Justin Elick 
Monday Night Football in Week 17 brings us arguably the best MNF matchup the world has ever seen. The 11-4 Bengals host the 12-3 Bills. Cincinnati is inexplicably a 1.5-point underdog, despite playing at home and having not lost since October. As Joe Mixon said “we the big dogs of the AFC”, and the man ain’t wrong. You want to be the champs, you better beat the champs. Enough of my Bengal rambling. This is setting up to be one hell of a game. Let’s find some ways to cash in here!
DraftKings and FanDuel each have a slightly different setup for Showdown slates, with DraftKings using a “Captain” spot. Captain earns you 1.5X points, BUT also costs you 1.5X in salary. FanDuel uses an “MVP”, which is ALSO 1.5X points, but salaries are the same, regardless of position. DraftKings uses 5 FLEX spots, and FanDuel uses 4 “AnyFLEX” spots to fill out your roster.
Captain/MVP Plays
Tee Higgins, Bengals ($14,700 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel)
While the masses will flock to JaMarr Chase at the captain spot, I’m on the former Clemson Tiger. Aside from the donut performance against the Browns where he missed nearly the entire game, Higgins has been a monster of late. He has at least 114 and/or a touchdown in every other game since Week NINE.
I’m expecting him to see volume and some shots down the field as Chase draws more attention from the Bills. His consistency and elite role in this offense is often overshadowed by Chase and his brilliance. Don’t forget to get your Tee shares for MNF.
Stefon Diggs, Bills ($15,600 DraftKings, $13,000 FanDuel)
Diggs has been the opposite of Higgins of late. He has totaled just 10 catches for 123 yards and no scores over the last three weeks. Good news for him is the Bengals CB room is depleted. Awuzie is out for the season. Talk all you want about Eli Apple since it’s the popular thing to do for people who just read box scores and don’t watch him play. He has actually been very good this season. He will have his hands full against Diggs.
Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Hilton will have a word, but Diggs knows how big this moment is for Buffalo. Running against DJ Reader and company isn’t likely a winning scenario quite as much. I’m banking on Diggs having a big game at Paycor Stadium (in a loss, of course).
Joe Mixon, Bengals ($13,500 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel)
If you can’t back it up, you better not run your mouth. Joe called out the Bills LBs, saying they “ain’t the Ravens”, then continued with his “big dogs” comment. Well Joe, its time to put your money where your mouth is. The NFL world will never forget is Mixon doesn’t show up for this one. Fortunately for everyone outside of Buffalo, Joedin will be ready.
His volume remains elite, averaging just over 20 opportunities per game over the last two weeks. The Bills have been a middling defense in terms of fantasy points allowed to RB. Their LBs also rank among the worst in the NFL in tackling, per PFF. Joe may just steal the show and win you all the money on MNF. Don’t sleep on him.
FLEX/AnyFLEX Plays
Josh Allen is always an elite play, and I certainly won’t talk you out of him in this monster spot. He has a ceiling that is second to none. His salary is particularly prohibiting though, and I’m trying to jam in as many upside plays as I can for Showdown. Get your shares here, but I’m not forcing him into the bonus spot myself.
Joe Burrow has been the best QB in the NFL recently, and if you disagree, you’re just wrong. I feel similarly with him as I do with Allen here. If you’re playing him, he is best reserved for the FLEX spot, especially on DraftKings where that extra salary can go a long way.
Dawson Knox has been solid recently with 13 catches for 177 yards and three scores in his last three games. The Bengals have been middle of the pack against TE, and Knox could be a difference maker both on the field and in your lineups.
I’m thinking Gabe Davis hauls in a long one here. If that happens, he could change the complexion of the slate immediately. He is reasonably priced, and I’m on him here. I mentioned the Bengals’ issues at CB at times this season, and he could get loose here.
Trenton Irwin may be a name you don’t hear enough for this game. He has found the end zone three times in the last three weeks, and is very cheap. He has earned Burrow’s trust in key spots, and could pay off as the Bills focus on Higgins and Chase.
JaMarr Chase has receiving upside that is second to none in the NFL. By highlighting Higgins above, I absolutely was not telling you to fade Chase. I just think Tee is much lower owned in the bonus spot. Fade JaMarr at your own risk.
Evan McPherson is still a damn fine kicker. He has had a few hiccups this season, but that may just scare some people off here. If these defenses can hold strong on their side of the field, his upside could be 15+ points. Tyler Bass is a fine option as well. He missed a few kicks last week, but much like McPherson, he is a lot better than that performance indicates.
Hayden Hurst is back for this one for the Bengals, but there is only so much that can go around, especially in a tough matchup against the Bills.
All that said, gimme the Bengals by 10. Trying to take off my orange and black glasses for a second…but the bigger dog usually wins the fight, right?
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Good luck on Monday Night, and good luck to the Bengals! Make sure to follow me on Twitter if you aren’t already, and let’s meet at the top of the leaderboards!
