NFL DFS Showdown Core 50/50’s (NYG @ WAS) for September 16, 2021

Week one is finally in the books and its been a rollercoaster so far. Injuries, busts, breakout players, you name it. I believe it’s the toughest week in DFS because of the amount of unpredictability, but now we have some ammo, footage. Let’s use it right away in week two.

Tonight, we have an over/under total of 41, a dog fight in the NFC East. The Giants and Football Team both play at a slow pace, but Washington’s defense is one of the best in the league, led by 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young. Divisional games are always intense especially primetime. AS both teams are looking to get in the win column, expect a solid game.

Daniel Jones and the Giants will be facing second year Quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who is taking over for the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick. New York’s main attraction Saquon Barkley is still being limited in games from coming off a torn ACL he suffered last season. Meanwhile Washington’s Running Back Antonio Gibson is picking up where he left off last season, filling the stat sheets. Gibson averaged 4.5 yards per carry just shy of 100 and also had three catches for 18 yards.

Here’s a peek at a Showdown Core DFS lineup for September 16, 2021 (using DraftKings Values)

The Giants are hurting right now at Running Back without Saquon so I expect them having to live by the pass until he is back up to speed. Stacking some receivers with Jones tonight just makes total sense for game script, in which I see them trailing most of the game due to their lack of defensive pieces and lack of a run game.

Here’s a peek at a Showdown Core DFS lineup for September 16, 2021 (using FanDuel Values)

Captain/MVP:

Kenny Golladay ($12,300 DK/$10,500 FD) is now the clear alpha receiver that New York has been missing for years. At 6’4” he towers of defenders and is a red zone target for Jones. Back in 2019 he led all Receivers in the NFL with 11 touchdowns, and with a backup Quarterback in Detroit that year.

Antonio Gibson ($14,400 DK/$12,500 FD) The Giants’ defensive line has looked like swiss cheese over the past few seasons, and from watching their first game, nothing’s changed. Gibson may be unable to contain tonight by Big Blue, and with an inexperienced quarterback at the helm, he should receive plenty of hand-offs and check-downs.

Avoid:

Saquon Barkley ($15,000 DK/$14,000 FD) is still slowly being worked back up to a full work load. His snap count and touches will be closely monitored, and with a tough matchup New York would rather not take the risk with their bell-cow.

Players We Like:

Daniel Jones ($10,400 DK/$15,000 FD) as I mentioned before about game script and lack of the run game, and weak offensive line, Jones will be throwing it a lot. If he’s unable to find anyone open, he can use his legs to escape that insane pass rush of Washington. Jones has been known to turn the ball over but can make up for the lost points if there is some garbage time.

Logan Thomas ($7,400 DK/$10,000 FD) The veteran Tight End could be heavily leaned on by the young backup QB Heinicke. Short passes over the top will boost his confidence, and Loganmay reap the rewards, especially near the endzone. 

Sterling Shepard ($8,000 DK/$11,500 FD) has been a sleeper in fantasy. He’s been Jones’ go-to-guy in the slot since he took over for Eli Manning. Against the Broncos last week Shepard caught his only touchdown pass with a total of seven catches for 113 yards.

Terry McLaurin ($9,000 DK/$12,000 FD) “Scary Terry has been a beast in his two year career. Though he’s played his entire NFL career with mediocre, sub-par Quarterbacks, he’s still been able to catch for over 2,000 yards. He does have a tough match-up with James Bradberry, but Terry still manages to get his.

Value at Flex:

Washington DST ($5,600 DK) One of the best defenses facing one of the worst Quarterbacks in the league. Daniel Jones will be throwing and running for his life tonight, interceptions and fumbles are bound to surface.

Giants DST ($4,400 DK) The same argument can be made for an inexperienced Quarterback on Washington’s side. Taylor Heinicke may cough up the ball too.

Dustin Hopkins ($3,800 DK/$9,500 FD) Washington may not be able to punch it in the endzone on drives because of their Quarterback situation, so send in the kicker.  Hopkins kicked three Field Goals and one extra point last week.

J. D. McKissic ($2,200 DK/$7,000 FD) only got one carry for eight yards in the opener but may get more exposure tonight due to the short week and Gibson having carried the workload on Sunday. Gibson also banged up his shoulder in the contest which may lead to more touches for McKissic.

Kadarius Toney ($1,800 DK/$6,500 FD) The Giants’ first-round draft pick caught both his targets against the Broncos Sunday. The rookie may have more opportunities tonight since the defense will mainly be focusing on Golladay and Shepard.

Dyami Brown ($1,400 DK/$5,500 FD) Washington’s third-round pick saw 93 percent of the snaps in week one and tied Terry McLaurin in targets. He may receive the same workload until Curtis Samuel comes back off IR, so he is a huge value for a second starting wideout.

General Strategy:

Tonight, will be a defensive style game most likely, A second year signal-caller and a turnover-prone QB facing a really tough match-up. These types of games are brutal to watch and dull from a fantasy POV. But at the end of the night there will be winners in DFS. Stacking a defense with a kicker and running back in these types of slow-paced, low scoring games may be the way to go. You will also see salary cap left on the table when you’re all said and done rostering, but in Showdowns/Single Game Contests it can be norm. Building around Antonio Gibson and Daniel Jones tonight may be the way to go, and do not be afraid to throw a kicker in either.

Now go and win with your lineup and let us know how you did.

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