Starting Week 2 of the action, the 2023 DraftKings showdown slates- Minnesota @Philadelphia. The O/U is 49, with the Eagles expected to win by around a TD. This game slate has opened up, with the Eagles backfield having more value with Kenny Gainwell priced up before being ruled out. Unless something wild happens, I can see this game being a pass-heavy one for the Vikings as they try to keep up with the Eagles’ offense.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2023 – Minnesota @Philadelphia Captain Picks
Justin Jefferson ($18,600 Capt/ $12,400 Flex)
Jefferson is the most expensive player on the slate, and for good reason. Could end up outscoring anybody else in this game, even with tight coverage. The pricing really does limit the options you can use elsewhere. You won’t be able to put him in a lineup with another of the ‘elite’ on the slate, unless you can strike lightning on some low-salary plays. You can still stack him with Kirk Cousins though.
Jalen Hurts ($17,100 Capt/ $11,400 Flex)
Hurts struggled last week. But this game, at home, against a weak Vikings defense gives him a great opportunity to impress. Has massive upside, and a decent floor. With the pricing of Jefferson, he won’t be as highly owned as he would be normally, as it’ll be one of the two people play. You can stack him with some cheaper receivers, but he works well as a standalone play too.
A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith ($15,900 & 13,500 Capt/ $10,600 & $9,000 Flex)
This is a great matchup for the Eagles receivers, and both are CPT options as a result. This game could go to either of them or both, meaning I’ll have a mix between the two of them. Of the two, I’d opt for Smith at the cheaper salary and facing secondary coverage makes it easier for him to hit value.
D’Andre Swift ($6,000 Capt/ $4,000 Flex)
Swift’s price has been put at this level, as Gainwell was priced up before he was ruled out with injury. With the talk coming out that the Eagles want to get Swift more touches too, this is going to be a popular play on the slate. The thing is, I don’t think the Eagles have truly decided is going to be their lead back- making it hard to trust Swift in cash games. I’d put him as the primary play in a GPP though. At the price, I’ll have some CPT lineups, as it opens up alot elsewhere- but don’t go crazy.
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – Minnesota @Philadelphia Flex Picks
Kirk Cousins ($9,200 Flex)
Cousins threw the ball 44 times last week in a low-scoring game, which resulted in production of 344 yards and 2 TDs. To keep the pace with the Eagles offense they are going to need to throw the ball. The risk is that Cousins struggles in primetime, that will be the narrative, but at the price I’m happy to risk it in a lineup with a few of his pass-catchers.
Alexander Mattison ($7,600 Flex)
Mattison led the Vikings backfield, with the departure of Dalvin Cook, but despite increased volume his day was only rescued by a TD. The risk with Mattison will come if the Vikings are forced to abandon the running game in order to keep pace with the Eagles offense, but he has shown his ability as a pass-catcher. Mattison feels like a solid flex option on the slate though, with the pricing too low for a player likely to get the vast majority of touches out of the backfield.
T.J. Hockenson ($6,800 Flex)
Hockenson has really established himself in the Vikings offense, and there is no reason to think he can’t get a decent target share in this one. If the Eagles pass-rush is able to cause the Vikings issues, then Hockenson could see a number of checkdowns. At the price, he offers some nice salary relief with decent upside and floor.
Jordan Addison ($6,400 Flex)
Addison looked great to start his rookie season, with 4 receptions for 61 yards and a score. I’m not sure he will have such joy against the Eagles, but with how the game could go pass-heavy could be inline for additional targets. Should be a solid flex option, in particular in lineups with Cousins as a stack.
Dallas Goedert ($5,800 Flex)
Goedert has long been a solid contributor to the offense for the Eagles. Last week…..wasn’t it. But I’m just hoping that it will just lower his ownership. Goedert has a good opportunity to take advantage of the middle of the field against this Vikings defense.
K.J. Osborn ($5,000 Flex)
Osborn didn’t get alot of production last week, with just 3 receptions for 31 yards, but he was on the field for the vast majority of snaps on offense- only Jefferson and Cousins were on the field more. If you wanted to take a flyer on a receiver, it’s useful that they are on the field! But I still wouldn’t be mixing him into cash game lineups at all.
Quez Watkins/ Olamide Zaccheaus ($3,000/ $200 Flex)
The Eagles WR3 (maybe 4th receiver after TE Goedert) has the potential to score well in this game. But the pricing makes it hard to go for Watkins, who busts far more often than he booms. I’d much rather opt for Zaccheaus, who despite being on the field less, can make big plays if given the opportunity. At min-price, you don’t need a lot for him to hit value either.
Boston Scott/ Rashaad Penny ($3,300/ $2,400 Flex)
The Eagles backfield has production in it- the question is always where will it go? I lean towards Swift getting first go at it, with these two mixed in- but I could easily be wrong. Of the trio, I’d go Swift, Penny, Scott in order. With so much uncertainty around this situation, these are clearly GPP-only selections, rather than anything you can rely on in cash games.
Ty Chandler/ C.J. Ham ($1,200/ $400 Flex)
The Vikings backfield is alot more clear-cut than the Eagles. Mattison is the clear leader, and Chandler is the relief back and Ham……ruins games (for fantasy). Chandler has nice punt play appeal though, with the potential of this game going pass-heavy for the Vikings. Ham is a dart throw- there is no reliable usage to fall back on. But he has shown that he can pop up and make a play or two- especially in the redzone.
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – Minnesota @Philadelphia Kickers and DSTs
The kickers aren’t very expensive, and have solid floors. Jake Elliott ($4,200) is my favored option, as the home kicker, but I’m equally fine with Greg Joseph ($3,800) if you need to save a small amount of salary on the slate.
WIth how these QBs can struggle with sacks and turnovers, and the Eagles DST ($4,400) can make big plays count. Given how Cousins has at times fallen apart in primetime games, they would be my favored selection over the Vikings DST ($3,200). But, I think I’d opt for other plays on the slate.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Dallas @New York! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn – USA TODAY Sports
