NFL Showdown can be a fickle beast. These contests do not rely on median projections so much as leverage and uniqueness. Fading the highest-rostered 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 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 football world – and Vegas sportsbooks – know not to expect much from this anemic “showdown.” For the second straight week, we have a matchup projected under 35 points. Just seven days after Bailey Zappe vs. Mitchell Trubisky, hunker down for Easton Stick vs. Aidan O'Connell. The Chargers will be without Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams. The Raiders haven't scored a touchdown in 102 minutes of game action and may not have Josh Jacobs.
We likely won't see many touchdowns scored tonight, so the focus will be on usage. The obvious candidates will be discussed below, but their rostering will be sky-high and, in some cases, prohibitive. The pivot plays off those obvious guys will ultimately tell the tale tonight.
Injury Roundup
Where to begin? The Chargers are missing their quarterback and top two wideouts, and there's little sample size to build much from. Even tight end Gerald Everett is listed as questionable, though he seems likely to suit up.
Across the field, Jacobs seems unlikely to push through a quad injury for this meaningless game. The short week makes it an even tougher sell. Davante Adams is questionable as well, though players do tend to play through mid-week illnesses.
Captain Consideration
- Davante Adams (if active)
- Jakobi Meyers
- Austin Ekeler
- Josh Jacobs (if active)
- Joshua Palmer
- Easton Stick
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