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THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PREVIEW 🏈👀

Lions vs. Chiefs | Today at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

The Kansas City Chiefs will lift their Super Bowl banner in Arrowhead before opening the 2023 NFL season against the consensus sexy team on the rise, the Detroit Lions. This game has the highest projected point total of the week, at 53 total points on DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Chiefs will be without premier pass rusher Chris Jones, and possibly Travis Kelce, making the Lions a team to ride with when considering wagers.

Taking the Lions at +180 on the moneyline is a daring move that has to be mulled over. Jared Goff usually plays better at home, but with the Chiefs’ pass rush weakened, and a lofty projected score, I will take the veteran passer for Over 23.5 passing completions at -105.

The last time these QBs squared off, they broke the record for the highest-scoring Monday night game EVER!

• Patrick Mahomes: 6 TDs, 478 Yds

• Jared Goff: 4 TDs, 413 Yds

Of course, we're all hoping for an exciting game, and naturally, we'd love to see the Over hit. However, I'm leaning towards a different approach here - how about considering an alternative spread bet with the Under at 54.5? 🤔

The Lions are going to play it smart and try to avoid a shootout against Mahomes. Look for the Lions to try and run the ball, with David Montgomery and first-round draft pick Jahmyr Gibbs, to control the clock and keep Mahomes off the field.

Plus, a 54.5-point total is a tall bar to clear, especially in the first game of the season.

BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR BETS, CHECK OUT THIS OFFER!👇

WEEK 1 START 'EM, SIT 'EM 😯🪑

START Geno Smith:

He finished as fantasy QB5 last season and gets a friendly opening week matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Sean McVay’s squads have always played Seattle tough, but he doesn’t have the personnel to stop the Seahawks this week. No Jalen Ramsey, no Leonard Floyd, and no shot against DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is now expected to play after injuring his wrist in the preseason.

START Raheem Mostert

Mostert is healthy to open the season, and he averaged 5.4 yards per carry in his career and 4.9 yards last year. Dolphins-Chargers is the highest projected scoring game on the Sunday slate at 51 points, and having notable fantasy involvement in that game can lead to a win. Miami’s passing attack will open up running lanes for Mostert and give him chances to finish off scoring drives as a runner.

SIT Jordan Addison

Rookie wide receivers sometimes start slowly in their careers, and Addison is listed as the third WR on the Minnesota depth chart to start the season. T.J. Hockenson is also obviously ahead of him on the receiving ladder. Addison should emerge as a more featured target for Kirk Cousins soon, but keep him reserved until we actually see a healthy amount of contributions.

PLAYER NEWS & RUMORS 🤭📰

Terry McLaurin (Toe)

He appears to be trending towards playing in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Washington Commanders open their season at home against the worst team in the league, and having their top playmaker leading the receiving group can only further boost the outlook of Sam Howell, who looked promising in the preseason. I will take Washington to cover the -7 spread, and in fantasy, if the Commanders clear McLaurin to play, then he gets cleared for my fantasy lineups.

Kendre Miller (Hamstring Injury)

Kendre Miller is still battling a hamstring injury that may keep him out in Week 1, and Alvin Kamara is suspended to open the season, so Jamaal Williams may be ticketed for a heavy workload in the season opener vs Tennessee. The Titans do their best defensive work up front, so Williams will have to battle hard for yardage. He’s not an upside fantasy play, but Williams will get enough volume to consider him as a flex option. The Over/Under on Williams’ rushing yards is 47.5 (-115), and he should get a healthy enough amount of attempts to comfortably put some 💰 on that prop.

INTRIGUING PLAYER STATS 📊

J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins finished the 2022 season, including the playoffs, with 505 scrimmage yards in five games. He was disrespected in fantasy football drafts this year, dropping to sixth-round regions. Expect him to get off to a good start against the Houston Texans in the season opener.

Attacking the Houston front seven will be the way to set up the offense for success early. I love Dobbins at an Alternate Rushing Total of 75+ yards (+200).

Stephon Gilmore

The newest Dallas Cowboys cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, ranks second among active defensive backs with 127 passes defensed. Trevon Diggs has an interception in three of his past four games against the New York Giants. “Big Blue” has improved its receiving crew, but faces an elite defense in Week 1, and I will take the Giants Under 20.5 points (-105).

MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT ⭐️🗑

The Ravens have won six of their last seven “Kickoff Weekend” games, outscoring their opponents 228 to 68. Baltimore has won the last three meetings against an improving but overmatched Texans team that cannot handle or match points with the most well-stocked offense Lamar Jackson has ever lined up with. Take the Ravens to score Over 27.5 points at -102.

The Las Vegas Raiders had the second-worst pass defense in the AFC last season, and the secondary still looks mighty vulnerable heading into the 2023 campaign. Sean Payton will want to make a strong statement to open his Denver Broncos tenure. I recommend betting on Denver going Over 23.5 points at -120 and to cover the spread at -3.5 (-110).

Parlay of the Week 💰(+731)