Fantasy Football Focus: Thursday Night Edition – Chiefs vs Eagles

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

WHEN: 7:25 p.m. CDT

WHERE: NFL Network

With Fantasy Football roster decisions due today in regards to the players taking the field tonight, let’s take a look at some of the pertinent information about the Chiefs and the Eagles.

INJURIES

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs came out of the Dallas game a bit banged up, especially at the tight end position. Sal Fasano is listed as Doubtful for Thursday night and did not practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. Rookie Travis Kelce is Questionable after seeing limited action in practice this week because of a knee injury. Sean McGrath will see increased playing time at tight end.

One other injury to keep in mind is the Chiefs top corner back, Brandon Flowers. He is also listed as Questionable with a sore knee. If he sits, or plays hurt, it may help free up DeSean Jackson of the Eagles, making him even more dangerous.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Philadelphia is relatively healthy for the Thursday night match up.

Philly’s starting tight end, Brent Celek, is also a bit banged up with a shoulder injury. He is listed is Probable.

The Eagles have a couple of corner backs, Brandon Boykin and Bradley Fletcher, that are both listed as Probable.

START ‘EM OR START ‘EM

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Right now, it is difficult to recommend any of the Chiefs offensive players to start. Jamaal Charles has 132 yards in the first games but Andy Reid all but abandoned the run last week against the Cowboys. Until the last drive of the game, Charles had 7 carries for 1 yards. He dominated that last drive, carrying the ball 9 times for 54 yards. Until Reid calls more running plays more consistently, Charles is a playing risk.

Alex Smith is only averaging 198 passing yards a game but he does have 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also has 82 yards on the ground.

None of the Chiefs wide receivers have excelled thus far. Dwayne Bowe leads the team with 86 yards on 8 catches. Charles actually has 11 receptions for 71 yards.

The Chiefs defense has played very well thus far but they have not faced an offense that runs a read option offense, or one that has as athletic a quarterback as Michael Vick. Vick is averaging 315 yards a game passing, 44 yards a game rushing, and 6 total touchdowns. He has played himself into must start status.

LeSean McCoy has racked up 237 yards rushing thus far in two games and is a must start, despite the fact the Chiefs defense has only allowed 108 total yards rushing thus far in two games. Throw in 119 receiving yards for McCoy and you can see why he has been fantasy gold so far in 2013.

On the outside, DeSean Jackson as 16 catches for 297 yards. With a banged up Brandon Flowers, Jackson should be able to shake free against the Chiefs and could put up big numbers.

The Chiefs have played really well on defense this year but they have not faced an amped up offense like the Eagles have. Take a chance on the Eagles’ offensive stars, and hold off on the Chiefs skill players, except maybe Charles, until they bring more consistency to their performances.