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DraftKings showdown slate: DFS picks for Steelers and Patriots

By Jon DeBuchananne

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady heads for the locker room after congratulating Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (background right) following Pittsburgh's 17-10 victory. The New England Patriots visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season NFL football game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA on Dec. 16, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady heads for the locker room after congratulating Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (background right) following Pittsburgh's 17-10 victory. The New England Patriots visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season NFL football game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA on Dec. 16, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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DraftKings Showdown Slate Week 1 GPP Builds: Patriots vs Steelers
NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 25: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball avoids the tackle of Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during week three of preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 18-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) DraftKings showdown /

DraftKings Showdown Slate Week 1 GPP Builds: Patriots vs Steelers

Each week I will be breaking down the Draft Kings Showdown Slates on Monday, Thursday and Sunday night football. The Draft Kings showdown slate is one of the more unique game styles that you can pick from on Draft Kings.

When playing a showdown lineup you will notice that it is far different from a standard Draft Kings contest. Instead of selecting a full roster of position players you have a Captain slot paired with five flex positions. The player you select as your Captain will score 1.5x the standard fantasy point value for each statistic but drafting a player as the Captain will cost you more salary than using them in your flex position. The Draft Kings Showdown slate will consist of the same scoring as all other contests not counting the Captain bonus.

Some numbers to keep in mind when building lineups for your showdown slates. Last season the winning lineup had a running back or wide receiver in the Captain slot 71% of the time on the largest prize pool showdown contests.

All Captain selections are also major flex considerations

Captain-

James Conner -$16,200

The Steelers running backs have had success against the Patriots recently as three of the five backs reached the100 yard mark in the last five meetings. I would expect Conner to get the bulk of the rushing work while mixing in on passing downs as well. With 18+ touches likely he is my favorite play in the Captain slot.

Julian Edelman -$14,400

In his last four games against the Steelers, Edelman has averaged 9 catches for 92 yards while finding the end-zone once. I am much more comfortable with him as one of my flex plays, but you will need a couple of shares of him as your Captain in case he finds the end-zone Sunday night.

Josh Gordon -$11,100

With his first game back, I look for this Patriots team to feed Gordon early and often. Last season he led the Patriots in yards per target (10.6), yards per-reception (18.0), and finished 7th in yards after the catch (6.7) I would prefer to play Gordon in the Captain slot over Edelman pairing him with Brady in multiple lineups.

Other Captain options to differentiate your lineups and give you a chance at the 200k top prize. 

Sony Michel -$12,000

While he is in play for the Captain slot, I really like using Michel for the second half tournaments available on Draft Kings as he is a monster if the Patriots have a lead. I will have a sprinkle of Michel in full game showdown as the Steelers have generally kept the Patriots running game in check allowing only 72 yards to the Patriots top rusher over the past five games.

Vance McDonald -$9,000

If the Patriots aim to take away JuJu and Moncrief that will allow for McDonald to run free in the middle of the field matched up on linebackers. One of the more athletic tight ends in the league, McDonald can break the slate Sunday night.  He is simply a contrarian play for a lineup or two but recommend going heavy with Conner and Gordon as your top Captain options. HIGH-RISK PLAY

Patriots – $6,600

If you learned anything from Thursday’s game, sometimes playing two defenses against high-powered offenses can lead to GPP Showdown slate wins. I would side with the home team Patriots in the Captain slot as a contrarian play in one of your lineups.