Bounce back game

There’s no hiding the fact that the Green Bay Packers looked like absolute dog shit last week against the Saints and that starts at the top with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers and company will aim to bounce back at home against one of their division foes in the Detroit Lions. As for Lions they start a new chapter with Jared Goff taking over for Matthew Stafford and it looks like they will have a rough season overall, especially from a defensive standpoint. The script would appear to show that the Packers should be able to put point up on the board and with how bad the Green Bay defense looked last week Detroit might be able to put some points up of their own. Let’s see how this one shakes out!

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

Green Bay Packers: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams

Detroit Lions: QB Jared Goff, RB D’Andre Swift

The Packers will bounce back offensively in a much softer matchup at home and that production will start with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. The offense funnels to Adams and against a secondary that won’t have any answers I expect a monster effort from the top quarterback-receiver duo in the league. Goff completed 37 passes last week against San Francisco as the Lions were trailing by a ton and I expect a similar type of volume on Monday night from him. Eight of his passes went to running back D’Andre Swift who accumulated 65 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. Swift is the primary receiving back for the Lions even though we saw Jamaal Williams with eight receptions as well but I believe that was an anomaly. Swift was on the field for 65 snaps while Williams was just featured for 32 thus I lean on Swift here a bit more.

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

Captain Plays

*Captain plays will always be options other than those mentioned in the “core plays” section.

WR Davante Adams (GB)

It’s tricky as far as salaries go but Adams is the optimal captain in this game and it’s not close. No one sees more of a target share or gets force-fed the ball than Adams. The former Fresno State receiver saw a 33 percent target share last season and had the most red-zone targets (27) of any receiver in the NFL. He should flourish in this matchup.

TE T.J. Hockenson

Hockenson had 10 targets resulting in eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown last week against the 49ers. Without any difference-making receivers to speak of, Hockenson should be considered the first option in the passing game for Goff and company. The Lions will have to lean on Hockenson to keep up in a game that I think has shootout potential.

Flex Plays

RB Aaron Jones (GB)

Like the rest of the Green Bay offense, Jones had a nightmarish effort against the Saints picking up just nine yards on five carries. Green Bay will want to establish the run I’m sure however how much will they run the ball with Jones in this game is my concern. Will I have Jones exposure? Yes, but I’ll be treading lightly with him and might be willing to take a few shots on another Packer running back.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB)

MVS can be extremely frustrating at times, just ask Aaron Rodgers. However, there’s a ton of upside with the receiver as he can virtually get behind any secondary with his speed. He saw eight targets last week and could see similar attention this week.

Also consider:

TE Robert Tonyan (GB)

RB Jamaal Williams (DET)

Value Flex Plays

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)

• Looks to be the the top option at receiver on the depth chart with Tyrell Williams out and he’s just $2,400.

RB A.J. Dillon (GB)

• While I’m aware that Aaron Jones is the starter Dillon looks to have a roll here regardless and at $3,000 I’m willing to roster him in more than a few lineups.

WR Quintez Cephus (DET)

WR Randall Cobb (GB)

GOOD LUCK!!