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

Indianapolis Colts: QB Matt Ryan

Denver Broncos: QB Russell Wilson, WR Courtland Sutton

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

Captain Plays

RB Melvin Gordon (DEN)

• With Javonte Williams out for the year, the Broncos have come out and said that they are going to lean on Melvin Gordon. Whether or not this tactic lasts for the duration of the regular season is yet to be seen but for at least this contest look for Gordon to be the workhorse while the Mike Boone and Latavius Murray people get sucked in.

WR Michael Pittman, Jr. (IND)

• There is some trepidation here as MPJ will have Patrick Surtain likely following him around for the majority of the night. The fact is, though, that Matt Ryan will be locking in on MPJ, especially with Jonathan Taylor already ruled out making the already struggling running game that much worse.

Flex Plays

• WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN)
• RB Nyheim Hines (IND)
• TE Mo Allie-Cox (IND)
• WR Alec Pierce (IND)
• WR K.J. Hamler (DEN)
• RB Deon Jackson (IND)
• K Brandon McManus (DEN)
• Denver D/ST

Prop Bets

• Mo Allie-Cox OVER receiving yards (18.5, -110)
• Nyheim Hines OVER receptions (3.5, -120)
• Melvin Gordon OVER receiving yards (12.5, -110)
• Melvin Gordon ANYTIME TD (+115)
• Jerry Jeudy OVER receptions (3.5, -160)

GOOD LUCK!