Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season is here and we’ll be treated to an NFC West showdown on Thursday night featuring the Seattle Seahawks visiting the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle enters as a slight 1.5-point road favorite, with an over/under of 43.5. Both of these teams enter this matchup at 2-1 on the year and with everyone in the division sitting over .500, a loss here would put them behind the rest of the pack.

Below, we will take a look at the best DFS plays for this Thursday night showdown.

Captain’s Picks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks (FLEX $13,000, CPT $19,500)

Smith-Njigba has been one of the leagues top wideouts through the first three games of the season, hauling in 22 receptions for 323 yards and a touchdown for Seattle. He’s notably top-five in the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and yards per routes run while also leading the league in target share at 40.28% The Seahawks’ offensive line has done a good job at giving Sam Darnold enough time in the pocket to be able to locate the third-year wideout and he could once again have a clean pocket against a Cardinals squad that has been ineffective at applying pressure so far this year.

JNS is averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game at FanDuel and carries the highest individual price for this matchup. Given his production, I think he’ll be worth it.

Sam Darnold, QB, Cardinals (FLEX $13,000, CPT $18,000)

As just mentioned, Darnold has been well protected so far this season and that allowed him to have an efficient day in their 44-13 blowout victory over the Saints last week, going 14-18 for 218 yards and two touchdowns. His 3.85% sack rate is one of the lowest in the NFL and that has contributed to a success rate of 54.43%. He’s been able to move the ball efficiently with weapons like Cooper Kupp, Kenneth Walker, and the aforementioned JNS in his arsenal and he could very well have another solid outing against the Cardinals. Sticking him at the top of your lineup wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals (FLEX $13,800, CPT $9,200)

Cardinals running back James Conner suffered a gnarly ankle injury against the 49ers on Sunday that will sideline him for the rest of the season, opening the door for Benson to step in as the starter. The second-year back out of Florida State had already been getting plenty of work in the offense and was highly efficient as Conner’s backup, averaging 6.0 yards per carry on 21 rushing attempts. Throw in eight receptions through two games and you have a tailback that can be used in a variety of ways within the Arizona offense. I think he’ll ease into his role as the starter just fine and there’s value to be had by placing him into a captain’s spot.

Value flex plays

Tory Horton, WR, Seahawks (FLEX $5,400, CPT $8,100)

Horton is proving to be a valuable hand for Seattle in multiple aspects and that was the case in last Sunday’s victory over the Saints, where he caught a receiving touchdown for a second straight week and also housed a punt return 95 yards to the house. His skills on offense and special teams could make the rookie an X-factor for Seattle moving forward and he’s worth a spot in your lineup as a value play.

Emari Demarcado, RB, Cardinals (FLEX $4,200, CPT $6,300)

With Benson stepping into the starting role, Demarcado will presumably step up as Arizona’s RB2 moving forward. The third-year back has just two carries on the season, but has at least shown that he can be a reliable hand when called upon over the past two seasons. He’s worth taking a flyer on as a cheap option, especially if the Cards decide to keep things simple by running the ball in this primetime showdown.

Elijah Higgins, TE, Cardinals (FLEX $3,200, CPT $4,800)

Seattle has given up a league-high 50 fantasy points to tight ends on FanDuel so far this season. Higgins only has four receptions for 55 yards through three games but given the Seahawks’ vulnerability against the position, he’d be worth taking a cheap flyer on in this one.

You missed

From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.