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 Showdown lean simply because the decision-making process is more interesting, given the salary premium attached to the Captain spot.
The advice in this article pertains 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.
DraftKings Showdown Game Scripting & Roster Construction
Vegas is caught between a rock and a hard place here. Dallas is always a favorite of the betting public, but they’re in a bleak spot right now, while the Packers remain Super Bowl favorites. And, of course, many are expecting a galactic-level revenge game from Micah Parsons.
Much of the public will pound the Packers side hard, both in Vegas and in DFS, which makes "close game, somehow" the sexiest story to follow. That means easing back on Packers and leaning in on Cowboys. It will differentiate from the pack (ha) while still catching the potential volume and garbage-time scores of a rally.
Injury Roundup
The Cowboys will be without CeeDee Lamb, the engine of their pass game, for the next several weeks. They also lack the spine of their front line in center Cooper Beebe and right guard Tyler Booker.
The Packers’ losses aren’t as high-profile as Lamb, but they’re notable. They remain without wideouts Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, and their own offensive line depth has been tested through the early going.