As we gear up for an electrifying NFL week ahead, all eyes are on Washington Commanders' tight end, Logan Thomas. The big-bodied safety net for Sam Howell is back in the lineup after a brief injury hiatus.

Before the injury in Week 2, Thomas was already showing signs of being a difference-maker. In Week 1, he was targeted 8 times, pulling in 4 receptions. Even in Week 2, amid the chaos of an unexpected injury, he managed to snag 2 catches on 3 targets in just 40% of the snaps. 

Thomas' data this season shows promise. He's averaging 3.0 receptions per game, with a higher average of 4.0 on the road. Considering the Commanders are on the road this week as 8-point underdogs, it's a safe bet Howell is going to be looking for his reliable tight end more often than not.

Moreover, in his last 5 games, he's been trending upwards, averaging 3.6 receptions per game. And let's not forget, he's surpassed the 2.5 receptions mark in 3 of those 5 games. This upward trend combined with his road stats paints an optimistic picture for Thomas. 

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room - the Philadelphia defense. In his 2 games against Philly, Thomas is averaging 2.0 receptions. Yes, I know, it's less than our magic number of 2.5. But remember, past performance is not always indicative of future results. With Howell likely to be under pressure from a strong Philadelphia defense, he's going to be looking for his trusted safety net, giving Thomas ample opportunities to exceed his reception line.