Monday Showdown: Week 8

Disclaimer

These contests are intended to be fun as you’re watching the game. It’s incredibly difficult to get a real edge as there are so few options, and in MME contests, there are often many duplicate lineups. One play or one penalty can change the entire outcome of the game.

Game Strategy

• Over/Under: 36.5
• Spread: Steelers -6.5
• Giants Implied Team Total: 15
• Steelers Implied Team Total: 21.5

This contest is expected to be low-scoring. The 36.5 Over/Under is the lowest of the entire Week 8 slate of games. Defense and kickers should be considered more than usual in this one.

Injury Roundup

• Cordarrelle Patterson OUT
• Justin Fields Questionable

Captain Consideration

• Malik Nabers
• George Pickens
• Najee Harris
• Daniel Jones
• Russell Wilson

New York Giants Showdown Players

Quarterback

Daniel Jones - Captain/Flex

Daniel Jones leads a Giants offense that ranks ninth in Early Down Pass Frequency (EDPF) and 11th in Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE). Jones isn't an inspiring player, and his matchup is tough on the road against a Steelers defense that ranks seventh in EPA/Play Allowed and 11th in Dropback EPA Allowed. But Brian Daboll will keep firing and putting the ball in Jones' hands. Jones adds a bit of rushing upside as well as he has carried 50 times for 184 yards so far this season.

Running Back

Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Devin Singletary

Your guess regarding the playing time split between Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary is as good as mine. Opportunities last week: Tracy 9 and Singletary 6. Percentage of offensive snaps last week: Tracy 67% and Singletary 21%. However, Singletary's playing time is expected to increase in his second game back from injury and the matchup is a tough one. Overall, this is a stay away, but if choosing one, Tracy is still the pick due to his added juice and talent.

Wide Receiver

Malik Nabers - Captain/Flex

Malik Nabers ranks second in the NFL in targets per game (12) and fifth in receiving yards per game (85.4). He is the top captain choice in this game.

Wan'Dale Robinson - Flex

Wan'Dale Robinson ranks fourth in the entire NFL in targets per game (9.6). In a contest where offense projects to be hard to come by, taking the locked-in volume with Robinson seems like a strong bet.

Darius Slayton - Flex

Darius Slayton was a better fantasy asset when Malik Nabers was out with his concussion. But he still played on 100% of the offensive snaps last week, even with Nabers back in the lineup. Slayton is a fun tournament play.

Tight End

Theo Johnson - Flex

Theo Johnson has played on a season-high 89% and 90% of the offensive snaps in back-to-back weeks. The result was only 3 catches for 30 yards in those two games, but he's out there. He's a tournament punt play in large fields.

Pittsburgh Steelers Showdown Players

Quarterback

Russell Wilson - Captain/Flex

There was speculation that Justin Fields would still play at times, even with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. That didn't happen last week and now Fields is questionable with a hamstring injury. Wilson shouldn't have to worry about Fields, especially after throwing for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns in a blowout win over the New York Jets. Wilson is at home and has a decent matchup against a Giants defense that ranks middle of the pack in both EPA/Play Allowed (16th) and Dropback EPA Allowed (18th).

Running Back

Najee Harris - Captain/Flex

Najee Harris is running hard as of late. He's gone for over 100 rushing yards and a score in back-to-back games and ranks 13th in the NFL in opportunities per game (19.6). Harris is a strong play with the Steelers being 6.5-point home favorites. The Giants defense ranks 12th in Rush EPA Allowed. They've been good against the run, but they're certainly not a matchup we must avoid.

Jaylen Warren - Flex

Jaylen Warren has had a disappointing and injury-riddled beginning to the season, but he just played on a season-high 51% of the offensive snaps last week, which was actually more playing time than Harris received. Warren has now put two games behind him since his injury and looks to be back in a position where the coaches trust him. He's a strong tournament play.

Wide Receiver

George Pickens - Captain/Flex

George Pickens ranks 20th in the NFL in targets per game (7.6), and his alpha down-the-field contested catch ability pairs well with Russell Wilson's high-up-in-the-air moon balls. In Rusell Wilson's first start, Pickens saw nine targets and caught five for 111 yards and 1 touchdown. Pickens is a must-play.

Calvin Austin III - Flex

Calvin Austin III is a deep punt play in large field tournaments but he has seen nine targets over his past two games and caught a 36 yard pass from Russell Wilson last week.

Tight End

Pat Freiermuth - Flex

Pat Freiermuth isn't an exciting option. But the Steelers don't have a reliable WR2, so he's bound to have successful games, especially if Russell Wilson continues to invigorate this passing offense. Freiermuth put up 51 receiving yards last week and will look to add to that in Wilson's second start.