In Monday night’s Showdown, the Arizona Cardinals visit the Los Angeles Rams for their third battle this season. For a breakdown of this game, check out Rich Hribar’s Fantasy Football Worksheet.

At just over a field goal, we have one of the shorter spreads of the wildcard games. Roster constructions should be more evenly distributed than the last two prime-time showdowns.

Strategy

Lineups with five Cardinals are projected to be utilized nearly 5% while five Rams are less than 1% higher. There is a larger gap in the 4-2 construction, with four Rams >30% compared to four Cardinals <20%. 3-3 builds should be the most utilized, approaching 40%. As a starting place for differentiation, I would look to go under the field on the 3-3 build in favor of the 5-1 onslaughts for each team as well as the four Cardinals construction.

Cooper Kupp should be the most rostered CPT (18-24%) and total (75-77%). One could argue for going underweight, but simulations have him almost 34% to be the top-scoring player, so you could go overweight for leverage if you prefer. Kyler Murray is likely next (11-16% CPT) but it is unclear after that. Matthew Stafford (7-12%) may be next, with Christian Kirk, Zach Ertz, and Sony Michel all projected above 6%. If you pivot away from Kupp, Stafford could make sense if he happens to spread it around and Kupp fails to get any TDs at his high salary. Alternatively, you could instead focus on the run game. I like going overweight on the WR2s and RBs based on these ownership projections, especially Odell Beckham Jr. and A.J. Green. If you do stick with Kupp at CPT,  consider the building as if all of the receiving production comes from him and including Murray instead of stacking with Stafford.

DK Values

  • Antoine Wesley ($1800)
  • Chase Edmonds ($5000)
  • Sony Michel ($7800)

DK Leverage

  • James Conner ($9400)
  • Cam Akers ($6600)

DK Build Ideas

  • Max 1 DST, Max 1 K
  • Max 2 depth WR/TE/RB
  • Negative boost same team RBs
  • If CPT QB, include one depth option in stack 
  • If CPT RB, negative boost opposing DST/K
  • If CPT WR/TE boost team QB and force at least 1 QB (either team)
  • Cumulative ownership under 250%
  • Leave salary unspent 

FD Values

  • Zach Ertz ($9000)
  • A.J. Green ($8000)

FD Leverage

  • James Conner ($13,000)
  • Players $8000 or less besides Green

FD Build Ideas

  • No K or TE at MVP
  • Focus on 3-2 build construction
  • No solo CPT in 1-4 construction
  • Negative boost opposing QBs (Lineups with both only win 30%)
  • If WR CPT, boost QB
  • QB is overused but RB and WR are underutilized at MVP
  • Don’t stack 3 pass catchers from the same team
  • Don’t force the max salary

For more optimizer build rules to consider, check out the list for each DK and FD here.