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
Cleveland Browns: RB Nick Chubb
*NOTE: All plays above are obviously “Captain” viable
Captain Plays
WR Amari Cooper (CLE)
- In a game that should be a smash mouth as it gets, there is room for a feature receiver to produce and that is Cooper. After seeing 10 targets last week, look for Cooper to get chances against Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt-less defense.
WR Diontae Johnson (PIT)
- Johnson has seen 22 targets through two weeks hauling in six and seven receptions respectively. Against a Browns secondary that let Joe Flacco torch them last week, look for a high-volume effort for Johnson.
Flex Plays
- RB Kareem Hunt (CLE)
- QB Jacoby Brissett (CLE)
- TE Pat Freiermuth (PIT)
- WR Chase Claypool (PIT)
- QB Mitch Trubisky (PIT)
- WR George Pickens (PIT)
- Browns D/ST
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE)
Prop Bets
- Kareem Hunt UNDER rushing yards (44.5, -110)
- Najee Harris UNDER rushing yards (56.5, -115)
- Nick Chubb OVER receiving yards (8.5, -115)
- Diontae Johnson OVER receptions (5.5, -115)
- Kareem Hunt OVER receptions (2.5, +120)
GOOD LUCK!