Madden Stream: Panthers vs. Cowboys DraftKings Showdown Strategies, Depth Charts and Captain’s Picks

We’re all in need of some entertainment during these times of the unknown. DraftKings is doing its part by offering Madden simulations with a variety of teams going at it. For this piece, we’ll focus on Tuesday’s 10:00 p.m. ET Panthers-Cowboys game.

Set your free to play lineups here: Madden Stream $1K FREE Contest (CAR vs DAL)

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The settings for this and all other Madden games are as follows:

GAME INFORMATION:
Difficulty: All-Madden
Game Style: Arcade
Event Type: Exhibition
Even Teams: Off
Quarter Length: 8 minutes
Accelerated Clock: On
Play Clock: 20 seconds

For all info on settings and upcoming games, click HERE.

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SHOWDOWN STRATEGY

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton ($10,000) may be playing for the Patriots now but he’ll remain on the Panthers in these simulations. He’s been treading water as of late, averaging 12.1 DKFP over his last five games with four touchdowns thrown and an interception. He hasn’t been using his legs much either, posting no more than three rushing yards in three of his last five games. With how well Dak Prescott has been playing, he would be by preferred option.

Despite the struggles with Newton as of late, DJ Moore ($8,800) has been getting the most attention. Over his last five games, he’s made at least seven receptions in three of them and is averaging 20 DKFP over that span. Until he cools off, I think he’s the best receiver to take on this team against the Cowboys. Curtis Samuel ($7,000) has one of the best speed ratings in this game at 95, which is the highest among offensive players. Samuel has taken the biggest overall hit with Moore playing so well, as he’s averaging only 8 DKFP over his last five games. Nonetheless, he’s still a great mid-tier option who can get downfield. Greg Olsen ($7,800) continues to see some consistent volume and is averaging just over four receptions and 59 yards per game. The only issue here is that he’s scored eight times, making him more of a risky play if he’s not going to see many targets in this game. With that said, the Cowboys offense doesn’t present many options you need to pay up for, so Olsen is someone you’ll likely find yourself using regardless.

Christian McCaffrey ($9,600) is finally seeing a drop in his salary but he’s still way too expensive. For someone who has the highest overall rating in this game at 99, you would think he’d be performing better than his 13.1 DKFP average. He’s been able to score three times over his last two games, which has helped out fantasy owners immensely, but I’m not a big fan of his matchup against the Cowboys’ run defense. I think with how expensive he is, you’re betting off saving $400 and using Ezekiel Elliott.

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Dallas Cowboys

It’s been great that Dak Prescott ($10,600) has been doing so well in these simulations, unless, of course, you’re one of his receivers. He’s thrown for under 200 yards in three straight games and only two touchdowns in that span. It’s a big reason he’s averaging only 11 DKFP in that span. However, he’s a big threat on the ground and has run the ball in six times. He’s a really good option to use alone as a captain and load up on the Panthers, as his receivers have really felt his lack of passing as of late. Regardless, in this matchup, he should thrive against a very poor Panthers secondary.

Amari Cooper ($10,200) is the WR1 in this offense, but you wouldn’t know it from his overall numbers. He’s averaging 3.2 receptions and 42 receiving yards but has scored 16 times. He, along with Jason Witten ($6,600), seem to be his go-to options in the red zone. Witten isn’t getting big volume either at 3.4 receptions and 39 receiving yards, but he’s also much cheaper than Cooper. I hate to say that Witten is the safer option over Cooper, but it certainly feels that way. Of course, Cooper has the higher ceiling, but it’s been rare to see those types of games out of him. Michael Gallup ($6,200) continues to be overpriced. Despite his $400 discount from Witten, he’s averaging 2.7 receptions, 30.4 yards and has only scored four times. You’re much better off with using the Panthers receivers in the same salary range. Randall Cobb ($5,000) is another player I’m not looking to go out of the way to use. He’s reached double-digit fantasy points in five of the 30 game played by the Cowboys. Not exactly the type of production you’re looking for, even at $5,000.

Ezekiel Elliott ($9,200) continues to be one of the most consistent RB1 in these simulations. He draws a good matchup tonight against an average at best Panthers run defense. Overall, he’s averaging 91 scrimmage yards per game with 23 touchdowns scored, all of which have come on the ground. Pairing him with Prescott should cover all your bases with the touchdowns scored by the Cowboys and is likely the only two Cowboys I’ll be looking to take.

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THE OUTCOME

As mentioned with Elliott, I think Prescott ($15,900) and Elliott ($13,800) are the two safest options you can take at the captain spot. This game doesn’t have a number of options I like so it’s likely a game where you’ll have to pay up at the captain spot.

Final Score: Cowboys 27, Panthers 21

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DEPTH CHARTS

Panthers

Cowboys

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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Steveazors) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.