Another weekend of NFL playoff action of the 2021 season brings another DraftKings showdown slate- the Conference game of Cincinnati @Kansas City. This brings a rematch of the Week 17 game, one of the best of the season. The Bengals were down two scores, but came back with some fantastic offensive performances. This game has the same shootout potential, giving alot of strong offensive options.
DraftKings Conference Showdown 2021- Cincinnati @Kansas City Captain Picks
Patrick Mahomes ($16,800/ $11,200 Flex)
After starting out with a number of turnovers, Mahomes has really turned things around. He recaptured his form from previous seasons, putting him squarely in a prime position to be a captain in this game. With his recent performances, and bring at home, there is little reason to doubt his ability to perform.
Joe Burrow ($15,600/ $10,400 Flex)
Burrow has been great for the Bengals this season, pulling the strings all season and moving the ball through the air. In that Week 17 game, he threw for 446 yards and 4 TDs. He may not reach that mark in this game, but he still factors to throw alot in this game. The Bengals attack is stacked with receivers, and the Kansas City Chiefs secondary is a unit that can be taken advantage of.
Ja’Marr Chase ($15,000/ $10,000 Flex)
As good as Burrow was in that game, it was the rookie receiver that stole the headlines with a 11 reception, 266 yards, and 3 TD game. That game was an outlier, but Chase has been great all season with multiple games with over 100 receiving yards. There isn’t a secondary in the league that seems to be able to find an answer in how to stop Chase.
Travis Kelce ($13,200/ $8,800 Flex)
Kelce is cheap considering the matchup, and his importance to the Chiefs offense. Kelce has been stepping up in the playoffs, with an average of 6 receptions for 100 yards and a TD in his two playoff games. The Bengals have struggled to stop production to the TE position all season, so there isn’t a lot to not like in this game for Kelce.
DraftKings Conference Showdown 2021- Cincinnati @Kansas City Flex Picks
Tyreek Hill ($10,800)
Hill is always in play, given his big-play ability. His ownership could bounce back after his performance against Buffalo last week, but he had struggled in the previous weeks with just over 100 yards and one score in the four games previous to that. To be honest, there isn’t that much to add. Hill is a good GPP option, but I’d likely be opting for Travis Kelce in cash.
Joe Mixon ($9,000)
Mixon is the lead back for the Bengals, re-establishing his role as the primary receiving option out of the backfield. In fact, it is that role that gives him his value. Being game-script proof means he is going to be on the field regardless of what happens. Even with the volume that he has been entrusted with, he has struggled to have over 65 rushing yards in his last seven games.
Tee Higgins ($7,800)
If you want a pivot from Chase in this one, then it has to be Higgins. Higgins has firmly established his role as a strong secondary receiving option for the team. Despite playing in three fewer games than Chase, Higgins has just 18 fewer targets and 7 fewer receptions. His upside is slightly capped however, as he hasn’t ended up in the endzone as much as hoped.
Byron Pringle ($5,200)
Pringle is a great cheaper option in this game. He has really cemented his role as the third receiver in this offense. If you want some exposure to the Chiefs passing attack, then Pringle is a fine option here. In the playoffs, he has caught 10 of his 14 targets for a low yardage total of 66 yards, but his 3 TDs make him a great option with upside.
Jerick McKinnon ($5,000)
McKinnon is likely going to be avoided in contests this week, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire set to return to a larger role on early-downs. The thing is, it is McKinnon that has been more efficient on the ground in the playoffs, and is the player that has been seeing usage through the air. With DraftKings PPR scoring, that is invaluable. Even if both CEH and Darrel Williams are able to play, they are going to eat each others role, with McKinnon likely to maintain his.
Evan McPherson ($4,000)
McPherson has been a big reason for why the Bengals are in the position they are in. The trust that he has from his team, and his accuracy means that he is a prime candidate to hit value each week. In fact, you’d have to go back to Week 16 to find a game where has missed a kick. As a cheap option, I’m happy to rotate him in.
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Image Credit: Greg M. Cooper – USA TODAY Sports
