Playoff DraftKings Picks: NFL DFS lineup advice for Steelers-Chiefs Wild Card Showdown tournaments

Jackson Sparks

Playoff DraftKings Picks: NFL DFS lineup advice for Steelers-Chiefs Wild Card Showdown tournaments image

The Steelers and Chiefs cap off Sunday's playoff action in what could be Ben Roethlisberger's last game. The Chiefs are the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and are currently a 12.5-point favorite over Pittsburgh via DraftKings sportsbook. We're building a risky (or crazy) DraftKings Showdown lineup that will likely only pan out if the Steelers pull off the shocking upset or just keep things close. Yes, we know it's a long shot, but for DFS tournaments, we're rolling the dice in one of the last chances we'll get this year.

Here are the important settings for DraftKings single-game contests: It's full-point PPR, and there are three-point bonuses for 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 100 receiving yards. The Captain pick costs 1.5 times a player's original price, but he also gets his point total multiplied by 1.5.

MORE DK SHOWDOWN: How to win a Showdown contest

DraftKings Showdown Picks: Steelers vs. Chiefs

$50,000 budget, need at least one player from each team.

Captain: (1.5x salary, 1.5x points): WR Chase Claypool, Steelers ($8,400)

We said we're going for an outside-the-box lineup, so let's begin with Claypool in our "Captain" chair. He's cheaper than the Steelers' and Chiefs' backup quarterbacks for some reason, and it's not as if he hasn't been productive at all this year. His big-play upside combined with the Steelers' pass-first approach means he could realistically get to the 100-yard bonus if things go right. We're counting on some vintage Big Ben magic (or garbage-time production).

FULL-SLATE DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings

FLEX: WR Diontae Johnson, Steelers ($9,000)

Since we know Roethlisberger doesn't bring any rushing upside, the only way he pans out is if he's stacked with two pass-catchers. While Claypool will be working in the "deep" part of the field, Johnson will wrack up receptions like almost no one else in the league does. You can almost guarantee double-digit targets, and he has a shot at the 100-yard bonus, too.

SUNDAY-ONLY DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings

FLEX: QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers ($8,800)

DFS players will cringe at the idea of playing Roethlisberger, so we'll take him in the off chance he has a big game and keeps his career alive for one more week. There's also a scenario where the Chiefs blow out the Steelers, and Big Ben and co. put up a ton of garbage-time numbers, so there's an outside shot this lineup pays off, even if the Steelers get run out of the building.

DRAFTKINGS SINGLE-GAME LINEUPS:
LV-CIN | NE-BUF | PHI-TB | SF-DALARI-LAR

FLEX: QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ($11,800)

Mahomes will produce in almost any game script, and if the Steelers make this close and their offense is humming, Mahomes is sure to have a solid DFS performance on the other side of things. As always, it's tough to put Mahomes with both of his top weapons thanks to their high price tags, but he's produced even when Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are quiet.

FLEX: RB Darrel Williams, Chiefs ($6,400)

Even if Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) plays, we'd rather have Williams. He's a more efficient and a more explosive receiver, so in full-PPR formats, we view him as more valuable. Again, this lineup implies the Steelers make this a game, so Williams will be in on key passing downs for Kansas City.

FANDUEL SINGLE-GAME LINEUPS:
LV-CIN | NE-BUF | PHI-TB | SF-DAL | PIT-KC | ARI-LAR

FLEX: WR Byron Pringle, Chiefs ($4,800)

Pringle delivered two touchdowns in this matchup the first time, and with Tyreek Hill (heel) banged up and the Steelers' being a top defense against tight ends, there's room for more production here for Pringle. Any time you play in a Showdown tournament that features Kansas City, taking a flier on a cheap Chiefs' pass-catcher is a smart move for GPP formats. You could also shuffle things around and fit Demarcus Robinson or Mecole Hardman in.

Jackson Sparks