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

Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, WR Tee Higgins

Baltimore Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson

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

Captain Plays

WR Ja’Marr Chase (CIN)

• The Ravens pass defense has been brutal to start the season and Chase should be able to carve them up. Chase has seen nine or more targets in three of his four games to this point and should find plenty of success in this matchup.

TE Mark Andrews (BAL)

• Andrews is the passing target for Lamar Jackson, especially with Bateman already ruled out. Andrews has seen double-digit targets in two of his four games registering 50 or more receiving yards in three of four contests.

Flex Plays

• RB Joe Mixon (CIN)
• RB J.K. Dobbins (BAL)
• WR Devin Duvernay (WR)
• TE Hayden Hurst (CIN)
• WR Demarcus Robinson (BAL)
• K’s Justin Tucker (BAL), Evan McPherson (CIN)

Prop Bets

• Joe Burrow OVER passing yards (272.5, -115)
• Joe Mixon UNDER rushing/receiving yards (84.5, -115)
• Ja’Marr Chase OVER receiving yards (69.5, -115)
• Mark Andrews OVER reception (5.5, -135)

GOOD LUCK!