Panthers-Texans DFS lineups: Fantasy Football Today analysts share captain picks, full lineups for TNF

Before you set your DFS lineups, here's who our experts are placing in theirs

By Dan Schneier

Sep 23, 2021 at 11:44 am ET • 2 min read

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Every NFL week starts with a Thursday Night Football game for most of the remainder of the 2021 season, and these are our favorite slates to play Daily Fantasy Football. The TNF showdown slate allows you a smaller crop of players to choose from, and if your cheap sleeper pick hits, you can cash big in your tournaments or easily win your head-to-head DFS matchups.

Every week, I'll get the Thursday Night DFS picks from our experts and we'll feature them below. But first, let's preview the matchup and what we might expect.

Last week we got a high scoring affair that few expected between Washington and the Giants. Based on everything the Texans have shown on defense last season and through the first two weeks, we might expect the same this Thursday, but the Tyrod Taylor injury could throw a wrench in that. Rookie quarterback Davis Mills will replace Taylor for Houston and he didn't look all that ready for NFL action last week against the Browns. Of course, now, with a few more days to prepare, things could improve, but Mills' profile as a dropback quarterback with limited mobility against a Panthers defense that currently ranks No. 1 in Football Outsiders DVOA and No. 1 in quarterback pressures leads us to believe the Carolina D/ST might just sneakily be the best play on the entire slate. I'd be worried about playing any Texans skill players -- even Brandin Cooks.

What's the latest on the injured QBs? Plus Dave gives you his favorite TNF player prop for Panthers-Texans on the Fantasy Football Today in 5 podcast. Listen below and follow at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts:

On the flip side, Sam Darnold looks like a reinvented player now that he has escaped the grasp of Adam Gase and found his match with Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Heading into 2021, Darnold failed to eclipse 270 passing yards in 17 straight games with the Jets. He's eclipsed that mark twice now in his first two games with the Panthers. Leaning heavily on Christian McCaffrey in the passing game has been a huge boon to Darnold's success. Also, from the early look of it, D.J. Moore has emerged as Darnold's first read and key cog. This is a change from what we grew accustomed to last year with Robby Anderson leading the way.

Without further ado, here's a look at who are experts are picking on this DFS Thursday Night Football slate: