DraftKings NFL: $1M Fantasy Football Contest Set for Thursday

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is available for Week 1 vs. the Steelers on Thursday. (Getty)

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is available for Week 1 vs. the Steelers on Thursday. (Getty)

A highly-anticipated matchup opens the 2015 NFL season Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers and Heavy’s partners at DraftKings are jumping right into the fantasy football action.

Sign up with DraftKings and enter the $1 Million Kickoff Contest, which begins Thursday night. If you are new to DraftKings, your entry is free.

The contest kicks off when the season does Thursday, September 10, when the New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lineups must be set by 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

The top prize is $100,000, while second place receives $50,000 and third $30,000.

As stated above, when signing up for DraftKings for the first time, you will receive a voucher good for a free entry into the contest. You don’t need to use the voucher for this contest, but it expires after one year.

If you choose not to use the voucher, it is $3 to join the Kickoff contest.

In all, DraftKings will pay out nearly 85,000 entered teams.

You can have multiple entries into the Kickoff contest.

Click here to sign up for DraftKings with promo code HEAVY and get a 100 percent deposit bonus match up to $600 in time for NFL football.

If you’re entering this contest you’re likely using members of the Steelers and/or Patriots. That’s the appeal of this one.

I’m entering a bunch of contests for Week 1 with various lineups. Here’s one I am using for the Kickoff:

QB Tom Brady, Patriots: vs. Steelers, $7,700 — I probably don’t have to tell you, but Brady is coming out firing this season

RB DeMarco Murray, Eagles: at Falcons, $6,700 — Murray will be just fine in Chip Kelly’s offense; especially in this shootout

RB Chris Ivory, Jets: vs. Browns, $4,100 — Ivory is getting 20+ touches, including at the goal line; total bargain

WR Julian Edelman, Patriots: vs. Steelers, $6,600 — Perfect pairing with Brady as he’ll see double-digit targets

WR Davante Adams, Packers: at Bears, $4,400 — Unproven, but QB Aaron Rodgers is not and the Bears can’t cover

WR Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos: vs. Ravens, $7,900 — Sanders should have a field day as Manning’s No. 2 option Sunday

TE Delanie Walker, Titans: at Buccaneers, $3,400 — Walker is my go-to TE in Week 1 as he’ll see more than a handful of targets vs. a porous Bucs D

FLEX Golden Tate, Lions: at Chargers, $6,300 — Tate and QB Matthew Stafford are turning into a lethal duo and while Calvin Johnson gets doubled, Tate will rack up the targets

DST Jets: vs. Browns, $2,900 — The Browns are allergic to the end zone and the Jets will be much better after revamping their defense

I used the full $50,000 salary cap for this lineup.


Here’s the NFL scoring key for DraftKings:

Offensive players will accumulate points as follows:

Passing TD = +4PTs
25 Passing Yards = +1PT (+0.04PT/ per yard is awarded)
300+ Yard Passing Game = +3PTs
Interception = -1PT
10 Rushing Yards = +1PT (+0.1PT per yard is awarded)
Rushing TD = +6PTs
100+ Yard Rushing Game = +3PTs
10 Receiving Yards = +1PT (+0.1PT per yard is awarded)
Reception = +1PT
Receiving TD = +6PTs
100+ Yard Receiving Game = +3PTs
Punt/Kickoff Return for TD = +6PTs
Fumble Lost = -1PT
2 Point Conversion (Pass, Run, or Catch) = +2PTs
Offensive Fumble Recovery TD = +6PTs

Defense/Special Teams will accumulate points as follows:

Sack = +1PT
Interception = +2PTs
Fumble Recovery = +2PTs
Kickoff Return TD = +6PTs
Punt Return TD = +6PTs
Interception Return TD = +6PTs
Fumble Recovery TD = +6PTs
Blocked Punt or FG Return TD = +6PTs
Safety = +2PTs
Blocked Kick = +2PTs
0 Points Allowed = +10PTs
1-6 Points Allowed = +7PTs
7-13 Points Allowed = +4PTs
14-20 Points Allowed = +1PT
21-27 Points Allowed = 0PTs
28-34 Points Allowed = -1PT
35+ Points Allowed = -4PTs

— The following scoring plays will result in Points Allowed (PA) by your Defense/Special Teams (DST):
Rushing TDs, Passing TDs, Punt Return TDs, Kick Return TDs and Blocked Punt TDs
2pt conversions
Extra points
Field goals

*Note: Points Allowed (PA) only includes points surrendered while DST is on the field — it doesn’t include points given up by team’s offense (i.e. points off offensive turnovers).


Bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings heading into the season.