The 2022 NFL Kickoff is only days away. How should a fan of the Chiefs bet on the Bills at Rams in the league’s season opener?
With the NFL’s 102nd season kicking off on Thursday, it’s time for many to start focusing on betting. However, for those of us not so keen on sportsbook gambling (or, live where we can’t legally gamble on sports), there is an alternative: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). Let’s see how a Showdown (Single Game) lineup would look for this game.
MVP/Captain Picks
Stefon Diggs, WR ($14,000 (FD), $13,500 (DK))
Stefon Diggs is Buffalo’s WR1. Though, according to Josh Allen, he is not a distant WR1. Diggs took a major step back in 2021. He only ranked in the top 15 Fantasy WRs once in the first 9 weeks of the season. He finished the season with 182.5 fantasy points in total. An average of 10.5 per game. I expect him to bounce back in 2022. He may see the most looks, but be careful selecting him as your MVP/Captain.
Cooper Kupp, WR ($16,000 (FD), $18,600 (DK))
Cooper Kupp had a breakout season in 2021. He won the Triple Crown- leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in a single season- and led all players in fantasy points per game.
However, I expect Kupp to hit a wall in 2022. Not only is it near-impossible for Kupp to repeat what he did in 2021, but he faces the 26th strongest fantasy WR schedule in 2022. Playing him this week would be a fine strategy. However, in the long-term, I don’t believe Kupp will be a viable option.
Other Picks: Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, Gabriel Davis, Devin Singletary
DFS Flex Picks
Matthew Stafford, QB ($15,500 (FD), $16,200 (DK))
Stafford looked very good in 2021. He reached the 50 TD mark and averaged 22.5 points per game last season. However, this season, he’s looking at a throwing elbow injury. Though Sean McVay has said that the elbow will be fine, it could still be a hindrance to the Rams’ offense.
Josh Allen, QB ($17,500 (FD), $18,000 (DK))
Now, we look at the other side of the QB coin. Josh Allen is hungry. He wants to prove that he leads the best team in the AFC. After losing two straight seasons to Kansas City, he wants to finally get that ring. He’s likely to go scorched-earth this season. And, that’s saying something. Especially considering he finished last season at 27.6 fantasy points per game.
Gabriel Davis, WR ($11,500 (FD), $10,800 (DK))
Gabriel Davis, as mentioned earlier, is not a distant WR2 in the Bills offense. With 8 receptions for 201 yards and 4 TDs against the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round, Davis showed what he’s capable of. In that same game, he racked up 55.1 fantasy points. Now that he’s shown the Bills what he can do, expect to see a lot more of him in 2022.
Other Picks: Devin Singletary, Tyler Higbee, Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, Cam Akers
DFS Sleeper Picks
James Cook, RB ($7,000 (FD), $4,200 (DK))
James Cook is the Bills new toy. Fresh out of the University of Georgia, Cook is primed to hit the ground running in 2022. Literally. If you want a cheap value pick that could pay dividends, look no further. While he’s currently listed as RB2 on the depth chart, if he meets fan expectations, he could dethrone Devin Singletary by midseason.
Darrell Henderson Jr., RB ($9,000 (FD), $4,800 (DK))
Cam Akers is back. Which means, Darrell Henderson’s touches will be dramatically reduced. Of course, that’s only if Akers fully returns to form. I believe that Henderson will play a decent role in the game against the Bills. As such, for how little he costs on DraftKings, I think he could be a very good value pick.
Other Picks: Matt Gay, Tyler Bass, Darrell Henderson Jr.
Injury Report
Report as of Monday, September 5, 2022
Los Angeles Rams
- Van Jefferson- WR- Knee- DNP- QUESTIONABLE
- J.J. Koski- WR- Shoulder- IR
- Logan Bruss- RG- Knee- IR
- Bobby Brown III- DT- SUSP
- Travin Howard- LB- Groin- OUT
- Daniel Hardy- LB- Ankle- IR
- Quentin Lake- SAF- Knee- OUT
- Tyler Hall- CB- Undisclosed- IR
Buffalo Bills
- Tommy Doyle- OT- Foot- DNP- QUESTIONABLE
- Isaiah McKenzie- WR- Groin- FP
- Quintin Morris- TE- Hamstring- DNP- QUESTIONABLE
- Jordan Poyer- FS- Elbow- FP
- Tim Settle- DT- Calf- FP
- Marquez Stevenson- WR- Foot- IR
- Andre Smith- LB- DNP- SUSP
Legend Practice DNP- Did Not Participate LP- Limited Participation FP- Full Participation Game Designation OUT- Will Not Play DOUBTFUL- Unlikely to Play QUESTIONABLE- May Play Miscellaneous Designation IR- Injured Reserve SUSP- Suspended by NFL or by Team
FanDuel
Salary Cap: $60,000 (avg $10,000 per player)
This projection is based on Stefon Diggs being locked up for most of the game. I believe Gabriel Davis could have a similar game to that of the 2021 AFC Divisional Round vs. Kansas City.
| Position | Player | Cost | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVP (1.5x) | Gabriel Davis | $11,500 | 9.85 |
| Flex | Josh Allen | $17,500 | 26.02 |
| Flex | Cooper Kupp | $16,000 | 22.18 |
| Flex | James Cook | $7,000 | N/A |
| Flex | Tyler Higbee | $8,000 | 7.36 |
Salary Remaining: $0
DraftKings
If you try to use the same lineup between FanDuel and DraftKings, you’ll find yourself stuck. With a lower salary cap and one extra flex position, you have to be a lot more careful with your money on DraftKings.
This lineup relies on both teams doing well and Cooper Kupp not missing a beat. The lineup has equal players from both teams, though the Rams cost more.
Salary Cap: $50,000 (avg $8,333 per player)
| Position | Player | Cost | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain (1.5x) | Cooper Kupp | $18,600 | 28.3 |
| Flex | James Cook | $2,800 | N/A |
| Flex | Allen Robinson | $6,200 | 7.3 |
| Flex | Josh Allen | $12,000 | 27.6 |
| Flex | Cam Akers | $8,000 | 7.0 |
| Flex | Isaiah McKenzie | $2,400 | 4.1 |
Salary Remaining: $0
Now, that being said, we’re all Chiefs fans. So this is what a team would look like if the Bills were to get blown out like we all hope they will. Both platforms require at least one player from each team, so there will be a player from the Bills on both teams.
FanDuel
| Position | Player | Cost | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVP (1.5x) | Matthew Stafford | $15,500 | 21.11 |
| Flex | Darrell Henderson Jr. | $9,000 | 11.95 |
| Flex | Cooper Kupp | $16,000 | 22.18 |
| Flex | Rams D/ST | $8,000 | 0 |
| Flex | Gabriel Davis | $11,500 | 9.85 |
Salary Remaining: $0
DraftKings
| Position | Player | Cost | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain (1.5x) | Matthew Stafford | $16,200 | 22.5 |
| Flex | Cooper Kupp | $12,400 | 28.3 |
| Flex | Darrell Henderson Jr. | $4,800 | 13.2 |
| Flex | Rams D/ST | $3,600 | 7.3 |
| Flex | Tyler Higbee | $5,600 | 9.3 |
| Flex | Gabriel Davis | $7,200 | 10.9 |
Salary Remaining: $200
To be completely and fully honest with you all, betting on this game is a shot in the dark. Neither team is truly an underdog. Both are incredibly well-rounded with very good quarterbacks and skill players. There’s also the issue of this being the first game of the season. We haven’t seen enough of either team to be confident in our picks. So, as always, if you are going to lay down money on this game, do it within your means and do it responsibly.