With the Chiefs and Falcons coming off thrilling victories, it’s only right both squads will square off on Sunday Night Football.
It’s primetime, which means DraftKings is having a Sunday Night Showdown contest. In this mode, choosing the right captain is key since they earn 1.5x fantasy points. I’ve narrowed down my three favorite players deserving of leading your team to the top.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.25M Sunday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (KC @ ATL)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
Bijan Robinson ($15,900)
After a disappointing start to his campaign, Bijan Robinson was dominant in Atlanta’s comeback win on Monday Night Football. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson prioritized getting his star tailback the ball in space. There was an emphasis on runs through the A and B gaps to allow the 22-year-old to get to the outside, where he could best utilize his speed and agility. He plants his foot with confidence once he gets beyond the first level, which helps him generate a burst and has supernatural lateral movement.
Kirk Cousins ($13,500) thrives off play action and exploiting the middle of the field, which best opens up when pounding the rock. It was clear, coming off an Achilles injury, he was rusty out of the gates, but he looked much more physically confident in Week 2. The best way to get Cousins going is to lean on Robinson early and often.
The Kansas City duo of George Karlaftis and Chris Jones have been stout against the run, which doesn’t bode well for the former Longhorns star. Each week, I preach volume, and Robinson is bound for 20+ touches every week. Even if he’s a bit inefficient against a talented front seven, his opportunity share as a safety valve in the passing game and a touchdown machine in the red zone gives him premier captain upside.
Patrick Mahomes ($15,000)
Patrick Mahomes’ greatness doesn’t require much in-depth analysis—he simply operates at a level beyond every other quarterback in the league. It’s been a slow statistical start for his standards, but the two-time MVP has always been dominant after a lackluster outing. With bellcow Isiah Pacheco hitting IR, the reliance on Mahomes suddenly goes up a notch.
Don’t let the Falcons‘ recent performance fool you—their defense has plenty of holes in the backend. Jalen Hurts is 2-7 across his last nine starts and has been giving away the football at an alarming rate. Mahomes is far more disciplined, and his recent turnover issues are bound to balance out.
With the renewed talent injection on the outside, it’s only a matter of time before number 15 starts putting up video game numbers again.
Rashee Rice ($14,400)
Rashee Rice’s scorching start to the year has already helped cover up his disastrous off-season. The second-year receiver has emerged as the Chiefs‘ WR1 and has unlimited upside because of the infrastructure around him. He seems to have the Tyreek Hill X-Factor, where once a game, he’s due to use his blazing speed to get open on a go-route down the sideline.
Atlanta loves to run a blend of zone defenses, which Rice efficiently exploits. Andy Reid uses his top-skill position weapon in various ways, and it’s impossible to imagine any opponent being able to completely shut him down.
Until Travis Kelce ($12,300) can shake off the cobwebs and show renewed DFS relevance, Rice is who to snag for a share of this high-powered passing attack.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.25M Sunday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (KC @ ATL)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is 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 do not have access to any non-public information.
