The 2023-24 NFL season is flying by as we’re already onto Week 11, starting with Thursday Night Football — an AFC North clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. Below, I’ll go over my top DraftKings NFL DFS Showdown picks for the Bengals vs Ravens TNF Week 11 game.
Compared to the last few Thursday Night Football matchups, this one is set up to be quite competitive and holds plenty of weight when it comes to AFC North playoff implications. There are plenty of injuries to go around on both sidelines but the good news? Both starting quarterbacks are healthy and their names are Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson –– so it’s safe to say this is going to be a good one.
It’s going to be fun regardless because well, it’s football, so let’s dive into how you should tackle this week’s DraftKings NFL DFS Showdown fantasy football slate. I’ll highlight my favorite Captain’s plays and FLEX plays below.
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NFL DFS Showdown DraftKings Picks for Bengals vs Ravens TNF Week 11
Favorite Captain NFL DFS Picks
Lamar Jackson ($16,200)
I have a feeling a good amount of people will look past Lamar Jackson and roll with the strong duo of Joe Burrow ($10,000) and Ja’Marr Chase ($11,000). Still, we’re talking about Lamar Jackson, so he’s going to be rostered. First, his obvious rushing upside is there and he has totaled at least 54 rushing yards in the last four meetings versus Cincinnati. Second, the Bengals’ defense is very banged up and likely won’t be able to apply consistent pressure to Jackson.
There are certainly some concerns with Jackson and his fantasy totals –– starting with the fact that he hasn’t attempted 30 passes since Week 6 and has failed to put together a multiple-touchdown performance in five of his last six games. Nonetheless, this is an AFC North divisional matchup and both teams need this win badly. I don’t expect a shootout by any means but it will be competitive and Jackson will need to produce to keep up with Burrow.
Mark Andrews ($13,200)
I considered Chase here but Mark Andrews has been consistent even with Jackson’s lack of passing. He’s coming off his worst performance of the season (6.4 DKFP) but there was a clear commitment to the run game after Baltimore jumped out to an early lead. Still, he’s managed to top 60 receiving yards in five of nine games this season and will be looked for often tonight against a Bengals’ defense that has allowed the fifth-most receptions (55) and the third-most fantasy points (136.9) to opposing tight ends this season.
Cincinnati is dealing with injuries but its secondary should do a decent job of limiting Zay Flowers ($7,600) and Odell Beckham Jr. ($5,600) enough to give Jackson time to find Andrews in vintage fashion across the middle of the field for chunk plays. The game script should be even throughout, allowing Andrews to post another 15+ DKFP performance.
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Favorite Value FLEX NFL DFS Picks
Tyler Boyd ($6,800)
With Tee Higgins sidelined for another game, Tyler Boyd finds himself as the second option in the passing game led by Burrow. His $6.8K salary is simply too cheap after coming off an eight-reception, 117-yard performance last week versus the Texans. Boyd will likely see the same target share again tonight against the Ravens, who have allowed the second-most targets (229) and sixth-most receptions (132) to opposing wide receivers this season.
I wouldn’t expect the Ravens to jump out to an early lead like they have all season barring any Cincinnati meltdowns but there’s no denying that Boyd and the receiving core will take advantage of a Marlon Humphrey-less secondary. Whether the Bengals play in a negative game script or not, Boyd’s 12 targets last week proved Burrow trusts him and I’d expect him to have another solid outing.
Keaton Mitchell ($5,600)
The rookie sensation, Keaton Mitchell, will be heavily rostered tonight most likely because of his big-play ability and head coach John Harbaugh’s comments. It seems as if Mitchell is going to eat into Justice Hill’s ($2,800) workload moving forward but can we trust that? Despite his obvious playmaking ability, the Ravens essentially phased him out of the game plan in the second half last week. There’s also no denying that Gus Edwards ($7,000) has the RB1 spot firmly locked up after totaling nine touchdowns across the last four games.
Cincinnati’s run defense ranks in the middle of the pack –– allowing 188.1 fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Mitchell’s ceiling and upside are simply too nice to pass up and I’d be willing to bet the Ravens’ coaching staff regretted not giving him more second-half snaps during last week’s late-game loss to the Browns.
MORE: Fantasy Football Rankings For Week 11
Check out our Week 11 fantasy football rankings! Whether it be your season-long fantasy league or DraftKings NFL DFS picks, these rankings can help you know which players to pick.
Favorite NFL DFS Picks: NFL DFS Showdown DraftKings Picks for Bengals vs Ravens TNF Week 11
| Captain | Lamar Jackson ($16,200) |
| FLEX | Joe Burrow ($10,000) |
| FLEX | Mark Andrews ($8,800) |
| FLEX | Tyler Boyd ($6,800) |
| FLEX | Keaton Mitchell ($5,600) |
| FLEX | Tanner Hudson ($2,600) |
| Salary Remaining | $0 |
