The Bills look to win their seventh-straight game against a disappointing 49ers bunch on Sunday Night Football.
It’s primetime, which means DraftKings has a premier showdown contest. In this mode, choosing the best captain is critical since they earn 1.5x fantasy points. Below, I’ve honed in on the top three options deserving of leading your lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (SF @ BUF)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
Josh Allen ($16,500)
On a weekly basis, there isn’t a more dominant signal-caller in the league than Josh Allen. Patrick Mahomes still has the best quarterback belt due to his track record when it matters most, but Allen is the number one contender and is vying for the crown.
Even with a mediocre pass-catching corps around him, Allen has churned out the most impressive season of his career. The once-erratic gunslinger has been much more thoughtful about picking his spots, prioritizing protecting the football, and making the proper read underneath. His lack of big-play hunting has helped his output, as his efficiency with his arm and mobility with his legs have unlocked his MVP form.
Allen has scored at least 20 fantasy points in six-straight outings. Coming off a bye against a banged-up San Francisco bunch, Allen is bound to keep his sizzling stretch going with a chance to clinch the AFC East in front of the Bills Mafia.
Christian McCaffrey ($15,900)
After missing the first nine weeks of the season, Christian McCaffrey does not look like the premier weapon that transformed this Kyle Shanahan offense. Unsurprisingly, he’s struggled to find his footing after a prolonged absence with various lower leg injuries, but the club is desperate for him to get going.
McCaffrey is averaging just 3.46 yards per carry, failing to navigate behind a makeshift offensive line. His burst is lacking, but he’s simply not making defenders miss at a serviceable rate. A goal-line vulture in recent years, he has more fumbles, one, than touchdowns, zero, in his three games back.
The 28-year-old back gets to square off against a Buffalo defense that has been susceptible to getting gashed in the run game. If McCaffrey can find the end zone, his DFS value skyrockets, and he instantly becomes a viable captain candidate.
James Cook ($14,400)
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has to keep letting James cook. The third-year rusher has had an odd season. His stats don’t jump off the screen — 4.3 yards per attempt and on pace to finish with nearly 100 fewer yards on the ground than last season.
His role is to be the early down bruiser. Buffalo almost exclusively runs the rock on first down. That might hurt his production, but it helps unlock the play-action passing attack and wears out a front seven. When Cook gets more prosperous touches, he delivers as a shifty runner, with an electric jump cut and the ability to shed tackles.
As long as he sees work as a receiver, he’s a high-end fantasy RB1 option that garners enough volume to have explosive performances.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (SF @ BUF)
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is xaiver-aguiar) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
