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 Philadelphia Eagles are heading to Dallas to take on the Cowboys as 3.5-point underdogs with a 51.5-point total. Dallas has won 14 straight home games and has not been swept by the Eagles in many years. While both of those stats feel like a trap, Vegas seems to be willing to ride the wave. Dallas' spread makes the game interesting for Showdown because it's not so easy to simply stack the home favorite when it means you have to leave out the high-powered Philadelphia offense. One could go against the grain and heavily stack the Eagles, but that requires figuring out how Hurts is going to hit his ceiling, whether it be rushing or passing. Both backs are priced fairly and can serve as pivot options off the more popular receiving options. This is an especially effective strategy, given that both backs can be primary receiving options as well.

INJURY ROUND-UP

No injuries of note.

CAPTAIN CONSIDERATION

• A.J. Brown
• Dak Prescott
• Jalen Hurts
• CeeDee Lamb
• Tony Pollard

EAGLES OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Jalen Hurts $11,000 - Captain or Flex

Hurts is one of the most likely players in the league to account for two touchdowns. The question is only how many Eagles to stack him with. He is viable at Captain with anywhere from zero to four Eagles receivers. The solution is dependent on how the game shakes out. In a lower-scoring classic NFC East showdown, Hurts is more likely to hit his ceiling on the group. In a shootout, as the total indicates, he's more likely to connect with a few receivers.