Sunday Night Football features a classic matchup between two storied franchises as the Packers visit the Steelers. Both teams have been inconsistent, but each has enough offensive talent to make this a compelling DFS showdown. With pricing tight and usage trends shifting, identifying the right value plays and game script will be key to building a winning DraftKings lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (GB @ PIT)
Captain’s Picks
Josh Jacobs ($16,500 CP): The Week 8 Sunday Night Football matchup is a big one. It’s must-see TV — appointment viewing. The strange thing is that this NFL DFS slate is void of superstars. Jacobs is the closest thing to an elite talent. The game is because of the teams and the revenge narrative. The two first-place teams battle in primetime with the backdrop of Aaron Rodgers’ revenge. The biggest story ought to be Jacobs. He’s earned almost 600 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns through six games. The Steelers were gashed on the ground last week. The Bengals rushed for 139 yards on 18 carries. Competent offenses have faced few problems running the ball against the Steelers. Jacobs is safe and features upside with his propensity to score touchdowns and add periphery stats through the pass attack.
UTIL Plays
Aaron Rodgers ($9,800): This is more than a narrative. This isn’t BvP or a birthday game narrative in NBA DFS. There are revenge games, and then there are revenge games. So far, the Packers have come out ahead in the departure. Rodgers was on the verge of retirement after the Jets debacle. He decided to give it one last go in Pittsburgh, and it’s going well. The Steelers are in first place, and their offense improves each week. The Packers are still doing better without Rodgers. He knows it and is jealous. Rodgers isn’t meditating this week. Angry Aaron is a thing.
Pat Freiermuth ($4,000): The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is an anomaly. It’s an anachronism. The Steelers should be wearing leather helmets. This is old school. It’s big-bruiser ball. The league is dominated by offenses that run 11 personnel (three wide receivers). The Steelers run 12 personnel (two tight ends), 13 personnel (three tight ends), and about 10% of the time they add a sixth offensive lineman. This should not be surprising. OC Arthur Smith was a former tight-end coach. As a head coach and OC, he’s always featured tight ends.
Jonnu Smith ($4,200): That’s right, it’s a tight end stack. This may have never happened before, but offenses like the Steelers are rare. Picking a tight end is unique. Picking two is a unicorn. Picking two from the same team, just the idea of considering this strategy, is a sign that life is a simulation. If life is scripted, then the script makes sense. College football teams that run the option have an enormous advantage. Defenses do not scheme for the option often. They get one week to prepare, and it shows. The same can be said of the Steelers’ three-headed monster. Defenses lack a scheme and the personnel to shut down a tight-end attack. This is not entirely unique. The Patriots won several Super Bowls with a tight-end-heavy scheme. Even Darnell Washington ($3,800) is in play on Sunday night.
Fades
Jordan Love ($10,000): Sunday night in Pittsburgh is not an easy setting. Love knows it. The Packers know it. They’re not looking to air it out. The Steelers are vulnerable on the ground. The Pack’s attack will be conservative. Green Bay’s goal is to grind out yards and limit turnovers. If they do, they win. Love won’t be a game manager, but he likely won’t be a game changer. At this price, he needs to break out.
The Outcome
The Packers are the better team. The better team doesn’t always win. The Steelers are great at home under the lights. Aaron Rodgers wants revenge. Forget the stats. Play the narratives.
