Best lineup strategy for Bucs vs. Saints Madden simulation Showdown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints will face off in a Madden sim Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET. We break down the ideal Showdown lineup strategy for the DFS contest that will be played in the snow. You can set your lineup and play in the DraftKings contest before kickoff.

Captain’s Picks

Michael Thomas ($15,300)

If I needed a TD from anybody in any simulation, I’d probably pick Thomas. He’s up to 14 TDs over 16 simulations and really never has a bad game. He’s as matchup proof as they get in Madden. Thomas has had at least 13 fantasy points in 12 of the past 13 simulations. That type of consistency deserves a reward and Thomas’ in this case is your Captain spot.

Ronald Jones II ($9,600)

This is sort of a crazy pick but the last time I watched the Saints in a sim, they got torched by Le’Veon Bell. I’m not saying Ronald Jones II is the same thing as Lev Bell. I am saying that New Orleans is susceptible to the run and Jones is the best option on the Bucs. Dare Ogunbowale ($2,400) would be my pivot play for some leverage.

FLEX Men

Breshad Perriman ($5,000)

Perriman is a cheap value WR with some upside. We get a lot of those in sim land. It’s been a while since Perriman hit double digits fantasy points but I’ve got a hunch he’s due. The Saints have decent corners but Perriman should get less attention than Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard. Perriman is known for his ability to break one and get to the end zone via his blazing speed.

Anthony Auclair ($1,200)

You’re probably scanning through the options in this contest and seeing a ton of guys you want to pay up for. Thomas, Drew Brees, Evans, Godwin, the list goes on and on. You really want to play all of them? Well, you’re going to need some value, my man. Come here and check out Auclair. He’s nice and cheap and doesn’t need to do much to return value! Plus, he’s got 3 TDs in sim land. That’s all we need to break the lineup.