The undefeated Eagles and Texans will kick off Week 9 on Thursday Night Football. Unlike last week’s TNF contest between the Ravens and Buccaneers where there were multiple high-upside options for FanDuel single-game lineups, we don’t have the same variety of options. Nevertheless, DFS players will still find a way to maximize their five roster spots with players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Miles Sanders, and Dameon Pierce in action.
Before we break down our lineup, here are the notable scoring settings for FanDuel single-game contests: The point total for the “MVP” is multiplied by 1.5, but he doesn’t cost any additional money like the “Captain” in DraftKings Showdown contests. FanDuel’s default scoring is half-point PPR and four-point passing TDs, and there are no bonuses for 300-yard/100-yard games like on DraftKings.
MORE FD SINGLE GAME: How to win a FanDuel single-game contest
FanDuel Single Game DFS Picks: Eagles vs. Texans Week 9 Thursday Night Football
$60,000 budget, need at least one player from each team
MVP (1.5x points): RB Dameon Pierce, Texans ($15,000)
Pierce is averaging 13.9 FanDuel points per game this season and has scored 10 or more FanDuel points per game in five-straight games. Last week against the Titans, Pierce was held in check with 35 rushing yards but still recorded 12.6 FanDuel points thanks to a late TD catch. The Texans will have to lean on the rookie, and he can have some success against an Eagles run defense that’s allowing 114.7 yards per game this season. With Brandin Cooks’ status up in the air, we could see a lot of Pierce on Thursday night.
MORE TNF: DK lineup | Start ’em, sit ’em | Cooks update
FLEX QB Jalen Hurts, Eagles ($17,500)
Hurts is the best player in this Thursday night contest and will be rostered in the majority of lineups. Chances are, you won’t be able to cash without him. Hurts has scored 20-plus FanDuel points in two out of his three past games, and last week he only needed 10 rushing yards to do so. Houston is the third-fewest FanDuel points per game to QBs this season (12.1), but Hurts has too many ways to put up fantasy points.
FLEX TE Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($11,000)
Most DFS players will put A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith in their lineup and forget about Goedert. The veteran tight end is coming off a solid performance last week against the Steelers, catching all six of his targets for 64 yards. Goedert has recorded five or more receptions in three out of his past four games and is averaging 8.95 FanDuel points per game over that span. Houston allows the 12th-fewest FanDuel points per game to TEs this season (8.2), but Goedert will be targeted frequently on TE screens and in the middle of the field.
FLEX Eagles D/ST ($10,000)
Since there aren’t a ton of great options for the Texans in this matchup, it makes sense to use Philadelphia’s D/ST, which made life tough for Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett last week. The Eagles recorded six sacks and an INT en route to 14 FanDuel points. The Eagles have now posted an interception in four straight games. Expect at least one INT from Mills, who’s thrown an interception in three out of the past four games.
FLEX WR Chris Moore, Texans ($6,500)
Moore might end up being the Texans’ No. 1 wide receiver depending on if Brandin Cooks (wrist, personal) plays on Thursday night. The veteran wide receiver did not register a target or reception last week against Tennesse after scoring nine FanDuel points in Week 7 against the Raiders. If you are putting Moore in your lineup, you’re either hoping for a bunch of garbage-time catches or a random TD. In a game like this, players like Moore tend to make or break DFS lineups.
