NFL DFS: DraftKings Thursday Night Football Showdown Picks: Chiefs vs. Lions

The stage is about for an electrifying showdown because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs sq. off in opposition to the Detroit Lions within the inaugural sport of the season, taking middle stage on Thursday Night Football. Nevertheless, the thrill doesn’t finish there; it’s a DraftKings DFS Showdown slate that guarantees so as to add a complete new degree of depth to the motion.

I’ll be writing these useful articles every week for TNF and MNF showdowns, so remember to comply with me on X, @PotPharma. With star-studded rosters, explosive offenses, and high-stakes fantasy competitions in play, this matchup is poised to ignite the fantasy soccer world like by no means earlier than. Get able to dive into the insights you’ll have to dominate your DraftKings DFS contests that includes tonight’s highly-anticipated sport.

Thursday Night Football Showdown Picks (DraftKings)

Captain

Patrick Mahomes ($18 ,300)

The worth is excessive, sure. But when anyone can repay this sort of price ticket it’s Patrick Mahomes. Presently sitting at 52.5, the Chiefs-Lions matchup has the very best over/underneath of Week 1. Mahomes had a hand in 45 of the Chiefs’ 61 touchdowns final season, that’s 73% ! By that logic, when the Chiefs are projected to attain, Patrick Mahomes is projected to attain.

And rating he does, particularly in Week 1. Take a look at Patrick’s stats in each opener since changing into the starter in 2018:

As you’ll be able to see, Mahomes is one thing like a kind of high-tech air fryers; he doesn’t have to preheat. And simply in case you have been questioning, with Kelce’s standing/well being in query, he’s solely accounted for 4 of Patrick’s 18 opening-day touchdowns. I’ve crunched the numbers. Even with Patrick Mahomes in your captain slot, there may be nonetheless all kinds of lineups you’ll be able to construct that includes a stud like Travis Kelce or Amon-Ra St. Brown.

One other captain to contemplate: Amon-Ra St. Brown ($15,300)

Core Play

David Montgomery ($6,600)

With all of the hype surrounding the rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery has been slipping underneath the radar. Folks assume that as a result of he’s the bigger of the 2 operating backs, he’ll be the goal-line again. I’m on board with that assumption. Nevertheless, of us additionally appear to assume that his function stops there.

I imagine that he’ll be on the sector way more than others are projecting. Taking part in in opposition to the defending Tremendous Bowl champions, within the first sport of the season, I imagine that the Lions will depend on their vets at first. I count on David Montgomery to get the Lion’s share (no pun supposed) of touches on this matchup.

Core play to contemplate: Jared Goff ($9,400)

Worth

Josh Reynolds ($2,800)

With Jameson Williams (suspension) sidelined for the primary six video games of the season, Reynolds is at the moment listed because the WR3 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Marvin Jones. Nevertheless, a more in-depth look reveals that Reynolds might be the popular choice over Jones. Marvin Jones performed for the Lions from 2016 to 2020, whereas Jared Goff has been a Lion from 2021 to the current; their paths have but to cross till now.

Josh Reynolds, a former fourth-round choose of the LA Rams, overlapped with Goff there for 4 seasons. The connection has been on show at camp this offseason with Josh Reynolds coming down with a number of deep balls in joint practices. I’m assured that when the going will get tough for the Lions in Week 1, Goff will discover consolation in throwing to a extra acquainted face.

That is actually a beautiful scenario for all Lions go catchers. If this sport goes to dwell as much as the hype and are available anyplace close to the projected over/underneath, then the Lions are going to must contribute to the scoring. No matter which state of affairs we get, the shootout, or the Lions taking part in from behind, Lions receivers needs to be lots busy.

Worth to contemplate: Jerick McKinnon ($5,600)

Sleeper

Richie James Jr. ($2,000)

I don’t know; you don’t know; hell, Patrick Mahomes won’t even know but. One factor we do know is that Richie James has simply as a lot of an opportunity as anyone to be the Chiefs’ main WR this season. With Kadarius Toney, Justin Ross, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette all struggling minor accidents in camp this offseason, James was in a position to step up and earn first-team reps alongside Mahomes.

A 43-yard TD from Blaine Gabbert within the Chiefs’ preseason sport in opposition to the Saints exhibits that the six-year vet nonetheless has the flexibility to separate on this league. It should be famous that James started the week on the harm report, logging a restricted follow on Monday. James, nevertheless, was in a position to get in a full follow the subsequent time the staff was on the market on Tuesday, so he needs to be all-systems-go. Being priced at $2000 on DraftKings, Richie James Jr. doesn’t must do a lot to repay his wage and his low price opens up area so as to add a stud whose function we’re extra sure about.

Sleeper to contemplate: Justyn Ross ($1,000)

Bust

Kadarius Toney ($7,000)

After I search for a bust candidate on DraftKings, I begin on the prime and work my method down till I land on a participant that I’m not snug rostering at their present wage. Priced at $7000, it didn’t take me lengthy to land on Kadarius Toney. Toney has been a boom-or-bust participant all through his quick NFL profession. His profession hasn’t been quick simply due to the mere proven fact that he’s solely coming into his fourth season, it’s been quick as a result of he’s hardly been out there. Toney has solely appeared in 19 video games in his three years as a professional, that’s barely even a full season.

Recovering from a torn meniscus, which he sustained firstly of coaching camp this offseason, Toney presents way more threat than reward. Chiefs coach Andy Reid assured us final week that the WR can be “able to go” for tonight’s matchup. Though which may be the case, an in-game setback could be very potential. In actuality, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Toney’s workload restricted in his first sport again from an harm that required surgical procedure. Yow will discover higher methods to spend your wage.

Week 1 rankings for season-long leagues: Quarterback | Working Again | Large Receiver | Tight Finish