Best lineup strategy for Vikings vs. Browns Madden simulation Showdown

The Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns will face off in a Madden sim Friday at 2:00 p.m. ET. We break down the ideal Showdown lineup strategy for the DFS contest that will be played in the snow. You can set your lineup and play in the DraftKings contest before kickoff.

Captain’s Picks

Cleveland’s defense has consistently been one of the lowest rated options in the all-day slate, so it’s safe to say it probably won’t be elite against the Vikings. Dalvin Cook ($12,600) will always be a popular option because of his continued dominance out of the backfield. He’s been able to produce quite a few 100-yard games and is among the leaders when it comes to rushing scores.

If you think this will be a big passing game, Adam Thielen ($11,400) and Odell Beckham Jr. ($14,700) are options to take a look at. Baker Mayfield ($15,900) seems like the better quarterback choice though. He doesn’t have the same consistent running back play and has a more dynamic receiving corps.

FLEX Men

Jarvis Landry ($6,800) is one of the better WR2s in Madden and can outperform OBJ at times. He’s Cleveland’s slot receiver, which helps him get some easy looks when working underneath near the goal line. Nick Chubb is a little too streak for my taste, but Kareem Hunt ($3,000) could be a quality value play against one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. Hunt’s pass catching could be effective against the relentless pressure Minnesota can bring at quarterbacks.