Game recap and Nabers’ role
The Kansas City Chiefs rolled past the New York Giants 22‑9 in the third week of the 2025 NFL season. While the scoreline tells most of the story, the rookie wideout Malik Nabers quietly made an impact. He recorded three receptions for 45 yards, including a key third‑down grab that kept a drive alive in the second quarter.
New York’s offense, led by backup quarterback Russell Wilson, leaned heavily on short passes to combat the Chiefs’ aggressive pass rush. Nabers became Wilson’s go‑to safety valve, especially on routes near the sideline where the Giants tried to stretch the field without exposing the quarterback to blitzes.
Why Nabers is a DFS darling
DFS platforms love players who see steady volume without the pressure of a high‑profile target. Nabers fits that bill perfectly. He isn’t the primary deep threat, so his target share stays around 10‑12% of the pass attempts, but the steady volume translates to a reliable floor in fantasy points.
- Target volume: 3 catches in 25 pass attempts gives a solid baseline.
- Yards per catch hovered at 15, beating the league average for rookie slot receivers.
- He avoided turnovers, a crucial factor in DFS scoring.
When scouting the Giants‑Chiefs matchup, look at the Chiefs’ secondary. Kansas City often splits its cornerbacks in nickel looks, leaving the middle of the field exposed. Nabers thrives on those intermediate routes, making him a prime candidate for showdown slots that reward short‑to‑mid range production.
DFS showdown play ideas
Below are three showdown configurations that leverage Nabers’ performance against the Chiefs’ defensive scheme.
- Standard bet: Malik Nabers over 4.5 fantasy points. His target share and the Giants’ reliance on quick passes give him a good chance to exceed this line.
- Prop combo: Nabers over 3.5 points + Chiefs' defense under 6.5 points allowed to a slot receiver. The Chiefs limited the Giants to just nine points, so the defensive prop often comes in cheap.
- Stack option: Pair Rashod Bateman (Giants’ top receiver) with a Chiefs defensive back prop (e.g., Chris Jones under 2.5 sacks). The Giants needed to spread the ball to avoid the rush, boosting Bateman’s ceiling while the Chiefs’ pass rush was under pressure.
Keep an eye on game flow. If the Giants fall behind early, Wilson will likely lean even more on short passes, bumping Nabers’ target count. Conversely, if the Chiefs build a big lead, New York may abandon the air game, dragging the rookie’s upside down.
Weather played a minor role – a mild 58°F evening with light wind, meaning no adverse conditions to hamper passing. That steadiness supports the confidence in over‑under props for the receiving corps.
Overall, Malik Nabers emerged as a low‑risk, high‑reward pick in the Giants‑Chiefs showdown. DFS players who lock in his over line or pair him with complementary defensive props should see solid returns, especially in contests that reward consistent floor over flashiness.