🏈 Baltimore?

Good morning. PSA from me: Consider this a friendly reminder that if you haven’t made your waiver claims or set your lineup, games begin at 12:30PM (EST) tomorrow. That’s the afternoon.

Some other things you can knock off the to-do list today to enjoy Thanksgiving? Pickup the guys we highlight at the bottom of the newsletter and trade for Derrick Henry and/or Austin Ekeler. Simple enough.

Baltimore Ravens Covid-19 Circus

The NFL is closely monitoring the situation with the Ravens, who had 10 confirmed new positive COVID-19 cases among players and Tier 1/Tier 2 personnel in the past week. JK Dobbins and Mark Ingram are two players who contracted the virus.

Expect a decision today before the team travels to Pittsburgh - if the game is cancelled it may be rescheduled to another week later in the season. This would be horrible news for all Steelers and Ravens owners.

It’s all about matchups & usage

The full-throttle Cowboys update - ft. Watermelon

First:

Second, strength and conditioning coordinator Markus Paul experienced an unknown medical emergency and practice was cancelled. This should not impact the Cowboys game this week, but prayers up for Coach Paul.

Third, Rotoworld’s Hayden Winks explains why things are looking up for the Cowboys with Andy Dalton under center. And you can read just how good Tony Pollard is here.

It’s beginning to feel like Christmas

Not really, but Austin Ekeler is returning, which is great news for everyone who has been waiting for him. I personally can’t wait to see him catching passes from Herbert.

Adam Thielen is positive, then negative, now?

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports Adam Thielen tested positive then tested negative for COVID-19. It's possible Thielen had a false positive, but more testing is needed. The Vikings are working with the NFL while Thielen currently sits on the reserve/COVID list. If he sits, Justin Jefferson becomes a top 10 WR play. But I’m betting “hooked on a Thielen” suits up.

A list of WRs who will be free agents after this year

Next week’s top waiver wire pickups

These are two players who will be available in almost every single league but are worth picking up. The idea is you grab a player before everyone wants to grab them off the waiver wire. Last week, the perfect pickups were probably Gus Edwards and Taysom Hill. This week (ownership in brackets):

• RB: Ty Johnson (0.1%) - The newest Jets RB didn't record a carry but caught four of six targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 34-28 loss to the Chargers. More importantly, he received this work after Lamical Perine went down with an injury. Perine is on the IR, leaving Johnson and Frank Gore as the only options. With the Jets looking to get at least one W this season, expect Johnson to be the primary pass-catching back, a lucrative role on a team losing every game.

• TE: Will Dissly (0.9%) - The Seahawks new TE1 with Greg Olsen, Dissly should start at tight end for the Seahawks for the foreseeable future. While it is typically not the most lucrative position for the Seahawks, and we’ve seen Dissly be a fantasy stud when he’s been given a meaningful role as a receiver. He’s a hold and pray (Dissly is also part of Russell Wilson’s Bible study group) who could payoff for those needing a TE.

BONUS

• It’s American Thanksgiving so let us end on a happy note

• Packers WR MVS had someone pay for his food in a drive-thru line, so he paid it forward by paying for the person behind him. Love to see it.

Thank you all - have a great day and I’ll see you back here tomorrow.

Question of the Day: What’s the best part of Thanksgiving? (Why is the answer football?)