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

Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler

Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes

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

Captain Plays

TE Travis Kelce (KC)

• JuJu Smith-Schuster has been coming on lately but with him out, the ball is back fully in Travis Kelce’s court it would appear. Despite strong linebacker and safety play, specifically from Derwin James on the back end, Kelce is unstoppable. He’s seen seven, 17, eight, and 10 targets over his last four games and will be looking to avenge a modest five-catch, 51-yard effort early in the season against these Chargers.

Others to consider:

• RB Austin Ekeler (LAC)
• RB Isiah Pacheco (KC)

Flex Plays

• WR Kadarius Toney (KC)
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (KC)
• WR Keenan Allen (LAC) – Questionable
• WR Mike Williams (LAC) – Questionable
• WR Joshua Palmer (WR)
• K Harrison Butker (KC)
• K Cameron Dicker (LAC)
• RB Jerick McKinnon (KC)

Prop Bets

• Isiah Pacheco OVER rushing yards (56.5, -115)
• SGP: Patrick Mahomes 250+ yards, Mahomes 2+ pass TD’s, Ekeler 30+ receiving yards (+130)
• Kadarius Toney OVER longest reception (19.5, -125)
• SGP: Austin Ekeler ANYTIME TD, Travis Kelce ANYTIME TD (+200)