Another DraftKings showdown slate this time Indianapolis @New England. Not really an exciting one it feels like. So if you choose to stay in bed I don’t blame you. This one wraps up the Germany games, and the international series. The O/U has been set at 43.5 here, with the Colts less than a FG favorite.
DraftKings SMF Showdown 2023 – Indianapolis @New England Captain Picks
Jonathan Taylor ($17,100 Capt/ $11,400 Flex)
Taylor seems like he might be back to the fantasy force he was in previous seasons. Not had a smash game, as he has in previous seasons yet, but seems like he has beat out the share with Zack Moss. This matchup isn’t a must smash though, and there is a jump from him to Rhamondre Stevenson/ Michael Pittman who are equally as viable at CPT.
Rhamondre Stevenson ($15,600 Capt/ $10,400 Flex)
There aren’t many great players in this Patriots offense, but Stevenson is one of them. Should get all of the work he can handle in this one- even with Ezekiel Elliott in the mix. Getting plenty of checkdowns too, which gives him a solid floor on DK. If he finds the endzone once or twice, as he can, smashes as CPT play.
Michael Pittman Jr. ($15,300 Capt/ $10,200 Flex)
Pittman is a massive target hog in this offense, and offers a massive amount of savings over Taylor on the ground. Has a huge size and speed advantage over the Patriots secondary. Minshew should be able to find him plenty around the field, and in the redzone. My preferred CPT play on the slate.
DraftKings SMF Showdown 2023 – Indianapolis @New England Flex Picks
Gardner Minshew ($10,000 Flex)
I kinda love the fact we have another stint of Minshew-Mania. Love the way this guy plays with a smile on his face. Has two games of multiple TDs, and two where he hit 300+ yards (one game he hit both), so has a decent ceiling. Mainly putting him in my flex in a stack with Pittman.
Mac Jones ($9,200 Flex)
Jones has been sub-optimal this season (trying to be kind) for fantasy. Started out the season really well with 316 yards and 3 TDs through the air. But since then, hasn’t had a single game with over 275 yards and has thrown 7 TDs and 8 INTs. With some of his starting receivers unavailable I’m not going to be adding him too many times in my lineups.
Zack Moss ($8,800 Flex)
Pricing feels a little high here, which should greatly impact his ownership. Taylor has started to win out the starting role too, and make this a little less of a timeshare. Think he still might get double-digit touches though, which gives him some flex appeal. Just hate the pricing.
Demario Douglas ($7,800 Flex)
Douglas is now the WR1 for the Patriots, but that’s more due to injury and not his individual performances. Should be the lead target again in the offense, which gives him decent floor value on DK’s PPR scoring. But that’s the issue, I don’t think there is really much ceiling here in this struggling offense.
Hunter Henry ($5,800 Flex)
Henry has 40 targets on the season, putting him joint-second with Stevenson in targets on the team. Saw a bump from his normal 3 targets a game last week to 6. Not sure if that trend continues, but he has decent upside with 3 TDs (not alot, but it’s second on the team)
Juju Smith-Schuster ($3,800 Flex)
This price makes me interested in Juju, as he does seems to be getting targets in the offense though, with 7 last time out against Washington. The matchup against the Colts is a decent one, and the ball has to go somewhere (even if it is for minimal gain each time). Great flex option here.
Ezekiel Elliott ($3,200 Flex)
Elliott has the backup RB slot sewn up, with some decent games where he has seen increased work in the passing game, or fallen into the endzone. If he manages one of those two things (or both) then he would smash at this price. If he doesn’t then he is going to struggle in a poor offense. GPP roll of the dice.
Kylen Granson ($2,400 Flex)
Granson is the starting TE for the Colts, and is great at catching passes. Struggled with his return last week, but he has shown that he has some upside, with the game against the Jaguars being a 3 reception for 67 yard game. Looks like he could see more work here too with Andrew Ogletree out.
Isaiah McKenzie/ Alec Pierce ($2,000/ $800 Flex)
One of these two is going to need to step up for the Colts. Joshua Downs has been ruled out for this game, after missing practice all week. McKenzie should have the slot snaps, which should give him a great floor here. If he manages to score a TD, he is a smash play. Equally Pierce is interesting at sub $1k. Has an injury issue, but was a full go on Friday. Should see some work on the outside, and has shown his ability to make big plays if given the opportunity. Allows you to save plenty salary too.
Dart Throw Plays (Various)
Instead of writing up a line for a few options with their own sections, thought I’d list out a few in one area. Not really worth considering these as core plays, only in multi-entry GPPs:
- Mike Gesicki (TE, NE) $1,400 Flex – Gesicki isn’t getting the usage I hoped for him as the clear backup TE for the Patriots. Out on the field alot, with the team running double TEs often, but not seeing too many targets. You are really hoping he falls in the endzone. That’s the only way he gets points here.
- Tyquan Thornton (WR, NE) $1,200 Flex – Injury worries, but even when he is on the field he isn’t doing too much. I never really want to rule someone out of consideration- but this is as close as it gets.
- Jalen Reagor (WR, NE) $400 Flex – Got out on the field a decent amount last week, with the injuries the team had. 6 targets, but only managed to grab one of them. Can’t shy at that though, and has the speed to make plays.
- Juwann Winfree (WR, IND) $200 Flex – Has an opporunity to perform here with Downs out. Could be on the field as part of a rotation. True punt play though, as he has only had a single target this season (which he failed to catch)
- Mo Alie-Cox (TE, IND) $200 Flex – No doubt scores 3 TDs and ruins the slate for everyone. Should see the field more with Ogletree out of this one.
My favored play is Reagor and then a punt in Alie-Cox. The price tags mean they don’t need to do too much at all here, and both have decent upside with their speed/ redzone ability.
DraftKings SMF Showdown 2023 – Indianapolis @New England Kickers and DSTs
Kickers have been great on these showdown slates, and that should continue here. Matt Gay ($5,000) has been great all year, and has double-digits scores in his last 4 of 5 games. Hit 16 of his 18 FG attempts, with those misses all coming from late (although hit 6 of 7 from 50+ yards). With the way the Colts have struggled to convert when they get down into the redzone, has great upside here. Harder for me to get there with Chad Ryland ($4,600) as the Patriots have struggled to get into FG range, and he has missed a few from range (2 40-49 and 2 50+).
The Colts DST ($5,400) are in a position to do well here against Jones, who has turned the ball over a combined 11 times. The thing is, they just crushed last week which is going to mean they are a popular play, so mix them in and out of your lineups (use them more in cash). The Patriots DST ($4,000) are a decent defense, with some playmakers, but haven’t been great this season. If Minshew has a struggle game with multiple turnovers, then they’ll be great. Otherwise they are likely to struggle here. Boom/ bust.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Indianapolis @New England! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski – USA TODAY Sports
