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

San Diego Chargers: QB Justin Herbert

• If the Chargers offense is gonna get going and be the team that everyone seems to think they are every year then it needs to start with Herbert. Austin Ekeler is still banged up and the Bears pass defense is brutal. This is a great spot for Herbert to make a statement and go 350 and 3.

Chicago Bears: WR D.J. Moore

• Moore has seen nine, 10, eight, and nine targets in his last four games and with Tyson Bagent starting again I don’t see that target share decreasing at all. The Chargers have been weak against the run all season but if the script of this game goes like I and many others expect, the Bears are going to have to throw playing from behind.

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

Captain Plays

WR Keenan Allen (LAC)

• Allen has been the mest, least talked about receiver in the NFL to this point. He’s sixth in the league in receiving yards and has four touchdowns. Through six games Allen has seen nine 10, 20, five, 11, and nine targets. Look for him to push double-digit targets again in a great matchup.

Others to consider:

• RB Austin Ekeler (LAC)
• RB D’Onta Foreman (CHI)

Flex Plays

Los Angeles Chargers: WR  Joshua Palmer

• Since Mike Williams went down for the season, Palmer has filled in the second receiver role and has done an admirable job. Palmer has seen at least seven targets in each of his last four games. Despite not posting massive yard totals (over 100 yards in just one of those games) the usage is there and this is a matchup he can exploit.

Others to consider:

• QB Tyson Bagent (CHI)
• RB Roschon Johnson (CHI)
• TE Gerald Everrett (LAC)
• WR Darnell Mooney (CHI)
• WR Quenton Johnston (LAC)

GOOD LUCK!