Ready to crush the next 2024 DraftKings Sunday Night Football Showdown slate of Kansas City @Atlanta? There’s no shortage of fantasy firepower to target in this one. Whether you’re locking in a star like Bijan Robinson as your captain or hunting for value plays like Ray-Ray McCloud III, this game offers plenty of opportunities.
Expect the Falcons to lean on their dynamic backfield duo of Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, while Kirk Cousins continues to build chemistry with Darnell Mooney and Drake London. On the other side, Patrick Mahomes will look to spread the ball around to his emerging WR1, Rashee Rice, and trusty target Travis Kelce. Both teams have their playmakers primed for a big night, but with Mahomes’ short passing game and the Falcons’ run-heavy approach, it could turn into a more methodical, grind-it-out battle.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2024 – Kansas City @Atlanta Captain Picks
Bijan Robinson ($15,900 Capt/ $10,600 Flex)
Coming off a strong performance against the Eagles, where he tallied 97 rushing yards and added 25 receiving yards, Robinson is the heartbeat of this Falcons offense. His 68% snap share and his impressive 29.3% missed tackle rate highlight his elite usage and effectiveness. Though Tyler Allgeier shares some carries, Robinson’s dual-threat capability makes him a prime Captain candidate. Expect heavy involvement against a Chiefs defense that has allowed running backs success both in the air and on the ground. Robinson’s ability to make defenders miss and his increasing role in the passing game give him the highest ceiling of any player in this matchup. He’s a safe bet for 20+ touches, which is essential for the captain spot.
Rashee Rice ($14,400 Capt/ $9,600 Flex)
Rice has quickly ascended to the top of the Chiefs’ wide receiver depth chart, and he’s coming off a productive Week 2 outing where he caught five of six targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. His 44-yard score showcased his big-play ability, and with Hollywood Brown out, Rice is firmly entrenched as Mahomes’ favorite target. His combination of opportunity and skill makes him a strong captain pivot off the more obvious choices like Mahomes or Kelce.
Drake London ($13,200 Capt/ $8,800 Flex)
London rebounded from a poor Week 1 with a solid 6-54-1 line against the Eagles. The Falcons are still working on their chemistry between Kirk Cousins and London, but in a game where the Falcons may need to pass more to keep up with Mahomes, London should be heavily involved. His 25.8% tight-window target rate (7th-highest in the NFL) shows he can make contested catches, and he’s a key red-zone threat for the Falcons.
Travis Kelce ($12,300 Capt/ $8,200 Flex)
It’s been a slow start for the fantasy superstar, but don’t let the early numbers fool you. Kelce is still heavily involved in the passing game, even though he’s only been targeted on 14.3% of his routes this season (compared to 26.1% in previous years). Against a Falcons defense that has struggled against tight ends, Kelce could bounce back with a big performance. If Mahomes looks his way more often, Kelce could be the difference-maker in this showdown.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2024 – Kansas City @Atlanta Flex Picks
Patrick Mahomes ($9,200 Flex)
Mahomes is always a solid play, even in a slower-paced, methodical game like this one. While his average depth of target has dipped (4.6 air yards per attempt is the second-fewest in the NFL), he remains efficient. Mahomes threw for just 151 yards last week, but with two touchdowns and some rushing upside, his fantasy floor remains high.
Kirk Cousins ($9,000 Flex)
Cousins shook off the rust from Week 1 with a 241-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 2. In a game where the Falcons may need to throw late to stay competitive, Cousins is likely to rack up passing yards. His connection with London and Mooney will be vital, and with Mahomes on the other side, Cousins will have to deliver if the Falcons are going to keep pace.
Xavier Worthy ($8,400 Flex)
Worthy’s speed makes him a tantalizing option, and though he only had two catches for 17 yards in Week 2, his role is expected to grow in Hollywood Brown’s absence. Worthy has averaged the 3rd-fastest route speed in the NFL this season (15.32 mph), and the Chiefs will look to get the ball in his hands more. At his price, he’s worth a shot as a high-upside play
Kyle Pitts ($7,400 Flex)
Pitts continues to be a frustrating option for fantasy managers, securing just three catches for 20 yards in Week 2. While he did contribute a key reception during the Falcons’ game-winning drive, his overall usage remains a concern. Pitts has yet to showcase the dynamic play that made him a coveted fantasy asset in previous seasons. That said, he has the talent to break out, and with the Falcons adjusting to a new scheme under Zac Robinson, Pitts could see an uptick in targets as the offense evolves. He’s a risky play but one with undeniable upside.
Samaje Perine ($6,600 Flex)
Perine’s role in the Chiefs’ backfield has been limited through two games, logging just nine offensive snaps in Week 2 and contributing one catch for three yards. However, with Isiah Pacheco heading to IR, Perine’s role is expected to expand, particularly on passing downs. He could see more work this week alongside Carson Steele. While his snap counts have been low, his ability as a receiver out of the backfield could be a difference-maker in DFS, especially if Kansas City opts for a pass-heavy game plan.
Carson Steele ($6,400 Flex)
Steele has seen some involvement in the Chiefs’ offense, though it’s been minimal. He logged just 24 yards on seven carries in Week 2, and with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco dealing with injuries, his role could expand. While Steele isn’t likely to handle a full workload, he could see enough touches to provide value in deeper GPPs, particularly if Kansas City leans on the ground game late in the contest.
Darnell Mooney ($6,400 Flex)
Mooney flashed his big-play potential in Week 2, racking up 88 yards and a touchdown on just three catches. He led the Falcons in receiving yards, thanks to a few deep strikes, including a 41-yard touchdown. His ability to stretch the field makes him a prime target in this game, especially if Atlanta needs to play catch-up. Mooney’s chemistry with Kirk Cousins is growing, and he has the potential to be a slate-breaker if the Falcons’ passing game opens up.
Dart Throw Plays (Various)
Here are a few dart plays to round out your lineup. These are high-risk, high-reward picks best suited for GPPs—not efor cash games:
- Keontay Ingram (RB, KC) $5,200 Flex – With Isiah Pacheco on IR, Ingram could see increased involvement in Kansas City’s backfield. While Carson Steele and Samaje Perine figure to handle most of the work, Ingram has the potential to steal some touches, especially near the goal line.
- Ray Ray McCloud III (WR, ATL) $3,600 Flex – McCloud has emerged as a consistent option in Atlanta’s offense, securing three catches for 42 yards in Week 2 while playing every offensive snap. His involvement, especially after leading the team in targets in Week 1, makes him a sneaky value play. While Darnell Mooney and Drake London get most of the attention, McCloud’s steady role and ability to break off chunk plays could pay off in DFS, particularly at his lower price point.
- Tyler Allgeier (RB, ATL) $5,200 Flex – Allgeier remains an intriguing option as the 1B RB in the Falcons backfield. With 13 touches through two games, he’s averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry. If the Falcons try to control the clock and keep Mahomes off the field, expect a healthy dose of Allgeier. His price makes him a solid value play if he can find the end zone or rip off a few big runs.
- Justin Watson (WR, KC) $2,800 Flex – Watson has been quietly effective in the Chiefs’ offense, catching all three of his targets across two games, including two for 22 yards in their narrow Week 2 win over the Bengals. However, his limited snap count (just 45% in Week 2) and small target share make him a risky play. Watson’s role in the offense is likely to remain the same—minimal but efficient. He’s not a flashy pick, but he could be worth a dart throw in deeper tournaments for DFS players looking for low ownership.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2024 – Kansas City @Atlanta Kickers and DSTs
Harrison Butker ($5,000) Butker continues to prove his value as one of the most reliable kickers in the league. He started the Chiefs’ scoring with a chip-shot 19-yard field goal and then came through in the clutch, nailing a 51-yard game-winner as time expired. In a game where points could be at a premium, Butker’s ability to hit from long range gives him solid upside. With the Chiefs’ offense sometimes stalling in the red zone, Butker is always a threat for multiple field goals, making him a solid option in your showdown lneup. Younghoe Koo ($4,800), Koo has been a consistent force for the Falcons, nailing all three of his field-goal attempts in Week 2, along with a crucial extra point that sealed the victory over the Eagles. He’s yet to miss a kick through two games, showing off his accuracy with makes from 39, 22, and 34 yards. The one thing missing from his stat line? A long-range attempt beyond 40 yards. While the Falcons’ offense is still finding its groove, Koo’s reliability makes him an excellent value play, especially if this game remains tight and the Falcons settle for field goals.
Chiefs DST ($4,400) The Chiefs’ defense stepped up in Week 1, recording one sack and a fumble recovery in their win over the Ravens. Led by a stellar performance from Jaylen Watson with 11 tackles, Kansas City’s defense has proven they can hold their own. Week 2 presents a different challenge as they face Joe Burrow and the Bengals, a team that struggled mightily in their opener. With Burrow under pressure and the Bengals committing multiple turnovers in Week 1, the Chiefs’ D/ST is a solid option, especially if they can generate sacks and force turnovers. Falcons DST ($3,400) While it’s always risky to bet against Mahomes, the Falcons’ defense has been quietly effective, and if they can force a turnover or two, they’ll provide excellent value. With Mahomes throwing two picks last week, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds.
So there you have it — our DraftKings picks for the 2024 Kansas City@Atlanta! Whether you’re locking in lineups or just looking for that edge, we’ve got you covered. If you have any DFS questions shoot me a DM on twitter at @numeric_dfs. Also checkout our other KFS DFS articles here, and interact with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. We’re always ready to talk shop and help you build those winning rosters!
