Welcome to daily fantasy football, Pickswise users. For those who haven’t yet dipped their toes into the DFS pool, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Howard Bender and I have been working in the fantasy sports industry for more than 20 years. I am the head of fantasy sports content for Fantasy Alarm and DFS Alarm as well as a bi-weekly columnist for the New York Post. We’ve enjoyed tremendous success over the years, but this NFL season has been one of our best as our Playbook and Showdown write-ups have already brought in a million-dollar winner on FanDuel as well as several others who have enjoyed six-figure wins. We promote the process and teach you to be a better DFS player and that has certainly been the case this year. Welcome to the #FAmily….
For Week 12 Monday Night Football, the NFL brings you another matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Washington Football Team has won their last two games and pushed their way back into the playoff conversation, not just for the NFC East but also for the whole NFC. The Seattle Seahawks, on the other hand, have not only lost their last two games but they have also now dropped five of their last six. What makes this matchup most enticing for a Showdown slate is that both teams are desperate for a win and neither team has a secondary that can cover a receiver. It could end up with a lot of aerial attacks back and forth which, in turn, could also make for a fun one to watch.
MVP/Captain
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS
After a two-game lull, McLaurin was back on top last week with another 100-yard effort and his fifth touchdown of the season. Bless Austin is going to have his hands full all night and has been beaten on the deep ball before this season so expect Washington to take some shots down the field.
Russell Wilson, QB, SEA
Tough to put your trust into Wilson based on his last two games, but the extra rest, extra preparation and the fact that Washington’s secondary has been atrocious all year should help him get back to that level of play we’re used to seeing. The bounce-back is coming, and no better time to start than the present.
DK Metcalf, WR, SEA
He’ll spend most of his time being covered by Kendall Fuller, which may not look great on paper based off Fuller’s coverage numbers but Metcalf has significant physical advantages over the cornerback and should put them on display all game long.
Other Plays
Taylor Heinicke, QB, WAS
If you’re like me, you have concerns over the Washington ground game — especially with its center and right tackle both being out. Heinicke should take it to the air against a weak Seattle secondary and even if the coverage tightens, the check-downs to J.D. McKissic will be in full effect this week.
Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA
Whether it’s Landon Collins covering the slot or William Jackson on the outside, Lockett’s speed should be on full display tonight for deep shots downfield. He’s racked up more than 100 receiving yards in two of his last three games and continues to see strong target numbers each and every week.
Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS
He’s going to have some difficulty getting the ground game established, but Ron Rivera and Scott Turner like to at least try to do so. I would guess a lot of outside zone runs to the left side, so if you’re thinking he maintains this 21-carry average we’ve seen over the last two weeks then he’s a nice contrarian play.
Logan Thomas, TE, WAS
Thomas is expected to be activated off IR in time for this game, and with Ricky Seals-Jones doubtful you can probably expect Thomas to get 100 percent of the snaps just like before. The Seahawks rank 17th in DVOA against the position, but they are also allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
J.D. McKissic, RB, WAS
If Washington struggles to get the running game going, they’ll turn to a more pass-heavy game-plan which puts McKissic on the field more as the pass-catching back. Seattle ranks 31st in DVOA against running back pass-plays, so if he can grab a half-dozen passes, he’ll easily pay off his salary. If he can get into the end zone, even better.
Alex Collins, RB, SEA
The Seahawks are a slow, plodding team, and they will try to get Collins heavily involved early as Pete Carroll loves to establish the run. Washington is allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards per game, but it has given up 8 rushing touchdowns on the year. Collins won’t give you a ton of yards, but he could find his way into the endzone.
DeAndre Carter, WR, WAS
The Seahawks actually rank 26th in DVOA against the opposition’s No. 2 receiver, which has clearly been Carter over the past few weeks. He has scored touchdowns in each of his last three games and will look to keep that streak alive against such a suspect secondary.
Dart Throw
Curtis Samuel, WR, WAS
Samuel is perpetually injured, but Rivera and Turner love this kid and — even better — love to use him the way the 49ers use Deebo Samuel. We saw them utilize Samuel as both a runner and receiver when they were all in Carolina together and Turner always seems to get the best out of Samuel when he is healthy. Risk? Sure. But for a dart-throw? This could really pay off.
For a more in-depth breakdown and showdown analysis, be sure to check out DFSAlarm.com for all of your daily fantasy sports needs.
