Monday Night Football Preview
Chiefs +3.5 at Ravens I Over/Under 54
We have a superb matchup on Monday Night Football here in week three. The Chiefs will be heading to Baltimore for a clash with the Ravens as one of these teams will be undefeated no more. Both teams are well-rounded and excellent on both sides of the ball, and both are exceptionally coached. These two quarterbacks are almost identical in terms of skill set and how they go about their business on the field. It’s not very often we get a matchup of two offensive juggernauts, let’s break it all down and put together a DFS lineup for the DraftKings Showdown.
How the Chiefs Win
This game could very well come down to a single possession late in the game. The Chiefs are averaging 25.5 points per game and have amassed 783 total yards on offense while averaging 5.7 yards per play this season. We all know Mahomes can throw it all over the field, and there are no shortages of playmakers on this team. Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the X-Factor here; after bursting on the scene week one with 26 total touches and 138 rushing yards with a touchdown, he was a bit of a letdown week two with 18 total touches for 70 yards. He’s still a rookie, but he’s a dynamic playmaker, and he could be the difference-maker in this one.
How the Ravens Win
It’s almost like the Ravens are capable of scoring at will. Every time they get the ball, there’s a legit chance they are taking it to the end zone. The Ravens are averaging 35.5 points per game with 788 total yards of offense, averaging 6.4 yards per play. They’re more of a ground and pound team with an excellent backfield and a quarterback who led the team in rushing yards a year ago. They’re going to run the ball against the Chiefs, who just allowed 183 yards on the ground to the Chargers a week ago. Keeping the ball out of the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense is the key to beating them.
QUARTERBACK
Patrick Mahomes ($12,000)
After signing his colossal contract extension, Mahomes picked up right where he left a year ago. Through two games, he has 513 passing yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. When these two teams met last year, Mahomes threw for 374 yards with four touchdowns while leading his team to a victory. Mahomes doesn’t turn the ball over often with just 18 career interceptions and is not afraid to take-off to extend a play if he has too. He’s a big-time player on a big-time stage this week, find a way to get him into your DFS lineup.
Lamar Jackson ($13,000)
The reigning NFL MVP keeps rolling right along. He’s thrown for 479 yards through two games along with four touchdowns and has 23 rushing yards. In 2019, against the Chiefs, he was not that great throwing for 267 yards and rushing for 46 yards with no touchdowns. Jackson is the complete package at quarterback; he can throw it a mile, and his athleticism gives him an edge that very few players have. Jackson will be able to utilize his running abilities in this one as the Chiefs are vulnerable upfront.
RUNNINGBACK
Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($7,800), Darwin Thompson ($1,000), Darrel Williams ($2,000)
CEH is the most talented of this trio and will lead the Chiefs backfield. Williams has an ankle injury and may not even play in this one, so we will avoid him. Thompson played just 15 snaps last week compared to 48 for CEH. As stated earlier, CEH is the X-Factor that could be the key to the Chiefs winning this game. The Ravens have given up 171 rushing yards and have allowed seven receptions to running backs on the year thus far. I believe the Chiefs will try hard to get him in space with the ball and let him go to work.
Mark Ingram II ($6,800), Gus Edwards ($1,600), J.K. Dobbins ($5,600),
Let’s also not forget Jackson can run the ball too, making this a four-headed monster. I was trying to avoid this backfield at all costs during drafts this year because I felt it would be too much of a committee, and through two games, that’s precisely what we have so far. Check out these snap counts and rushing totals through the first two games.
- Mark Ingram- 48 snaps 19 attempts 84 yards 1 touchdown
- Gus Edwards- 35 snaps 14 attempts 90 yards
- J.K. Dobbins- 43 snaps 9 attempts 70 yards 2 touchdowns
As we can see above, this backfield is almost an even split among three guys from a production standpoint. For my money, the best and most dynamic of the three is Dobbins, the rookie out of Ohio State. Much like CEH, he could provide the spark the Ravens will need to get this offense moving.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tyreek Hill ($9,200), Samy Watkins ($5,000), Mecole Hardman ($4,600)
Tyreek Hill is the engine that makes this group run. Watkins is too inconsistent, and Hardman has yet to establish himself as a reliable player in any given week. Hill has ten catches on the year and a touchdown in both games, Watkins only grabbed one ball last week after his stellar week one performance, and Hardman has just three grabs thus far. The Ravens are the top team in the league against the receiver position, giving up only 285 yards to the position, and they have yet to allow a touchdown to opposing receivers. For my money, the upside that Hill brings each week is worth the price of admission.
Marquise Brown ($8,400), Willie Snead IV ($4,400), Miles Boykin ($3,400)
Marquise Brown is the star of this receiving crew and is also a speedster who can get downfield in a hurry. He has 12 targets on the year to lead this group and has grabbed 11 balls for 143 yards but has yet to find pay dirt. Snead has seen six targets and caught them all for 93 yards and a score, while Boykin has been the least productive thus far from a yardage standpoint catching seven balls on nine targets for 75 yards. Other than the upside you get from Brown, there isn’t much production here as the Ravens love to run the ball, but are not afraid to take deep shots to Brown if it’s there.
TIGHT END
Travis Kelce ($10,000)
We all know he’s among the best in the league at the position. Travis Kelce is an elite player and creates mismatches for opposing teams, making him matchup-proof in almost any scenario. The Ravens may try to neutralize him and take him out of the equation, but he’s always been a safety net for Mahomes when needed. It won’t shock me if he has a busy night.
Mark Andrews (8,000)
Andrews broke out last year, making 64 grabs for 852 yards and 10 scores. He’s an up and coming star in this league, and he’s formed a strong bond with his quarterback. After a disappointing game last week, where the Ravens didn’t need to throw much, Andrews will bounce back this week in a game that should see plenty of offense.
KICKERS
Harrison Butker ($4,000)
Butker is one of the best kickers in the league on one of the best offenses. He’s got a strong leg and proved it last week with two 58-yard field goals. This game could rest on the leg of Butker in a late field goal situation.
Justin Tucker ($4,200)
Old reliable, Tucker handles his business. He doesn’t have the biggest leg in the league, but he’s consistent at getting the job done. He’s kicking on an offense that is averaging 35.5 points a game and should have opportunities in this one.
PICK
Chiefs +3.5/ Over 54
LINEUP
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Captain)
- Patrick Mahomes
- Mark Andrews
- Marquise Brown
- JK Dobbins
- Harrison Butker
