David Jones 
I prefer a correlated lineup build that tells a compelling game story – a strategy that has proven to win more often than not. For a deeper dive into my general showdown rules, make sure to check out my “Daily Fantasy Football Showdown: Strategy for Building Winning Lineups” article. It’s essential reading for anyone crafting MME lineups, as player salary and team dynamics can impact each game’s approach.
Link To Strategy Article: https://windailysports.com/daily-fantasy-football-showdown-strategy/
Note on Quarterbacks:
I tend to not write up the quarterbacks because the wide receiver and tight end sections cover the matchups. The QB rankings are at the bottom of the article.
This is going to be a quick-hitting article this week. The most important part will be the rules at the bottom of the page. I did all the same research but did not have enough time to write up everything I found.
Washington Commanders
Running Back
Tier 1: Austin Ekeler: Like him in what should be a play-from-behind game for the Commanders
Tier 2: Brian Robinson Jr.
Punt: Jeremy McNichols: He will be on the field to block but should only benefit with touches if one of the other running backs gets injured
Wide Receiver
The Detroit Lions gave up the second most fantasy points to receivers in the 2024 regular season.
Tier 1: Terry McLaurin: He is a priority. He will have the highest target percentage and benefit from being on the outside more than the slot.
Tier 2: Olamide Zaccheaus
Tier 3: Dynami Brown: Feels like you are chasing here
Punts: Jamison Crowder, Luke McCaffrey
Tight End
The Lions only allowed 3 receiving TDs to tight ends the entire season. They allowed the least number of fantasy points to the position in the NFL. That is a scary thing to target, especially with the punts listed below.
Tier 2: Zach Ertz
Punts: John Bates, Ben Sinnott
Detroit Lions
You want more Lions than Commanders on every team you make on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Running Back
FanDuel gave us a nice gift today. David Montgomery is $5,000 because they did not adjust his salary after he was injured. Just go ahead and lock him into 100% of lineups there. This is reminiscent of when they did this with Puka Nacua against the Vikings and only 30% of the field rostered him because they were scared. It is an easy play. Just do it.
I will personally get all of my Montgomery exposure on FD, but if you are only playing DraftKings you can still play him (I don’t see why you wouldn’t take advantage of the discount on the other site though).
Tier 1: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery (FD Lock)
Tier 2: David Montgomery (DraftKings)
Punt: Craig Reynolds (he should be worthless with Monty back, he was even while he was out)
Wide Receiver
Tier 1: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Tier 2: Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick (one of my favorite punts on the slate)
Punts: Kalif Raymond, Allen Robinson (Last week Raymond played 6% of snaps while Robinson played 0%. The Lions could very easily just run St. Brown, Williams, and Patrick)
Tight End
Tier 1: Sam LaPorta
Punt: Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra (in that order)
FanDuel MVP and DraftKings CPT Picks –SNF Showdown
I want a high-usage player at MVP on FanDuel, like a quarterback or a workhorse running back. You need the highest-scoring player, not the best value. Since the salaries do not change from flex to MVP on FanDuel, the value at the MVP is not a priority. Take the points up top.
On DraftKings, you look for the best “value” in the mid to high price range.
- FanDuel MVP Tier 1: Jarred Goff, Jayden Daniels, Jahmyr Gibbs
- FanDuel MVP Tier 2: St. Brown, McLaurin
- DraftKings CPT Tier 1: Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels
- DraftKings CPT Tier 2: St. Brown, Williams, LaPorta, Gibbs, McLaurin
- DraftKings CPT Punts: Patrick, Zaccheaus
Best Value: Tim Patrick, Olamide Zacceaus, Jameison Crowder
Flex Rankings Tier 1:
- David Montgomery (FanDuel)
- Jared Goff
- Jayden Daniels
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Terry McLaurin
- Jameson Williams
- Sam LaPorta
- Olamide Zaccheaus
- David Montgomery (DraftKings)
- Austin Ekeler
- Zach Ertz
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Jake Bates
- Tim Patrick
- Dyami Brown
- Lions D
- Zane Gonzalez
Flex Rankings Tier 2: (Don’t play more than 1 Tier 2 or Tier 3 guys)
- Jameison Crowder
- Luke McCaffrey
- Brock Wright
- John Bates
- Kalif Raymond
Fadeable Flex Punts: (Don’t play. More than 1 Tier 2 or Tier 3 guys – will probably fade them all)
- Washington D
- Ben Sinnott
- Allen Robinson
- Shane Zylstra
- Craig Reynolds
- Jeremy McNichols
- Lawrence Cager
Best Rules for the slate:
We have two very condensed offenses. You don’t have to get too cute tonight.
- Lock in David Montgomery on FanDuel or lose
- Lock in more Lions than Commanders or lose
- A Lions RB scores every week. Something to consider locking in on a one-game slate.
- Lock in at least one QB (both together are fine)
- Pair Goff with 2 pass catchers
- Pair Daniels with at least 1 pass-catcher
- Fade the Commanders Defense
- I am not forcing a kicker, I will be low on Zane Gonzalez
- Play at least 2, Gibbs, Monty, St. Brown, Williams, Patrick. LaPorta
- Running it back with one WAS pass catcher (RB, WR, TE) makes a lot of sense
- Ekeler or a WR is the best spot on paper
- Stack your kicker with at least one skill player (I am not forcing a kicker)
- Someone has to move the ball down the field
- Don’t play more than one WAS RB
- You can play both Gibbs and Monty on the same team
- Don’t play more than 1 Tier 2 or Tier 3 guys
