It doesn't get much bigger than the Week 4 Sunday Night Football matchup between the Buccaneers and Chiefs. The game is currently priced at a pick 'em, with the total set at O/U 45.5 points, per Caesars Sportsbook. This game has a ton of talent at the skill positions on both sidelines, giving NFL DFS players a variety of potential stud and sleeper picks to fill out a DraftKings Showdown lineup.
Before we break down our strategy and lineup, 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.
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MORE DK SHOWDOWN: How to win a Showdown contest
DraftKings Showdown Picks: Buccaneers vs. Chiefs Week 4 Sunday Night Football
$50,000 budget, need at least one player from each team.
Captain (1.5x points, 1.5x salary): QB Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($15,000)
Brady's captain salary is $2,100 cheaper than Patrick Mahomes, making it a bit easier to navigate a well-rounded lineup by paying up for TB12. Brady hasn't scored more than 15 DK points in a game so far, but he has the chance to post his best performance of the season in a game where he could have his full complement of receiving options back. Given Kansas City's high-octane offense, Brady could be forced into throwing at a high clip.
MORE SNF: Godwin update | Julio update | FanDuel lineup
FLEX QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ($11,400)
Despite his likely high roster percentage, Mahomes is a shoo-in selection for Showdown lineups, as he has the ability to throw for 250-plus yards with two-plus passing TDs against anyone. With the weather conditions improving in Tampa, Mahomes won't be affected by bad field conditions, resulting in a solid fantasy point output for the second-most efficient QB in 2022 (+43.3 EPA).
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
FLEX WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs ($7,000)
JuJu put forth his best performance as a Chief last week against the Colts, hauling in five passes for 89 yards on eight targets. With the Chiefs not having much of a running game, look for another effective performance from Smith-Schuster. JuJu has ran a route on 80.7 percent of the Chiefs' passing plays, and his route participation has the chance to increase in what should be a close contest.
WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
FLEX WR Russell Gage, Buccaneers ($6,200)
Gage emerged as Brady's go-to option in the passing game last week against the Packers, securing 12 catches for 87 yards and a TD. While there is some uncertainty regarding which Tampa WRs will suit up, Gage's relatively cheap salary of $6,200 makes him a worthwhile addition to Showdown lineups. If either of Chris Godwin (hamstring) or Julio Jones (knee) is out, Gage should easily return value. Even if both play, he has a chance to be a key differentiator.
WEEK 4 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
FLEX WR Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Chiefs ($5,600)
MVS has yet to eclipse 50 receiving yards through the first three weeks but could be in line for his best receiving yards output of the early season. Tampa has a well-rounded defense, but given Valdez-Scantling's big-play nature, it might only take one explosive play for him to help DFS owners get in the money. If his abdomen injury keeps him out, Mecole Hardman ($5,200) makes for an obvious pivot.
WEEK 4 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
FLEX RB Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs ($4,600)
McKinnon scored just two fantasy points last week against the Colts but played 52 percent of snaps and had the same amount of carries (7) as Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He's by far the player with the biggest risk in our lineup, but if he's able to secure a few receptions and land in the end zone, he'll be worth rostering.
