Showdown Steelers at Chargers

Quick facts (what matters)

Kickoff / TV: Sunday Night Football — 8:20 PM ET (SoFi Stadium). NBC.
Current market line / total: Chargers ~ -3, total ~ 45–45.5 (market around kickoff).
Injury notes that move DFS: Chargers have taken major hits on the OL (Joe Alt out, others dinged), while the Steelers are missing starting guard Isaac Seumalo and defensive pieces Jabrill Peppers & Cole Holcomb. Those absences shift pass-rush matchups and run/pass tendencies.

Expect a game script that favors more passing volume from the Chargers if their offensive line is compromised (they’ll need Herbert to work faster and likely rely on quick-game recipients). The Steelers should feature Jaylen Warren in heavier rushing/short-pass work if they want to control clock and exploit Chargers run defense tendencies. The total in the mid-40s suggests balanced upside for both pass-catchers and backs in a neutral-to-slightly-Chargers-leaning spot.

(Showdown captain = the 1.5x scoring / 1.5x salary spot on DK)

Justin Herbert (Chargers) — top Captain priority. High ceiling because he’s volume-dependent and will see lots of short, intermediate looks if the line is injured. Safe floor + big upside if Chargers need to play catch-up. (High ownership).

Jaylen Warren (Steelers) — smash if you want contrarian Captain exposure tied to rushing TD upside and volume in neutral score scenarios. Steelers run-heavy game plan could give him multiple touchdown chances and PPR value. (Lower ownership than Herbert; good leverage).

Keenan Allen / Quentin Johnston (Chargers) — captain only in 1-game GPPs when you need a receiver to break a big play; otherwise use as flex stacks. Allen offers target volume, Johnston offers deep-TD upside.

Tier 1 (core)

Tier 2 (high upside / TD equity)

Quentin Johnston — deep threat vs a Steelers secondary that can give up big plays.

Ladd McConkey / Oronde Gadsden II — slot/TE-type receiving roles in Chargers’ offense; paths to target share and red-zone looks.

Tier 3 (value / low cost contrarian pieces)

Steelers TE / short-target RB handcuffs — tight ends and cheap backs on Pittsburgh offer TD dart-throw upside in low-salary builds. (Targets increase in short-yardage/red zone).

Primary (favorite) stack: Captain Herbert + Keenan Allen + Quentin Johnston / Ladd McConkey — mirrors the volume/air-yard upside. Good on favorites.
Contrarian / leverage: Captain Jaylen Warren + Steelers pass-catchers (e.g., tight end + WR) — scores well if Pittsburgh controls clock and gets a rushing TD. Lower ownership vs QB captain builds.
Middle ground: Captain Herbert but include Warren in flex — covers both scripts (Chargers lead and pass-heavy or Steelers grind-it-out).

Mix ownership: Most players will roster Herbert; get leverage by making 1–2 Warren-Captain builds and including cheaper Steelers pass-catchers or Chargers depth pieces (McConkey, Gadsden) as contrarian flexes.

Watch late inactives: injuries to Chargers OL or any last-minute scratch for a primary WR/TE will flip target shares — lock lineups after final inactives are posted. (Always check final inactive lists).

(A) High-floor / Tournament

Captain: Justin Herbert
Flex: Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Jaylen Warren, Ladd McConkey, Chargers TE/Steelers TE

(B) Contrarian / GPP leverage

Captain: Jaylen Warren
Flex: Steelers TE, cheap Steelers WR (Calvin Austin III or similar), Keenan Allen (or McConkey), Chargers depth RB/WR

(C) Balanced / Cash-game

Captain: Justin Herbert or Keenan Allen (if salary forces it)
Flex: Jaylen Warren, one Chargers RB/slot, one Chargers WR, one Steelers pass-catcher

Warren Captain + Herbert (flex): most people will Captain Herbert — this flips exposure and pays off on rushing TDs and lower ownership.
Target Oronde Gadsden II / Ladd McConkey as cheap-ish receivers with red-zone usage. They’re often under-rostered but can hit high PPR totals in short/slot-heavy game plan.