Week 8 begins on Thursday night with the Ravens visiting the Buccaneers at 8:15 p.m. ET. Baltimore is a slight 1.5-point favorite, and the game has an O/U of 45, according to Caesars Sportsbook. Even though both teams have underperformed expectations this year, they still have plenty of viable options for DraftKings Showdown lineups. Lamar Jackson will be a popular "Captain" pick, but our Bucs-heavy lineup build is pivoting to one of Tom Brady's top targets as the cornerstone of our single-game DFS picks.
Before we break down our picks, here are the key scoring settings for DraftKings Showdown contests: They're full-point PPR and there are three-point bonuses for 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 100 receiving yards. The Captain pick costs 1.5 times a player's original price, but he also gets his point total multiplied by 1.5.
MORE DK SHOWDOWN: How to win a Showdown contest
DraftKings Showdown Picks: Ravens vs. Buccaneers Week 8 Thursday Night Football
$50,000 budget, need at least one player from each team.
Captain (1.5x points, 1.5x salary): WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers ($13,500)
While many will opt for Jackson or Brady in the "Captain" spot, we're going with Godwin, who has a great matchup against a Ravens' defense that allows the sixth-most DraftKings points per game to WRs. Godwin is one of Brady's go-to options and will rack up the points in this spot. He's averaging 13.1 DraftKings points and 10.3 targets per game in his past four games, so we love him in DraftKings' full-point PPR scoring.
MORE TNF: FD lineup | Start 'em, sit 'em
FLEX QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens ($11,800)
The superstar quarterback has struggled since Week 3 against the Patriots where he scored 43.4 DraftKings points. However, despite those issues, Jackson still has one of the highest ceilings in fantasy. The good news for Jackson is the Buccaneers' defense is not as strong as in years past, sitting right in the middle of the pack in terms of DraftKings points allowed to QBs. If the Ravens are without Mark Andrews (knee) or Rashod Bateman (undisclosed), it could make things hard for Jackson in the passing game. However, that could just mean he runs more and picks up the three-point, 100-yard bonus, so we're fine either way. P.J. Walker managed 15 DK points against the Bucs, so imagine what Jackson can do.
TNF INJURY UPDATES: Andrews | Bateman | Edwards | Julio
FLEX QB Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($10,000)
On the other side of the field, Brady should be able to bounce back on Thursday after two less-than-stellar performances against the Panthers and Steelers. The future Hall-of-Famer has looked like a shell of himself, averaging 12.7 DraftKings per game over the past two weeks, but things could've been very different last week if Mike Evans hadn't dropped an easy 75-yard TD. Nevertheless, DFS players should have some trust in the fact that Brady can take advantage of a Ravens' defense that allowed the seventh-most DraftKings points per game to QBs this season.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
FLEX TE Cade Otton, Buccaneers ($5,000)
Otton has become an integral part of the Buccaneers' offense over the past few weeks with Cameron Brate (neck) banged up. The rookie tight end posted four receptions (five targets) for 64 yards against Carolina last week, marking the second time in the past three games that Otton has posted at least four catches and 40 yards. The Ravens' defense has allowed the eighth-most receptions and four TDs to TEs this season, so Ottom makes for a great value play and under-the-radar stack with Brady.
WEEK 8 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
FLEX RB Rachaad White, Buccaneers ($4,800)
The rookie running back has been used sparingly in the Bucs' offense, but if you are putting White into your lineup, you're banking on several catches and a cheap TD. He's had at least four targets in three of the past four games, and last week, he tied a season high with six carries. Because we opted for both QBs, we had to go cheap somewhere, and ultimately, we're hoping White can pay off as a contrarian pick.
WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
FLEX RB Kenyan Drake, Ravens ($4,600)
Drake was a virtual no-show in Week 7 with Gus Edwards getting the bulk of the carries against the Browns. However, in the previous week against the Giants, Drake went off 119 yards and a TD on 10 carries. We shouldn't expect Drake to have 100 rushing yards this week, but the Buccaneers' defense can be had after they allowed Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman to run for 181 yards in Week 7. More important, Drake should get more touches this week with Edwards (knee) still being eased back into action. Edwards probably won't see another 16 carries just four days after his first game in almost two years, so expect more opportunities for Drake. Like White, he's another cheap contrarian pick, but he has more upside than most think.
