Due to the DraftKings Dream Stream airing Cornhole Mania in the afternoon, there will be four Madden sims lined up for this Saturday, including a two-game classic slate that includes the two evening contests, kicking off at 8:00 p.m. ET and 10:00 p.m. ET. In the first game in primetime, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West contest. We’ll switch coasts and head to the AFC East for the late game as the New England Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins.
As in all of these Madden 21 sims, it’s important to know that each roster is not impacted by COVID-19 opt-outs, injuries, suspensions or illness and that the highest-rated options have been placed at the top of the depth charts. The roster for each team includes all player movement that occurred prior to Week 1 of the 2020-21 season and uses the Madden 21 ratings from Week 1 of this season.
For more details, you can find the game settings, depth charts, abilities and X-factors for each team in Madden 21 along with the upcoming schedule on the Madden Stream info page. There were a few tweaks to the X-factors and Superstars in the latest December update, so be sure to check the depth charts of each team.
Check out the daily DraftKings Madden Stream contests lobby with paid contests for real cash prizes now available alongside free contests. Each simulation will be played out computer vs. computer via an online Madden Stream using Madden 21. In this format, you can enjoy watching the game stream on the DraftKings YouTube channel, the DK Live app (download here) or right here in this post.
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Quarterback
Stud
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, $7,800 — This will be the sixth time in these Madden sims that the Seahawks and Cardinals go head-to-head. Wilson has been the more productive of the two QBs in those matchups, averaging 24.6 DKFP per contest with over 28 DKFP in three of those five previous meetings. Wilson had a rough run of low-scoring performances a few weeks ago, but he has been excellent again lately, with over 25 DKFP in three straight sims and over 20 DKFP in seven of his nine most recent matchups. He averages 61.6 rushing yards in addition to 189.0 passing yards per sim, and he has totaled 105 touchdowns in 57 games. Although he is the most expensive QB on this short slate, he makes the most sense as long as you can find other spots to save.
Other Option — Kyler Murray ($7,200)
Value
Cam Newton, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, $6,600 — This will be the seventh time that the Patriots and Dolphins have gone head-to-head, and Newton has been the better QB option in most of those contests since the Patriots have such a strong defense. Newton has over 16 DKFP in each of their six earlier meetings and has averaged a solid 20.9 DKFP. Newton hasn’t run as often as the top two QBs listed above, but he has thrown for 218.3 yards per sim and totaled a solid 98 scores in his 58 sims.
Running Back
Stud
Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, $6,800 — Breida has had to carry the load when the Dolphins have faced the Patriots since Tua Tagovailoa ($5,500) has struggled. Breida wasn’t the full-time RB1 and third-down back early in Madden 21, but he has racked up over 13 DKFP in three of his four matchups against the Patriots since taking over the top role, including 21.5 DKFP in one of those meetings. Breida has been a little boom-or-bust throughout these sims, but his PPR work makes him a solid option with a high ceiling. He has a much better track record against the Patriots than the other workhorse back, Kenyan Drake ($6,700) has against the Seahawks.
Value
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, $4,200 — While Hyde is only the power back for the Seahawks, he gets plenty of work in his timeshare with Chris Carson ($4,800) since Seattle uses so many power formations. Hyde has at least four catches in six of his past seven games with over 8.0 DKFP in five of those sims. He had a touchdown and 12.9 DKFP in his most recent matchup with the Cardinals and would be a great cheap play if he gets near that production again or continues to be so involved as a receiver out of the backfield.
Other Options — James White ($4,500), Sony Michel ($4,300)
Wide Receiver
Stud
N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, $5,700 — All the top WRs on this slate have been inconsistent, but Harry has usually been very good against Miami. Harry has averaged 12.6 DKFP in his six matchups with the Dolphins with over 14 DKFP four times. He totaled 15 catches over his past two games against Miami, and also has a two-touchdown performance against them earlier in the Madden 21 sims. Harry also comes in off of back-to-back big performances with 21.2 DKFP against the Broncos and 36.7 DKFP against the Bears.
Other Options — DeAndre Hopkins ($6,300), DK Metcalf ($6,200)
Value
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, $5,300 — Edelman has also had good numbers against the Dolphins’ secondary, with at least three catches in each of their previous meetings. Edelman has averaged a solid 4.7 catches per contest over his 58 sims, so even though his yardage total hasn’t been great, he’s typically a solid midrange target due to PPR points.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks, $4,100 — Fitz has been a solid PPR producer for Arizona as well, although he doesn’t have ratings high enough to go off for huge totals. He has averaged 3.7 receptions in his 56 appearances while piling up 11 touchdowns, one of which came against Seattle in a nice 17.2-DKFP performance. That’s about as high as the ceiling is for this veteran option, but at just over $4K, he is a low-risk, reliable option to consider on this short slate.
Other Options — Tyler Lockett ($5,000), Damiere Byrd ($3,900), Jakeem Grant ($3,800), Albert Wilson ($3,500)
Tight End
Stud
Devin Asiasi, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, $5,300 — If Asiasi had been as good in real-life as he has been in these sims, the Patriots may not have had to go out and pick up Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in free agency. Asiasi has been very productive in his 58 sims, averaging 4.0 catches and 42.7 yards per contest while totaling 24 touchdowns. Asiasi had 22.1 DKFP in his most recent game against the Dolphins and had over nine DKFP in four of his five earlier matchups with them in Madden 21. He is a reliable play and also brings a high ceiling to this contest.
Other Option — Mike Gesicki ($5,400)
Value
Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, $4,200 — Olsen gets a good matchup against the Cardinals, who have been one of the most generous teams in Madden to opposing TEs. He only had one catch against them in their most recent matchup but posted 13.2, 12.4 and 12.4 DKFP in their prior three meetings. He is a very solid producer at this level and deserves consideration as a flex play even if you go with one of the two AFC East options in your TE slot.
DST
Stud/Value
Seahawks DST at Arizona Cardinals, $3,100 — The Seahawks and Patriots are two of the best defenses in all of Madden and are both available on this two-game slate. The Seahawks have a better average due to their advantage in sacks (131-to-95) over the Patriots, and they have scored 10 touchdowns to go with 54 takeaways in 57 contests. In their most recent game with the Cardinals, Seattle posted 6.0 DKFP after posting 14.0, 2.0, 16.0 and 11.0 DKFP in their prior meetings with Arizona. Kyler Murray ($7,200) has been turnover prone at times in these sims with seven interceptions and 18 lost fumbles. The matchup sets up the Seahawks for another big sim.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Z.Thompson) 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.