Week 2 DraftKings Thursday Night Showdown
It’s Week 2 in the NFL, and with a whole week behind us, we now know more about every offensive scheme, have seen some of this year’s rookies in action, and have a feel for what defences can make an impact. So, what did we learn from Week 1? Yeah….expect the unexpected.
Here is the winning lineup for the NFL Showdown last week $125K Huddle (Single Entry)
- Captain: J. Williams, 30.60 fantasy points
- Flex: Jalen Hurts, 24.28 fantasy points
- Flex: Saquon Barkley, 18.40
- Flex: CeeDee Lamb, 21.00
- Flex: Brandon Aubrey, 11.00
- Flex: Jahan Dotson, 8.90
This is a 3:3 lineup with the captain role going to Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (come on, really!) Not every player, but the two that didn’t weren’t duds.
TNF Commanders at Packers
This week, we have the Washington Commanders visiting the Green Bay Packers. Both teams are coming off week one wins. The Commanders beat an inept New York Giants, whose offense with Russell Wilson was woeful, but they do have a respectable front seven. The Packers beat a Detroit Lions team that played their first game with a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator against a fresh Micah Parsons.
Quick note, since Parsons is coming from Dallas, the Commanders have familiarity with him. Last year, Parsons sacked quarterback Jayden Daniels 4.5 times in two games. This year, Daniels has Laremy Tunsil on his left. Tunsil has gone up against Parsons twice (2022 and 2024) and has not allowed a sack. However, if Parsons lines up on the defensive left side, he may see rookie Josh Conerly, who struggled a bit against the Giants last week.
Let’s get to this. Simple reminder: this is the DraftKings Showdown single-entry format. If you aren’t going to max out, then opt out.
Remember, your captain will get 1.5x fantasy points while you are paying 1.5 times their salary. You are going to roster six positions, and it can be in any order (3:3, 4:2, 5:1 as long as you play one player from the opposite team.
Showdown
When playing single entry, ownership projection isn’t as important because you are looking for the high floor (and of course, always a good ceiling).
Here are some captains: quarterback Jayden Daniels $16.5, Deebo Samuel $12.9, Josh Jacobs $15.9, and Jordan Love $15.5.
Personally, going with Samuel because last week, Samuel operated out of the slot on 59.3% of the offensive plays. He had a 34.5% target share, and out of his 10 targets, five of them were first read. It also helps that one of James Bryer’s prop bets for the Thursday Night Showdown is Samuel over 4.5 receptions. Also helps that Samuel was sixth last week in yards after catch, averaging 3.9 yards per target.
The Justin Fields lesson is learned. Mobile quarterbacks defy the odds. Parsons check. A Packers’ defense that held Jahmyr Gibbs to 19 yards on nine carries (that 2.1 yards per carry) and limited David Montgomery to averaging 2.3 yards per carry, check. Mobile quarterback is in the lineup. So, insert Danies at $11,000.
Next up, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (“Bill”). Croskey-Merritt’s salary is $7000. Last week, he had 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. The caveat to this is if Chris Rodriguez returns. He was a healthy scratch in week one. If he plays, it will muddle up the running rotation, and Rodriguez could be the cheap play ($1,400).
Jordan Love at $10,000 seems a bit of a risk, as he only attempted 22 passes last week. He did have two passing touchdowns. But the beauty lies in the fact that last week, against the Commanders, the leading rusher was Russell Wilson with 44 rushing yards. Now that could be saying more about the Giants’ offense than the Commanders’ defense. But if there is a chance I can get both passing and rushing production out of a quarterback, check.
The target pool for Love’s 22 targets last week included Jayden Reed with five, and both Romeo Doubs and Tucker Kraft with four. Jayden Reed didn’t practice on Monday, and they are playing on a short week.
Doubs and Kraft had an 18.2% target share; both only hauled in two of their four targets. Two of Kraft’s targets were first read, while all four of Doubs were first read. Doubs is also coming at the bargain rate of $4,000.
It’s tempting to put in the Packers defense, but Dan Quinn coached Parsons, and the Commanders have played against him. So, while the Parsons’ effect is measurable, in their meeting, Daniels had three touchdowns (one rushing and two passing), one interception, and over 300 total yards.
Couldn’t fault you for playing Packers defense, Washington defense, or either kicker in this spot. I like Washington’s defense.
My Play
Final Tally:
- Captain: WR, Samuel, $12,900
- Flex: Washington defense: $4,400
- Flex: RB, Croskey-Merritt, $7000
- Flex: QB, Daniels, $11,000
- Flex: WR, Doubs, $4,000
- Flex: QB, Love, $10,000
How will you play it?
