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
Philadelphia Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts
- In crappy weather in a game where the Eagles tried to lost against the Patriots in New England, Hurts had a sub-par game for his standards. Hurts threw for just 170 yards and one touchdown while also losing a fumble. The weather wasn’t great and the Pats defense is solid so I’m gonna give Hurts a pass. Against a bad Vikings defense that let Baker Mayfield move the ball on them, I like his chances a lot more this week.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson
- Needless to say that this is where the Vikings focus will be. Expect Cousins to have to throw a ton again and for J.J. to be a hog in the passing game. The Vikings will have a tough time running the ball so going to the air will be the focus.
*NOTE: All plays above are obviously “Captain” viable
Captain Plays
WR Devonta Smith (PHI)
- Smith saw 10 targets Week 1 just as WR A.J. Brown did. For some reason between the two this feels like a Smith game for me. With the offense not being great last week, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Eagles look for high-percentage completions early with Smith being one of the focal points.
Others to consider:
- QB Kirk Cousins (MIN)
- WR A.J. Brown (PHI)
Flex Plays
Philadelphia Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert
- Last season in Week 1 Devonta Smith had zero catches. In the two weeks following that bagel, Smith went off. The Eagles came out and said flat out that they needed to get Goedert involved after seeing just one target in Week 1 despite being on the field for 61 of 66 snaps. I’ll have a lot of Goedert.
Others to consider:
- TE T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
- WR K.J. Osborn (MIN)
- RB D’Andre Swift (PHI)
- WR Jordan Addison (MIN)
- RB Rashaad Penny (PHI)
- RB Ty Chandler (MIN)
Player to Fade
Minnesota Vikings: RB Alexander Mattison
- Aside from the fact that I don’t think Mattison is any good, the Eagles are very tough to run on. Mattison sucked Week 1 logging 34 yards on the ground on 11 carries. His day was salvaged with a receiving touchdown late, not something we can rely on with him. Expect the Vikings to be trailing and having to throw the ball.
GOOD LUCK!