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 comes from identifying the best low-rostered plays and finding clever ways to pair them with the juggernauts of the slate.
With both DraftKings and FanDuel now using similar formats — a multiplier slot (Captain/MVP) that costs 1.5× salary and earns 1.5× points — the nuances between sites come down to scoring systems and contest dynamics. DraftKings' full PPR scoring and larger prize pools reward a slightly different decision-making process than FanDuel's half-PPR and softer fields, but the core principles of Showdown roster construction apply across both.
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 median projections, but if two options project closely, give the nod to the lowest-rostered player.
DraftKings Showdown Game Scripting & Roster Construction
The Lions enter this game on a high, yet ravaged by injuries, and they simply don’t look quite as prolific outside (and in the cold) as they do at domed Ford Field. The Eagles come in quite healthy, and on a winning streak that’s been more dominant than the final scores suggest. And yet, for whatever reason, the Eagles are mere (-2.5) favorites at home.
In other words, the Eagles seem like the sharp play in every sense. But perhaps that’s so obvious to the DraftKings Showdown sharps that the Eagles wind up overvalued and the Lions find some juice. We can pretzel our minds trying to think through the chain of possibilities… or we can merely follow the trail of favorable Eagles-on-Lions matchups.
We’ll find our uniqueness by paring through those weapons to find the Eagles value, because simply put, I do not foresee the Lions winning (or even producing much) tonight.
Injury Roundup
Philadelphia comes into this playoff preview remarkably healthy. The Lions, however, will be without the services of Sam LaPorta and his 19% target share for at least the next four weeks. They’re also wracked by injuries to the pass defense, with cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold and safety Kerby Joseph all shelved.
Captain Consideration
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff (FLEX)
It’s fair to question Goff’s true week-to-week upside. The Lions do indeed roar (third in both yards and points per play), but only when they have to. They absolutely come off the gas with a big lead, and that’s been seen in Goff’s good-not-great fantasy production. Only thrice has Goff thrown 30+ times, and only twice has he landed as a top-six QB1. His upside is capped by a number of factors, but chief among them is his lack of rushing production. He’s added all of 2.3 DraftKings points to his resume on the ground all season, which sets a fantasy quarterback behind the pack. That’s especially true when we’re chasing sheer upside.