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

Dallas Cowboys: QB Dak Prescott

• Dak has to make a statement here that he belongs under center for the Cowboys as there have been questions raised of late. The Chargers are allowing the most passing yards per game (299.8) in the league. They allowed Kirk Cousins to throw for 367 yards, Tua Tagovailoa to throw for 466, and Ryan Tannehill to throw for 267. Dak is coming off a piss poor effort against the Giants last week. This should be a bounceback spot.

Los Angeles Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer

• When Mike Williams went down Palmer got a big boost in playing time and along with that have been an increase in routes run and targets. Palmer has seven and eight targets in the last two games, despite not recording a high number of receptions or yardage. The volume is there and the salary he brings with him is very affordable.

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

Captain Plays

QB Justin Herbert (LAC)

• Herbert has been on fire to start the season throwing seven touchdowns to just one interception. While Herbert underwhelmed a bit last week (228/1), his previous two games were more like what we expect (405/3) in Week 2 and a Week 3 effort which produced 305 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys’ defense looks a bit fraudulent and they’ll have their hands full here.

Others to consider:

• WR Keenan Allen (LAC)
• RB Tony Pollard (DAL)

Flex Plays

Dallas Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb (WR)

• Thus far the Chargers have allowed six different receivers to eclipse 75 yards receiving. Outside of 11 receptions for 143 yards receiving in Week 2 against the Jets, Lamb has been slow to get going in what appear to have been good matchups. This is another one of those perceived good matchups for him to exploit.

Others to consider:

• WR Brandin Cooks (DAL)
• RB Austin Ekeler (LAC)
• TE Jake Ferguson (DAL)
• TE Gerald Everett (LAC)
• WR Michael Gallup (DAL)

GOOD LUCK!