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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 Dolphins and Cowboys game that’ll take place at 4 p.m. ET Friday afternoon.
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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
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SHOWDOWN STRATEGY
Dolphins
After completely dominating these simulations for a long stretch, Ryan Fitzpatrick ($10,600) fell hard in his last game against the Rams. Passing for only 142 yards, it was an abysmal performance from the oft-reliable quarterback. This matchup isn’t going to get much easier against a tough Cowboys secondary, so I’m not crazy about using him in this game. When you consider on the other team is a very mobile quarterback that is seemingly hogging the ball as of late, it’s hard to justify using Fitz in this spot.
As you imagine, with Fitzpatrick playing as well as he has (except that last game) it’s meant some big scores from his receivers. One player who hasn’t necessarily joined that party has been DeVante Parker ($9,000). Over his past five games, he’s averaging just 10 DKFP with only one touchdown and no more than four receptions in four of those games. With some of the value we have on the Dolphins, I think Parker is a fade candidate. Mike Gesicki ($7,000) has also hit a bit of a rough patch as of late, but he’s still averaging 4.3 receptions, 59 yards and six touchdowns scored. He’s $2,000 cheaper and is in a better matchup than Parker. Jakeem Grant ($4,200) continues to be one of my favorite values on the Dolphins. He has the best speed in this game at 96 and has scored 10 times. The volume isn’t heavy for him but he has a chance to break off one of those long, downfield receptions and thus getting all the fantasy points you’d need from him on one catch. Albert Wilson ($5,400) is another cheap play to consider as he’s been seeing some good volume lately, averaging 5.2 receptions over his past five games. At his mid-tier price point, he’s a solid way to offset using some of the expensive Cowboys players.
The only running back you should use in this game on the Dolphins’ side is Patrick Laird ($1,600), who finally saw a bump up in his salary. It’s hardly a deterrent, as it’s laughable how cheap he is. Overall, he’s averaging 36 scrimmage yards per game with five touchdowns scored. Getting that production at such a low price point is a near must.
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Cowboys
As I mentioned earlier, Dak Prescott ($11,200) has been a ball hog for the Cowboys, which is great for him but not necessarily the rest of his team. He’s a great one-off if you wanted to use him as the only player on the Cowboys, as he’s averaging 18.5 DKFP per game, which is the highest amongst all the players in this game. He’s not afraid to run the ball in either, as he’s done so six times through 28 games. Prescott presents some really strong upside so if you have the salary to use any Cowboys players, he’s the choice.
With the lack of consistent passing yards from Prescott, who is averaging just 171 per game, it’s hurt his receivers. The WR1 in Amari Cooper ($10,400) is averaging just 3.3 receptions and 44.4 receiving yards. He has scored 16 times, which is great but he’s been another expensive receiver that’s hard to trust. I do think this is a good matchup for him, however, so you may get some decent ownership on him. Jason Witten ($8,200) is very old but Madden doesn’t care about that. He’s averaging 3.4 receptions, 39 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns scored. It’s weird to say he’s a bit safer than Cooper, as he’s $2,200 cheaper with nearly identical numbers. Michael Gallup ($7,800) is almost always a fade for me. He’s not scoring, he doesn’t get heavy volume or gains many yards with his limited opportunities. With the value on the Dolphins’ side, I don’t see the need to use Gallup.
The other Cowboys player I do want in my lineup is Ezekiel Elliott ($9,800). He’s one of the true RB1 that gets almost all the work and is actually worth his salary. We see so many of these running backs that are so overpriced and simply don’t get the work. Elliott is not one of those guys and his average of 92 scrimmage yards per game is a good indication of that.
THE OUTCOME
Dak Prescott ($16,800 CP) is the most expensive captain to use but probably the safest of everyone. Even if he’s not going through the air much, he brings a very safe floor with the use of his legs. Ezekiel Elliott ($14,700 CP) is another name that I don’t necessarily need to mention to you but am anyways. If you want a long shot value to jam in some expensive players in your flex, Jakeem Grant ($6,300 CP) is my guy.
Final Score: Dolphins 21, Cowboys 27
DEPTH CHARTS
Dolphins
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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.