at 2-0.

Verdict: The Patriots are without Shane Vereen and will likely have to get by without the fragile Danny Amendola. That leaves Julian Edelman as the only WR Brady trusts right now which is a big problem. Thompkins caught only 4 of his 14 targets last week which suggests he could bounce back for a nice fantasy day but running the wrong route, that caused Brady to be sacked, on 3rd and goal against the Bills will have done little to endear him. The Jets running backs combined for 22 carries and 44 yards last week while Geno Smith gained 47 yards on 6 carries. Smith is not a running QB but he is likely going to need to improvise to move the ball. The double digit handicap seems to be misplaced and the Jets can keep in touch in a sloppy Thursday night game.

Prediction: New England by 5

Suggested Bet: 2 points New York Jets +11.5 to beat New England at 10/11