The last time the Kansas City Chiefs started 0-2 was back in 2014. In the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have never lost three games in a row. Their first two games this season were against legitimate Super Bowl contenders, as the Los Angeles Chargers are +1500 to win the Super Bowl (sixth-lowest odds), while the Philadelphia Eagles are +750 (fourth-lowest odds), according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Now, they travel to New Jersey to face a Giants team that is 1-1, has scored 43 points, and given up 61.
New York couldn’t do much against Washington, while Russell Wilson had an out-of-body experience in Week 2, throwing for 450 yards and three touchdowns. This will be the home opener for the Giants and a primetime island game. Strange things have been known to happen in that scenario.
The most interesting aspect of this matchup is the Giants’ defensive line. It’s built to rush the passer, with 45 sacks tied for sixth-most in the NFL. However, the pressure rate is just 21.8%, which ranks 18th. The interior of the line is light, and the 5.9 yards per carry allowed is the second-most in the NFL.
But can the Chiefs take advantage of that weakness? While their EPA per carry of 0.19 is second-best in the league, and their 5.1 yards per carry are tied for fourth-most, most of that production has come from Patrick Mahomes, who has rushed 13 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Isiah Pacheco has carried 15 times for 47 yards, while Kareem Hunt has rushed 13 times for 47 yards.
Below are the possible values that could help take you to the Promised Land.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.11M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (KC @ NYG)
RB Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs ($400)
This is not for the faint of heart. If you want more of a floor, Smith is not your guy. Through two games, he has received eight and five snaps. He’s seen one target and carried the ball once for two yards.
Here’s the thing: he’s uber-cheap, so the risk is minimal, and he could help you fit in more expensive players. The reward? It’s potentially high. As mentioned above, the Chiefs have struggled to find a reliable run game. While Smith was only a seventh-round pick, he blazes with a 4.39 40-yard dash and was a productive receiver in college. He was also mentioned positively in the offseason.
What if he’s given a few carries, shows his explosiveness, and provides a spark to the offense? If that happens, double-digit carries with some targets wouldn’t be out of the question, and he could easily smash his price.
WR Jalen Royals, Kansas City Chiefs ($2,800)
Royals is 6’0″, 205 pounds, and was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. He runs a 4.42 40-yard dash and was compared to fellow Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice. He has yet to play this season due to injury and is officially listed as questionable, but he practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and could make his debut in this game. Royals was also mentioned positively in the offseason by both coaches and teammates.
WR Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs ($4,400)
Thornton has played 72% and 75% of the snaps through two games, garnering four and five targets. The nine total targets are the third-most on the team. Thornton is 6’2″, 183 pounds, and runs a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash. His aDOT is a massive 31.6. Give me the really fast guy with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball.
