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 England Patriots: QB Mac Jones

Atlanta Falcons: QB Matt Ryan, RB/WR Cordarelle Patterson

*Patterson is a game-time decision. If he’s OUT I’d be replacing him with Mike Davis.

*NOTE: All plays above are obviously “Captain” viable

Captain Plays

RB Damien Harris (NE)

It’s always risky to roster a Patriots’ running back in any capacity but in the case of Harris, I would be pretty surprised if he doesn’t see the bulk of the volume here and that’s what we need from the Captain’s spot. Before his concussion, Harris had at least 15 touches in four straight games including 23 two weeks ago against the Chargers.

QB Matt Ryan (ATL)

The one sure thing about this game is that Ryan is coming in expecting a full workload. Cordarelle Patterson will be a captain in some lineups for me if he plays (game-time decision) but Ryan has 30 or more attempts in seven games this season and 40 or more on four occasions. With that kind of volume and questions at the running back spot it only makes sense to invest in Ryan at the captain’s position.

Flex Plays

RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NE)

TE Hunter Henry (NE)

WR Jakob Meyers (NE)

WR Kendrick Bourne (NE)

Value Flex Plays

TE Hayden Hurst (ATL)

WR Tajae Sharpe (ATL)

RB Brandon Bolden (NE)

J.J. Taylor (NE)

K’s Younghoe Koo (ATL), Nick Folk (NE)

Prop Bets

Kyle Pitts – UNDER receiving yards (69.5, -115) *placed on Tuesday

Jakobi Meyers – UNDER receiving yards (55.5, -115) *placed on Tuesday

Total – UNDER (47.5, -115) *placed on Tuesday

Kendrick Bourne – OVER receiving yards (33.3, -115) *placed on Wednesday

GOOD LUCK!