DraftKings Sunday Showdown: Week 6

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

Both these offenses are either in midseason form or finally rounding into it, so Vegas is on board with scoring. The 53.5 total tells us that, with both these defenses gasping for air, the scoring should come early and often. There are numerous paths to DFS gold here.

So whom do we chase? Go heavy on Packers against a Dallas defense that's giving up 8.3 yards per throw? Or stack Cowboys against the Packers, who struggled against Michael Penix Jr. and Carson Wentz? As always, I'll be looking to expected rostership to break up any ties.

Vegas slightly prefers the Cowboys on a neutral field. The public almost always slightly prefers the Cowboys on any field. Thus, I'll be pushing my chips in on 4-2 and 5-1 Packers lineups, with an eye on gobbling up every touchdown in an unexpectedly boring game.

It's not a likely scenario, but neither is winning Showdown!

Injury Roundup

In case you hadn't heard this week, Micah Parsons remains out following last December's ACL injury. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is on injured reserve, as are a handful of defensive contributors across the field. On offense, they're without running back Josh Jacobs (suspension) and slot receiver Jayden Reed (neck).

The Cowboys, on the other hand, come in remarkably healthy, with CeeDee Lamb (thigh) returning to full practice during the week.

Captain Consideration

1. Jordan Love
2. Dak Prescott
3. Javonte Williams
4. CeeDee Lamb
5. Matthew Golden
6. Christian Watson
7. George Pickens
8. Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers

Quarterback

Jordan Love (CPT or FLEX)

Last week, Love produced 367 yards in dismantling a good-not-great Chicago defense. He hit on 25 of his 31 throws – 77% over the last 2 weeks – and now faces a Cowboys defense near the bottom of the league. Dallas has allowed 72% on their own, plus 8.3 yards per attempt, and they've yet to record an interception. It's almost a perfect (too perfect?) marriage of deep-ball passer, big-play receivers, and hopeless downfield defense. And he'll likely come at somewhat lower rostership than Dak Prescott.

Running Back

MarShawn Lloyd (FLEX)
Kaleb Johnson (FLEX)
Pierre Strong Jr (FLEX)

Well, this has been depressing. With Jacobs shelved, we braced for takeoff with Lloyd, who showed brilliant speed and quickness at his 2024 Combine. But Lloyd has struggled to look special, and the team has been remarkably ineffective overall: 20 attempts per game, 3.0 yards per rush, and only 2 touchdowns on the ground. That speed only looks theoretical at the moment. Lloyd has found the end zone three times, but he's yet to produce a run beyond just 12 yards. Good thing he heads the backfield, with 48% of the touches so far. Besides, a lack of breakaway runs like that tends to normalize at some point.

Also, good thing he's facing the Cowboys. Dallas allows 168 rushing yards per game and 5.1 per carry, as they beg opponents to produce in both phases. Last week, Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving erupted for 175 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns. Emeka Egbuka ran in another as the Buccaneers salted away the second half. If the Packers do seize control of this game, Lloyd's breakout will be a lot easier to envision.

Wide Receiver