:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67002169/TB_v_Atl_6.20.0.jpg)
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 the Buccaneers and Falcons game that’ll take place at 12 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon.
Madden Stream: Broncos at Vikings
LIVE at 10 p.m. ET
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
Set your free to play lineups here: Madden Stream $1K FREE Contest (TB vs ATL)
SHOWDOWN STRATEGY
Buccaneers
It’s been a really strange stretch of games for Jameis Winston ($10,200), who hasn’t scored more than 5.4 DKFP in three straight games. If anything, he’s looked more like, well, real-life Jameis Winston. Over that span, he’s averaged just 154 passing yards with zero touchdowns thrown and four interceptions. We know that Winston has a high ceiling, as he still owns the best DKFP average amongst all the players in this game, but it’s certainly been scary to use him as of late.
Naturally, with Winston struggling lately, so has the offense. Mike Evans ($9,800) has been the only receiver to reach over double-digit fantasy points over the last three games, making five receptions for 74 yards against the Titans, good for 12.4 DKFP. Overall, I wouldn’t say Evans has exactly been the poster boy for WR1 numbers, as he’s seen an average of just 3.7 receptions, 57 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns scored. So then you’re thinking, maybe it’s Chris Godwin ($7,600) I should be looking toward. Well, Godwin is seeing even less volume, averaging 3.3 receptions with 48 receiving yards and eight touchdowns scored. He has even gone two games without making a catch, which is remarkable seeing as he’s the WR2 on this team. The most consistent receiver on this team has essentially been O.J. Howard ($7,000), making 4.1 receptions for 55.5 yards and scoring 11 times, good for a 12.8 DKFP average. Breshad Perriman ($4,400) has been a good value as well, but even he has gone two games without a catch, driving his average to under three catches a game and seven touchdowns scored. While these offenses can change on a dime, it has been a tough stretch for the Bucs.
Even with the Bucs struggling through the air, Ronald Jones ($6,600) is still doing nothing for this offense. He’ll occasionally pull out a weird game where he’ll reach double-digit fantasy points, but he’s been a total bust overall, averaging just 7.2 DKFP, 42 rushing yards and eight touchdowns scored. Peyton Barber ($2,600) has vultured some touchdowns as well with eight to his name, so if you’re looking to get a low-owned cheap player in, you could use him if you fancy.
Curious about when major leagues and events will return? Check out our DraftKings Sports Calendar for the latest updates.
Falcons
Matt Ryan ($10,800) has been playing better than Winston as of late, and if people are looking at the game logs, they may go toward him to use at QB. Ryan, of course, is the higher-rated quarterback and enters this game averaging 243 passing yards with 48 touchdowns and seven interceptions thrown, good for a 17.6 DKFP average. Ryan has had his fair share of inconsistencies as well, but he’s coming off two games in which he threw for at least 261 passing yards and two touchdowns in each contest. With a Bucs’ secondary that won’t give much push back, he, along with his receivers, should be able to excel in this spot.
Julio Jones ($10,400), who is the highest-rated player in this game at 98, has been posting some average numbers as of late. Over his last five games, he’s averaging just 10.4 DKFP with one touchdown scored and no more than 78 receiving yards in a particular game. I do really like this spot for him; however, as he has faced some really tough secondaries as of late like the Vikings, Broncos and Steelers. This is by far the softest matchup the Falcons have faced as of late. Calvin Ridley ($6,400) has emerged as one of their best touchdown threats on the Falcons, scoring 13 overall to go with 3.6 receptions and 57.5 yards per game. Ridley has the best speed on the Falcons at 93 and is only overshadowed by Breshad Perriman for the best in this game. Austin Hooper ($8,400) has really fallen out of this offense and is an easy fade for me here. He has scored less than double-digit fantasy points in seven straight games and only has five touchdowns to his credit. Amongst the Falcons players, he’s the one I have the least amount of interest in with how pricey he remains. Russell Gage ($4,200) isn’t seeing a ton of volume with just 2.2 receptions per game, but he has managed to find the end zone eight times. If you happen to get lucky, he would be a strong value play and would certainly bring low ownership. You’re likely going to need one of these off-the-wall plays if you’re hoping to nab the top spot in these massive field contests.
Devonta Freeman ($9,000) continues to be one of the strongest plays on the Falcons, which is saying something considering how many RB1s are just total busts. He’s doing it in both aspects of the game, averaging 65.7 rushing yards and 3.3 receptions with 18 total touchdowns scored. Freeman hardly ever comes off the field, and although he’s expensive, you get more consistent work from him than some of the top receivers on both sides.
THE OUTCOME
Speaking of Freeman ($13,500 CP), I think he makes for a really strong captain play as well. I know we’ve become used to fading these RB1, but he’s truly one that is worth paying up for. If you wanted to go a bit cheaper at this spot to try and fit more of these high priced guys in, Calvin Ridley ($9,600 CP) and his mid-range salary could do the trick.
Final Score: Buccaneers 24, Falcons 27
DEPTH CHARTS
Buccaneers
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20061081/BuccaneersDC.png)
Falcons
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20061083/FalconsDC.png)
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.