In Thursday night’s Showdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Minnesota Vikings. For a breakdown of this game, check out Rich Hribar’s Fantasy Football Worksheet.

As favorites of over a field goal, and with seven of the top eight projected value plays, I expect the Vikings to be more rostered in 4–2 and 5–1 builds. Dalvin Cook has been ruled in and is expected to get close to a normal workload. Projections are a little more pessimistic, but he still makes a solid play.

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Strategy

It’s another great opportunity for going heavy on the underdogs for easy differentiation from the field. Vikings on slots are projected for nearly 20% while Pittsburgh’s are 1.3%. Similarly, builds with four Vikings are almost 38%; four Steelers just over 10%. I’d prefer to go overweight on lineups that use at least three Steelers, making sure to be deliberately contrarian in any Vikings-heavy lineups.

Justin Jefferson is projected between 16–22% at CPT and 57–70% total. Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris are likely next, between 10–15% CPT, with Kirk Cousins closely behind at 8–11%. My favorite choices for CPT tonight are Cousins, Cook and Ben Roethlisberger. Quarterbacks used to go over-owned at CPT but underdog QBs have been especially unpopular in the current meta. Tonight we can also get the favored QB and RB at suppressed rostership as well.

DK Values

  • Either Kicker
  • Ray-Ray McLoud III (3,200)
  • Tyler Conklin ($6200)

DK Leverage

  • Pat Freiermuth ($6600)
  • James Washington ($5000)

DK Build Ideas

  • Max 1 DST, Max 1 K
  • Max 2 depth WR/TE/RB
  • Negative boost same team RBs
  • If CPT QB, include one depth option in stack 
  • If CPT RB, negative boost opposing DST/K
  • If CPT WR/TE boost team QB and force at least 1 QB (either team)
  • Cumulative ownership under 250%
  • Leave salary unspent 

FD Values

  • Ray-Ray McCloud III ($6500)
  • Chase Claypool ($10000)

FD Leverage

  • Pat Freiermuth ($9500)
  • James Washington ($7000)

FD Build Ideas

  • No K or TE at MVP
  • Focus on 3-2 build construction
  • No solo CPT in 1-4 construction
  • Negative boost opposing QBs (Lineups with both only win 30%)
  • If WR CPT, boost QB
  • QB is overused but RB and WR are underutilized at MVP
  • Don’t stack 3 pass catchers from the same team
  • Don’t force the max salary

For more optimizer build rules to consider, check out the list for each DK and FD here.