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: 38.5
- Spread: Ravens -5.5
- Ravens Implied Team Total: 22
- Chargers Implied Team Total: 16.5
Captain Consideration
Relevant Injuries
- Ladd McConkey Questionable
- David Njoku Questionable
Baltimore Ravens Showdown Players
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett - Flex
Jacoby Brissett is an 11-year veteran now playing on his eighth NFL team. It's tough to predict how he'll play in his first game with the Ravens, but the offensive environment around him should help. The Ravens are 5.5-point home favorites against a winless and rudderless Chargers team. And Brissett is now paired with exciting young offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, Zay Flowers, and Derrick Henry. Brissett is a competent signal caller who may have needed a change of scenery to gain motivation at this point in his career since Arizona was going nowhere. While not confident in it, I won't be surprised if Brissett plays well in his debut.
Running Back/Wide Receiver/Tight End
Derrick Henry - Captain/Flex
Derrick Henry ranks seventh in opportunities per game (21), 22nd in total yards per game (84.9), and sixth in total touchdowns (9). This sets up well as a Henry game. The Ravens are 5.5-point home favorites and Henry gets to attack a Chargers defense that ranks 21st in Rush EPA Allowed.
Zay Flowers - Captain/Flex
Zay Flowers receives a massive quarterback upgrade with Jacoby Brissett at the helm, which should immediately propel him back into fantasy relevance. Flowers ranks seventh in target share (28.2%), 21st in targets per game (7.6), 16th in receiving yards per game (76.8), fourth in team receiving yard share (38.2%), sixth in first read rate (36.1%), fourth in yards per route run (3.05), and sixth in targets per route run (0.30). There is no way I'm fading Flowers in this one.
Justice Hill - Large Field Tournament Flex
Justice Hill has at least three receptions in four straight games, and he's ripped off 65- and 47-yard runs this season.
Rashod Bateman - Large Field Tournament Flex
Deciding between Rashod Bateman and Ja'Kobi Lane as a large field tournament punt play? Let's compare:
| Statistic | Rashod Bateman | Ja'Kobi Lane |
|---|---|---|
| Target Share | 12.6% | 10.4% |
| Targets per Game | 3.4 | 2.8 |
| Receiving Yards per Game | 32.7 | 17.8 |
| Team Receiving Yard Share | 16% | 9.5% |
| Team Air Yard Share | 22.8% | 16.5% |
| First Read Rate | 13.1% | 10.3% |
| Yards per Route Run | 1.48 | 0.99 |
| Targets per Route Run | 0.16 | 0.16 |
Go with the veteran in Bateman.
D/ST and Kicker
Ravens D/ST - Flex
The Chargers offense has truly been putrid this season. They rank dead last in EPA/Play and Rush EPA and 31st in Dropback EPA. Justin Herbert has taken the second-most sacks (31) this year. The Ravens are 5.5-point home favorites.
Riley Patterson - Flex
Riley Patterson is Baltimore's new kicker for this game. He made 27 of 29 field goals last year and 7 of 9 field goals earlier this season with the Dolphins. The Ravens are 5.5-point home favorites, which could put Patterson in position for an extra attempt or two.
Los Angeles Chargers Showdown Players
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