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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 Packers-Panthers game that will take place at 8 p.m. ET Sunday evening.
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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
Packers
Aaron Rodgers ($11,200) feels really overpriced ahead of this game against the Panthers. I’m struggling to figure out why I would pay a premium for him when he’s been so wildly inconsistent in these simulations. Look at his past five games for example: 19.4, 6.8, 22.4, 13.2 and 29.7 DKFP scored. Literally, all over the map. He hasn’t turned over the ball much with six interceptions thrown, but he’s averring just 226 passing yards. His 51 touchdowns are great but it’s not as if he’s doing work on the ground with his legs to justify this salary. He’s a hard pass for me here.
Davante Adams ($10,400) is by far the top receiver in this offense and his average of 4.3 receptions and 74 receiving yards per game showcases that. He’s also scored 18 times, which is one of the highest totals I’ve seen amongst the wide receivers. He’s almost always in double-digit fantasy point territory and with a true lack of guys you need to pay up for in this game, Adams is worth using. Marquez Valdes-Scantling ($5,200) is so much cheaper than Adams but the volume isn’t even close. MVS is averaging just three receptions and 52.2 yards per game while scoring only nine times. We’ve seen him blow up on a couple of occasions but he’s essentially just a nice complement to a Rodgers stack if you choose to go in that direction. Geronimo Allison ($1,800) is the best value on this team with his average of 3.2 receptions (better than MVS), 36.6 yards and six touchdowns scored. At his salary, he’s a near must, in my opinion. Jimmy Graham ($6,600) is likely a fade for me, as he’s seeing almost the same numbers as Allison but at $4,800 salary increase. Graham is averaging 2.7 receptions and 32.2 yards with only seven touchdowns. The tight end on the Panthers’ side is much more appealing anyway.
Like many RB1s, Aaron Jones ($8,400) is way too expensive for the lack of work he’s getting. He’s not catching out of the backfield and is averaging just 38.4 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Jamaal Williams ($2,600) is seeing over a catch a game and is way cheaper. To be fair, I don’t think it’s worth using either running back on this team, as both haven’t done enough to warrant attention.
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Panthers
Cam Newton ($10,800) looked as if he was starting to turn his sim season around but he’s fallen back into his old ways it seems. He’s averaging just 11.3 DKFP over his past five games, but he does present more upside than Rodgers and at a cheaper salary. Newton has rushed for five touchdowns and is averaging 206 passing yards per game. While I don’t deem it necessary to jam in Newton, he would be my preferred option to use at this position.
When Newton has been throwing the ball lately, it’s been going to his WR1 in DJ Moore ($9,200). Over his past five games, he’s averaging a ridiculous 22 DKFP with four touchdowns scored and at least 101 receiving yards in three of them. His 13.4 DKFP average overall shows how little he was used for quite a while but he’s been making up for it in a big way lately. Curtis Samuel ($6,200) was getting those WR1 numbers but has taken a step back with Moore being so busy. He’s only reached double-digit fantasy points in one of his past five games and hasn’t exceeded three receptions. He does have the fastest speed in this game amongst all the offensive players, so he’s always in play for me regardless of how little he’s produced. Greg Olsen ($7,600) was seeing some truly heavy volume until he’s made exactly three receptions in four straight games. Even with that trend, he’s averaging 3.7 receptions and 54 receiving yards with eight touchdowns scored. I would much rather use him over Graham with the Packers. Jarius Wright ($2,000) doesn’t see consistent volume but he’s a way to save some salary. He’ll occasionally reach over double-digit fantasy points, even with just three touchdowns to his credit.
Christian McCaffrey ($10,000) has rarely been worth his sky-high salary, as evidenced by his 13 DKFP average. Sure, he’s scored 16 touchdowns, but overall he’s rushing the ball an average of 59 yards per game and earning just 14 yards through the air. He would be a much better play if he was in the $7K-$8K range, not in the double-digits. Like the Packers, I’m not looking to use a running back on the Panthers either.
THE OUTCOME
This is a perfect game to use a receiver at the Captain spot and both teams present options to use. Davante Adams ($15,600 CP) is an obvious choice but his salary is extremely high. As I mentioned, I don’t think this is a game where you have to pay up for many players, so using Adams may not be as hard as you’d think. On the Panthers, either DJ Moore ($13,800 CP) or the speedy Curtis Samuel ($9,300 CP) could be a good fit in the Captain spot.
Final Score: Packers 20, Panthers 24
DEPTH CHARTS
Packers
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Panthers
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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.