Disclaimer
NFL Showdown can be a fickle beast. Success in these contests doesn't come from blindly following median projections, but from creating leverage and building unique rosters. Fading the most popular plays can be risky, yet the biggest edges usually come from identifying the right low-rostered pivots and pairing them creatively with the slate's juggernauts.
With both DraftKings and FanDuel now using similar formats — a multiplier slot (Captain/MVP) that costs 1.5x salary and earns 1.5x points — the nuances between sites come down to scoring systems and contest dynamics. DraftKings' full PPR scoring and larger prize pools reward a slightly different decision-making process than FanDuel's half-PPR and softer fields, but the core principles of Showdown roster construction apply across both.
The advice in this article pertains predominantly to tournament lineups and strategy. For cash builds, median projections remain your best guide. For head-to-head contests, consider projections as well, but when two players have similar projections, side with the lower-rostered option.
Macro Level Game View
- Over/Under: 43.5
- Spread: Chiefs -2.5
- Chiefs Implied Team Total: 23
- Broncos Implied Team Total: 20.5
Captain Consideration
Kansas City Chiefs Showdown Players
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes II - Flex
Chiefs Left Tackle Josh Simmons is trending toward missing the game with a back injury. His replacement is an undrafted rookie free agent. That's not ideal with Mahomes making his debut post-ACL tear in a tough matchup against a very good Broncos defense that ranked eighth in EPA/Play Allowed, second in Success Rate, and 10th in Dropback EPA Allowed. Mahomes set career highs in rushing yards (422) and rushing touchdowns (5) last season, but the upside with his legs projects to be capped coming back from injury. Of course, it's not all bad. Mahomes ranked fifth in passing yards per game (256.2), seventh in passing touchdowns per game (1.6), and tenth in EPA/Play last season.
Running Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ken Walker III - Captain/Flex
Ken Walker III runs a 4.38 40-yard dash at 211 pounds. He's a special and athletic talent who dominated in the playoffs once given the full opportunity, helping the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. The Chiefs signed Walker this offseason to revitalize their run game. It would be shocking if they didn't lean on him heavily right out of the gate in an early, yet important division matchup. The Chiefs are home favorites. Walker is the best Captain play in the game.
Rashee Rice - Captain/Flex
Rashee Rice underwent a clean-up procedure to remove “loose debris” in his right knee and had to rehab while in literal jail. Rice's health and ability to come out of the gate hot are question marks. However, the Chiefs love to use him in motion, on screens, and with targets near the line of scrimmage to let him use his yards-after-catch ability. And this matchup sets up well for that elite fantasy usage. Chiefs Left Tackle Josh Simmons is trending toward missing the game with a back injury, Patrick Mahomes II is making his debut post-ACL tear, and the Broncos defense had 11 more sacks than any other team in the league last season. Look for Mahomes to get the ball out quickly to Rice, who last season ranked fourth in targets per game (9.8), fifth in receptions per game (6.6), 11th in receiving yards per game (71.4), and 15th in yards per route run (2.15).
Xavier Worthy - Flex
Xavier Worthy suffered a fully torn labrum after colliding with TE Travis Kelce in Week 1 last year. Per The Athletic’s Jesse Newell, the Chiefs “limited Worthy’s routes a year ago to protect him”, but Andy Reid believes that Worthy, now healthy, can resume running a full route tree this season. Worthy's 2025 season was a massive disappointment, but this is a legitimate explanation. Let's remember Worthy is an elite athlete. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time in NFL history (4.21) and posted a 41" vertical and a 10'11" broad jump. The last time we saw him healthy on a football field, he posted an 8-reception, 157-yard, 2-touchdown Super Bowl performance.
Travis Kelce - Flex
Travis Kelce turns 37 next month. Can his body withstand another NFL season? The good news is Week 1 is likely the freshest he'll be all season long.
Cyrus Allen - Tournament Flex
Cyrus Allen was drafted in the fifth round this year and generated a lot of buzz during training camp. He amassed some form of production in all four collegiate seasons at three different schools. Allen is shifty and a good route runner, which allows him to win and get open in man coverage. That sounds like a receiver the Chiefs could use in this tough matchup. Allen could play little behind Tyquan Thornton and see zero targets. But in tournaments, we subscribe to the Talladega Nights philosophy. "If You Ain't First, You're Last." There is a chance, no matter how small, Rashee Rice struggles out of the gate, and Kansas City turns to Allen to handle some of Rice's usual workload.
Kicker
Harrison Butker - Flex
Harrison Butker attempted the fifth-most field goal attempts last season, has the leg to connect from 50+, and the Chiefs are home favorites.
Denver Broncos Showdown Players
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