Welcome to the Monday Night Showdown Slate for NFL Week 3!
There’s just nothing better than watching two of the top teams in football square off in prime-time. It’s the ultimate marquee match-up and one has to wonder why the NFL schedule-makers made us wait until Week 3 to get us this match-up. This is exactly the type of game we crave on Monday nights as both offenses are led by perennial MVP candidates and can explode for the points bonanza that makes DFS Showdown slates exciting.
Before we start, please allow me to reiterate that while we all love having a little skin in the game, these showdown slates are basically lottery tickets. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but more often than not, you need that random, differentiate yourself from the herd dart-throw to hit in order to claim that top prize. As a result, we encourage to play responsibly. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.
OK, lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
Spread: Ravens -3.5
O/U: 54.5
Betting Facts
The line opened up at -2.5 for the Ravens while the total opened at 52 so you know which way the money has been coming in on going into tonight.
Money Line: Ravens -175; Chiefs +150
The Ravens are 2-0 ATS this season, 1-0 at home and 2-0 vs AFC
The Chiefs are 1-1 ATS this season, 0-1 on the road and 1-1 vs AFC
The over is 0-2 in Ravens games and 1-1 for the Chiefs this season.
Weather: Mid-to-low 70’s, partly cloudy with a 5% chance for precipitation; winds SSE 8mph
Last 5 Match-Ups:
Chiefs lead 3-2 and have won the last three-straight
Average margin of victory of all games: 10.8
Last Match-Up: Chiefs beat the Ravens 33-28 on 9/22/2019
Notable Injuries:
Chiefs:
Sammy Watkins (concussion – questionable)
Ravens:
Chris Moore (finger – questionable – for Sandro!)
Prop Bets to Watch:
The reason we are listing these here is to help you understand what the Vegas expectations are. If you aren’t routinely amazed by how accurate spreads and totals are, you haven’t been paying attention and you’re missing out on a valuable tool. Take a look at the list below and understand how to utilize for DFS. When you see the over and under have the same money line, that’s Vegas’ way of saying it can go either way. You have the base number and can determine whether you use a player or not based on that. But when there is a different money line on the over and unders (highlighted in green), Vegas is telling you what to expect. A negative money line means they feel it is more likely to happen which can help you make decisions regarding which players to play.
Lamar Jackson Passing Yards 255.5 (over -106; under -118); TD Passes 1.5 (over -155; under +124); Rushing Yards 62.5 (over & under -112)
Patrick Mahomes Passing Yards 292.5 (over -118; under -106); TD Passes 1.5 (over -215; under +170); Rushing Yards 17.5 (over -155; under +125
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Rushing Yards 64.5 (over & under -112), Receiving Yards 25.5 (over -108; under -115)
Mark Ingram Rushing Yrads 49.5 (over & under -112)
Tyreek Hill Receiving Yards 69.5 (over -124; under +100)
Marquise Brown Receiving Yards 51.5 (over & under -112)
Willie Snead Receiving Yards 33.5 (over & under -112)
Miles Boykin Receiving Yards 33.5 (over & under -112)
Travis Kelce Receiving Yards 69.5 (over -124; under +100)
Mark Andrews Receiving Yards 54.5 (over & under -112)
Here’s a breakdown of which players we suggest looking at for tonight:
Quarterbacks:
Lamar Jackson , BAL – He’s an obvious play and an obvious option for your Captain/MVP spot as the Chiefs are allowing 150.5 rushing yards per game and have an explosive offense that forces the opposition into a strong passing attack. Jackson does it all and will continue to do it again as he is looking for his first regular-season win over Kansas City and his No. 1 competition, Patrick Mahomes . Do we really need to break down his game beyond that? If you’re only doing one lineup, I would use Jackson given how much he does on the field each week.
Patrick Mahomes , KC – He is an outstanding option as always, but will also have to contend with an elite defense. The Ravens have a strong pass-rush but they also added strength and speed at the linebacker position to go along with an already dominant secondary. In spite of all that, it is very tough to not include Mahomes in an Showdown lineup because, we’ve seen him dominate through the air even against some elite defenses
Running Backs:
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC – CEH is the show here but after an outstanding debut against the Texans he crashed back to earth against a tougher Chargers defense in Week 2, rushing for just 38 yards on 10 carries while adding six catches for 32 yards. The plus from his Week 2 game was the involvement in the passing attack. Touted as a great receiver, he didn’t catch a pass in Week 1 but saw eight targets in Week 2. He may have a tough time running against the Ravens tonight but maybe his pass catching ability boosts his upside.
Darrel Williams , KC – Williams is the change of pace back and will see some third down work. Worth a dart throw in showdowns but nothing more than that as CEH dominates the snap share.
Mark Ingram , BAL – After a disappointing Week 1, Ingram bounced back in Week 2 thanks to his 30-yard touchdown run. That said, this rushing attack is a true three-headed monster and guessing which back gets the work is going to vary week-to-week it seems.
J.K. Dobbins, BAL – Dobbins was the star in Week 1 thanks to his two touchdowns but in Week 2 he saw just two total carries and one target. This backfield is tough to peg, Dobbins ability to catch the football could come into play here if it becomes a shootout.
Gus Edwards , BAL -- Edwards got the blowout run in Week 2, rushing 10 times for 73 yards. If you think Baltimore is going to be up three scores then give Edwards a look.
Wide Receivers:
Tyreek Hill , KC –The Chiefs receivers are going to have their work cutout for them tonight between Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters on. Hill has saved his fantasy owners with touchdowns in each of the first two games this season. Tonight could be a tough one.
Sammy Watkins , KC – Watkins had a huge Week 1 then a goose egg in Week 2. I know he was hurt but he is back active here tonight. You may think he is the obvious pivot but as I said, the Ravens have two elite corners. This will be a real test and I’m not sure we can trust him.
Demarcus Robinson , KC – Robinson should have had a touchdown in Week 1 but dropped it, that said, he is still seeing targets in each of the first two games and is playing more than Mecole Hardman. If the top receivers are drawing tight coverage it’s possible Mahomes looks in his directions.
Mecole Hardman, KC – After barely being on the field in Week 1, Hardman saw 65-percent of the snaps in Week 2. He is nothing but a downfield burner but he may be worth taking a shot on in your GPP lineups tonight because all it takes is one big play.
Marquise Brown , BAL – Brown was not able to repeat his Week 1 success in Week 2 as he caught five passes for just 42 yards after going for 101 against the Browns in Week 1. Brown will have a good shot at a big game tonight, especially if this one turns into a shootout as the point spread suggests.
Miles Boykin , BAL – Bleh, he has nine targets in two games and just seven catches for 75 yards. It’s a showdown slate so I understand the appeal but this Ravens offense throws to two guys in Brown, Andrews and will run the football.
Willie Snead , BAL – Snead found the end zone in Week 1 but had just two targets in Week 2. Like I said about Boykin above, not a ton of upside here and a real low floor.
Tight Ends:
Travis Kelce , KC – Touchdowns in both weeks to begin the season, Kelce also saw 14 targets in Week 2, finishing with nine catches and 90 yards against the Chargers. He will be a heavily targeted player tonight but this Ravens defense has been no joke to begin the year.
Mark Andrews , BAL – Woof, just one catch for 29 yards in Week 2 for Andrews in a game that the Ravens won 33-to-16. In Week 1 he had five catches for 68 yards and two scores. If this one gets into a shootout then I expect an outcome closer to Week 1 than Week 2 for Andrews but if Baltimore pulls ahead then they could just look to run out the clock.
Defense/Kickers:
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST – The Chiefs defense has been OK but also hasn’t played great talent quite yet. The Texans have been an utter disappointment and the Chargers had a rookie make his NFL debut. This will be a real test for them tonight and I don’t quite trust them enough in this spot to play.
Baltimore Ravens D/ST – So far the Ravens have been the class defense of the NFL. They have talent at all three levels of the defense. If playing a defense tonight I would go with Baltimore.
Justin Tucker , BAL – A battle between two of the best kickers in the NFL. You honestly can’t do wrong with Tucker here. He has the leg to kick 50+-yards with consistency.
Harrison Butker , KC – Everything said above about Tucker works here for Butker as well. I like the idea of maybe playing both kickers tonight given the high scoring nature of this game.
If you are looking for lineup help, check out our NFL Lineup Generator which can be adjusted for Showdown Slates.