Beasts of the NFC East?
Considering what we’ve seen from the other two teams in the division thus far the Eagles and Cowboys look to be the best two teams in the division in what could be one of the weaker foursomes in the NFL when all is said and done. Both teams feature dynamic playmakers and strong quarterback play. However, neither team has shown much desire to play defense to this point so look for this one to be a high-scoring affair.
NOTE: All pricing references pertain to DraftKings
Showdown Strategy
When Showdown slates first became available I was not a big fan simply because I don’t often like change. When these slates were designed we hadn’t ever seen anything like them in the DFS world. Come to realize a few years later I really enjoy them. On a normal slate with multiple games, I would typically describe myself as a cash game player primarily. That’s where my focus typically lies; cash games/single entry tournaments and from there I’ll build lineups for multi-entry GPP contests. For me, the cash game/single entry strategy kind of goes out the window as I’ll hardly if ever play double-ups and single-entry contests in showdown. Instead, I’ll take a core of players, more than often three to four players in the game that I want in virtually every lineup, typically 20 or so, that I build. The core will usually include both quarterbacks and one to two skill players that I have to have. Like much of fantasy football volume is king but it comes with a price. The wrinkle is the captain’s spot in showdown lineups. The captain’s spot generates 1.5 times the amount of fantasy points scored however a player’s salary goes up in the captain’s spot obviously. Locking in a core and deciding on a captain is how I’ll start building lineups. From there I’ll fill in the rest of the spots with correlation and value plays. Don’t be afraid to get a little weird with these lineups because virtually anything goes!
Core Plays
Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb
Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts
Dak threw the ball just 27 times last week but was incredibly efficient completing 23 of those passes for 237 and no touchdowns. Don’t expect that to be the case this week against an Eagles secondary that has looked strong thus far but that’s been against a bad Falcons team and a 49ers squad that has no desire to throw the ball as it is. Dak will be able to throw at will here and look for him to continue to target CeeDee Lamb. Lamb has seen 15 and nine targets over the first two weeks and will have no trouble finding mismatches here. Jalen Hurts is a weapon throwing the ball and running it which has me lean towards using him solo in the core of my lineups. With at least 62 yards rushing in his first two games and seven attempts in Week 1 and 10 in Week 2 it’s clearly in Nick Siriani’s game plan to have Hurts run the ball.
*NOTE: All plays above are obviously “Captain” viable
Captain Plays
*Captain plays will always be options other than those mentioned in the “core plays” section.
RB Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)
In two games last season Elliott had 19 carries in each along with five total receptions between the two matchups. Zeke really hasn’t gotten going yet which has been somewhat concerning, especially after a brutal game Week 1. Last week’s game showed some flashes of the past but was still lacking. Tony Pollard ate into some of Zeke’s production with a touchdown which also was somewhat concerning. Regardless, no one will play Zeke in the captain’s spot and in a few lineups I’ll be willing to take that chance against a team that Elliott has had some big games against in the past.
WR Devonta Smith (PHI)
Smith is a nice value in the captain’s spot at $10,800 whereas another candidate in Miles Sanders is priced at $12,000. Smith has seen eight and seven targets in his first two games and although five of those targets were unrealized last week, he’s still a mismatch for Dallas here and he’s clearly built an early relationship with Jalen Hurts.
Flex Plays
WR Cedric Wilson (DAL)
Wilson slides in as the number three receiver for Dallas with Michael Gallup injured. With Amari Cooper banged up Wilson is a nice value in an offense that will run a lot of plays in a potentially high-scoring game.
RB Miles Sanders (PHI)
Sanders is a pivotal part in the R.P.O for the Eagles but saw just 14 touches last week. Keeping in mind that the 49ers’ defense is tough, Sanders posted just 6.90 DraftKings points. In a softer, faster-paced matchup, Sanders will be more heavily involved and more successful.
Also consider:
WR Amari Cooper (DAL)
TE Dallas Goedert (PHI)
RB Tony Pollard (DAL)
K’s Jake Elliott (PHI), Greg Zuerlein (DAL)
Value Flex Plays
GOOD LUCK!!