NFL DFS Lineup Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings - Lions vs. Chiefs Sunday Night Showdown

Koby's top NFL DFS lineup picks for DraftKings, FanDuel -- Lions vs. Chiefs SNF slate for Week 6 Sunday Night Football (Oct. 12, 2025). His NFL daily fantasy sleeper picks.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Last Sunday was interesting; there have been quite a few upsets this year, and it only took till Week 5 to rid the NFL of all undefeated teams. Then the 1972 Dolphins reign continues. Hopefully y'all were able to cash out a little on the international game this morning, and let's have a great Sunday!

This week, we get an absolute banger of a matchup for Sunday Night Football! The Detroit Lions (4-1) have cruised since their Week 1 loss and now travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs (2-3), who have rebounded from and 0-3 start to the season. This game has the potential to be high scoring, and the Lions have plenty of options to choose from, so let's dive in and figure out which ones I'll be going with.

I will provide you with daily fantasy football picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for Sunday Night Football in Week 6 -- Lions vs. Chiefs on October 12, 2025. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

MVP/Captain - NFL DFS Lineup Picks

Jared Goff - QB, $14.4K (DK), $18.3K (FD)

The Detroit Lions are so lethal every game because of one simple factor. They can spread the ball out to nearly everyone on the team and have them contribute, especially in the red zone. You have guys like Isaac TeSlaa and Brock Wright contributing every week in the red zone to go with an already stacked WR and RB room. Jared Goff is the guy to start all of that off every single play.

Last week, he threw for three touchdowns and already has a five-touchdown game this season as well. I think the big worry is how heavy a rush game they have in the red zone. They do, however, have a near 28-point projected total for this game. That could easily be four touchdowns in any direction. The big thing is getting the pairing, so having multiple lineups with different pairings is critical here. If we get a 3+ touchdown game from Goff, that could make for a killer MVP option.

Patrick Mahomes - QB, $15K (DK), $18K (FD)

I've been very big on the double QB option in showdowns this season, as they tend to end up being the optimal way to go. Mahomes is great for many reasons, but something that I think gets a bit overlooked is how much he's been running this season. He has three games of 50+ rushing yards, and in all three of those games, he had a rushing touchdown as well.

Mahomes has worked his way to a solid season with 23+ fantasy points in all but one game this season. That's consistently better than anyone else on this slate. For Cash games, Mahomes is the best option at MVP. He is also relatively a good price, as on FanDuel, he is the fourth most expensive player on the slate.

The Lions have given up the eight most receiving TDs this season, and it also looks like a near 28-point total for the Chiefs as well on this slate. This could be a duel to the very end, and I want both of the guys who are throwing the ball downfield.

Other Captains/MVPs: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs

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Flex Plays - NFL DFS Lineup Picks

David Montgomery - RB, $7K (DK), $9.2K (FD)

I think the major difference between Gibbs and David Montgomery here is the receiving game. Montgomery is generally only used once in a while, but I don't think that warrants the major discount we see between the two. Gibbs only has one more touchdown than Montgomery this season. They are seeing similar attempts in the running game as well. We should be getting incredible value here in Montgomery, who has shown to be a lethal threat this season.

DAVID MONTGOMERY TD PASS

DETvsCIN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/Nion9aNUhv

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

We get a lot more flexibility here with Montgomery and with only about one less attempt in the red zone per game compared to Gibbs. I'll take my chances on the guy who is much cheaper here. I think Gibbs pairs a bit better with Goff, but if you wanted to pivot elsewhere. Montgomery, with Goff, could pay off well in the end if they both get a couple of touchdowns each.

Travis Kelce - TE, $8K (DK), $8.6K (FD)

Travis Kelce had his best game of the season last week against the Jaguars. Kelce this season is seeing a 17% reception share and is second on the team in targets this season. Only Tyquan Thornton has more receiving touchdowns than Kelce so far this season as well. Kelce also has seen a near 24% target share in the red zone this season.

Kelce's last two games have been by far his best when it comes to his hands as well. He has caught 12 of his last 13 targets. In his previous three games, he had at least two or more targets he didn't catch. I think a lot of eyes are on Worthy right now with his speed, but Mahomes will always trust his safety valve in Kelce.

Other Flex Options: Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, Sam LaPorta

Value Plays - NFL DFS Lineup Picks

Tyquan Thornton- WR, $4.4K (DK), $5K (FD)

I thought with Worthy back that Tyquan Thornton was going to take a step back, but he has continued to be a lethal part of this offense, especially as a deep threat. He has caught a touchdown in three of his five games this season. Last week, he didn't catch one, but that didn't stop him from going for 90 yards on three receptions.

Mahomes to Thornton! @Chiefs inside the 10.

KCvsJAX on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/YjBBzKKGsd

— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2025

Thornton is going against a Lions defense that has given up the seventh most fantasy points to opposing WRs this season and the third most TD receptions. Even as the WR4 in the offense, I'm confident that at his price, he should be able to continue to thrive in an offense that prefers the passing game compared to the run game.

Kareem Hunt- RB, $4.6K (DK), $5.4K (FD)

I'm gonna keep it here with the Chiefs. Kareem Hunt has worked his way back into the offense, especially in the red zone. So far this season, he has managed a 45.5% red zone rush share. Pacheco has been basically non-existent when it comes to goal-line touches. Last week, he ballhawked two TDs. He isn't seeing a lot of volume as he is only averaging just over eight rushing attempts a game.

He is really only fantasy viable if he is getting those goal-line touches. I anticipate this game being very back and forth and should result in a lot of time spent in the red zone on both sides. I don't see why they would switch up on Hunt now, if ain't broke don't fix it!

Other Value Options: Brock Wright, Harrison Butker

More DFS Analysis and Lineup Picks