Starting Week 11 of the action, the 2023 DraftKings showdown slate- Cincinnati @Baltimore. A tasty divisional game that the Bengals really need to win to try and stay in the playoff hunt in their division. Tee Higgins being ruled out opens up some different strategies on the slate. The O/U here has been set at 46, with the Ravens favored by just over a FG.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2023 – Cincinnati @Baltimore Captain Picks
Ja’Marr Chase ($16,500 Capt/ $11,000 Flex)
The Ravens secondary isn’t the easiest team to face against, with an average of 30.9DKPts given up to the position. But, Chase could have a big game here. Has had some big games against Baltimore in the past, and should see slightly more targets with Tee Higgins ruled out. In the two games that Higgins has missed this season, Chase has caught 20 of his 25 targets for 316 yards and 4 scores.
Lamar Jackson ($16,200 Capt/ $10,800 Flex)
Jackson has been solid this season, managing to pull the strings in this offense that is scoring points. But those points are quite spread (generally). Jackson has the ability to be the highest-scoring player on the slate, and can do it in a variety of ways. He has been running the ball effectively and finding the endzone too, with 5 TDs on the ground. As well as throwing for an average of 217.7 yards per game, which is the second-highest mark of his career.
Mark Andrews ($13,200 Capt/ $8,800 Flex)
Andrews might not be the leading receiving option on the team anymore, but he is the one who can take a game and dominate it. Hasn’t seen as much work this season overall, with the backfield having success on the ground. Andrews big body and chemistry with Jackson in the redzone means that he could literally catch two passes for two TDs.
Tyler Boyd ($10,200 Capt/ $6,800 Flex)
Boyd had a great game last week without Higgins in the lineup and could repeat that here under similar circumstances. Priced up a little, as he was likely the WR2 for this one. But, with DK’s PPR scoring, and Boyd’s expected target share here, could be a sneaky CPT play. Allows you plenty of savings to use elsewhere.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2023 – Cincinnati @Baltimore Flex Picks
Joe Burrow ($10,000 Flex)
Burrow seems to be building up to the player he was in previous seasons, after struggling to start the season. Has had over 40 pass attempts in each of his last two games, and hit over 300 yards and multiple TDs. On the season now has multiple TDs in each of his last 5 games. Tough ask to perform to a high-level against this Ravens defense, especially without Higgins, which makes him marginally miss CPT status for me. But solid flex option.
Joe Mixon ($9,600 Flex)
Mixon is the lead back for the Bengals, and it really isn’t close. Has double-digit carries in every game this season, and has been involved in the passing game too. The Ravens defense is a tough defense to run against, with 18.9 DKPts on average given up, but the plus side is all of that should really be his. Solid enough floor here.
Zay Flowers ($7,600 Flex)
Flowers is the lead receiver now for Baltimore, leading the team in targets, receptions and yards. Used all over the field too, but his real-life importance isn’t translating to fantasy production. With the way the team have been sharing targets though, and his lack of TD-production, it is hard to justify spending up this much for him.
Gus Edwards ($7,000 Flex)
Edwards has just been getting it done on the ground recently. Scored in each of his last four games, with a total of 7 TDs in that span. The thing is that his role in the offense doesn’t mean that it’s a trend that you can really bank on. The Ravens seem more than happy to share the workload, just think that Edwards has been in a purple patch. At the price, I’ll look elsewhere for a cheaper option.
Keaton Mitchell ($5,600 Flex)
Mitchell might be that cheaper option for me in the backfield. Has big-play ability and plenty of speed, and shown that he can get into the endzone too. With his ability to find the edge, and his change of direction he could be a nice pivot away from the more direct Edwards on the slate.
Odell Beckham ($5,200 Flex)
Beckham scored last week, despite being targetted just twice (he only caught one- his TD0. Didn’t manage to stay on field for all that many snaps though. And had as many targets as Nelson Agholor last week. This price really puts me off. Almost included him as a punt-play, but that was a season-low in targets, and he has been ok in previous weeks this season.
Rashod Bateman ($4,800 Flex)
Bateman has been consistent in his target share this season, but has seen an increase in each of the past two games. The lack of true passing volume in this offense, combined with the way the team have spread the ball around, makes Bateman a GPP-only option, but my favored Raven receiver at the price-tag.
Trenton Irwin ($4,400 Flex)
Irwin should see a significant increase in workload, with Higgins ruled out. Irwin had 10 targets against the Cardinals when Higgins missed time earlier in the season, and caught a TD last week with his increased snap count. At the price, you get decent savings to use elsewhere and the WR3 for the Bengals is likely overlooked by the defense here.
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:
- Irv Smith Jr./ Tanner Hudson (TE, CIN) $3,000/ $2,600 Flex – The TE role in the offense is really up for grabs. Smith has been given the opportunity but hasn’t really staked his claim. Hudson has been getting more involved in the offense and is slightly cheaper on the slate. I’d prefer Hudson, with his increased target share, but he is still a dart throw.
- Justice Hill (RB, BAL) $2,800 Flex – Hill isn’t getting much usage in this offense, with only two carries last week. With Jackson’s involvement too, really not much to like- other than the cheap price.
- Nelson Agholor (WR, BAL) $800 Flex – Agholor failed to bring in either of his two targets last week, getting some usage in the offense, but not a reliable amount to really bank on. At the price, wouldn’t need to do too much to hit value here. Has the ability to make big-plays with his downfield ability.
- Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) $600 Flex – Likely is limited as the TE2 with Andrews in the lineup. Has the ability to fall into the endzone, which is what he would need unless Andrews gets injured.
- Drew Sample (TE, CIN) $400 Flex – I actually prefer Sample over Smith on the slate. Not getting many targets, but has great potential to hit value with his min-price. Saves plenty to spend up elsewhere
- Charlie Jones (WR, CIN) $200 Flex – With Iosivas ruled out, Jones should have the WR4 role in the offense. The Bengals receiver has been on IR, but after logging a full week of practice, should be a go. The min-price really sets the bar low for him to hit value. If he isn’t activated, you can slide to Stanley Morgan ($200).
- Trayveon Williams/ Chris Evans (RB, CIN) $200 Flex – Neither of these backs are really going to get any work behind Mixon. But, you can’t overlook them if you playing multiple lineups. Both are min-priced and if Mixon was to get injured, you could strike gold. I’d go with Williams as my preferred option as he gets a few touches a game. Evans has only had 3 touches all season, so would really need something to happen in the depth chart.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2023 – Cincinnati @Baltimore Kickers and DSTs
Both kickers in this one are massively talented. Justin Tucker ($5,400) is quite a chunk more expensive than Evan McPherson ($4,000), which feels like too much. Tucker has been good this season, but has shown he is human, by missing 4 FGs (all from 50+) and a PAT. McPherson has missed three FGs from distance too, but has hit 5 from distance this season.
In this game, I’m not as sold at taking a defense as in other showdowns. A high total doesn’t lead to thinking of a game to attack. The Bengals DST ($3,600) have managed to get 23 sacks this season, and get 18 turnovers. While the Ravens DST ($4,600) pass-rush has managed 39 sacks and 18 turnovers. While both QBs have had games where they have really struggled with turnovers and sacks, there doesn’t feel like much of a floor at all here. Maybe worth a GPP punt, and I’d prefer the Ravens here, given the struggles the Bengals have had protecting Burrow
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Cincinnati @Baltimore! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Joseph Maiorana – USA TODAY Sports
