The Lions and Vikings square off for the NFC North and the top seed in the conference in a premier Sunday Night Football showcase.
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 $1.2M Battle for a Bye [$300K to 1st] (MIN @ DET)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
Jahmyr Gibbs ($17,400)
The Jahmyr Gibbs RB1 takeover has been a resounding success. The partnership between Gibbs and David Montgomery has helped reinforce the value of the running back position, and they are responsible for turning the Detroit offense into a supernova. Gibbs’ elusiveness, paired with Montgormery’s power, has given defenses fits. With Montgomery on the shelf with a knee injury, Gibbs has monopolized the Detroit backfield.
Think of this as a partnership like WHAM!, where both singers can create spectacular tracks together, but George Michael is clearly the superior talent in the group. Montgomery hasn’t been holding Gibbs back per se, but the latter’s explosiveness and prowess as a pass catcher with an uptick in workload only increase the unit’s big-play potential.
Gibbs has scored 28 points in three consecutive outings and is now tied for the second-most touchdowns from a skill position player in the NFL. He’s transitioning to becoming a workhorse, and in the biggest game of the campaign, he should continue to see over 20 touches.
Justin Jefferson ($17,100)
There’s no way to stop Justin Jefferson. Jefferson, the most dominant wideout in the sport, has continued on his Hall of Fame trajectory. In the last few weeks, Minnesota’s superstar has started to catch fire. He’s coming off three consecutive outings with over 11 targets, finding the end zone three times in that stretch. Kevin O’Connell wants to air the ball out, and that starts with the simple fact that no one can handle Jefferson—including Detroit.
In the first meeting, he snagged seven catches for 81 yards and a score en route to a 21-point fantasy outing. Jefferson is averaging over 20 on the season and is one of the most consistent DFS producers in the league. Since his time at LSU, he’s always had his best moments when the lights are the brightest. Jefferson will have a chip on his shoulder and has a great chance to pass the century mark.
Sam Darnold ($14,100)
In a vacuum, Sam Darnold has unquestionably been a top-eight signal caller this year. For a while, everyone waited for Darnold to come back to earth. Little tape suggested the former third-overall pick could be a high-end starter, let alone a perennial MVP candidate. For much of the campaign, Darnold has been an accurate gunslinger, feeding his top weapons with precise accuracy. He’s been a revelation, and this battle could help him get a massive payday in the off-season.
Darnold has had over 22 fantasy points in three of his last four showings, including a 28-point masterpiece in his latest performance against Green Bay. In the first showdown with Detroit, Darnold started shaky but came alive in the second half. He fell short of leading a masterful comeback, but the rally was inspiring. This game can be the defining moment in a miraculous season for a quarterback that has risen from the ashes. It’s hard not to get behind Darnold, who continues to prove all the detractors wrong.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.2M Battle for a Bye [$300K to 1st] (MIN @ DET)
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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.
