Best lineup strategy for Rams vs. Steelers Madden simulation Showdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams will face off in a Madden sim Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET. We break down the ideal Showdown lineup strategy for the DFS contest. You can set your lineup and play in the DraftKings contest before kickoff.

Captain’s Picks

Todd Gurley ($12,900)

I know Gurley is no longer a member of the Los Angeles Rams, having gone to the Atlanta Falcons, but in sim land things are January 2020. That means we get prime Gurley on the Rams. He’s got a TD in three of the past four games and consistently puts up solid games. That type of floor makes Gurley a strong Captain’s pick.

Vance McDonald ($9,300)

My off-the-wall Captain is McDonald, who has been the best receiver for the Steelers in these simulations. He leads Pittsburgh receivers with 14.2 fantasy points per sim. This is mostly thanks to a massive 45-point outing against the Colts a few weeks ago. That type of ceiling makes McDonald an even better Captain. Worst case, he has an OK floor game.

FLEX Men

Brandin Cooks ($7,000)

Surprisingly the Rams passing attack is pretty balanced, so all their three wideouts get about an equal share of the catches. At least that’s reflected in the fantasy point totals. Cooks is cheaper than both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods and has been just as productive as Woods. So we save $800 and we get basically a similar play in Cooks. I think you need to fit in as many WRs as possible in most of these Showdown contests.

James Washington ($5,400)

Surprise, surprise, another wide receiver! Washington is a cheap speedster who has five TDS over the past four sims. Outside of a dud vs. the Bears, Washington has been lights out and he’s extremely cheap. CHEAP WIDE RECEIVERS. SAY IT WITH ME NOW. Washington makes too much sense in this Showdown.