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: 48.5
- Spread: Rams -7.5
- Rams Implied Team Total: 28
- Giants Implied Team Total: 20.5
Captain Consideration
Los Angeles Rams Showdown Players
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford - Captain/Flex
The Rams were pathetic last week. There's no need to sugarcoat it. But the game was in Australia, and it's important not to overreact to a small, one-week sample. Instead, let's zoom out. Last season, Stafford won the MVP, led the NFL in passing yards per game (278), led the league in pass touchdowns per game (2.6), and ranked fifth in EPA/Play (0.213). The expectation should be that Stafford will bounce back at home against a Giants defense that ranked 27th in EPA/Play Allowed last season.
Running Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End
Puka Nacua - Captain/Flex
Despite the Week 1 trainwreck, Puka Nacua's usage remained elite. He saw nine targets and a 36% target share. That correlates with the elite fantasy asset we saw last season. In 2025, Nacua ranked second in targets per game (10.3), led the NFL in receptions per game (7.9), and led the league in receiving yards per game (109.3). Nacua is the clear best Captain option.
Kyren Williams - Flex and Blake Corum - Tournament Captain/Flex
Kyren Williams vs. Blake Corum in Week 1
Williams: Snap %: 64%, Routes Run: 20, Targets: 3, Carries: 11.
Corum: Snap %: 23%, Routes Run: 3, Targets: 0, Carries: 10.
Williams is the 1a in this backfield, but make no mistake, this is a committee. Williams is the clear passing-down running back, but the Rams are 7.5-point home favorites. If the Rams perform up to expectations in this one, and they play with a lead, it's anyone's best guess how the carry share will shake out. Williams only received one more carry than Corum last week. From a tournament perspective, Corum is the clear better play at projected lower ownership. Playing Corum at Captain is another contrarian tournament option, but only for the bold.
Davante Adams - Flex
Davante Adams led the NFL in receiving touchdowns last season with 14, which was three more than anyone else. A large reason for this was his usage near the goal line. However, in Week 1, Adams only played on one of seven plays inside the 10. Adams' stock is trending down, which should depress his ownership in this one. Adams remains in play in tournaments, though. He still saw six targets and a 24% target share last week.
Terrance Ferguson - Flex
Terrance Ferguson didn't catch a pass last week, which will suppress his ownership. That makes him an intriguing tournament play. Last week, Ferguson played on 51% of the snaps and ran a route on 48.3% of dropbacks. Ferguson isn't a full-time player, but he doesn't need to be in order to pay off in a big way. Why? Ferguson is an elite athlete who averaged 21 yards per reception last season.
Kicker
Harrison Mevis - Flex
The Rams are 7.5-point home favorites, and they led the NFL in points scored (518) last season. With the Rams last year, Harrison Mevis made 12 of 13 field goal attempts in the regular season and all six of his kicks in the playoffs.
New York Giants Showdown Players
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