DraftKings Fantasy Football features an AFC West rivalry. The DFS main slate may be in the books, but there is plenty of DFS action available for Sunday Night Football. Check out the NFL Showdown Slate DFS picks for the Week 14 Sunday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (LAC @ KC)
Captain’s Picks
Patrick Mahomes ($16,200 CP): His stats do not correlate with the Chiefs’ record. It’s a popular belief that Kansas City is the worst 11-1 team ever. Mahomes hasn’t played poorly. He averages 19.6 fantasy points at home. He scored 28.76 DKFP in Week 12. That was in a soft matchup with the Panthers. Sunday Night Football will be a tougher test. The Chargers have a top-10 defense. The test is the same for all of the players in the pool. DFS decisions default to talent. Is Mahomes still great? Yes. Are he and his weapons improving? They could be more in sync, but like seasons past, the Chiefs have battled injuries and the process of working in new faces. This might not be an instant classic but it’s classic Mahomes. He’s running the ball and passing 40 times per game.
UTIL Plays
Noah Gray ($4,400): This has been a long time coming. The former Duke star has carved out a role as a regular pass catcher for the Chiefs. Andy Reid is adaptable. He calls anyone’s name. The Chiefs regularly deploy 12 personnel and even run 13 personnel in tough matchups. That’s more snaps for Gray. That’s more fantasy points. Gray scored 18.3 DK FPTS in Week 11 and 22.6 DK FPTS in Week 12. He didn’t score two touchdowns again in Week 13, but he caught 4-of-6 passes for 58 yards and earned a red-zone target.
Will Dissly ($4,800): NFL DFS Showdown Slates were made for tight ends. It’s all about chasing the upside and getting value. Tight ends are less likely to score a touchdown than receivers and running backs but they come at half the price. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is tough. The Chiefs shut down their opponents’ weapons but can’t take them all away. Kansas City is willing to concede yards and catches to tight ends. They’ve allowed 80 receptions for 942 yards. Both are the most in the NFL. Dissly disappointed in Week 13, but the Chargers’ offseason acquisition was trending positively. He’s developing into an above-average tight end as his rapport with Justin Herbert ($9,800) grows.
Kimani Vidal ($2,800): It wouldn’t be a Sunday Night Football Showdown Slate without a too-cute pick. Vidal rushed for 20 yards on four carries in the absence of JK Dobbins. His 12 snaps aren’t very appealing but the offense only took 46 snaps in total. Vidal is a 2024 sixth-round pick out of Troy. He was a preseason darling. Vidal has enough talent. He needs an opportunity. It’s here. Gus Edwards ($7,400) doesn’t own the lead-back role. Running backs score touchdowns. The backs on this slate are bad. Take the cheapest one.
Fades
Isiah Pacheco ($8,000): Kansas City’s lead back returned after 11 weeks of rehab. He took 26 snaps — one fewer than Kareem Hunt ($6,400). Pacheco’s workload should increase but by how much? Hunt’s going to play and Samaje Perine ($2,400) will continue his work on third downs and passing downs. Furthermore, why would Andy Reid risk reinjuring Pacheco as the playoff stretch begins? The Chiefs regularly rotate running backs and this situation calls for caution. Pacheco is not worth $8,000 given his expected role.
THE OUTCOME
Is there any doubt? The Chiefs win. They just win. Mahomes is magic. There’s no other way to explain it. Science has tried all season. Week 13 finally proved it. The magic was maddening for the Raiders. The online haters were beside themselves. They better get ready for another resentful Sunday when this game goes final.
Final Score: Chiefs 20, Chargers 16
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (LAC @ KC)
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