Can the Kansas City Chiefs continue their winning ways? The Chiefs enter tonight undefeated at 7-0 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Arrowhead Stadium. We can’t overstate the power of Kansas City’s home-field advantage, and tonight it comes at primetime. Tampa Bay continues to make do without both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. There should be a fair amount of offense tonight with an over/under of 45.5. The Chiefs are expected to create some distance between themselves and the Buccaneers as they are favored by nine points. Here are some Monday Night Football NFL DFS picks with preferences ranked within each category so you can find success.
Monday Night Football NFL DFS Picks: Buccaneers @ Chiefs
Captain
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
As the Chiefs are substantial favorites, we can expect them to build up a lead in the second half. That means they will look to the run game to control the clock while dominating time of possession. And that is where Kareem Hunt comes in.
Hunt is already an attractive option as the lead running back for the Chiefs. The Buccaneers are a favorable matchup from a DFS perspective as they struggle against the run so that also works to our advantage. In three of his four games, Hunt has a touchdown this season while averaging 77 yards on the ground. Hunt has been minimally involved in the passing game but the quantity is certainly there on the ground. In each of the last three weeks, Hunt has at least 21 carries. That coupled with a solid offense provides a strong floor.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The biggest beneficiary of Evans and Godwin being sidelined has clearly been Cade Otton. In each of the last two games, Otton has been targeted 10 times. The tight end has been quite efficient with 17 receptions for 181 yards while clearly taking advantage of his opportunity. Last week, Otton also caught two touchdown passes and he looks to continue that success tonight. Tampa Bay should be forced to take it to the air, and Otton is there to take advantage of it.
Flex
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
We don’t want to take anything away from Patrick Mahomes, but he isn’t the same prolific quarterback we have become accustomed to. Well at least from a statistical standpoint.
Mahomes has more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (eight) while averaging just 236 yards per game. Mahomes is coming off a more familiar performance though as he threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns last week. Tampa Bay has allowed the second most DFS points to opposing quarterbacks this season which makes it a great spot for Mahomes to have his best game of the season.
Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
The Buccaneers also struggle against opposing tight ends, so that puts Travis Kelce squarely on our radar. Last week, Kelce got that started. He caught his first touchdown of the season while securing 10 of 12 targets for 90 yards. Even as the Chiefs add other weapons, Kelce continues to be go to option for Mahomes.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Regardless of the outcome tonight, we know that Baker Mayfield is going to be busy tonight. The Buccaneers will rely on him to look downfield early, often, and late. In each of Mayfield’s last four games, he has at least three touchdown passes which gives him 21 on the season compared to nine interceptions. Mayfield will be looking to keep up with Mahomes and Tampa Bay has shown the willingness that allows him to do so.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
It seems like the Chiefs are always searching for a receiver, and their new addition brings them to DeAndre Hopkins. Last week, Hopkins was targeted three times and he caught two passes for 29 yards. With an extra week to get acclimated to the Chiefs offense, we can look for the veteran to make his presence felt.
Value
Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs
On many occasions this season, especially in primetime, we have seen kickers break the slate. We can expect to see the Chiefs put plenty of points on the board tonight, and all of them will have a downstream impact on Butker. Kansas City also isn’t scoring at will as in previous years when it comes to putting touchdowns on the board. More of their drives have stalled, which leads to more opportunities for Butker.
So far this season, he is 14 of 16 on field goal attempts while converting 17 of 18 extra points. A continuation of that will provide strong DFS value.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s no secret that Tampa is looking for options at the receiver position. Jalen McMillan has potential and upside, but the rookie is also dealing with a hamstring injury. Shepard was dealing with his own hamstring injury but he did return to practice on Saturday. We haven’t seen Sheppard break out yet this season, but the quantity could be there this week.
Fade
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The rookie has upside and ability, but the consistency of his performance hasn’t quite been there yet. Xavier Worthy does have five touchdowns in seven games, but he only has 19 receptions and 282 total yards. Based on the price, it’s an expensive bet that Worthy finds the end zone.