There are only two weeks remaining in the regular season across the NFL, meaning that the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Some teams are looking to gather some momentum ahead of the postseason while others are just looking to finish the season strong.
On Thursday night, the Dallas Cowboys (who have clinched a playoff spot already) will travel to face the Tennessee Titans (who are now on the outside looking in for the AFC playoff picture). The projected total for Thursday’s game has fallen to 40.5 points with the Titans projected to score only 15 points at home with Ryan Tannehill sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Weather isn’t expected to be an issue on Thursday as it’ll be approaching 60 degrees in Nashville, Tennessee. Ahead of what is expected to be a lopsided game, here are my favorite captain and flex plays for Thursday’s showdown contest on DraftKings between the Cowboys and the Titans.
Captain Spot Considerations
CeeDee Lamb ($17,100)
I’ll be centering a lot of my attention on the passing game of the Cowboys this week with the Titans being a pass-funneling defense. At the center of the passing game of the Cowboys is Lamb, who is leading the charge with a 28.1% target share as he’s cemented himself as a true WR1 in 2022. Lamb just produced a season-high 37 points against the Eagles in Week 16 and he’ll face a Titans defense that is giving up the second-most points per game to WRs this season. You’ll want to stack Lamb or any other pass-catcher on the Cowboys with Dak Prescott if you use them in the captain spot.
Michael Gallup ($10,500)
Gallup has been tough to trust this season as he’s recovered from a torn ACL from Week 17 of last season. That being said, he’s been gradually improving as he’s tallied 11-plus points in three of his last five outings for the Cowboys. The physical wide receiver has also notched six-plus targets in six of his last eight games, so he certainly has a role in the passing game. Once again, the Titans are allowing the second-most points per game to WRs, so Gallup has a perfect opportunity to have a ceiling game in Week 17 as the Cowboys look to end the season on a positive note ahead of the playoffs.
Dalton Schultz ($9,900)
After scoring a career-best eight touchdowns in 2021, Schultz has hauled in only three touchdowns thus far, with two of those coming against the Giants in Week 12. Since Week 12, Schultz has eclipsed eight points on DraftKings just once. Despite his quiet performances in the last month, Schultz leads the Cowboys with 14 red-zone targets this season. Besides his elite red-zone usage, Schultz is going up against a Titans defense that is permitting the sixth-most points and second-most receptions per game to TEs this season.
Flex Spot Considerations
Cowboys D/ST ($5,800)
The Titans could be rolling out a rookie quarterback, an injured Henry, and a hobbled offensive line on Thursday night against the Cowboys. Taking all of these factors into account, the defense of the Cowboys are certainly in play against the Titans. Despite the recent struggles, the Cowboys are still averaging a solid 10.3 points on DraftKings while recording the third-most sacks, the most takeaways, and having the highest pressure rate in the NFL. Considering that the Titans are only projected to score 15 points, it could be a productive game for the Cowboys’ defense on Thursday.
Treylon Burks ($5,400)
The Titans need to find other ways to generate offense outside of handing the ball to Henry. Burks is dynamic with the ball in his hands and he’s flashed potential as a big-play threat in an offense that lacks production in the passing game this season. The rookie wideout had scored 17-plus points in two of his last three games before returning to the field in Week 16 following a two-week absence due to a head injury. Even though the Cowboys are a formidable defense, they are allowing the fourth-most points per game to WRs.
T.Y. Hilton ($4,400)
We got a glimpse of what Hilton can do on the Cowboys in the win over the Eagles when he made an impressive 52-yard catch on a third-and-30 on a perfect pass from Prescott. Hilton has only been with the Cowboys for a couple of weeks, but the team could look to expand his role ahead of the playoffs. With Dallas already clinching a playoff spot, Hilton should see more playing time alongside Lamb and Gallup, which would decrease Noah Brown’s playing time. You’ll want to get exposure to all of the skill players on the Cowboys if you’re running multiple lineups on Thursday night.
Hassan Haskins ($3,000)
The Titans have announced that Derrick Henry is doubtful to play on Thursday as the team can’t alter their chance of advancing to the playoffs until Week 18 versus the Jaguars. So with the All-Pro back expected to sit, Haskins appears to be the next man up for the Titans. The rookie fourth-round pick hasn’t gotten much work this season, but with Dontrell Hilliard on injured reserve, Haskins has caught two passes in each of the last two weeks. Even though the Cowboys are stout against RBs, Haskins is only $3,000 and we won’t need much from him to pay off his salary.