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DraftKings Showdown slate: How to pick Patriots vs. Ravens

By Jon DeBuchananne

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots looks on before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Showdown: Cheap Options

Rex Burkhead – $3,200

With Michel struggling I am looking for Rex Burkhead to be one of the better value plays on the slate tomorrow night. After missing the previous three games, Burkhead played just 13 snaps last week but saw a touch on 31% of those as he had three carries and one catch. I would rather be one week early than one week late especially in a Showdown format on Burkhead as he could easily see the bulk of the work should Michel continue to struggle as he was seeing identical work to Michel in Week 1 and Week 3.

Ben Watson – $3,000

With Matt LaCosse out again this week, look for newly signed veteran Ben Watson to handle the majority of the work at tight end. Unfortunately Brady has hardly looked to his tight ends completing just 14 passes to the position this year. At 3k, I will likely be looking elsewhere for value as both kickers and Burkhead are higher up in priority for me on this slate.

Gus Edwards – $2,400

At $2400, Edwards is too cheap given his usage as he has seen more than five carries in all but one game this season. While it will take a rushing touchdown for Edwards to be on the winning lineup, I will have some shares of him in my flex as he is an injury away from smashing the slate.

Miles Boykin – $2,000

With the Patriots focus being directed at stopping Mark Andrews and locking down Marquise Brown with Stefon Gilmore, I am expecting the secondary options to have some value on this slate. With just nine catches on the season, Boykin is a dart throw in hopes that he sees some of the softer matchups in the Patriots secondary. At six-foot-four he has more than enough ability in the red-zone to go up and get one, give me a sprinkle of Boykin.

Hayden Hurst – $1,000

Nick Boyle – $600

Lamar Jackson is constantly looking his tight ends way, as he has targeted them 92 times this season or 41.6% of his throws. With the expectation that Belichick takes away both Andrews and Brown, I would look to add some contrarian sprinkles of Hurst and Boyle in lineups. *Do not use more than 1 of Boykin, Hurst, Boyle in any one lineup.

DraftKings Showdown: Special Teams / Defensive Flex Options

Patriots – $7,800

The Patriots will get their first true test this season as the Ravens have had two weeks to game-plan for the Patriots coming off a bye. Statistically speaking this has been the best scoring defense in NFL history in the first eight weeks of the season as they have only allowed 61 points this season. With that being said, I am likely to have very few shares of the Patriots defense even though they average 21.3 fantasy points per game. I will use them in low scoring game scripts but will not play them at Captain this week.

Justin Tucker – $4,000

The best kicker in the game, Justin Tucker possesses slate-breaking ability. He has only failed to score double-digits in two of his seven games this season. This Ravens offense scores touchdowns on 57% of its trips inside the red-zone, making Tucker valuable at just 4k.

Nick Folk – $3,800

Newly acquired kicker Nick Folk makes his Patriots debut this week. The Patriots are ranked 23rd in red-zone scoring as they score touchdowns 50% of the time in the red-zone. With how inconsistent the Patriots offense has been, Folk provides some value as he could be busy Sunday night.

Ravens – $3,400

Only for low-scoring game scripts.

DraftKings Showdown: Game Script Thoughts

The Patriots opened as -6.5 point favorites against the Ravens. Since opening, the number has been steamed down by professional bettors to Patriots -3-to-3.5. The total has also seen some action as it was bet from 46.5 down to 44.5. If the Patriots are going to lose this year, it will be in Baltimore Sunday night. You never make money betting against the Patriots but with a week to prepare and a rowdy home crowd on a Sunday night, give me the Ravens +3.5.