NFL Wild Card Weekend has arrived and there are two great Saturday matchups. First, the Texans host the Chargers in a battle of two of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks. Then, the Ravens host the Steelers in an AFC North rivalry game.
There are far more ways to get involved in the action than just via traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football!
Saturday Pick6 Plays
When playing Pick6, you can combine your picks from both Saturday games to maximize your payout. Here are my top Pick6 plays for the Saturday NFL Wild Card slate.
Joe Mixon More Than 0.5 Rushing + Receiving TDs
Joe Mixon had a great first season in Houston. He missed a couple of games due to an injury and only played in the first quarter in the final week of the regular season as Houston was resting starters. Due to the time missed, Mixon’s year-end numbers weren’t among the league’s best, but for a big portion of the season, he was dominant in the Houston offense. Among all running backs, Mixon finished in the top ten in rushing yards per game and receiving yards per game, scoring 12 total touchdowns along the way. Houston is banged up at wide receiver with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs both out for the season. John Metchie questionable for this game. The Chargers also rank 5th in the NFL in defensive EPA/dropback. Therefore, Mixon should get a heavy dose of action as Houston will try to control the game on the ground. During the stretch of games where Mixon was at his healthiest, he scored ten touchdowns in six games. He is finally close to 100% again and should find the end zone against Los Angeles.
Derrick Henry More Than 98.5 Rushing Yards
Derrick Henry had an incredible first year with the Ravens. Henry finished the regular season second in rushing yards and tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL. The Ravens faced the Steelers just last month. Henry demolished their defense. Henry rushed for an absurd 162 yards in that game on 6.8 yards per carry. The Ravens will be without their leading receiver, Zay Flowers, for this game. That should lead to OC Todd Monken relying even more on Henry than usual to carry the offensive load. The Steelers rank 8th in defensive EPA/dropback compared to 17th in defensive EPA/rush. They are much more exploitable on the ground than through the air and with Flowers out, this should be a big game for Henry. The Ravens are also sizeable favorites in this game, which should lead to a game-script of them running the ball late in the game to hang on to that lead. Henry is averaging 104.6 rushing yards per game in his postseason career, and he should have another 100+ yard game against Pittsburgh.
Jaylen Warren More Than 55.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Jaylen Warren has been a good backup behind Najee Harris. Harris gets a bulk of the carries for the Steelers, but he has been pretty uninspiring throughout his Steelers career, particularly at the end of this regular season. Harris averaged just 43.8 rushing yards per game over Pittsburgh’s final five games. Part of that is because Warren started seeing more touches. Warren has a quickness and explosivity gear that Najee Harris lacks. Despite playing significantly fewer snaps, Warren finished the season with more receiving yards than Harris. In a game where Pittsburgh will likely need to be aggressive throwing the football, Warren should see more time on the field as the better receiving threat between the two backs. Warren has cleared this combined rushing + receiving number in 8 of his past 11 games, and should do so again in this matchup against Baltimore.
Russell Wilson More Than 0.5 Interceptions Thrown
Russell Wilson struggled down the stretch in the regular season. Over the Steelers’ final five games, Wilson averaged just 171.2 passing yards per game and had just six passing touchdowns. Russell Wilson also has an issue with sack avoidance, as his mobility has declined with age. He took three sacks per game this season, the fourth-most among qualified quarterbacks. All of that led to the Steelers losing their final four games of the season. Wilson threw two interceptions in those final four games, including one against Baltimore. In fact, Wilson threw an interception against Baltimore both times he faced them this season. The Ravens had one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL over the first half of the season, but since Week 11, they lead the NFL in defensive EPA/dropback. Wilson and the Steelers will need to be aggressive through the air to keep up with Baltimore, which should lead to Wilson throwing another pick to the Ravens.
Rashod Bateman More Than 47.5 Receiving Yards
Rashod Bateman is going to need to step up to the plate for the Ravens in this game. Their leading receiver, Zay Flowers, will miss this game with an injury. That means Bateman will be the Ravens’ top wide receiver for this game. After being a non-factor in Weeks 16 and 17, Bateman did step up to the plate once Flowers got hurt in Week 18. Bateman finished the regular season finale with 76 receiving yards and a touchdown. Even with Flowers playing every game this season, Bateman cleared this number in seven games this season, so he is more than capable of having explosive games. As the WR1 for Lamar Jackson in this game, Bateman should clear this number and have a big game.
J.K. Dobbins Less Than 11.5 Receiving Yards
J.K. Dobbins is questionable for this game with an ankle injury. My gut instinct would be that he plays in this game. If it was the regular season, he might sit out. However, in the postseason, Dobbins should at least give it a shot. However, the Chargers have other options at running back, and they will likely not try to overwork Dobbins if he is not at 100%. They might just save him for third downs or key red zone scenarios, rather than his usual workload. I am picking Dobbins to go under his receiving total in this game. Dobbins has only cleared this number in 5 of 13 games this season, so with him not at 100%, I am happy to take him to have less than 11.5 receiving yards in this game.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of two or more players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing two or more players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is blakekrass) 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 skill 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 cannot access any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
