Jared Contestabile 
We have another potentially ugly one tonight for Thursday Night Football. Two of the most inconsistent offenses will be on the field as the Bears take on the Commanders. Washington is listed as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of just 38 points. Let’s find some value in what could shape up to be a defensive battle.
DraftKings and FanDuel each have a slightly different setup for Showdown slates, with DraftKings using a “Captain” spot. Captain earns you 1.5X points, BUT also costs you 1.5X in salary. FanDuel uses an “MVP”, which is ALSO 1.5X points, but salaries are the same, regardless of position. DraftKings uses 5 FLEX spots, and FanDuel uses 4 “AnyFLEX” spots to fill out your roster.
Captain/MVP Plays
Darnell Mooney, Bears ($11,400 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel)
Yes, I know the Bears have had one of the worst passing games in the entire NFL this season, but hear me out. The Commanders are allowing over 41 fantasy points per game to opposing WR.
Mooney is the clear top target (if you can call it that) for this Bears passing attack. He has totaled 6/146 over his last two games, and will be barely owned at all in the bonus spot. Give him a look in all formats here.
Justin Fields, Bears ($15,000 DraftKings, $16,000 FanDuel)
You may be noticing that I’m higher on the Bears than most here. Rumors are circling that the Bears may be looking to draft his replacement next April.
Even the conversation about replacing Fields is baffling to me. The Bears are simply showing their ineptitude as an organization. Fields has been set up to fail in this offense. Well, I don’t see that happening tonight.
Fields is the perfect style of QB to put in your bonus spot in a game like this. Certainly he has heard the rumors that are swirling, and with only THREE touchdown passes on the season, I’m expecting him to have a solid game here.
Despite his struggles, he still has at least 47 rushing yards in each of the last three games. I’m looking for the passing game to do some work tonight.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders ($13,000 DraftKings, $13,500 FanDuel) or Curtis Samuel, Commanders ($12,300 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel)
I think “Scary Terry” will see a decent amount of ownership at the bonus spot, but his production hasn’t exactly warranted it. The “other” Buckeye out wide has been the better fantasy option this season. He has 13 more catches, one more touchdown, but 45 less yards.
I’m on team Samuel in this one. I think he draws a bit less ownership and he has a higher floor. Rostering both isn’t a bad idea, as I’m one of the bettors who is taking the over in this one. Carson Wentz (who is a fade for me) may just be the worst healthy QB in the NFL in my book now that Baker Mayfield is injured. But one thing he does well is pass for garbage time points.
Give me Samuel at a bit of a discount here. Both Logan Thomas and Jahan Dotson are OUT for this one, so the value for these two is much, much higher.
FLEX/AnyFLEX Plays
Brian Robinson, Commanders ($6,600 DraftKings, $11,000 FanDuel)
If I’m being honest, I don’t know how you don’t lock Robinson into all your lineups on DraftKings. I wouldn’t touch Antonio Gibson in this one with a 39 and a half foot pole, and you shouldn’t either. Robinson was in line to be the lead back for Washington before being shot in a robbery. The team has already announced him as the starter, and it looks like FanDuel was ready.
The Bears are 24th in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to opposing RB, and this may just be Robinson’s coming out party. He is viable in the bonus spot tonight as well.
John Bates, Commanders ($3,000 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel)
Bates doesn’t have much of a ceiling in this one, but is dirt cheap on both sites. Logan Thomas is OUT for this one, and Bates had a productive week against the Titans with a 3/39 line. You’ll take that all day at this price.
David Montgomery, Bears ($10,400 DraftKings, $15,000 FanDuel)
The Commanders have been middle of the pack against the run in 2022, surrendering just under 23 fantasy points per game. Montgomery has been the workhorse in this backfield, and returned to form last week after his return from injury. He was inefficient on the ground, and isn’t much of a home-run threat, but volume alone makes him a viable option here. Khalil Herbert is always lurking to steal some looks from him, and is actually averaging more fantasy points per game (mostly due to his monster performance after D-Mont went down with injury). Montgomery is a fine play, but not one I’m prioritizing.
Other Options
I don’t care who it is, or where it is, I want a piece of any defense playing against Carson Wentz. He has six interceptions AND six fumbles on the season (although he has only lost one). Don’t act surprised if/when the Bears take one the other way against Captain Turnover. Call me crazy if you want, but if this one truly is an UNDER…the Bears need to be in consideration in the bonus spot.
Dyami Brown looks like he is going to suit up for this one, and is a deep play threat. He may see more ownership than he rightfully should due to his big game last week. That said, the volume will likely be low, but the upside is high at this price. He is a solid filler.
Cairo Santos is in play as a cheap option, but I’m completely off of Joey Slye. He is actually a very good kicker, but I have little faith in the Commanders to not make poor decisions. Washington can’t sustain drives, and is just 2/8 on conversions this season. Slye may pay off, but I’m likely to fade here.
Equanamious St. Brown is a viable option here for cheap. Don’t get your hopes up or overexposed, but I do think Fields has a solid outing, and SOMEONE aside from Mooney needs to make plays. I’m not excited about any of the other options for this passing attack. Cole Kmet SHOULD be a solid option, but Washington has been solid vs TE, and the Bears simply don’t utilize him enough.
Make sure to join our Discord to jump into our conversations with the team and share your successes (I am “Myrtle Beach Mermen”, if you understand the reference, we will get along right away! We have a TON of great tools for you to check out, make sure you’re taking advantage! You can find projections here and try out the optimizer here.
Good luck on Thursday Night! Make sure to follow me on Twitter if you aren’t already, and let’s meet at the top of the leaderboards!
