Photo: USA Today Sports

OVERVIEW

NFL Showdown can be a fickle beast. These contests do not rely on median projections so much as leverage and uniqueness. Fading the highest-owned plays can be a risky proposition. Typically, your edge will come by identifying the best low-rostered plays and finding clever ways to pair them with the juggernauts of the slate.

This article will have a heavy DraftKings lean simply because the decision-making process is more interesting, given the salary premium attached to the Captain spot. FanDuel's pricing is the same for both MVP and Flex spots. You will usually need the slate's top scorer at MVP, so FanDuel's strategy revolves around unique Flex builds.

Advice in this article will pertain predominantly to tournament lineups and strategy. For cash lineups, build around median projections. For head-to-head contests, continue to lean into the median projections, but if two options project closely, give the nod to the lowest rostered player.

GAME THEORY

The Miami Dolphins are heading to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles as 3-point underdogs. The total is set at 51.5. The Dolphins are number one in total yards, while the Eagles are second. While their ranking may seem to make for a coin flip, Miami is leading by an incredible 103 yards per game. Both teams are recognized for their productive offenses, indicated by the high total, but they have stout defenses. Both teams rank in the top five in sacks on the season. With so many great options, this slate will be decided predominantly by pricing and the spread. The Eagles get the slight nod in terms of roster construction, given they are three-point home favorites and that most of the viable salary relief is on the Dolphins' side of the ball.

INJURY ROUND-UP

Jeff Wilson Jr. - Finger - Active

CAPTAIN CONSIDERATION

1. Jalen Hurts
2. A.J. Brown
3. Tyreek Hill
4. D'Andre Swift

DOLPHINS OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Tua Tagovailoa $10,600 - Flex

Tagovailoa is a threat to hit the 300-yard-bonus in every game. He's done so three times this season while coming close in a fourth outing. He's also thrown multiple touchdowns in four of six games. He falls out of Captain consideration simply because all of the viable options are expensive on this slate, and the salary will be used to build around Eagles victories. It doesn't help Tagovailoa's case that his receivers are priced well ahead of their Eagles counterparts.