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

Titans: QB Ryan Tannehill

Rams: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp

With Henry out for the forseable future, much more emphasis will be placed on QB Ryan Tannehill’s ability to throw and run the ball. Tannehill has rushing upside, we’ve seen it before as he has 20 or more rushing yards in four games and three total touchdowns this season and that was with Henry active.

The connection between Stafford and Kupp this season has been one that’s been impossible to stop. The Titans won’t be able to stop it with their putrid secondary. Kupp has seen double-digit targets in every game but one (last week he saw nine against Houston, a game that resulted in a blowout win). He has eclipsed 100 receiving yards in each of his last three with five total touchdowns. Stafford has acclimated himself well in this McVay offense with 300-plus passing yards in four of his last six games and five times overall. That should be the floor for him in this spot.

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

Captain Plays

RB Darrell Henderson (LAR)

WR A.J. Brown (TEN)

Henderson continues to be a workhorse with 15 or more touches in each of his last five games between rushing attempts and receptions. He should be leaned on heavily late if the scrip goes how I expect with the Rams playing with a lead.

Brown has seen 11, 11, and nine targets over the last three weeks and should see even more work now with Henry out. I understand that Brown could see a lot of Jalen Ramsey here but regardless he’s the best receiving option and playmaker by far for the Titans right now and Tannehill will have to throw the ball, especially in the second half.

Flex Plays

WR Robert Woods (LAR)

WR Julio Jones (TEN)

RB Jeremy McNichols (TEN)

WR Van Jefferson (LAR)

Value Flex Plays

TE Tyler Higbee (LAR)

RB Sony Michel (LAR)

TE’s Geoff Swaim and Anthony Firkser (TEN)

RB Adrian Peterson (TEN)

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN)

GOOD LUCK!