2024 NFL Fantasy Football: Is Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs Worth the $7000 in DFS This Week?

Mahomes is one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL and a top-tier option in daily fantasy sports (DFS). With the Chiefs set to face the Cincinnati Bengals, Mahomes comes in at $7000 on DraftKings. While that price might seem appealing for the reigning MVP, the big question is whether he’s worth the investment in Week 3 DFS lineups. Let’s break down Mahomes’ potential this week and explore other DFS and betting options.

Is Patrick Mahomes Worth the $7000 DFS Price?

At $7000, Mahomes is relatively affordable for a quarterback of his caliber, but this week’s matchup against the Bengals presents a few concerns. Cincinnati’s defense has improved over the years, particularly in slowing down elite quarterbacks. Mahomes may have a solid day, but with Kansas City’s offensive philosophy leaning toward a more balanced attack, he might not deliver the massive numbers you need to justify his price in DFS.

Selling Mahomes at $7000: Given that Isaiah Pacheco looks poised to have a strong game against a Bengals’ defense that can be vulnerable to the run, it might be wise to fade Mahomes this week. If the Chiefs lean on the running game, Mahomes may only throw one or two touchdowns, which may not provide the return on investment you’re looking for in DFS.

Betting Insight: If you’re betting on Mahomes’ player props, consider taking the under on his passing touchdowns or passing yards if you believe Kansas City will emphasize their run game. The Chiefs’ offensive diversity could limit Mahomes’ ceiling this week, especially if they gain a lead early and manage the clock with Pacheco and the run game.

Alternative DFS Quarterback Options

If you’re considering fading Mahomes in DFS this week, there are plenty of other quarterbacks with favorable matchups and lower price tags. One standout option is Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, who faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Goff has been efficient, and with a 51-point total in that game, the Lions-Buccaneers matchup offers more shootout potential than the Chiefs-Bengals game.

Buying Goff Against Tampa Bay: Goff’s price and potential for a high-scoring game make him a more attractive DFS option than Mahomes. If you’re looking to save salary and use that budget elsewhere, Goff is an excellent choice to help balance your DFS roster.

Betting Insight: The Lions-Buccaneers game could hit the over on total points, making it an ideal game to target for prop bets on passing yards or touchdowns. Goff could be a strong bet to hit his over on passing touchdowns.

Betting and DFS Value in Isaiah Pacheco

If you’re fading Mahomes this week, consider stacking Chiefs running back Pacheco in your DFS lineups. The Bengals’ defense, while solid against the pass, can be exploited on the ground, and Pacheco is primed for a big game. With Mahomes unlikely to air it out as much, Pacheco could take on a larger role in both the run and passing game.

Buying Pacheco: Pacheco’s workload has been increasing, and with Kansas City likely to control the pace of the game, he could see 20+ touches this week. His ability to score on the ground makes him a valuable DFS option, especially if you’re looking to save salary while fading Mahomes.

Betting Insight: If you’re betting on the Chiefs, Pacheco is a strong candidate to score a touchdown, making him a good value in any touchdown prop bet. Additionally, taking the over on his rushing yards could be a solid play, especially if the Chiefs are running out the clock in the second half.

Conclusion: Fading Mahomes and Finding Value Elsewhere

While Mahomes is always tempting in DFS lineups, this may not be the week to pay $7000 for him. With the Chiefs likely to lean on Pacheco and the running game, Mahomes’ fantasy output may not justify his price. Instead, consider pivoting to quarterbacks like Goff or focusing your DFS lineup on running backs like Pacheco. Betting against Mahomes’ passing totals or touchdowns is a viable strategy this week, especially if you expect Kansas City to focus on controlling the game through the ground attack.

As always, when building DFS lineups or placing bets, balance is key. Fading Mahomes doesn’t mean avoiding the Chiefs entirely—just look for value plays like Pacheco, and keep an eye on matchups that favor cheaper options at other positions.

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