Best lineup strategy for Chargers vs. Bengals Madden simulation Showdown

The Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals will face off in a Madden sim Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. ET. We break down the ideal Showdown lineup strategy for the DFS contest centered around the matchup. You can set your lineup at DraftKings.

Captain’s Picks

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers ($15,300)

The game’s best route runner is matched up against yet another poor secondary. The Bengals have one defensive back with an overall rating above 80. That won’t cut it against the talented pass catchers the Chargers have. Phillip Rivers has gotten the ball to the wideout pretty consistently, and he should get open plenty.

Mike Williams, WR, Chargers ($9,600)

Williams has proven that he can be just as effective as Allen at times and has put together some monster games. Captaining him could help you complete a Chargers stack with Rivers and Allen in flex spots with space for a big name from the Bengals as well in the flex. You could also consider Tyler Boyd ($7,400) here, as he’s been better than A.J. Green on more than one occasion.

Flex Men

Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers ($2,800)

Ekeler is just about even with Ingram in terms of overall rating and has value as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He’s a player who could poach a score down near the end zone. His touch volume might not be the highest, but he can get going without consistently having the ball.

Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals ($2,400)

Bernard is ridiculously cheap in these sims for an RB2 who actually gets touches. Although Joe Mixon is much more skilled, you having Bernard score a touchdown could pay off in a big way. If he’s a dud, you can make up for his production elsewhere.