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

The Browns were three-point favorites but have now moved to three-point underdogs. This one projects to turn out close and low-scoring, but for some reason, it appears that the Steelers' players will be significantly more popular.

Strategy

Rosters with five Browns are expected to be utilized <2% but five Steelers is closer to 13%. Four Browns are projected <17% and four steelers are more than double that, with 3-3 even builds approximately a third of all entries. Either Nick Chubb or Najee Harris could be the most popular CPT with both expected 15-22% and flex 59-79%. Diontae Johnson is the only other player projected over 10% at CPT, potentially up to 13%. I would look to the QBs at 5-10% CPT, especially Ben Roethlisberger, who might try to go out on his shield in what is expected to be his final home game as a Steeler. Pivoting from Harris to the Steelers passing game should help differentiate, but you could also stack Harris in the event he racks up receptions.

DK Values

  • Zach Gentry ($800)
  • James Washington ($2200)

DK Leverage

  • Rashard Higgins ($5600)
  • D’Ernest Johnson ($4800)

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)
  • Zach Gentry ($6000)

FD Leverage

  • David Njoku ($7500)
  • D’Ernest Johnson ($8500)

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.