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NFL Christmas Day Draftkings Showdown Picks: Vikings @ Saints

By Hans Geevers

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 06: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 06: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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This Christmas, the NFL presents a clash of NFC South teams. Let’s take a look at this football game from a Draftkings/DFS perspective.

Before I discuss my Draftkings player picks for Friday afternoon’s game, let’s take a look at the key DFS injuries for both teams and briefly review the rules for the single game showdown contest.

DFS Injuries

Vikings: OUT: Jalyn Holmes, DE: Eric Kendricks, LB: Alexander Mattison, RB: Kyle Rudolph, TE: Troy Dye, LB. DOUBTFUL: Todd Davis, LB. QUESTIONABLE: C.J. Ham, FB: Armon Watts, DT.

Saints: OUT: Tre’Quan Smith, WR: Nick Easton, G: Marcus Williams, S. QUESTIONABLE:  Andrus Peat, G: Malcom Brown, DT: Trey Hendrickson, DE.

Let’s shift our focus to the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest. You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard Draftkings points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard Draftkings points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a Draftkings showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the Draftkings showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

Here are my Draftkings player selections for Friday’s game!

Captain

Alvin Kamara, RB Captain Cost $17,100/Flex Cost $11,400

The Minnesota Vikings defense has had it’s issues with regard to stopping running backs this season. More specifically, through 14 games played this season, the Vikings have allowed 1,464 rushing yards to opposing running backs. That means the Minnesota defense is allowing an average of 104.57 rushing yards a game to running backs. How bad is that you may ask? Well, only seven other defenses in the NFL have allowed more rushing yards to opposing running backs.

This Christmas Day, the Vikings will face one of the best running backs in the NFL. That man’s name is Alvin Kamara. Kamara is not only a threat running the football. Alvin is also very effective as a receiver out of the backfield. Through 14 games played this season, Kamara is averaging 23.2 Draftkings points a game.

I mentioned earlier in this article that the Vikings have listed multiple linebackers on the team’s official injury report. That is not good news for the Minnesota Vikings. It is hard enough to contain Kamara with all of your best defensive players on the football field. The bottom line is this, I fully expect Alvin Kamara to perform at a high level on Friday afternoon.

Flex Plays

Dalvin Cook, RB $12,000

Dalvin Cook has been the focal point of the Vikings offense all season. Just look at the data. So far this season, Cook has accumulated 1,484 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, and 349 receiving yards. Cook is going to get the football early and often on Christmas Day. That is a fact. From a fantasy perspective, there is no doubt in my mind that Cook will make the most of his opportunities in this football game.

Justin Jefferson, WR $9,200

In his last four games played, Justin Jefferson has been targeted by Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins a whopping 44 times! Jefferson was able to turn those 44 targets into 28 receptions and three receiving touchdowns.

Tyler Conklin, TE $3,000

The injury report noted at the beginning of this article indicated that Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph has officially been ruled out of Friday’s game. That means that Tyler Conklin and Irv Smith Jr. will continue to receive the vast majority of the team’s snaps at the tight end position this week. The fantasy community has been more of a fan of Irv Smith Jr. in Rudolph’s absence the last few weeks. However, if you look at the numbers, Conklin has out performed Smith Jr. over the last two games. In his last two games played, Conklin has eight receptions, 97 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown.

Next. NBA DFS picks December 25. dark

Additional flex plays I like: Drew Brees, QB $10,200: Emmanuel Sanders, WR $8,800: Marquez Callaway, WR $200.

As always, good luck!