Sometimes the NFL will show you just how slim the margins can be between a playoff-bound team and one destined for a top-three pick. The Jets taught the Bengals that lesson in Week 8, but the Colts aren’t likely to be caught off guard. Vegas sportsbooks are doubling down against the Jets, too, opening Gang Green as two-touchdown road dogs on Thursday Night Football in Week 9. The Jets’ Mike White will make his second career start, and the Colts’ T.Y. Hilton (concussion) will sit out. Nonetheless, there are still plenty of, shall we say, "interesting" DFS options for our DraftKings Showdown lineup.
Here's a reminder of the key settings for DraftKings single game contests: It's 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: Jets vs. Colts
$50,000 budget, need at least one player from each team.
Captain (1.5x value, 1.5x points): RB Michael Carter, Jets ($12,900)
We’re swinging for the fences from the get go, opting to name Carter our Captain this week. The Jets’ three-headed "monster" is no more, leaving Carter to assume the lead role in the backfield. He received 29 opportunities, including 14 targets, last week en route to 32.2 DraftKings points. He’s reeled in 17 receptions over the past two weeks and is likely to be a central force in whatever offensive success the Jets can muster.
MORE TNF: FD lineup | Start 'em, sit 'em
FLEX: RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($11,600)
Taylor remained hot last week, turning 19 touches into 21.2 DK points. It was his fifth consecutive week eclipsing the 20-point barrier. There isn’t much concern over his ability to make it six straight, but if the Colts do dominate like some expect, Taylor could be relieved by his backups for much of the final quarter. The Jets have been competitive (or won) on more occasions than they’ve been blown out this season, so it’s not out of the question that they'll force the Colts to keep Taylor in the mix.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
FLEX: WR Michael Pittman, Colts ($10,200)
Pittman’s 15 targets last week were a career best and the third time he’s had at least 12 passes go his way this year. With T.Y. Hilton already ruled out due to a concussion, Pittman will remain entrenched in the No. 1 role. His targets have fluctuated a bit more than you’d like to see from a team’s top option, but the stage is set for another large workload.
MORE WEEK 9 DFS: Best values | Lineup Builder
FLEX: WR Jamison Crowder ($7,800)
Top receiver Corey Davis (hip) didn’t practice on Tuesday, and his status remains in doubt for Thursday night. Even if he suits up, it’s safe to assume he’ll be at significantly less than 100 percent. That will leave Crowder to absorb much of the leftover workload. He turned nine targets into an 8-84 line last week. He figures to be busy again in Week 9 with backup quarterback Mike White appearing more willing and able to hit his checkdown receivers when necessary.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
FLEX: K Michael Badgley, Colts ($4,400)
While the expectation is that the Colts will run the Jets out of Indy, there’s at least a statistical angle that suggests a slower-than-anticipated dismissal. The Colts attempt the fourth-most field goals per game (2.3), and the Jets force the most (3.0). If the Jets have their way and are able to bog the Colts down deep at the end of their drives, Badgley should be called upon enough to beat his season high of 8.0 DK points set in Week 6, his first game with his new team.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
FLEX: WR Keelan Cole, Jets ($2,400)
Cole played his most snaps of the season (55) in the Jets’ Week 8 victory over the Bengals. With Davis still nursing a hip injury, Cole may find himself on the field for extended playing time again on Thursday. His five targets were modest but represented a season high. He’s averaging 11.9 yards-per-target and catching 68.8 percent of passes thrown his way. If he can earn a few more opportunities, he has a chance to do some damage.