The NFL Divisional Round is here and there are two great games on the Saturday slate. First, the top-seeded Chiefs host the Texans in Kansas City. Following that game, the NFC’s top-seeded Lions host the Commanders.
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 Divisional Round slate.
C.J. Stroud More Than 14.5 Rushing Yards
C.J. Stroud had his share of struggles during the regular season as he dealt with a lot of injuries to his offensive weapons. The Texans’ offense struggled down the stretch in the regular season and those struggles seemed to roll over into the first half of the Chargers game. However, the Texans’ offense found a spark at the end of the first half against the Chargers and didn’t look back. Stroud played great in the second half and put the Chargers away. Stroud is typically not much of a runner at quarterback but like a lot of quarterbacks, the postseason is a different story. There are plenty of quarterbacks with good mobility but don’t run very often in order to protect themselves throughout the season. Then when everything is on the line in the postseason, they aren’t afraid to take off running. Stroud demonstrated that last week by running for 42 yards against the Chargers. Even if you eliminate his impressive 27-yard scamper that contributed to a huge chunk of that total, Stroud would still be over 14.5 rushing yards. The Texans are lacking at wide receiver outside of Nico Collins and against a well-coached Chiefs defense, Stroud will likely need to take off and make things happen himself in this game.
Sam LaPorta More Than 4.5 Receptions
Sam LaPorta is the forgotten member of this Lions offense. The running back duo, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams make most of the flashy plays. However, Sam LaPorta is one of the most consistent pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. LaPorta had a bit of a mid-season lull but he ended the regular season on a really strong note, averaging 5.8 receptions and 67 yards per game over his final five games of the regular season. LaPorta has had at least six targets in eight straight games, so that puts him on a good path to come up with five receptions since almost all of his targets are very high-percentage throws. The Commanders don’t have elite cornerbacks and they will need safeties and linebackers to help take away all of their receiving threats on the outside, as well as the dangerous running backs. That should allow LaPorta to find pockets in the defense and get some easy looks to move the chains for the Lions.
Dalton Schultz More Than 3.5 Receptions
Dalton Schultz is another reliable tight end who could be in for a big game this weekend. Schultz has had an up-and-down season, like the rest of the Texans offense. However, he has been a constant in this offense which basically nobody else can say. Schultz played in all 17 regular season games and the Wild Card game against the Chargers, while the rest of the Texans offense struggled with injuries all season. The Texans are lacking in offensive weapons and the Chiefs have really struggled against tight ends this season, a recipe that could lead to a big game for Schultz. The Chiefs rank 30th in the NFL in receptions allowed and 32nd in receiving yards allowed to opposing tight ends. In 12 out of 17 games this season, the Chiefs have allowed at least four receptions to opposing tight ends. Schultz himself had five receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown when these teams faced each other in the regular season. The Chiefs have some elite corners and pass-rushers but they can be attacked in the middle of the field. Schultz should be a good outlet for C.J. Stroud to get the ball out of his hands quickly.
Joe Mixon More Than 81.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Joe Mixon has added a new element to the Texans’ offense from last season. Mixon had a really solid first year in Houston and has made things much easier for C.J. Stroud at times this season. Mixon missed a few games with an injury early in the season and struggled to produce down the stretch when the Texans’ offense was in a major rut as a group but for a long stretch in the middle of the season, Mixon was easily among the best backs in the league. After a rough patch to end the regular season, Mixon bounced back strong in the Wild Card Round against the Chargers. Mixon rushed for 106 yards and added 13 more through the air. Mixon isn’t an elite pass-catcher out of the backfield but he did rack up over 300 receiving yards this season and in a game where the Chiefs might need to throw late to catch up to the Chiefs, Mixon could be a good outlet in the passing game. Mixon cleared this rushing + receiving yards number in eight of his first ten games this season before the Texans’ rough offensive stretch to end the regular season. However, Mixon then cleared it with ease once the Houston offense got back on track in the Wild Card Round. Mixon will need to be able to run the ball effectively and be used in the screen game if the Texans want to control the clock and keep the ball away from Patrick Mahomes. He should have another good game and eclipse this number.
Kareem Hunt Less Than 41.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Kareem Hunt came off the couch a few weeks into the season to help the Chiefs once Isiah Pacheco went down with a serious injury. Hunt stepped into his role well and helped the Chiefs win a lot of games this season. However, since Pacheco returned in late November, Hunt’s role has been diminishing. In the five games since Pacheco returned, Hunt is averaging 30.2 rushing yards per game. Pacheco was expected to be one of the best running backs in the league this season before his injury in Week 2. After resting in the season finale and having a bye week, the Chiefs’ offensive starters have not played since Christmas Day. That much time off should have Pacheco back to full health and ready to take on a massive workload now that the postseason is here. Hunt’s role should continue to shrink in the postseason and he will have limited touches. Pacheco should become the dominant back once again and that will push Hunt under this number.
Terry McLaurin More Than 0.5 Rush + Receiving TDs
Terry McLaurin has had an amazing season with his rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin finished the regular season second in the NFL in receiving touchdowns with 13. He also found the end zone in the Commanders’ Wild Card win over the Buccaneers. McLaurin had a monster day with seven catches going for 89 yards and the score. McLaurin has been the standout target for Jayden Daniels all season but their connection has only grown as the season has progressed. Including the postseason, McLaurin has eight touchdowns over his past seven games. Whether it is a tight situation in the end zone or taking a deep shot down the field, McLaurin is almost always Daniels’ first look. He can score in so many different ways that he is a nightmare for opposing defenses. The Lions have a great defense but they have had issues giving up deep shots this season. They rank 31st in the NFL in 20+ yard receptions allowed and 29th in 40+ yard receptions allowed. The Commanders will need to be aggressive to beat this elite Lions offense which means they should fire off some deep shots to McLaurin and he should be able to connect on at least one to get McLaurin into the end zone.
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!
