While most fantasy managers have learned to be hesitant when it comes to lone Thursday night games, the three-game holiday slate provides too much value with solid fantasy plays on the schedule.
Here's a look at an option from each of Thursday's three games to help get your Week 12 matchup off to a good start.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
Rudolph has received seven targets in each of his past four games and no less than that amount since Week 4. Though he's trending for fewer receptions, targets, yards and scores than last year, part of the decrease in his usage can be blamed on the emergence of wide receiver Adam Thielen, who's already topped last year's targets total and will almost surely surpass his receptions and yardage marks this week.
The Lions' funnel defense ranks third and 17th, respectively, against No. 1 and No. 2 receivers, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA, but just 29th against opposing tight ends. Quarterback Case Keenum won't need to force passes to Thielen or Stefon Diggs with Rudolph likely to be left open in the middle of the field.
Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys
Chargers D/ST
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been sacked 12 times over his past two games, though he wasn't sacked more than twice in any of the first eight games of the season when accompanied by running back Ezekiel Elliott. Left tackle Tyron Smith - sidelined for the past two games due to a groin injury - remains questionable for Week 12.
That means Prescott should be in for more of the same treatment Thursday. The Chargers rank third in the league with 30 sacks, ahead of his past two opponents, the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. The vaunted pass rush has led to 12 interceptions for the defensive unit, though that's inflated by the five picks Buffalo Bills rookie Nathan Peterman threw in Week 11.
Prescott threw a career-high three interceptions against the Eagles, and he's failed to score a passing touchdown in each of his past two games and three of his past four.
Meanwhile, replacement running back Alfred Morris is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in Elliott's absence, but he's yet to score a touchdown and the Cowboys are making fewer trips to the red zone.
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins
Perine, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft, rushed for just 210 yards on 66 carries in his first nine NFL games, adding six receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown.
His role expanded significantly when he filled in for injured starter Rob Kelley in Week 11. Perine finished that game against the New Orleans Saints with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, adding one 9-yard reception.
Now that he's proved himself to Redskins coaches and fantasy managers, Perine is in for an even larger role in the absence of pass-catching back Chris Thompson.
Perine could approach 30 touches against a Giants defense ranked 25th against the run by Football Outsiders.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
