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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Tom Brady, WR Mike Evans

Dallas Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott

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

Captain Plays

WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL)

• With Amari Cooper hitting the road, all eyes are on Lamb now as the top receiver of the Cowboys. Despite a rocky season from Lamb last year, many people think this will be his breakout and I tend to agree. Not better way to start it off than on the first Sunday Night game of the season.

WR Mike Evans (TB)

• I mentioned him above as a core play but with the receiving core in question for Tampa, specifically with Chris Godwin banged up, Evans should find himself benefiting from a massive opportunity share from Tom Brady. Evans showed to be a weapon in the red zone last season and that won’t change here.

Flex Plays

• Leonard Fournette (TB)
• Dalton Schultz (DAL)
• Julio Jones (TB)
• Tony Pollard (DAL)
• Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)
• Rachaad White (TB)
• Cam Brate (TB)

Prop Bets

• Tom Brady OVER rushing yards (0.5, -110)
• CeeDee Lamb OVER receptions (5.5, -155)
• Dalton Schultz score a TD (+170)

GOOD LUCK!