The Kansas City Chiefs are set to take on the Detroit Lions this Sunday night in what many are predicting will be the week’s most high-scoring matchup. With an over-under of 52 points and the Chiefs favored by 2.5, it’s clear some players will be vying for those coveted fantasy points.
When it comes to cash games, it’s tough to ignore the impact of Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff. Personally, I’m leaning towards Mahomes as a captain choice, but that doesn’t mean I dismiss Goff’s potential in this game. Still, this discussion will focus more on the tournament aspect.
While both defenses have had solid performances this season, the Chiefs have struggled more against the run, although both teams boast strong pass defenses. The Lions’ defense, however, is dealing with injuries. Cornerbacks like Terion Arnold, DJ Reed, and Khalil Dorsey are out, and safeties Brian Branch and Kirby Joseph are iffy. So it seems like the Chiefs should have a field day throwing the ball.
Next up, we delve into the best DFS plays for this exciting showdown.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs (FLEX $XXX, CPT $XXX)
It’s tricky to predict who will truly benefit from the Chiefs’ passing game. Xavier Worthy has the potential to shine, but he’s not fully healthy due to shoulder and ankle issues. His performance has been promising, yet he hasn’t found the end zone since returning, despite decent target numbers. Meanwhile, Tiquan Thornton may offer more consistency on a play-by-play basis.
This puts Mahomes in a prime position to rack up both passing and rushing points against a formidable Lions defense.
Jahmil Gibbs, RB, Lions (FLEX $XXX, CPT $XXX)
The Chiefs’ defense performs better against inside runs compared to outside, which could give Gibbs an edge over David Montgomery. Sure, there’s always the chance Montgomery could snag a touchdown or two, but this matchup seems to favor Gibbs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions (FLEX $XXX, CPT $XXX)
While Worthy could be a captain choice, St. Brown is likely to be more of a focal point. Jameson Williams has potential for a breakout game soon, but the Chiefs hold strong against deep passes. Kansas City’s high blitz rate tends to favor players like St. Brown, who can diversify their routes. If the game goes as anticipated, I could see him having another standout performance.
Tiquan Thornton, WR, Chiefs (FLEX $5,000, CPT $7,500)
Thornton’s opportunities seemed to wane with Worthy’s return, but he still receives valuable deep targets as a WR3. Last week, he caught three passes for 90 yards. If Worthy struggles during the game, Thornton might see increased work. His upward trend in performance makes him a worthwhile option for this week’s tournament.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs (FLEX $XXX, CPT $XXX)
While the Chiefs aren’t dominating the ground game, they’re creating solid goal-line chances, allowing Kareem Hunt to total three touchdowns in his last three outings. He leans heavily on scoring, but his affordability makes him a viable pick for tournament lineups.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions (FLEX $XXX, CPT $XXX)
This season, the Chiefs have yet to concede a touchdown to tight ends, limiting them to just 18 receptions and 184 yards. However, they haven’t faced many tough tight ends; with Brenton Strange and Mark Andrews unavailable. LaPorta is likely the biggest challenge they’ll encounter, and his FanDuel price is quite reasonable.
