DraftKings Sunday Showdown: Week 10

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.

Game Theory and Roster Construction

Well, the AFC North isn't lacking for drama tonight. Both the Steelers and Bengals sit at 6-2, each riding four-game winning streaks, with Cincinnati as a 3.5-point home favorite. The 49.5-point total suggests something close to a shootout, which is totally reasonable to expect when these two face off:

Steelers vs. Bengals: Last Five Meetings

But I'm not convinced we'll get that kind of game tonight.

Cincinnati has been almost impossibly productive through the air, throwing 16 touchdowns over the last 4 games. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has allowed just seven through their eight games, ranking fourth in overall scoring defense along the way. The Steelers have been exceptionally tough to run against, too which could leave Joe Burrow throwing relentlessly into the ocean.

That creates some interesting Showdown decisions. Most will want Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Jaylen Warren, and I can't blame them. But jamming three of those four into every lineup doesn't leave any room to differentiate. I'll be looking closely at the intermediate receivers and tight ends, and I don't mind building around a slower, more run-focused game than Vegas expects.

There's a real argument for stacking Pittsburgh heavily overall. The Bengals have scored 30+ in 4 straight games, and I suspect that recency will drive plenty of rostership toward them. A 27-19 Steelers win isn't the most likely scenario, but it certainly belongs in our portfolio.

Injury Roundup

The Bengals enter extraordinarily healthy. Pittsburgh remains without receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger), both on injured reserve. That's left rookie Germie Bernard with a real role opposite DK Metcalf.

Captain Consideration

1. Jaylen Warren
2. Joe Burrow
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Tee Higgins
5. Ja'Marr Chase 
6. DK Metcalf
7. Darnell Washington
8. Chase Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers (CPT or FLEX)

Rodgers has been a mixed bag fantasy-wise, which is actually better than we’d expected pre-season. The Steelers have been content to run and to move the ball underneath, limiting the dynamic throws that once defined his game. He's averaging just 6.5 yards per throw, 23^rd among starters, with no real running to boost his floor.

Still, let's remember the first meeting: Rodgers threw for 292 yards and 3 scores in Week Three. He threw for 299 and 3 more the next week, then 5 more touchdowns over the next two. Yes, the 2026 NFL can and will produce fantasy points when it’s asked to.

Rodgers doesn’t throw to much talent, but the Bengals are most vulnerable between the numbers, anyway. All told, Rodgers is an intriguing Captain play if we're predicting a competitive shootout. And he’s an intriguing arbitrage from Joe Burrow if we’re specifically not.

Running Back

Jaylen Warren (CPT or FLEX)
Rico Dowdle (FLEX)

Well, this matchup could hardly be more inviting. Cincinnati allows a league-worst 5.0 yards per rush, and Warren gashed them for 127 on just 17 carries in Week 3. Honestly, Warren has been one of 2026’s most efficient runners, sitting at 5.9 per carry (with another 37 per game through the air). He's accounted for more than 35% of Pittsburgh's scrimmage total, and he’s coming fresh off a 143-yard performance against Cleveland.

Dowdle complicates matters a bit. Since his return to the field, Warren has handled 65% of the snaps and 59% of the team's rushing attempts. That's a clear lead role, but not an overwhelming one. Dowdle carried 15 times against Cleveland and found the end zone, so we can't just pencil in a 25-touch behemoth for Warren.

I'll still have plenty of Warren, even in my Captain slot, despite the sheer obviousness of it. But I'll be looking for ways to build around both backs, especially in lineups that predict Pittsburgh controlling things outright.

Wide Receiver

DK Metcalf (CPT or FLEX)
Germie Bernard (FLEX)

This attack still goes as Metcalf goes, even more sharply than it did last year:

Metcalf remains the alpha, but the numbers have been disappointing: a career-low 47 yards per game, even while dominating the looks. His presence on virtually every passing play hasn't translated to the kind of production that wins much, if anything, in fantasy.

And this isn't the ideal matchup for a breakout. Led by DJ Turner II, the Bengals have been surprisingly effective against outside receivers, allowing them just 6.5 yards per target. They're also among the league's best against deeper throws.

Bernard, though, presents a very different opportunity. The rookie has drawn target shares of 30%, 27%, 18%, and 23% over his last four games, averaging 7.5 targets on 94% of the snaps. That's particularly interesting against the Bengals, who allow opponents to attack between the numbers extremely well. Bernard isn't providing explosive plays, but a six- or seven-catch performance could tilt the right Showdown.

I’m interested to see whether the public’s view of Metcalf vs. Bernard will continue to even out. As it stands, I’m only interested in Metcalf as a stacking partner for Aaron Rodgers.

Tight End

Darnell Washington (CPT or FLEX)
Pat Freiermuth (FLEX)

This might be my favorite positional matchup on the slate. The Bengals are allowing 8.8 yards per target to tight ends, second-most in football, and the Steelers have two capable options there. Washington is especially intriguing, and he’s earned a prominent role near the goal line, with six targets from inside the five over his last 19 games. He's coming off a season-high 94 yards against Cleveland, including a 58-yard catch-and-run. And in the first Cincinnati meeting, Washington led the Steelers with 67 yards. (Oh, and his season-high last year, also 67 yards, came in this very matchup!) I’d even be open to Captaining him in certain high-variance, low-probability builds.

Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback

Joe Burrow (CPT or FLEX)

There's not much left to say about Burrow's production. He's completing an NFL-best 74% of his throws, averaging 298 yards a game, and has thrown 23 touchdowns against just 6 picks. Sixteen of those touchdowns have come over the last four games, with Cincinnati scoring at least 30 points in each.

Most Showdown players will understandably begin their builds with Burrow, and it’s hard to argue it, based on all of that. But there’s a real edge to be found if Burrow and the Bengals underwhelm, which shouldn’t surprise any of is. Pittsburgh has allowed only seven passing touchdowns all year, with their age-old Plan B of “T.J. Watt just wins it with a couple of strip-sacks” still in play.

Still, there may be a schematic advantage here. Note that the Steelers play zone on roughly 84% of opposing team’s dropbacks… and that Burrow leads the NFL with a 75% completion percentage against zone. He showed that off en route to 282 yards and 3 touchdowns against Pittsburgh back in September.

Burrow won’t go overlooked tonight, even against this defense. And at his salary, we're probably looking for another three-touchdown performance to make him a worthwhile Captain. As always, I'm interested in whether his popularity will make other options more appealing. But I can't talk myself too far out of these wild numbers.

Running Back

Chase Brown (FLEX)
Samaje Perine (FLEX)

Brown has been quiet on the ground, averaging just 3.9 yards per rush and 50 per game. He's been far more useful as a receiver, a more important role tonight, with Pittsburgh simply swallowing the run left and right. They’ve shut down the likes of Jonathan Taylor (15 carries for 45 scoreless yards), Bucky Irving (19 for 46), Alvin Kamara (a rough 6 for 5), and Quinshon Junkins (just 28 for 78 over 2 meetings).

There's also reason to question how much work Brown can command. He's failed to top 13 carries since Week 2, and his 63% snap share against Atlanta was his lowest of the year. Perine has maintained a meaningful role, but neither looks likely to dominate this matchup. The Steelers have been terrific at eliminating the run, and the Bengals have given no reason to think they’ll suddenly switch course.

Brown could still prove useful in a pass-heavy script, though. Pittsburgh has allowed a hefty chunk of catches to running backs, making five or six catches a real route to value. Four other backs have already hit that number in this matchup. And if Brown finds the end zone, too, he could make for a sneaky Captain winner. Maybe.

Wide Receiver

Tee Higgins (CPT or FLEX)
Ja'Marr Chase (CPT or FLEX)
Dohnte Meyers (FLEX)

Chase has been on an absolute tear, catching 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta and 11-141-1 the week prior. He's scored in four straight games and remains one of the league’s premier big-play threats. He’ll be played extensively in every contest, but why not? There are few receivers capable of single-handedly tilting a Showdown slate the way Chase can.

Higgins, though, has been every bit as productive. He's caught 48 passes for 758 yards, averaging a tremendous 15.8 per reception, and has scored twice in each of his last two games. There’s a substantial difference in perception between the two, but t's worth noting that Chase has only six more targets on the season. Higgins has produced 111 more yards.

Over the last three games, we’re working with a baffling 47 catches, 693 yards, and 8 touchdowns for the duo. Both scored against Pittsburgh in September, and neither struggled to find space. The Steelers bring an elite defense, but this is an elite quarterback throwing to two elite receivers. There's only so much a coverage scheme can do.

I'll have exposure to plenty of both, though Higgins may be my preferred Captain at lower salary and (likely) lower rostership. Chase is the bigger name and the more explosive player, but Higgins has demonstrated an equally useful ceiling for literal years.

Meyers is the cheap complementary option. His opportunities should stay intact with Andrei Iosivas doubtful, though there's little reason to expect any volume of note. Chase and Higgins have combined to claim 48% of the team targets, and 77% among the wideouts alone.

Tight End

Mike Gesicki (FLEX)

Gesicki has become an unusual fantasy asset, one of “those” tight ends, with just 19 catches on the year but six of them winding up in the end zone. He scored in five straight, in fact, before Atlanta finally kept him out last week.

I'd be fully comfortable using him in any Joe Burrow-heavy build, one in which I'm chasing another touchdown-heavy Bengals week. The volume isn't there to make him a safe play… but if you’re playing Showdown safely, you’re probably playing it wrong.

Kickers and Defenses

Both kickers deserve consideration in what should be a tight game. Evan McPherson has converted all 12 of his field-goal attempts this season, while Chris Boswell has been a little less consistent, but just as dynamic as ever.

The red-zone matchup is especially interesting. Cincinnati converts a strong 69% of such trips into touchdowns, but Pittsburgh has stifled offenses 62% of the time. That could leave McPherson with a bigger role than usual. For his part, Boswell has reinvented himself as an elite long-ranger guy, going 26 of 33 from 50+ yards since 2024.

The Pittsburgh defense is also worth a look. Burrow is excellent, and he’s avoided sacks like never before, but the Steelers have generated 26 sacks and 13 takeaways. One or two well-timed negative plays (hello, Mr. Watt) could make a meaningful difference in a GPP like this one.