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

Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Najee Harris

Minnesota Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Justin Jefferson

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

Captain Plays

RB Alexander Mattisonn (MIN)

• With Dalvin Cook more than likely out Mattison will be the lead volume back for the Vikings with virtually no one challenging him for touches in the backfield. Now, if Cook plays this obviously changes but we’ll have to monitor the news as the day goes on. With Cook out last week Mattison handled 25 total touches and earlier in the season under similar circumstances he had 32 touches (Week 3) and 32 touches (Week 5).

WR Diontae Johnson (PIT)

• Aside from Harris, Johnson is the focal point of this offense and mainly the passing game. He’s seen double-digit targets in five of his last six games with 11, 14, 13, and 13 over his last four. Minnesota’s secondary continues to be a weak spot and although Ben can’t drive the ball downfield like he used to, he can get it into Johnson’s hands regularly.

Flex Plays

QB Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)

Pat Freiermuth (PIT)

TE Tyler Conklin (MIN)

WR K.J. Osborn (MIN)

K Chris Boswell (PIT)

WR James Washington (PIT)

WR Dede Westbrook (MIN)

Prop Bets

Diontae Johnson – OVER receiving yards (80.5, -115)

Pat Freiermuth – UNDER longest catch (16.5, -110)

Najee Harris – OVER rushing + receiving yards (100.5, -115)

Kirk Cousins – OVER passing yards (249.5, -115)

K.J. Osborn – OVER receiving yards (34.5, -115)

GOOD LUCK!