NFL Week 4 | How to Tackle the Dublin Showdown Slate

The Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers meet in Dublin for an international game that’s shaping up to be one of the most unique matchups of the season. With a Vegas over/under of just 40.5 points, oddsmakers are expecting a defensive battle — and DFS players should prepare for a low-scoring, unpredictable showdown slate.

In this post, I’ll break down the game outlook, fantasy football strategy, captain picks, sleeper options, and lineup-building tips for DraftKings showdown contests.

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Game Outlook: Vikings vs Steelers in Dublin

International games are always tricky to project. Between the travel, time zone adjustments, and playing in an unfamiliar stadium, teams often come out sluggish. This leads to:

• Defensive battles with fewer explosive plays 🛡️
• Sloppy mistakes that can benefit kickers or defenses
• Special teams surprises that swing contests 🎲

With both the Vikings and Steelers leaning on strong defenses, don’t be shocked if this game turns into a grind-it-out affair.

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Showdown DFS Strategy: Story-Based Lineup Building

The key to showdown slates isn’t just picking the “best players” — it’s building lineups that tell a story. Ask yourself: How does this game play out? Then build rosters that match that script.

A few guidelines to keep in mind:

• Roster % Target: Aim for a total ownership between 125%–185%.
• Leave Salary: Don’t be afraid to leave money on the table 💰 — unique builds often separate you from the field.
• Game Script Builds: Test different structures, such as 4 Vikings/2 Steelers or even 5-1 stacks.

For this matchup, you’ll want to account for both a low-scoring slog fest and the chance of a surprise shootout.

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Captain Picks: Vikings vs Steelers

Choosing the right captain is crucial in DFS showdown contests. Here are the top options for this slate:

• Jordan Mason (Vikings) – Strong value and opportunity if Minnesota leans on the run game.
• Jordan Addison (Vikings) – High upside WR with lower ownership compared to Jefferson.
• Justin Jefferson (Vikings) – Always in play, but expect heavy ownership (20.4% captain rate). Consider fading him in captain to get leverage.

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Flex Plays & Sleeper Options

Beyond the captain slot, filling your flex spots with the right mix of safe and contrarian plays is where contests are won.

• Jaylen Warren (Steelers) – High-usage back if healthy. Even with limited practice, Pittsburgh relies on him heavily.
• Kickers (Chris Boswell, Will Reichard) – In low-scoring international games, kickers can provide steady points.
• Defenses (Vikings D/ST) – With sloppy play likely, turnovers and sacks could swing the slate.

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Key DFS Takeaways

1. Game Script First – Always project how you think the game plays out before building lineups.
2. International Chaos – Expect unpredictability in Dublin — defenses, kickers, and even low-owned sleepers are viable.
3. Leverage Ownership – Don’t chase the crowd; fading a high-owned captain like Jefferson can separate your lineup.
4. Use Tools Wisely – Advanced lineup builders can help balance roster percentages and optimize unique builds.

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Final Thoughts

The Vikings vs Steelers international showdown in Dublin is shaping up to be a gritty, low-scoring battle. For DFS players, that means embracing the chaos, telling unique lineup stories, and leveraging ownership to gain an edge. Whether you lean into defenses, kickers, or contrarian captain picks, the key is staying flexible and building with purpose.

👉 Who’s your favorite captain for this slate — Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, or a sleeper like Jaylen Warren? Drop your pick in the comments below!