Super Bowl LIX is almost upon us, and the anticipation couldn’t be any higher. The Chiefs hope to record the first three-peat in modern NFL history, a rare achievement in North American sports. On the other side, the Eagles are looking to avenge a 38-35 loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl LVII. With these two franchises meeting once again, the stakes are greater than just winning a championship. Plenty of DFS showdown contests will come down to a few big plays on Sunday. That makes selecting the right players for your lineups more important now than ever. Here are my two favorite captain plays, and some lineup advice, ahead of this weekend’s football extravaganza.
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Captain: PHI QB Jalen Hurts ($15,600)
While the Eagles have dominated the NFC’s best over the past month, it hasn’t been easy for Jalen Hurts. The quarterback suffered a concussion in Week 15, and it left a lasting impact. Over Philadelphia’s first two playoff games, he threw for a combined 229 passing yards and two touchdowns. While the dual-threat still found room to run, his production was not at the level fans have come to expect.
The two-time Pro Bowler bounced back during the NFC Championship Game against Washington. Hurts accounted for four total touchdowns against the Commanders, passing for one and rushing for three (33.44 FPTS). Now, with two weeks to rest up, the quarterback shouldn’t have any setbacks on Sunday. The 26-year-old thrived in this matchup two years ago, recording 374 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns. Can he deliver another masterpiece on the sport’s biggest stage? I’m leaning towards yes.
Captain: KC TE Travis Kelce ($13,500)
If there was a downside to Kansas City’s AFC Championship Game victory vs. the Bills, it was Travis Kelce. The future Hall of Famer, known for his big game heroics, caught just two passes for 19 yards. Still, the veteran is one of the greatest tight ends of all time; history suggests that he’ll bounce back. Over four Super Bowl appearances, Kelce has recorded 31 catches for 350 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles have defended tight ends well this season, allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the position. However, this is a matchup Kelce has excelled in before. Over four career games vs. Philadelphia, the ten-time Pro Bowler is averaging 6.3 catches for 62.8 receiving yards. During that time, he’s hauled in three touchdown catches. If Kelce can find the end zone one more time, this price could look like a steal on Monday morning.
Lineup Advice
For those riding with Hurts, it makes sense to pair him with some of Philly’s top pass catchers. That includes A.J. Brown ($9,600), DeVonta Smith ($7,400) and Dallas Goedert ($5,800), one of this week’s top value plays. I’d avoid Saquon Barkley ($12,000); his high price tag doesn’t bode well against a top-notch Chiefs front seven. That’s especially true if the Eagles find themselves throwing the ball more to keep up with Kansas City. Managers are better off spreading their salaries around rather than living and dying with just two (great) players.
On the other side, Kelce is an obvious stack with Patrick Mahomes ($10,000). The two are arguably the greatest quarterback-tight end tandem in football history; their connection is too strong to ignore. Elsewhere, I’d consider running back Kareem Hunt ($6,400), but KC’s wide receivers might be a stay away. Their production is too volatile to predict, especially when Kelce demands plenty of targets. For those expecting a pass-heavy showdown, loading up on tight ends with Goedert makes sense.
Value Picks
The Eagles D/ST ($4,200) has been red-hot recently, averaging 12.0 fantasy points over their last five outings. Still, the Chiefs are a different beast compared to Philly’s recent competition. This unit makes sense as a high-upside play, but there’s considerable risk here.
If you’re looking for some cheap Kansas City options, consider wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster ($2,000). The wideout had a seven-catch, 53-yard performance against Philadelphia two years ago. His production has been far less predictable this season, but he did notch 60 yards against Buffalo.
Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell ($3,400) is currently questionable to play (concussion/knee). If the backup can’t go, third-stringer Will Shipley ($2,400) could offer some value to fill out your lineups. In garbage time against Washington, the rookie ran for 77 yards and a touchdown. If given more touches, he’ll only need one big play to make an impact.
