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Welcome to the NFL Playoffs RotoBallers! Saturday night's Wild Card matchup pits the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North showdown. With an over/under of 45.5 and the Ravens as -9.5 favorites, we’re looking at a potential blowout scenario where the game script could heavily favor Baltimore’s rushing attack and clock control.
My DFS Showdown strategy for this game is going to focus on leveraging Baltimore's offensive stars, targeting Pittsburgh's condensed passing attack, and trying to identify value plays that open up roster flexibility.
I will provide you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Ravens vs. Steelers Wild Card Saturday DFS showdown slate on January 11. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks.
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MVP/Captain: NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Lamar Jackson, BAL – QB ($18,000 DK, $17,000 FD)
Lamar Jackson is the clear standout Captain choice for me. His dual-threat ability has been the cornerstone of Baltimore’s success, with nearly 1,000 rushing yards this season complementing his passing production. Pittsburgh has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks, which enhances Jackson’s floor and ceiling in this matchup.
Lamar Jackson has been the definition of a dual-threat this year.
He became the first player in NFL history to lead the NFL in pass yds/attempt (8.8) & rush yds/carry (6.6) in the same season (minimum 125 carries in the season). 👏
📺: #PITvsBAL – Saturday 5pm ET on Prime Video… pic.twitter.com/z9rypJJlw6
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 9, 2025
With Zay Flowers out, Jackson’s workload will be even more concentrated, both through the air and on the ground, making him a near must-play in Captain for cash games and a top option in GPPs. The salary is steep but justified given his role in the Ravens' offense.
Derrick Henry, BAL – RB ($18,300 DK, $16,500 FD)
If you’re looking for an alternative Captain, Derrick Henry offers intriguing upside, especially in a game script where Baltimore dominates time of possession. Henry has been a beast in the playoffs and posted 162 rushing yards the last time these teams met.
Henry is the highest-priced Captain at $18,300 so his ownership should be a little lower than Lamar's making him an excellent pivot in GPPs if you expect the Ravens to lean heavily on the run in this matchup.
Off-the-Radar Captain Ideas
Mark Andrews, BAL – TE ($10,500 DK, $11,000 FD)
Andrews is already a core play in the Flex, but using him as a Captain is a great way to pivot while still stacking the Ravens’ offense. Without Zay Flowers, Andrews is in line for heavy volume, especially in the red zone. If Jackson throws multiple touchdowns, Andrews could easily outscore Jackson at a fraction of the captain ownership. This play works well in lineups where you still want Jackson in the Flex but want to differentiate in large-field GPPs.
Pat Freiermuth, PIT – TE ($9,900 DK, $8,000 FD)
Freiermuth is a sneaky Captain for contrarian builds. With Pittsburgh expected to trail, Freiermuth could benefit from short-area targets, especially in the red zone. He saw 11 targets in Week 18 and has an established connection with Russell Wilson in high-pressure situations. If Freiermuth scores a touchdown and racks up 8-10 catches, he could easily be the top Pittsburgh scorer.
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Flex Plays: NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Rashod Bateman, BAL – WR ($5,000 DK, $10,000 FD)
Rashod Bateman is another key Flex option, stepping into an expanded role in the absence of Flowers. His ability to stretch the field and command intermediate targets aligns well with the Ravens’ offensive game plan. Bateman is priced affordably, making him an excellent pairing with Jackson or Andrews.
Mark Andrews, BAL – TE ($7,000 DK, $11,000 FD)
Mark Andrews is poised for a significant role in Baltimore’s offense, especially with Flowers sidelined. Andrews is Lamar Jackson’s go-to target in high-leverage situations, including the red zone, and Pittsburgh ranks 28th in DraftKings points allowed to tight ends.
Mark Andrews had the quietest 11 TD season in 2024.
Remember, Andrews started the season slow after missing most of preseason training due to the car accident he was involved in this summer.
From Week 6 on, Andrews was a Top-10 weekly TE in 10 of 12 games. pic.twitter.com/Fmh0azxUkz
— Bradley Stalder (@FFStalder) January 9, 2025
Andrews’ combination of volume and matchup makes him a staple in both cash and GPP lineups.
Pat Freiermuth, PIT – TE ($6,600 DK, $8,000 FD)
Pat Freiermuth has emerged as Pittsburgh’s most reliable pass-catcher down the stretch. His 11 targets in Week 18 highlighted his increased role, and with the Steelers likely playing from behind, he should see plenty of opportunities in this matchup. Freiermuth’s salary makes him a strong mid-tier option, especially in lineups that feature high-priced Baltimore players.
Value Plays: NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Calvin Austin III, PIT – WR ($4,000 DK, $7,500 FD)
Calvin Austin provides an affordable way to capture upside in Pittsburgh’s passing game. With the Steelers likely in catch-up mode, Austin’s deep-threat role and low salary make him a high-upside punt play.
Justice Hill, BAL – RB ($4,500 DK, $8,000 FD)
Justice Hill is a sneaky value option, particularly in lineups expecting a heavy workload for Baltimore’s backfield. Hill is used in passing situations and as a change-of-pace back, and his salary offers flexibility for more aggressive GPP builds.
Isaiah Likely, BAL – TE ($3,200 DK, $8,500 FD)
Isaiah Likely rounds out the value options as a low-cost tight end with potential upside. With Zay Flowers out, Baltimore is expected to deploy more 12-personnel sets which should increase Likely’s snaps and route participation this week. His red-zone involvement and low salary make him a strong GPP option.
Good luck with your lineups, and let’s crush this slate!
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