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

Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Darrel Williams

Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert

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

Captain Plays

TE Travis Kelce (KC)

• Kelce’s last three games have been less than desirable from a fantasy point of view relative to what we’ve come to expect from him. In this matchup, though, Kelce is set up well from a price perspective and a matchup perspective. The Chargers leave the middle of the field open quite a bit which is where Kelce operates. He’ll be my highest-owned captain tonight.

RB Austin Ekeler (LAC)

• The do-it-all running back for the Chargers is game script agnostic as a weapon in the run and receiving game. Ekeler had 11 carries and six receptions in the first matchup between these two earlier in the season and he has continued to shine in receiving department with at least five targets in four of his last five games.

Flex Plays

• WR Keenan Allen (LAC)
• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)
• WR Mike Williams (LAC)
• TE Jared Cook (LAC)
• WR Tyreek Hill (KC)
• WR Byron Pringle (KC)
• WR Josh Palmer (LAC)

Prop Bets

• Patrick Mahomes – OVER rushing yards (18.5, -115)
• Patrick Mahomes – UNDER passing yards (284.5, -110)
• Tyreek Hill – UNDER receiving yards (80.5, -115)
• Justin Herbert – OVER longest rush (10.5, -120)
• Keenan Allen – UNDER receiving yards (72.5, -115)
• Darrel Williams – OVER receiving yards (17.5, -120)

GOOD LUCK!