Sunday's NFL slate will wrap up with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers going on the road to play the struggling Cardinals. Even though the Buccaneers have lost four-straight road games, they are still 7.5-point favorites, with the total set at 40.5 points, according to BetMGM. The oddsmakers do not expect a lot of points to be scored in this primetime matchup, but that should not deter individual DFS players from putting together a DraftKings Showdown lineup on Christmas.
Before we get into our lineup and strategy, 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: Buccaneers vs. Cardinals Week 16 Christmas matchup
$50,000 budget, need at least one player from each team.
Captain (1.5x points, 1.5x salary): QB Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($15,600)
We're not going to overthink our Captain pick for this matchup, despite Brady not having a typical Brady season. Last week against the Bengals, the future Hall of Fame quarterback completed 30-of-44 passes for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions (23.6 DraftKings points). If Brady did not have those two turnovers, he would've had a better DFS performance. However, the veteran quarterback should play better this week against a struggling Cardinals' defense that allows the eighth-most DraftKings points to QBs (19.9) this season. Brady is averaging 12.88 DraftKings points per game in six road games this season, which might be a cause for concern. However, it would be surprising to see Brady held in check by Arizona on Christmas.
WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
FLEX RB James Conner, Cardinals ($9,800)
With Trace McSorely starting for the Cardinals on Christmas night, we should expect to see a ton of Conner out of the backfield. Last week against the stingy Broncos' defense, the veteran running back had 91 total yards on 19 touches and a rushing touchdown (18.1 DraftKings points). Conner has produced double-digit DraftKings performances in six-straight games and scored six total touchdowns over that span (five rushing touchdowns). The 27-year-old running back has a tough matchup on Sunday night against the Buccaneers' defense, which allows the fifth-fewest DraftKings points to RBs (19.7) this season. However, Tampa Bay also gives up 120.2 rushing yards per game. If Conner gets the carries, he's seen over the past few weeks. He will likely reach double-digit points for the seventh-straight game.
WEEK 16 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
FLEX WR Mike Evans, Buccaneers ($9,400)
Most DFS players will put Chris Godwin into their showdown lineup as he's been Brady's unquestioned No. 1 receiving target this season. However, we will go against the grain and put our faith in Evans, who scored 13.3 DraftKings points last week against the Bengals, making it the first time since Week 10 against the Seahawks that Evans posted 10-plus DK points. The veteran receiver has not been able to find the endzone consistently this season (3 TDs), which has affected his NFL DFS performance. Nevertheless, Evans has a tough matchup against Arizona's defense, which allows the 11th-fewest DraftKings points to WRs (33) this season. It does not look good on paper for Evans, but he's due for a monster game in a spot where the Bucs have to win.
FLEX RB Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers ($7,800)
Fournette has had his struggles this season, which is the perfect way to describe how things have gone for the Bucs. The veteran running back is splitting carries with rookie Rachaad White, who has played well in the second half of the season when called up. This season, Fournette has played well as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield, with six total touchdowns and 978 total yards. He's also averaging 15 DraftKings points per game. This is a good spot for Fournette to get back on track against a Cardinals' defense that allows the seventh-most DK points (26.2) to RBs this season.
WEEK 16 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
FLEX TE Cade Otton, Buccaneers ($4,800)
The rookie tight end's production has been up and down this season, but he has a great matchup on Sunday against the Cardinals' defense. This season, the Cards are getting destroyed by opposing tight ends, allowing the most DraftKings points (18.4), the most receiving yards, the most receptions, and touchdowns (10) in the NFL. It's an ugly sight for Arizona fans but great for DFS players, who will have Otton in their lineups. The rookie tight end has produced four games with 10 or more DraftKings points this season.
FLEX WR Robbie Anderson, Cardinals ($2,400)
If Marquise Brown (groin) were to miss Sunday's game, we could see Anderson make an appearance as the Cardinals' deep threat option. The veteran receiver has not made a significant impact since arriving in Week 11. Anderson's best game with the Cardinals happened in Week 14 against the Patriots, where he had four receptions (four targets) for 50 yards and nine DraftKings points. If you are taking a flier on Anderson, you hope he can score a touchdown against this Bucs' defense, which allows 13 touchdowns to WRs this season.
