Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is here, and Underdog Fantasy is offering some incredible promos to kick off the action.
One of the standout offers this week is a Free Pick for Travis Kelce in the season opener on Thursday night. Whether you’re new to Underdog or a seasoned player, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of the bonus and add it to your Week 1 plays. While I will not include Kelce in my official picks, make sure you add him to the Chiefs-Ravens Pick'em featured below:
For those unfamiliar, Underdog Pick'em is an exciting daily fantasy game where players can make predictions on player performance across various stats. The concept is simple: choose whether a player will go higher or lower on their projected stats, and if all your selections are correct, you can win big.
How It Works
To get started, you need to pick at least two props from two different teams. These can range from a player’s touchdowns, passing yards, or even fantasy points. You’ll select whether each prop will go higher or lower than the projected stat.
Payouts
The payout structure is designed to reward you based on the number of selections in your ticket. The more props you add, the higher the potential payout. Typically, Underdog Fantasy's pick'em contests follow these payout multiples:
- Two picks: 3x
- Three picks: 6x
- Four picks: 10x
- Five picks: 20x
I’ll note if any of the picks given in this article have a different payout structure for you to keep in mind. So, whether you're placing a simple two-pick ticket or shooting for the stars with five, there's plenty of options.
Opening Night Overs
Patrick Mahomes II – Higher than 293.5 Pass + Rush Yards
- Ravens LB Roquan Smith mentioned that Baltimore's defensive game plan is to take away the run and force Mahomes to beat them through the air, a strategy that’s been easier said than done.
- In his career against the Ravens, Mahomes holds a 4-1 record, has thrown for 13 TDs with only 2 INTs, and averages 344 passing yards per game.
- With key weapons like Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and speedster Xavier Worthy on hand, Mahomes is well-positioned to hit big passing plays and surpass 293.5 total yards.
Xavier Worthy – Higher than 44.5 Receiving Yards
- Worthy, who set a combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash, brings back the deep ball threat the Chiefs once had with Tyreek Hill. His speed alone is likely to lead to multiple deep shots from Mahomes.
- In limited preseason action, Worthy already connected with Mahomes for a 39-yard reception, showcasing his ability to make explosive plays.
- Worthy's speed also creates opportunities for others, as seen when three defenders were drawn to him on a deep route, opening up the middle for a 20-yard completion to Justin Watson. Expect similar impact plays in the season opener.
"You just know what Andy Reid wants against the Ravens
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 3, 2024
they are looking for one highlight. Xavier Worthy catching a deep pass. That is the message."
- @ByNateTaylor via Scoop City pic.twitter.com/kZ3ljCInc1
Zay Flowers – Higher than 52.5 Receiving Yards
- Flowers has been Lamar Jackson’s go-to target in training camp and joint practices, especially with Mark Andrews missing time. In the Ravens' last meeting with the Chiefs, Flowers put up an impressive 5-115-1 stat line.
- Camp reports suggest that Flowers has climbed to the top of the pecking order, giving him a strong chance to lead the team in targets, especially if Andrews is eased back after missing time due to a car accident.
- In a high-scoring game, expect Jackson to look Flowers' way frequently, increasing his chances to exceed 52.5 yards.
Isaiah Likely – Higher than 15.5 Receiving Yards
- With Andrews potentially being limited in his return, Likely should continue his strong rapport with Lamar Jackson, as seen throughout training camp and joint practices.
- Likely has filled in admirably as Jackson’s safety valve, and with only 16 yards needed to cash this pick, he could easily surpass that on just one or two receptions.
- In a game that could feature plenty of passing, especially if the Ravens are playing catch-up, Likely’s role as a secondary target makes this a smart bet.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta thinks they have the best tight end duo in the league. I agree—and got into one reason why Baltimore is so hard to stop when they have two tight ends on the field. pic.twitter.com/DfJ7fuHFfb
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 30, 2024
Bookkeeping Note: This Pick 4 pays out 8.3X instead of 10X due to the correlations.