Continuing our DraftKings Showdown coverage of the 2021 season, we look at the Indianapolis @Baltimore matchup. For what feels like the 20th time this season, we’re treated to another Baltimore primetime matchup! I don’t think anyone can complain though, as Lamar Jackson is looking much closer to his former 2019 MVP winning-self than he was last year. Under the lights tonight, Carson Wentz and the Colts travel to M&T Bank Stadium, hoping to build on their 27-17 victory in Miami last Sunday. Lamar leads the Ravens into this one off the back of 3 straight wins, including a 23-7 decimation of Denver last week. The Ravens are 7.5 favourites in this one, with the O/U sitting at a mediocre 47.
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Indianapolis @Baltimore Captain Picks
Lamar Jackson ($18,900)
I think there’s yet to have been a showdown slate featuring Lamar where I haven’t considered him in the captain spot. His rushing upside is phenomenal and, despite what many still try to tell you, his passing isn’t too bad either. This Colts pass defence is really tricky to work out, as they sit 10th-best in YPG through the air (216.8) yet have given up a horrific 116.0 opponent QB rating, the worst in the league. This is mainly due to their crazy opponent TD%, surrendering a TD on 10% of opponent pass attempts. For comparison, Washington are 2nd-worst with 7.2%. The stage is well and truly set for another big night for Lamar, and I believe he’s a lock in the captain spot in cash games.
Jonathan Taylor ($14,700)
Taylor is probably my favourite GPP captain on this slate. In a game where Indianapolis looks set to trail from early on, playing a Colts RB is a crazy idea, especially given his almost non-existing role in the passing game of late. However, no player in the league has seen more redzone rushing attempts coming into Week 5 than Taylor, with 19 so far, and a team-high share of 38% of attempts/targets. The Colts love to run the ball in the redzone, and whilst this Ravens defence has been solid against the run in terms of yardage (85.8 YPG), they have actually given up 5 rushing TDs on the year, meaning Taylor is definitely someone to look out for tonight.
Mark Andrews ($9,900)
Whilst Andrews hasn’t lit the league alight so far this season, I still believe he is criminally under-priced. It’s only a matter of time until he starts finding the endzone on a regular basis. Until then however, he still has decent PPR upside, and at this price he’s tough to ignore.
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Indianapolis @ Baltimore Flex Picks
Marquise Brown ($11,000)
With 3 TDs on the season, Brown has had a solid start despite some disappointing drops in Week 3. He bounced back in a big way last week though, going 4-91-1 in Denver. His upside is tremendous, and certainly isn’t as reliant on the deep ball as he once was, meaning he does have a nice floor too. He’s seen 28 targets, with a team-high 3 in the red zone. He’s pricey, but on a slate with not many ‘slate-breakers’, Brown is in a nice spot tonight.
Michael Pittman ($9,000)
Pittman looks to have clearly solidified his place as WR1 in this Colts offense, with team-highs in targets, receptions and yardage through the air so far – despite not yet finding the end zone. Similar to Andrews, it’s only a matter of time before he starts racking up the TDs, and in a game where Indianapolis should have to throw a lot, Pittman should have a nice floor.
Sammy Watkins ($5,800)
Watkins is one of my favourite plays on MNF tonight. He’s seen a team-high 29 targets and offers a massive discount in price compared to Brown. As mentioned before, this Colts defence is prone to giving up TDs through the air at an alarming rate.
James Proche ($1,000), Josh Oliver ($200)
Only really a couple of GPP darts, but a couple of nice value picks nonetheless. Proche is fighting with Duvernay to be the WR3 in Baltimore and had a great game last week. It could just be a one-off, but he’s worth a punt. Oliver is priced at the minimum, but has 2 redzone looks so far this season, so could be a difference-maker in a potentially low-scoring game.
Myles Boykin ($200)
Per the ever-reliable Ian Rapoport, it looks like Boykin should be activated off IR for his season debut tonight. With no Bateman again, Boykin only really faces competition from Duvernay and Proche and could be looking to prove himself before Bateman also returns from IR.
DraftKings Showdown 2021 Indianapolis @Baltimore Defences and Kickers
Both kickers are certainly in play tonight, with Tucker ($4,000) obviously the preferred option. The Colts do have a tendency of kicking FGs when their drives stall, so Blakenship ($3,600) is another solid play. The only defence I’d consider is Baltimore ($4,400). Whilst the Colts have only actually surrendered 4 giveaways (tied 2nd-least in the NFL), this could be a low-scoring affair and you never know what kind of performance we’re going to see from Wentz.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2021 Showdown of Indianapolis @Baltimore! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or jump into our Discord server
Image Credit: Tommy Gilligan – USA TODAY Sports
