Sunday Night Football gives us an AFC East clash between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, and DraftKings has plenty of DFS angles to explore. Buffalo’s high-powered offense enters as a heavy favorite, but divisional familiarity can always muddy the waters in a primetime matchup. Let’s break down the key plays and strategy for building winning Showdown lineups.
DraftKings Sportsbook has BUF -8.5 over NE with the total at 49.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.11M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (NE @ BUF)
Captain’s Picks
Matt Prater ($7,500 CP): This where people click away. For those still hanging around, look at the player pool. The fantasy points are concentrated and consistent. The players that should score will score and they’re not cheap. The only way to roster the locks is to go cheap with Captain. Statistically, this approach rarely works, but winning $250K is rare. An unconventional approach is required. The Bills will move the ball into New England’s territory. Matt Prater will have plenty of opportunities. A regular performance will get the job done. He’s more likely to keep a DFS SNF Showdown team afloat than a team relying on a tertiary receiving option.
UTIL Plays
James Cook ($11,400): He’s no longer known as Dalvin Cook’s younger brother. James Cook has rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He’s active in the passing game. Most important of all, he scored 18 touchdowns in 2025. He’s scored five through four games this season. Showdowns slates are won by touchdowns. Cook is the Bills’ main weapon.
Josh Allen ($12,000): The Bills best receiver on any given slate is hard to predict. The passer is not. Josh Allen scores through the air and on the ground. Fading Allen and winning money is highly unlikely. There simply isn’t a game script where Allen fails. He’s expensive, but he’s expensive for a reason. The Bills look like the team to beat this season and they’re just getting started. There’s a strong possibility that Buffalo puts on a show in primetime. If there’s a show, Allen will be the star.
Drake Maye ($10,000): The Bills offense is going to score. The Patriots must keep pace and will need Drake Maye to do so. If the Patriots can keep it close, it will be Maye’s arm that keeps them in the game. If the game gets out of hand, then Maye will be required to throw even more. So goes Buffalo, so goes Maye.
Fades
Dalton Kincaid ($7,400): Who’s scoring the touchdowns? Dalton Kincaid has three this season. His viability depends on finding the endzone. So far, he’s worked out in fantasy. His volume isn’t elite, but his ability put six points on the board is. If Cook, Allen and one of the Bills receivers score the touchdowns, then Kincaid fails. The Bills tight end will be popular and taking the risk that he does not score a touchdown will create leverage and a modest amount of savings.
THE OUTCOME
The Bills should control most of this game with their superior offense and playmaking defense, especially at home in primetime. New England may find some success on the ground, but it’s unlikely it’ll keep pace if Allen gets rolling through the air. Expect Buffalo to pull away late and secure a comfortable double-digit win.
Final Score: Bills 34, Patriots 20
