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.
Game Scripting and Roster Construction
It’s the third straight week with an intradivision matchup, this time the 4–1 Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the 2–4 Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has yet to win in 2025 after losing Joe Burrow for several months to a toe injury that required surgery. The Jake Browning stint went poorly enough that the Bengals traded for Joe Flacco to steady the offense. In his Cincinnati debut last week, Flacco looked better than he did previously with the Browns, but it still wasn’t enough against Green Bay’s stout defense. This week, the Bengals are home underdogs against a Steelers team Vegas projects to win 25–20.
We know what the Bengals are without Burrow. The question is what to make of the 2025 Steelers? They edged the winless Jets in Week 1, were handled by the 4–2 Seahawks in Week 2, and have since won three straight against teams with a combined 8–9 record. My read is that Pittsburgh is an average team that gets exposed over the next month, starting Thursday in Cincinnati, followed by Green Bay, Indianapolis, and the Chargers. Yes, I'm calling the upset on Thursday: Cinci wins outright with Joe Flacco at the helm.
That contrarian stance shapes my Showdown approach. I will build with a slight Bengals lean, either 4–2 or balanced 3–3 constructions that spend more salary on Cincinnati. Ja’Marr Chase will appear in most lineups, often paired with Joe Flacco for correlation. On the Pittsburgh side, Kenneth Gainwell is the piece I keep circling due to his rising passing-game usage on a roster that lacks a viable WR2. For the data, matchups, and player-by-player breakdowns, read on.
Injury Roundup
Pittsburgh enters Week 7 with minimal injury concerns. Safety Miles Killebrew (knee) will miss this contest, potentially leaving a liability in the Steelers secondary. The only other Steeler expected to miss Thursday night is Calvin Austin III, whose shoulder kept him out against Cleveland. We can project this week’s receiver usage from that game, which makes Austin’s absence a useful predictor for rotations and target distribution.
Cincinnati’s report is similarly light. The Bengals are down two tight ends, Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson, which funnels snaps toward Noah Fant and Drew Sample. Sample is especially interesting at $600; we will cover both options later.
Captain Considerations
Steelers Showdown Players
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (FLEX)
The 41-year-old veteran has settled in Pittsburgh, establishing himself as a bona fide game manager in his 21st NFL season. He has done what the Steelers wanted: guide them to wins. The fantasy output has been modest at 16.2 points per game and is buoyed by his Week 1 “revenge game” against the Jets, when he threw four touchdowns. At $9.8K and the slate’s fourth most expensive player, Rodgers is not a must for Thursday night Showdown lineups. DFS Takeaway: Rodgers fits best in balanced Steelers-led builds where you’re prioritizing floor and correlation. If you’re chasing ceiling or need salary for premium skill players, you can fade him.