Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet: Ranking Players, Pies & More

Editor's Note: This article was posted before the Ravens-Steelers Thanksgiving game was canceled. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's your guide to a Thanksgiving fantasy football contest — and more.

If you've never played in a Turkey Day contest, it's simple: 

1. Choose your roster requirements — the cheat sheet below is based on 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB/WR/TE flex, 1 K, 1 D/ST. Consider adding a second flex that allows the use of another quarterback.

2. Next, decide on a scoring system. The cheat sheet below is based on:

20 pass yards = 1 pt
Pass TD = 4 pts
10 rush/rec yards = 1 pt
Reception = 1 pt
Rush/Rec TD = 6 pts
2 pt Conv = 2 pts
Sacks = 1 pt
INT (for defense) = 2 pts
Safeties = 2 pts
D/ST TD = 6 pts
FG = 3
PAT = 1

3. Gather your friends and family and conduct a simple draft prior to kickoff of the morning Bears-Lions game. 

4. How about an entry fee? Having a little skin in the game makes it more fun, of course. If you want to make this an annual tradition, make sure the entry fee is one that keeps people coming back year after year.

5. Use the Thanksgiving cheat sheet below to crush your competition. 

Game Schedule & Vegas Odds

Texans (-2.5) at Lions (o/u 51.5) — CBS, 12:30 p.m. EST

Cowboys (-2.5) vs. Football Team (o/u 46) — FOX, 4:30 p.m. EST

Steelers (-4.5) vs. Ravens (o/u 45) — NBC, 8:20 p.m. EST

Implied totals

Texans - 27
Steelers - 24.75
Lions - 24.5
Cowboys - 24.25
Football Team - 21.75
Ravens - 20.25

Fantasy Points Allowed by Position

The following table is based on full PPR scoring and uses data from the last five weeks exclusively. If using a different scoring system, use the RotoWire Defense vs. Position tool.

Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet

QUARTERBACK

1. Deshaun Watson, HOU at DET
2. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs. BAL
3. Matthew Stafford, DET vs HOU (right thumb)
4. Lamar Jackson, BAL at PIT
5. Alex Smith, WAS at DAL
6. Andy Dalton, DAL at WAS

RUNNING BACK

1. D'Andre Swift, DET vs HOU (concussion)
2. Antonio Gibson, WAS at DAL
3. James Conner, PIT vs. BAL
4. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. WAS
5. Gus Edwards, BAL at PIT
6. Duke Johnson, HOU at DET
7. J.D. McKissic, WAS at DAL
8. Tony Pollard, DAL vs. WAS
9. Adrian Peterson, DET vs. HOU
10. Kerryon Johnson, DET vs. HOU
11. Benny Snell, PIT vs. BAL
12. Justice Hill, BAL at PIT
13. C.J. Prosise, HOU at DET
14. Peyton Barber, WAS at DAL
15. Anthony McFarland, PIT vs. BAL

WIDE RECEVIER

1. Terry McLaurin, WAS at DAL (ankle)
2. Brandin Cooks, HOU at DET
3. Chase Claypool, PIT vs. BAL
4. Will Fuller, HOU at DET
5. Diontae Johnson, PIT vs. BAL
6. Amari Cooper, DAL vs. WAS
7. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT vs. BAL (toe)
8. Marvin Jones, DET vs. HOU
9. CeeDee Lamb, DAL vs. WAS
10. Danny Amendola, DET vs. HOU (hip)
11. Michael Gallup, DAL vs. WAS
12. Marquise Brown, BAL at PIT
13. Marvin Hall, DET vs. HOU (toe)
14. Kenny Golladay, DET vs. HOU (hip/missed last three games, move to No. 3 if active)
15. Willie Snead, BAL at PIT
16. Cam Sims, WAS at DAL
17. Dez Bryant, BAL at PIT
18. Steven Sims, WAS at DAL
19. James Washington, PIT vs. BAL
20. Kenny Stills, HOU at DET (quadriceps)
21. Keke Coutee, HOU at DET
22. Isaiah Wright, WAS at DAL
23. Ray-Ray McCloud, PIT vs. BAL
24. Devin Duvernay, BAL at PIT
25. Cedrick Wilson, DAL vs. WAS
26. Dontrelle Inman, WAS at DAL (hamstring)
27. Miles Boykin, BAL at PIT
28. Jamal Agnew, DET vs. HOU

TIGHT END

1. T.J. Hockenson, DET vs. HOU (shoulder)
2. Mark Andrews, BAL at PIT (thigh)
3. Eric Ebron, PIT vs. BAL
4. Dalton Schultz, DAL vs. WAS
5. Logan Thomas, WAS at DAL
6. Jordan Akins, HOU at DET
7. Darren Fells, HOU at DET
8. Vance McDonald, PIT vs BAL (illness)
9. Pharaoh Brown, HOU at DET
10. Jesse James, DET vs. HOU

DEFENSE

1. Steelers vs. BAL
2. Football Team at DAL
3. Ravens at PIT
4. Cowboys vs. WAS
5. Texans at DET
6. Lions vs. HOU

KICKER

1. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU at DET
2. Justin Tucker, BAL at PIT
3. Matt Prater, DET vs. HOU
4. Dustin Hopkins, WAS at DAL (groin)
5. Chris Boswell, PIT vs. BAL
6. Greg Zuerlein, DAL vs. WAS (back)

Side Dish Rankings

Just like the coach who knows exactly when to dial up the perfectly timed blitz or insert the optimal personnel package to ensure success, the sides selected for the Thanksgiving feast can make or break the meal. 

1. Stuffing
2. Cheesy Corn Casserole
3. Sweet Potato Casserole
4. Cranberry Walnut Relish
5. Mashed Potatoes

Pie Rankings

What better way to top off a great Thanksgiving meal that with a scrumptious pie! Hopefully, there are some comfy pants to put on while dealing with the aftermath of the dessert that follows the main course!

1. Apple
2. Cherry
3. Banana Cream
4. Pecan
5. Pumpkin
6. French Silk
7. Coconut Cream
8. Sweet Potato
9. Custard
10. Peach

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Let me know in the comments where I went wrong.