PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS

Spread: Ravens -2

O/U: 35.0

Good afternoon, FA nation and Happy New Year! Are you ready for some Sunday Night Football? What better way to end your holiday weekend than an NFL DFS Showdown on DraftKings and FanDuel? Tonight, we have an AFC North matchup as Kenny Pickett and the 7-8 Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore to face Tyler Huntley (Lamar Jackson is OUT) and the 10-5 Ravens. Baltimore is a two-point favorite in one of the lowest total games of the season as Vegas has this game at only 35 points. For tonight’s matchup there is a full rundown of players and suggestions below and you can always take a look at our Weekly Match-Up Report and use NFL DFS Tools like our DFS Lineup Generator (a.k.a. the DFS lineup optimizer).

First, from the words of our fearless leader at Fantasy Alarm, Howard Bender:

Now before we begin, for those who are new to the process, please take a moment to understand what exactly you are getting yourself into by playing single-game Showdown Slates. We love to have some skin in the game, for sure, but these slates are, for all intents and purposes, a lottery ticket. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits, and everyone shares in the prizes, but, often, you need to hit on that random dart throw that differentiates your lineup from that of the herd in order to claim the top prize. As a result, we encourage you to play responsibly and not over-invest. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll, and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.

OK, now let’s get to tonight’s action.

Weather

  • Temp: 59 degrees
  • Humidity: 54%
  • Precipitation: 0%

 

Notable DFS Injuries:

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • No key offensive players

Baltimore Ravens

 

2022 DVOA Defensive Rankings:

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Vs Pass: 17th
  • Vs Run: 6th

Baltimore Ravens

  • Vs. Pass: 12th
  • Vs. Run: 4th

 

**Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.

 

Captain/MVP DFS Plays

Najee Harris- Pittsburgh Steelers RB

We know what we are getting from Harris- volume. Even though he is no longer a bell cow he still should see 20+ carries/targets and saw the most targets that he’s seen all season last week with nine. He’s not real efficient but has nearly 10 DKFP in 10 straight contests. 

Tyler Huntley- Baltimore ravens QB

He probably won’t be throwing the ball around much tonight, but Huntley has legs and could bang out a long run or two. He is actually due for a big game in his second matchup against the Steelers this season. He left the first game early with a concussion but had only completed 8-of-12 passes for 88 yards and ran nine times for 31 yards.

Diontae Johnson- Pittsburgh Steelers WR

Johnson is still getting it done even though he just can’t get in the end zone. He runs the short routes for Pittsburgh and has four straight double-digit DK fantasy point games (60+ yards) which makes him the safest receiver on the slate., especially in a game that may lack touchdowns. 

Mark Andrews- Baltimore Ravens TE

Andrews has seen his numbers (and DK salary) take a massive drop with Huntley at quarterback. Over his last three games he has put up only 4, 6 and 8 DKFP and the last time that he hit double-digit DK fantasy points and had a touchdown was back in Week 6. Andrews suddenly is not a terrible football player and most remember that he and Huntley had a massive game together last season so may we can trust the long-term data and take a shot here. 

DFS Utility Plays

Kenny Pickett- Pittsburgh Steelers QB

Pickett is a better quarterback than Huntley and that’s not saying much. Over his last five games he is averaging 15 DKFP, which is mediocre, but he may be the safest route to gain exposure to the Steelers passing game. He will scramble a bit too, but Vegas does not expect a shootout here making Pickett more of a Utility pay than in the captain spot. 

Pat Freiermuth- Pittsburgh Steelers TE

Freiermuth has been awesome over the last few weeks and carries a 20% target share in that same span. He is coming off a big seven catch game while playing an 80% snap rate last week and is totally in play as the Steelers most consistent pass catcher after Johnson. Take the discount and you can even throw him in the captain spot but he will then need a touchdown to make optimal. 

Demarcus Robinson- Baltimore Ravens WR

Love this play tonight. Robinson has been the Ravens most consistent receiver since Huntley took over Jackson in Week 13. He has five catches or a touchdown in four straight games and has apparently become the “go-to” instead of Andrews. In their first matchup against the Steelers Robinson posted five receptions (six targets) for 52 yards and 10 DK fantasy points. 

Value DFS Plays

Justin Tucker- Baltimore Ravens K

The Ravens are first in the league in field goals per game and Tucker is still one of the best. He has an 85% FG rate (32-38) and is 7-12 from beyond 50. 

Jaylen Warren- Pittsburgh Steelers RB

Warren is the Harris backup and plays approximately 30% of the snaps. Not a bad price as he has hit double-digit DK fantasy points four times this season and even ran the ball 11 times in Week 15. Between giving Najee a break and handling pass-down responsibilities Warren makes for an interesting GPP play tonight. 

Steven Sims Jr- Pittsburgh Steelers WR

Sims seems to have taken over the WR3 spot as he has run a route on 51% of dropbacks over the last three games. His role has grown since Chase Claypool was traded and he has seen at least a target in every game going back to Week 8. 

Other DFS Plays

JK Dobbins – Baltimore Ravens RB

 He’s a home favorite but the Steelers run defense is good (6th DVOA). Too expensive for an RB that splits time with Gus Edwards. GPP Only.

Gus Edwards- Baltimore Ravens RB

Should see 10-12 touches and at only $5.4 DK makes an interesting GPP pivot off from Dobbins

George Pickens – Pittsburgh Steelers WR

May catch Pickens lower owned tonight as he sits right between Johnson and Freiermuth in salary. The Steelers home run hitter. 

Sammy Watkins/DeSean Jackson- Baltimore Ravens WRs

GPP dart plays as one may catch a deep one and take it to the house. These players must be able to pay off their price tag on a single play. 

Isaiah Likely- Baltimore Ravens TE

Will come in under owned due to his recent performances but he is still a talented pass catcher. We saw his ability in Weeks 8 and 9. 

Josh Oliver- Baltimore Ravens WR

mainly a blocker but is on the field A LOT. Has run a route on 28% of dropbacks over the last four games. Could come out of nowhere with a big catch.

 

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