Pittsburgh Steelers vs Los Angeles Chargers

Spread: Chargers -6.5

Total: 47.5

Injuries

Steelers

T.J. Watt - Out

Joe Haden - Out

Chargers

Linval Joseph - Doubtful

DVOA Defensive Rankings

Steelers

vs Pass: 15th

vs Run: 17th

Chargers

vs Pass: 7th

vs Run: 32nd

**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.

MVP/CPT

Najee Harris, RB PIT - The Chargers are the worst rated defense against the run, worse than even the New York Jets. Harris has been a volume monster this season in both the running and passing attack. I expect him to be the highest rostered MVP/CPT play on tonight's slate.

Keenan Allen, WR LAC - Joe Hayden and T.J. Watt being out for the Steelers defense is big for the Steelers passing attack as their top corner and top pass rusher are off the field. This should give plenty of time for Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert to connect here. Allen has seen double-digit targets in three straight games.

Justin Herbert, QB LAC - Herbert had a tough game against Minnesota last week but as I mentioned, the Steelers are without two of their top defensive players tonight. Though expensive, the upside here as an MVP option is hard to ignore if you can fit him at the top of your lineup.

Austin Ekeler, RB LAC - The versatility is the appeal here. Ekeler makes impacts in both the running and passing game much like Najee Harris does for the Steelers. Ekeler always has the upside to be the top scoring player on the slate given the total yardage and multi-touchdown upside.

UTIL

Diontae Johnson, WR PIT - If you used Johnson as your MVP/CPT play tonight I certainly wouldn't blame you but I just worry about the touchdown upside as the Steelers passing attack has not been good this year and he only has three touchdown catches on the year. That said, the man gets a TON of targets and is great in PPR formats.

Pat Freiremuth, TE PIT - So, Eric Ebron was active last week and yet it was still Freiremuth who lead the tight end position in snaps, targets and routes run. I think it is safe to assume the rookie has risen above Ebron on the depth chart and therefore I am willing to keep rolling him out there. Big Ben loves his tight ends and Freiremuth has been a popular end zone target for him.

Mike Williams, WR LAC - Could very easily fit in the dart throw section. Williams has been a big time hit or miss play over the past few weeks. He is certainly going to find himself in lineups tonight but the fade could actually give you some upside over the field if he was to be a bust.

Chris Boswell/Dustin Hopkins, K - Both kickers are in play tonight. Boswell has a big leg with 50+ yard range with Hopkins also enjoying a strong season, going 17-of-19 on the year. If you are going to spend up on a few of the top priced plays, you need the kickers as a salary saver.

Chase Claypool, WR PIT - Yes, another Steelers WR to look at. Claypool is going to be active tonight but, like Mike Williams, he is a big time boom or bust play. Showdown slates are the perfect time to put him in your lineup and hope he and Big Ben connect on a big play.

Dart Throw

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR PIT - Last week we saw McCloud have nine catches on 12 targets for 63 yards. This was just the second game all season where he saw more than two targets. McCloud had taken over the role for JuJu Smith-Schuster but clearly the volume hasn't been there in any week other than the last. That said, maybe that performance opened some eyes on the Steelers sideline.

Jared Cook, TE LAC - The Chargers tight end position is in flux. Cook has certainly had his moments but we have also seen Darnold Parham Jr. find the end zone a few weeks back. I still trust Cook over the options at the position but this would be another low-owned play.