DraftKings Showdown MNF DFS Plays: Week 7

We have another doubleheader on Monday Night Football for DraftKings. In previous weeks, we have seen games with similar point totals. This week, the projected totals are almost two touchdowns apart. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions game carries a projected total of 53.5. And the Houston Texans matchup with the Seattle Seahawks has a projected total of 41.5. So, it goes without saying that the first game tonight will be more popular, but for a good reason. Below are nine players to help increase the potential of your DraftKings Monday night showdown lineups!

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DraftKings Showdown: Plays Week 7

Quarterback

Favorite play: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6.6K)

Baker Mayfield is playing at an MVP level. Now he is a 5.5-point underdog against a Lions team in a dome that surely will not let up on the scoring. It is worth noting that the Lions give up the fewest fantasy points to the running back position. Baker Mayfield will likely have to do it all through the air. Even with the injuries in the receiver room, he has already proved that he could still get it done. Mayfield has not finished lower than QB15 in any given week this season. And with the perfect game script, I do not expect him to stop now. Stacking Mayfield with Evans will be the popular play. However, stacking him with Tez Johnson or Sterling Shepard is potentially a way to get different with Mayfield. I would be surprised if Mayfield did not finish as QB1 tonight, given how many times he will have to throw the ball.

Players to Consider: Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (5.4K) / C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (5.2K)

All four quarterbacks are viable on this slate. I am highlighting this game, but keep in mind that Jared Goff also has an excellent projection tonight. Many people will avoid this game due to the point total discrepancy. Both teams have been great against opposing quarterbacks. The Houston Texans allow the fewest points to the position, while the Seahawks give up the ninth-least. So, while I would typically recommend a quarterback from the other game, those quarterbacks are too close in salary to Goff, and I believe ownership percentages will be heavily skewed. It is a contrarian play based on the public’s perception of the games tonight.

Running Back

Favorite Play: Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks (5.6K)

There are some brutal matchups for the running back position tonight. I will say Jahmyr Gibbs is my favorite play, but everyone knows how good he is, so I wanted to highlight someone else. So I will pick the guy who has shown immense talent on the football field, but has been held back by his situation. Walker is currently in the top ten in missed tackles and the top five in runs of ten plus yards. However, the snap share between him and Zach Charbonnet has been ugly to start the year. Walker only plays 43.6% of snaps and gets taken out near the goal line at almost every opportunity.

However, on DraftKings showdown slates, all that matters is if he hits one of his signature long runs. The Texans have been good at defending the run. Despite that, they have given up a rushing touchdown in every game this season outside of their shutout against the Titans. If Walker gets an increased opportunity or some red zone touches, he could easily find himself in the optimal.

Player to Consider: Woody Marks, Houston Texans (5.3K)

Flashback to three weeks ago, when the Texans played the Tennessee Titans. Woody Marks scored 27.9 DraftKings points, and everyone thought the backfield was his. That was not true, as Nick Chubb commanded the backfield against the Baltimore Ravens. He only scored 12.1 DraftKings points, but kept Marks on the sideline for the most part. Now, coming out of the bye, I am buying stock in Woody Marks. He should see an increase in snaps, even with that brutal quote from Demeco Ryans. His odds of scoring are slightly better than Chubb’s. So the backfield does look like a toss-up, and picking right could be the key to the slate.

Wide Receiver

Favorite Play: Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6.5K)

Wide receiver is loaded on this slate, and there is no other way to put it. Be my guest if you want to play three of the four studs on the slate. However, Evans is my favorite out of the bunch. He is returning from injury, but there is little to no target competition. I could see 12 to 14 targets for Evans in this primetime matchup. And against a banged-up Lions secondary, those targets will be extra valuable. Evans gets the nod over Jaxon Smith-Njigba for salary purposes, but Smith-Njigba is also a lock for most lineups tonight.

Player to Consider: Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions, (5K)

It has been quite a rough year for Jameson Williams. He has had two quality games, but four games where you regretted starting him. In those four games, he did not register more than two targets. Williams was supposed to progress after signing that huge contract. And this might be the breakout spot. Tampa Bay is 21st in passing defense and has let up its fair share of big plays this season. The Buccaneers are in the middle of the pack in allowing catches of 20-plus yards and near the top of allowing 40-plus yard catches. Williams is always a threat to crack the optimal lineup on just one play, and he could easily get there against a weak Buccaneers secondary.

Tight End

Favorite Play: Sam Laporta, Detroit Lions (4.3K)

The tight end has by far the highest ceiling on the slate. Laporta has been more involved in the red zone the past two weeks. He scored in both weeks and finished as the TE4 both times. He is currently ninth at his position with five red zone targets. The only worry with Laporta is that the Lions are the favorites, and he has finished TE22 or lower in three of the weeks this season so far. However, it is not guaranteed that the other tight ends on this slate will get the volume that Laporta does. Egbuka, being a game-time decision, puts a potential damper on Cade Otton’s possible production. And whether Egbuka plays or not, Laporta is still TE1 going into this doubleheader. Especially with the Buccaneers allowing the third-most touchdowns to the position.

Player to Consider: Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3.7K)

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Egbuka, Otton would still be my second choice on the slate. I do not believe he should play, but it feels more optimistic that he will play every day that passes. If Egbuka sits, Otton will likely be the second option behind Mike Evans in the passing game. As of the writing of this article, he is +140 to score a touchdown, which is better odds than Sam Laporta. In that scenario, you would also be saving $600 in salary. The Lions have been good against tight ends in fantasy, but they have allowed three touchdowns to the position. Otton is a good pivot play in a high-scoring matchup tonight.

Final Thoughts

This DraftKings slate will lean towards the first game on the night. That presents many opportunities to make a unique lineup. While a high-scoring game feels likely, we have seen stranger things this season already. It is something to keep in mind while crafting a hopefully winning lineup. Two-game slates never cease to surprise, and I expect that tonight as well. Best of luck with your DraftKings lineups for the last Monday night doubleheader of the year. We will return to the other format next week for the rest of the season.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!