Steelers RB Duo Leads Way In Perfect Wild Card DFS Lineup For Steelers Vs. Texans

Here is the ideal DFS lineup for the AFC Wild Card matchup between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

Dec 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) is congratulated by running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The Houston Texans will go on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, closing Wild Card weekend. This highly anticipated AFC clash will feature some of the NFL’s top players, including star quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Aaron Rodgers. 

The fourth-seeded Steelers crept into the postseason bracket, defeating the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title in Week 18. On the other hand, Houston overcame a slow start to the season, winning each of their last nine games behind one of the top defensive units in the league. 

Fantasy football managers will have a plethora of quality contributors to pick from for Monday night’s DFS lineups, including the two star quarterbacks. Here’s the ideal DFS lineup for this AFC playoff showdown: 

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. | Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

There’s a real debate to be made between Rodgers and Stroud for quarterback help among DFS lineups. I’m going to pick the four-time veteran, coming off one of his best performances of the season against Baltimore in Week 18. Rodgers will line up behind a superior offensive line, despite a tough matchup against a stellar Texans defense. Still, Stroud will have his work cut out for him behind a lackluster offensive line against Pittsburgh’s pass-rush. With DK Metcalf set to return for a trending Steelers defense, I’m confident in Rodgers’ potential output in Monday night’s Wild Card matchup. 

RB1 - Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) rushes the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh’s running back duo of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell has helped the offense find consistent identity down the stretch of the season. The Steelers’ run game averaged 149.0 yards per game over the final four games of the season, featuring a healthy dose of both Steelers backs. Warren finished the season with career-high single-season marks in rushing yards, carries, yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns. Pittsburgh’s backfield tandem projects to continue its trend of volume on Monday night, presenting a safe floor to build on from a production standpoint. 

RB2 - Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) rushes for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. | Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Steelers’ team MVP, like Warren, is coming off a career year during the regular season. In his first season in Pittsburgh, Gainwell posted the first 1,000-yard campaign of his career, racking up 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns. In the run game, Gainwell totaled 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns, adding 73 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game. Considering his immense receiving upside, I feel far more bullish on Gainwell’s DFS output, compared to that of Woody Marks in Houston’s offense.

WR1 - Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Dec 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Nico Collins will be the runaway WR1 choice for Monday night’s DFS lineups. The Texans’ star wideout is coming off his third consecutive 1,000-yard campaign, racking up 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns over 120 targets, which ranked 17th in the league this season. Considering his massive target share, paired with a favorable matchup against a Steelers secondary that has shown numerous coverage lapses over recent weeks, Collins makes an easy argument as this lineup’s top wideout.

WR2 - DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Though his numbers took a dip in his first season in Pittsburgh, Metcalf emerged as Pittsburgh’s premier threat on the offensive side of the ball. In 15 games, he hauled in 59 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns. Throughout the season, the Steelers' passing game has relied on Metcalf’s playmaking ability, frequently finding the two-time Pro Bowler in space. I expect Rodgers to establish a connection with Metcalf early and often as Pittsburgh works to outlast one of the top two defensive units in the NFL. 

TE - Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) reacts after a catch against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at NRG Stadium. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Dalton Schultz makes a clear case to start for DFS lineups, though an argument could be raised for Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. Considering Schultz’s leg-up on Freiermuth from a production standpoint, I’m going to pick the No. 2 target in Houston’s passing attack. Schultz hauled in 82 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns this season, ranking sixth among all tight ends in targets during the regular season (106). With notable volume, another leg-up over Friermuth, this pick is an easy one.