Disclaimer
NFL Showdown can be a fickle beast. Success in these contests doesn't come from blindly following median projections, but from creating leverage and building unique rosters. Fading the most popular plays can be risky, yet the biggest edges usually come from identifying the right low-rostered pivots and pairing them creatively with the slate's juggernauts.
With both DraftKings and FanDuel now using similar formats — a multiplier slot (Captain/MVP) that costs 1.5x salary and earns 1.5x 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 builds, median projections remain your best guide. For head-to-head contests, consider projections as well, but when two players have similar projections, side with the lower-rostered option.
Macro Level Game View
- Over/Under: 46.5
- Spread: 49ers -5.5
- 49ers Implied Team Total: 26
- Colts Implied Team Total: 20.5
Captain Consideration
San Francisco 49ers Showdown Players
Quarterback
Brock Purdy - Captain/Flex
Brock Purdy ranks tenth in passing yards per game (240.3) and third in pass touchdowns per game (2). Now healthy and seemingly leaving his turf toe injury behind, Purdy played great ball last week, throwing for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. There are no weather concerns in this game in the dome in Indianapolis, and the Colts' defense will be without both of their starting cornerbacks, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, due to injury.
Running Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End
Christian McCaffrey - Captain/Flex
Christian McCaffrey is the clear-cut #1 Captain option. The 49ers are 5.5-point favorites. McCaffrey leads the NFL in opportunities per game (26.2), and ranks third in total yards per game (124.4) and third in total touchdowns (14).
George Kittle - Captain/Flex
In George Kittle's past four games playing with Brock Purdy, he's averaged 7.5 targets, 6 receptions, and 75 receiving yards. He's caught three touchdowns over this span. Kittle has an extremely high ceiling within his range of outcomes against a Colts defense that has allowed the tenth most fantasy points per game to the tight end position (12) this season.
Jauan Jennings - Captain/Flex
Jauan Jennings has caught six touchdowns over his past six games. He ran a route on 86.5% of dropbacks last week and projects to be heavily involved with Ricky Pearsall out once again due to a knee injury. Jennings has a favorable matchup in the dome in Indianapolis against a Colts' defense that will be without both of their starting cornerbacks, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, due to injury.
Kendrick Bourne - Flex
Kendrick Bourne enters back into relevance on this Showdown slate with Ricky Pearsall out due to a knee injury. Pearsall was injured in the game last week, which caused Bourne to play 45% of the offensive snaps. That was Bourne's most playing time since Week 10. He saw three targets, which were his most in his past six games. Bourne is a solid large field tournament play as Pearsall's main replacement.
D/ST and Kicker
Eddy Pinero - Flex
The 49ers are 5.5-point favorites, and Eddy Pineiro has made all 25 of his field goal attempts this season, including all six from 50+ yards.
49ers D/ST - Flex
The 49ers are 5.5-point favorites, and Robert Salah's defense will be able to get after the immobile Philip Rivers.