Now before we begin, please take a moment to understand what exactly you are getting yourself into by playing single-game Showdown Slates. We love to have some skin in the game, for sure, but these slates are, for all intents and purposes, a lottery ticket. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but, more often than not, you need to hit on that random dart-throw that differentiates your lineup from that of the herd in order to claim the top prize. As a result, we encourage you to play responsibly and not over-invest. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll, and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.

OK. Lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens

Spread: Chiefs -3.5

O/U: 53.5

**Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.

MVP/Captain

Tyreek Hill, WR - Hill had 11 catches on 15 targets for 197 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He will face a bit stiffer competition tonight against the Ravens than he did in Week 1 against the Raiders but his explosive upside is exactly what you want leading your showdown lineups where he can legitimately go for 200 receiving yards with multiple touchdown upside. Against the Ravens last season he had five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. 

Patrick Mahomes, QB - Mahomes is the most expensive play on the board but it is for good reason as he scored four total touchdowns in Week 1 while throwing for 337 yards. Against Baltimore last season he had five total touchdowns, throwing for 385 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. We saw Derek Carr make some big throws against Baltimore last week and they will be facing a far superior matchup this week.

Travis Kelce, TE - The Chiefs offense is very consolidated with Kelce and Hill making up most of the production. In Week 1 we saw Kelce with two touchdown catches as part of his seven catch, 76-yards performance. He had six catches for 87 yards against Baltimore last season.

Mid-Tier

Lamar Jackson, QB - Last season in this matchup Jackson had just 97 yards passing but added 83 yards on the ground. I know the running is going to play a part but needing to rely on him to come through with throwing the football like he did last week is a risk.  If this one becomes a shootout he may have to throw just to keep the Ravens in this one.

Marquise Brown, WR - Brown caught a touchdown pass in Week 1 as he continued his strong play which we saw out of him at the end of last year. Brown had six catches for 69 yards in Week 1. He had just two catches on six targets in last seasons matchup. 

Mark Andrews, TE - Andrews was held to just three catches last season in this matchup and in Week 1 against the Raiders he wasn't exactly stellar. If the Ravens get into the red zone he becomes a threat but this Ravens passing attack is just so inconsistent that even someone like Andrews could be hit or miss.

Justin Tucker / Harrison Butker, K - Both kickers are in play for me this week as they are among the best in the game with big legs that are capable of hitting the 50-yarder. Butker had 10 FP in Week 1 while Tucker had 11 FP. Great salary savers that will be needed.

Sammy Watkins, WR - Week 1 Sammy Watkins came through once again as he caught 4-of-8 targets for 96 yards. By all accounts, Watkins had a great training camp and now we have the revenge game narrative in play as well as he faces the Chiefs whom he played for over the past few seasons.

 

Dart Throws

Running Backs - Listen, whether it is Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ty'Son Williams, Latavius Murray or Devonte Freeman tonight, playing any of these RBs is going to be a big risk. With the Chiefs, we know CEH is going to get the snaps but he has not yet returned the production many have expected from him after being taken in the first round last year. With the Ravens, we saw Williams lead the backfield in the first half of Week 1 but it was Murray that saw all the second half action. Now, we get Freeman active for tonight so  you know he will be involved in some capacity. Pick the right back and you may have yourself a winner.

Mecole Hardman, WR - There is a lot of love for Hardman in the fantasy community because of his big play upside but more often than not he is nothing but a bust. That said, this is definitely the format you want to play Hardman as you only need that one big catch to be the difference. 

**Are you done swimming with the sharks on Draft Kings and FanDuel? There is plenty of money to be won playing DFS over on Yahoo and we’ve got some bonus cash for you over there. Just go to fantasyalarm.com/yahoo and use the promo code ALARM for an immediate $25 bonus of contest credits on your first