Monday Showdown Week 12

Photo: USA Today Sports

Disclaimer

These contests are intended to be fun as you’re watching the game. It’s incredibly difficult to get a real edge as there are so few options and in MME contests there are often many duplicate lineups. One play or one penalty can change the entire outcome of the game.

This article is going to have a heavy DraftKings lean simply because the decision making process is more interesting with the Captain having a salary premium to correspond with the scoring premium. On FanDuel, the pricing is the same for both MVP and flex, so just play either a quarterback or running back in that spot. There are scenarios where a wide receiver can pay off, but it’s difficult with it being the 0.5 per reception.

Game Strategy

This is a difficult, but fun slate. For weeks we have had plays where the captain was fairly obvious. On this slate, it is entirely wide open which is going to make it where if you hit the captain, you’re going to have a great chance to win this week. The Seahawks are always a frustrating team, as when they are on, they are one of the best in the NFL, but when they are off which they have been lately both Metcalf and Lockett can put up incredibly frustrating numbers. The Football Team are led by Terry McLaurin who is similar to the Seahawks in that he has some of the highest upside on the slate, but has struggled with consistency as well. This game very easily could be 35-31 or it could be 14-10.

Captain Consideration:

1. Taylor Heinicke
2. Tyler Lockett
3. Logan Thomas
4. Terry McLaurin
5. Antonio Gibson
6. DK Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks

QUARTERBACK

Russell Wilson- Flex Only

Russell Wilson and this Seattle offense are difficult to figure out, as they were absolutely dominant in the first half of the 2020 season, and since then, they’ve been largely mediocre. Over Wilson’s last four games, he has failed to throw for over 207 yards, and has thrown for over 300 yards just once over his last 16 games. On a normal slate, we would not even be considering Wilson in this spot, but in a showdown, he is in a favorable matchup against the Football Team who have allowed six quarterbacks to throw for 270 yards or more this season. They have been better as of late, but there are still clear weaknesses on this team especially now that Chase Young is out for the season. If Wilson gets back to his old ways, one of the wide receivers in Lockett/Metcalf will surely have a major scoring day as well, so playing Wilson is likely best as the flex play with him being too expensive on this slate for his recent production.

RUNNING BACK

Alex Collins- Fade

Alex Collins is going to get a lot of love this week due to his price at just $6,600. I would advise against falling into that trap for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the lack of involvement in the receiving game is a major concern as Collins is averaging 0.6 targets per game over his last five games, four of which were losing efforts. The second reason is the lack of consistent volume. We can get past a running back not being involved in the passing game if they can get enough carries, but Collins has not exceeded 10 carries over his last three games. The third reason to fade him is the matchup. Washington is allowing just 69 yards rushing this season which is the third fewest in the NFL. Washington should have a clear advantage in the trenches this week.

DeeJay Dallas- Good Flex

If you’re looking for a value on the Seahawks, DeeJay Dallas could be the answer to that question. Dallas returned from injury last week and had a season-high 37% snap share, which is tied for the most on the team. With Travis Homer and Elijaah Penny out, this should be a game where the Seahawks give Dallas a big workload especially as a receiving back. Dallas has 4-5 reception upside, and did score the lone rushing touchdown for this team in the Red-Zone last week.

WIDE RECEIVER-

DK Metcalf- Captain Only

DK Metcalf is a player who has struggled alongside this offensive struggle that the Seahawks have been in over the last year. In the first half of 2020, Metcalf averaged 98.5 yards per game with four 100-yard games. Since that time, he is averaging just 65 yards receiving and only two 100-yard games over his last 19 games. This is a situation where you are what your stats say you are, and at this point, Metcalf is a big play deep threat who doesn’t convert enough to be consistently rely on this game.

Tyler Lockett- Low-End Captain/ Good Flex

While not as much of a rollercoaster as DK Metcalf, Lockett still has shown a bit of a boom/bust potential throughout this season. Lockett has four games this season above 100 yards, while also having five games with 50 yards or less. Lockett is preferred to DK Metcalf this week due to having topped 100 yards in two of his last three games as well as having shown chemistry with Russell Wilson since he has returned which Metcalf has not so far.

OTHER TARGETS-

Gerald Everett- Flex

Gerald Everett may not be the most exciting player on this slate, but he has 12 targets over his last two games and getting a consistent floor on this slate is not the worst thing in the world. With Russell Wilson back, Everett should continue to see targets throughout this offense as they desperately need to find a third receiving option to compliment Lockett and Metcalf.

Washington Football Team

QUARTERBACK

Taylor Heinicke- Great Captain/Flex

Taylor Heinicke surprisingly has thrown for 250 yards or more in three of his last four games as the Washington Football team look to continue to climb back in the playoff race this season. Heinicke is in a great spot this week as his dynamism for both passing and rushing upside as he has ran for 40 yards or more in three of the last seven games. The matchup is a fantastic one as the Seahawks have allowed 292 yards per game through the air which should open up plenty of opportunities for Heinicke this week.

RUNNING BACK

Antonio Gibson- Good Captain/ Great Flex Play

Antonio Gibson has become a workhorse over the last two weeks as he has 43 carries over his last two weeks. This week, Gibson gets to face a Seahawks defense that has been better after being one of the worst run defense earlier this season, but are still allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs. They have allowed 60 yards or more to opposing running backs 8 times this season. Gibson likely pays off if this is a low scoring slugfest type game where he finds the end zone and at a discounted price of just $8,600 allows you to build some combinations that you otherwise may not be able to. He’s an excellent flex play this week at the price.

WIDE RECEIVER

Terry McLaurin- Great Captain/Flex

Much like the Seattle wide receivers, McLaurin has been a roller coaster this season as he has topped 100-yards in four games this season, but he has a little more of a floor than that of Lockett and Metcalf. The Seahawks defense has struggled against top tier wide receivers allowing 75 yards or more to Julio Jones, Justin Jefferson, Deebo Samuel, Adam Thielen, Julio Jones, Davante Adams while allowing four touchdowns as well to the group. McLaurin firmly fits in this category and if he can find the end-zone will pay off this week.

OTHER TARGETS-

Logan Thomas- Great Captain/Good Flex

The Football Team activated Logan Thomas off of IR earlier today, which is great news as this is a tight end heavy offense and Thomas can provide a secondary option for Taylor Heinicke. At just $4,800 he is one of the best flex options on this slate, and could be utilized as a captain as he does have two touchdowns in his first three games this could be the salary relief captain that you need this week. By taking a player such as Thomas, he will allow you to easily fit in both quarterbacks, while potentially even fitting someone such as Antonio Gibson or one of the receivers if you want to stack the quarterback with that player.

Adam Humphries- Flex

Great value play this week in a week where there is very little value at $2,800. Humphries is a possession receiver that all you are hoping for is either a touchdown or 3-4 catches to pay off his $2,800 salary.

JD McKissic- Low-End Flex

McKissic pairs well with a Seahawks stack this week as he is a receiving back who is likely going to need the right game script but has shown 8+ reception upside this season. He is a great play if you wanted to take 4 Seahawks and run it back with just McKissic.