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
New York Jets: RB Michael Carter
Indianapolis Colts: QB Carson Wentz, WR Michael Pittman
The Jets have been a different offense under Mike White at quarterback and Michael Carter has been the ultimate beneficiary. In two games the White has started Carter has had 19 touches (11 carries, eight receptions) and 24 touches (15 carries, nine receptions). Despite the game script, Carter will be involved and he’s too affordable to not lock in.
Over the Colts’ last five games Wentz has thrown at least two touchdowns in each contest and his primary wide receiver target has been Michael Pittman, but more on him in a minute. In two of the last three weeks, Wentz has been game scripted out as far as attempts go with 26 attempts against San Francisco (30-16 Colts win) and the game before that with 20 against the Texans (31-3 win). In a more competitive game last week in which the Colts fell short 34-31 Wentz attempted 51 passes. In fact in six of eight games this season Wentz has at least 30 attempts and I expect him to eclipse that in this game. Pittman saw 15 targets last week and has at least 86 receiving yards in three of his last four games with three total touchdowns. The former USC standout has seen double-digit targets three times (15, 12, and 12) in eight games.
*NOTE: All plays above are obviously “Captain” viable
Captain Plays
RB Michael Carter (NYJ)
*See above
RB Jonathan Taylor (IND)
Much like Carter above, Taylor is effective regardless of the game script and he’s had at least 15 touches in seven of eight games and has 100 or more total yards in each of his last four contests. Taylor has come through with at least 21 DK points in five straight games and the Jets defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Flex Plays
QB Mike White (NYJ)
WR Jamison Crowder (NYJ) – Way too cheap at $7,800
WR Zach Pascal (IND)
WR Elijah Moore (NYJ)
RB Ty Johnson (NYJ)
Value Flex Plays
TE Mo Allie-Cox (IND)
K’s Michael Badgley (IND), Matt Amendola (NYJ)
RB Marlon Mack (IND) – Dart throw at $800 that could see more time now that the trade deadline has passed.
GOOD LUCK!