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

Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen

• This one is pretty self explanatory. As Allen goes, so do the Bills whether he’s throwing the ball or running it. Granted, this is a tough Jets defense, but Allen is one of the core plays to lock in here.

New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson

• Wilson was solid last season against Buffalo in two games going 8/92 and 6/78 with some of the worst quarterback play we’ve ever seen on an NFL field. Wilson is in store for a massive year with the good vibes of the Jets and Aaron Rodgers singing his praises.

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

Captain Plays

WR Stefon Diggs (BUF)

• Despite the tough matchup and the high price tag, Diggs should be targeted heavily here as the true alpha that he is. Last season it was a mixed bag against the Jets but I expect close to double-digit targets for Diggs and that’s what we want out of the captain spot.

Others to consider:

• QB Aaron Rodgers (NYJ)
• RB James Cook (BUF)

Flex Plays

New York Jets: WR Allen Lazard

• Lazard came over to the Jets at the request of Aaron Rodgers and he will have an impact as the WR2 for this team. Priced favorably at $6,400, Lazard should see a lot of action opposite Wilson.

Others to consider:

• TE Dalton Kincaid (BUF)
• RB James Cook (BUF)
• RB Dalvin Cook (NYJ)
• RB Damien Harris (BUF)
• RB Michael Carter (NYJ)
• WR Randall Cobb (NYJ)

Player to Fade

Buffalo Bills: WR Gabe Davis

• With the tough Jets secondary to battle against, I don’t love this spot at all for Gabe Davis. I would suspect that the Jets will bracket Stefon Diggs and thus leave Sauce Gardener one on one with Davis for the majority of the night. That is not a favorable matchup for Davis.

GOOD LUCK!