Week 3 NFL DFS Primer: Browns vs. Steelers Thursday Night Showdown Slate (2022)

Thursday Night Football viewers can sound the sad trombone for this week’s matchup after last week’s fun contest. The AFC North showdown between the Steelers and Browns might feel like a throwback game. Or, it might end up more like a throw-up game. Still, even the disinteresting contests are opportunities to win money in showdown slates. So, let’s look at the players who gamers should use and analyze roster construction ideas.

Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Spread: CLE -5.0 Points

Over/Under: 38.5 Points

Steelers Analysis: Pittsburgh's offense has been gross. Matt Canada's offense looks wretched, despite having talented pass-catchers. Pittsburgh's offense has pathetically scored two touchdowns in 2022. In addition, their season-high for total yards of offense is 267. Seriously, they're pitiful.

Trigger-man Mitch Trubisky remains a sub-par starter after one year as a backup in Buffalo. He's only listed on the table as a flex option for gamers who use Diontae Johnson as their MVP/Captain.

Johnson is the only exciting player from the Steelers. The slick route-running wideout is a target sponge. According to Sports Info Solutions (SIS), he's seventh in Target Share (31.4%) this season. In addition, Johnson has reached double-digit targets in both games, securing 13 receptions for 112 yards. Finally, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Johnson is tied for the team lead in routes (75).

The co-leader for routes is Chase Claypool. The big wideout is third on Pittsburgh in targets (11), receptions (eight) and receiving yards (44). Obviously, Claypool's numbers have been underwhelming. However, the third-year receiver's usage in Week 1 was eye-catching. Claypool handled six rushes, scampering for 36 yards. Claypool's intriguing usage and salary are reasons to consider him,

Pat Freiermuth has been more productive than Claypool in the passing attack. The second-year tight end is second for the team in targets (16), receptions (nine) and receiving yards (97). He's also splashed paydirt. Finally, Freiermuth is Pittsburgh's best red-zone weapon. Trubisky has attempted only four passes in the red zone this year, and two have been directed to Freiermuth.

Browns Analysis: First, Cleveland's defense is a viable bargain selection at DraftKings if Myles Garrett suits up. However, if he's out, the Browns' defense is an easy fade.

Nick Chubb is the runaway most exciting player on this single-game slate. He's a special runner and on fire to open the season. Chubb rushed for 141 yards in the opener and had 113 scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns in Week 2.

Further, his work has impressed PFF. They have awarded him the second-highest rushing grade among running backs. Additionally, Chubb is tied for first in 10-plus-yard rushes and alone atop the heap with 19 missed tackles forced running, six more than the second-highest total.

In addition, the matchup is tasty. According to Football Outsiders, the Steelers are 18th in rush defense Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) this year. Last season, they were 27th in rush defense DVOA. Finally, the game script should be good for Chubb, with the Browns favored by five points.

Cleveland's rushing attack can also provide Kareem Hunt with enough touches to pay off on this slate. According to our snap counts, Hunt has played 52% of Cleveland's snaps compared to Chubb's 53% snap share. Hunt has also edged out Chubb in routes, running 34 versus 25 for Chubb. Finally, even as a complement to Chubb, Hunt has hit precisely 15 touches in both games and averaged 72 scrimmage yards and three receptions per game, reaching paydirt twice.

The following table shows the receiving stats for Cleveland's wideouts on the above table, including routes, Yards Per Route (Y/RR), Average Depth of Target (aDoT) from PFF, snap share from our snap counts and Intended Air Yards and Target Share (Share%) from SIS.

Amari Cooper has been Cleveland's most productive receiver through two games. Further, he's coming off of an excellent game, hauling in nine receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. Still, he was quiet in the opener, securing three receptions on six targets for 17 scoreless yards.

Meanwhile, Donovan Peoples-Jones was a target hog in Week 1 with 11 before disappearing with one in Week 2. Nevertheless, he's on the field regularly. DPJ's aDoT is also eye-catching. The speedy wideout had a 17.0-yard aDoT as a rookie in 2020 and a 15.6-yard aDoT in 2021. So, his 8.8-yard aDoT should reduce DPJ's volatility if it sticks. Moreover, his ability to stress defenses deep hasn't disappeared. As a result, I like DPJ more than Cooper on the single-game slate, salary considered.

Finally, rookie David Bell had the first reception of his career in Week 2 after posting a bagel in Week 1. He played 18 of his 22 passing snaps in the slot in Week 2. Further, at his short aDoT, Bell can be Jacoby Brissett's safety valve if Pittsburgh can generate a pass rush. Thus, it's possible to tell yourself a tale of Bell hauling in a few passes.

Final Thoughts: The Browns are home favorites, and my lineups will be Cleveland-heavy. I don't suggest using more than two players on the Steelers on DK rosters, and a 5-to-1 build unbalanced toward the Browns is an excellent lineup construction, too.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant - which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections - to our Waiver Wire Assistant - that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much - we've got you covered this fantasy football season.

Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.