The Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams struggled at the start of the season, but they found a great rhythm down the stretch and carried the team into the playoffs. They'll have to contain the explosive Minnesota Vikings offense led by Sam Darnold on Monday Night Football of the Wild Card Round. Before multiple starters rested in Week 18, the Rams held three straight opponents under 10 points to defeat the 49ers, Jets, and Cardinals to secure a playoff spot. In those three games, the Rams forced five turnovers and had eight sacks. The unit was a top-eight DST in each of those three weeks. On the season, they ended up with 38 sacks and 20 takeaways. The Vikings gave up 49 sacks and had 21 turnovers in the regular season, but their big-play ability and the way they put up so many points makes the Rams DST a boom-or-bust flier play in their Wild Card matchup.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston did nothing right in a Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. Johnston was targeted five times and made no catches, the second game this season where he saw that many targets but still couldn't do anything with them. The play that encapsulated the NFL career of "QJ" so far was a fourth down route where he did not even get himself into first down territory, and then also just dropped the pass for good measure. Johnston showed some flashes this year of what made him a first-round pick in 2023, but he also showed some of what has Chargers fans hoping he's cut before next season begins.

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made two field goals in a disappointing Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. Dicker attempted two field goals and made them both, one from 35 yards and the other from 39 yards out. His one attempt at an extra point was blocked, scooped, and returned for a two-point conversion. Dicker ended up as the third-highest ranked fantasy kicker this season, and he should be right around that same level next season.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey was the lone bright spot of the Chargers Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday. McConkey was targeted 14 times, making nine catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. The rookie's touchdown was an 86-yard play and the only one the Bolts would score in the game. While McConkey made his nine catches for 197 yards, the entire rest of the Chargers offense made five catches for 45 yards total. It was a rough performance by the LA offense, but McConkey shone through and truly established himself as an every week fantasy starter in his rookie year.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly struggled his way through a rough loss in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans. Dissly was targeted five times, making two catches for 16 yards total. He dropped a pass while completely wide open and also was unable to catch a rather easy pass that he batted and turned into an interception instead. Dissly came on as a solid and reliable high-floor fantasy tight end in the second half of the season, but he was almost solely responsible for a 14-point swing in the most important game of the season for the Chargers. Dissly signed a three-year deal before the season, so he should be expected back with the Bolts, but they'll likely look for a more traditional pass-catching tight end either in free agency or in the draft.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards ran the ball seven times in a Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans. Edwards was not targeted in the passing game and turned his seven rushes into 22 yards. He looked out of gas most of the season, but was still solid enough as a backup to J.K. Dobbins when both backs were healthy. Edwards signed a two-year deal before the season, so he should be back with the Bolts next season along with rookie Kimani Vidal.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had the worst game of his career at a very inopportune time, losing 32-12 to the Texans in the first round of the playoffs. Herbert attempted 32 passes, completing just 14 for 242 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. He was also sacked four times, losing 31 yards. Herbert threw three interceptions all season. In 17 regular season games, he threw three interceptions. In one playoff game, he threw four. Herbert got no help from anyone besides Ladd McConkey, but it was still a rough performance from Herbert, who is still looking for his first playoff win.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins struggled in the Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans, along with almost everyone else in a Chargers uniform. Dobbins ran the ball nine times, gaining 26 yards. He was targeted once in the passing game but was unable to come up with the catch. Dobbins was excellent when healthy in his first year as a Charger, but this was a rough game to end the season on. The Texans were in the backfield on almost every play, pressuring quarterback Justin Herbert or stopping the Los Angeles run game. Dobbins was playing on a one-year contract with the Bolts, but he showed more than enough to earn himself another starting job next season if he doesn't stick with the Chargers.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had nine catches for 197 yards and a touchdown in a playoff loss to Houston. Dynasty Analysis: McConkey had 14 targets on the day, nine more than any other player on the Chargers. While Los Angeles will clearly add more talent at the position, McConkey has done nothing but impress this season and today's line just shows how good he's been. While not quite in the upper tier of pass catchers, McConkey is very well going to flirt with WR1 value next season unless the Chargers make a multitude of moves in the off-season. He's a strong hold after an impressive rookie season.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed just 14-of-32 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in a playoff loss to Houston. Dynasty Analysis: This one came out of nowhere as Herbert had thrown just three interceptions all season. If it wasn't for one long pass play for Ladd McConkey, it would have even been worse as well. The Chargers couldn't get anything going on the ground and Herbert was both inaccurate and unlucky in this one. In the end, this game really won't affect his dynasty value much, but it also won't be an indicator he's valued too lowly in dynasty leagues this off-season, either.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Texans running back Joe Mixon had 106 rushing yards and one touchdown in a playoff win over the Chargers. Dynasty Analysis: After recording at least 100 rushing yards in six of his first eight games this season, he had only found the century mark one other time all year. This was a welcome sight for dynasty managers as he looked like a running back with a lot of gas left in the tank. We'll see how he does moving forward in the playoffs, but vintage Mixon is certainly a solid hold in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was perfect in his team's 32-12 Wild Card victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, converting all three of his field goal attempts and all three extra points to help Houston advance. The longtime Texans kicker made easy work of a range of short and midrange field goals, making kicks from 41, 37, and 30 yards as Houston held the lead for the entire second half. The 30-year-old will have at least one more game as the Texans' win secured a place in the Divisional Round next week.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty had an up-and-down rookie season, but he finished on a very nice run and will hope to carry over his momentum into the Wild Card matchup against Minnesota this Monday. Even though the game had to be moved from Los Angeles, Karty will still be indoors since the game will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Karty finished the season on a high note, making all of his kicks against the Seahawks by nailing an extra point and four field goals, including two from over 50 yards away. On the year, he made 29-of-34 field goal attempts and 32-of-36 extra points. He went 13-for-13 on field goal attempts in the last six weeks and will look to continue that momentum when called upon Monday against Minnesota.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud shook off an awful first-half interception to finish 22 of 33 passing for 282 yards and a touchdown in helping his team defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the Wild Card Round. The sophomore quarterback also ran for 42 yards, which included a 27-yard scramble in the second quarter, his longest run of the season. Despite three offensive turnovers, Houston's offense was able to do more than enough in the second half to earn a postseason victory for the second straight year. Stroud completed passes to eight different receivers, but connected with Nico Collins seven times for 122 yards and a touchdown against L.A. The victory sealed Houston's place in the next round, where they will play an opponent to be decided on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III was the second option in the Houston passing offense on Saturday, catching four passes for 28 yards in a 32-12 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Alabama product was targeted eight times, which tied receiver Nico Collins for the most on the team, but brought in only half of them. With Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) both out for the season, Houston has yearned for another receiver to get in the mix behind Collins, and Metchie seemed to be the preferred next man up on Saturday. The victory assured Houston will have at least one more game with a Divisional Round date to be decided.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins put together a massive performance on Saturday in a Wild Card win against the Los Angeles Chargers, catching seven of his eight targets for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Texans overcame some early sloppiness to secure their second postseason victory in as many seasons, with the star receiver leading his team in all relevant receiving categories. The Michigan product scored the game's first touchdown, hauling in a 13-yard touchdown from quarterback C.J. Stroud, and Houston never trailed again. The victory secured Houston's place in the Divisional Round, where Collins and the Texans will take on an opponent to be determined Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee sustained a catastrophic knee injury last year in the Wild Card round against the Lions, but the veteran has worked his way back and is ready to contribute to the passing game as the Rams return to the same round on Monday Night Football against the Vikings. Higbee missed the first 14 games of the season but played in each of the last three. In his return, he scored a memorable touchdown to seal the team's Week 15 win against the Jets. That was his only catch of the week, and he added just one more catch in Week 16 in a limited role once again. While the rest of the Rams' starters rested in Week 18, Higbee continued his comeback by playing 27 snaps (41%) against the Seahawks. He hauled in five of his seven targets for 46 yards and a touchdown from Jimmy Garoppolo, but he'll be back to working with Matthew Stafford this week. He's a nice sleeper option this week since he has such a good rapport with Stafford, and the Vikings have been a neutral matchup for tight ends this season, ranking 13th against the position.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon overcame a rare fumble by helping his team secure victory with a 100-yard rushing effort and a game-clinching touchdown in the Texans' 32-12 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in a Wild Card playoff game. In total, the first-year Texan finished with 106 rushing yards on 25 carries and caught one of two targets for 13 yards. The veteran back's best work came after fumbling earlier in the game, breaking a streak of more than 1,000 touches without losing a fumble. Mixon rushed for 58 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown that iced the game, on Houston's final scoring drive. He and the Texans will advance to play a to-be-determined opponent in the Divisional Round.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington showcased some big-play potential last week in the regular season finale, and the Rams may need to be more aggressive in this week's matchup against the Vikings on Monday Night Football of the Wild Card Round. The sixth-round pick from Texas was involved early in the season when Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were injured. He had a combined 13 catches for 151 receiving yards in Week 4 and Week 5 but then sustained a shoulder injury that kept him limited for several weeks. Whittington stepped back in last week while the starters rested and caught three of his four targets for a team-high 86 receiving yards while also adding 12 rushing yards on two carries. Whittington does bring some sizzle and upside to the Rams' passing game, but his role is uncertain since the Rams rotate receivers behind the tandem of Nacua and Kupp. He's a dart throw play with upside for DFS contests on Monday.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Texans D/ST came up huge on Saturday in their Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers by recording four sacks, picking off quarterback Justin Herbert four times, returning one of the interceptions for a touchdown, and blocking a PAT for two points in a 32-12 victory. Herbert threw only three interceptions the entire regular season, but an overthrown ball near the end of the third quarter ended up in the hands of Texans defensive back Eric Murray, who coasted 38 yards for a touchdown. The next drive, a catchable ball bounced through the hands of Chargers tight end Will Dissly and to Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who nearly took another to the house. Later in the game, Houston blocked a Chargers extra point and returned it for two points that padded the lead, and formally clinched the game with a fourth interception. With the win, the Texans advanced to play a to-be-determined opponent in the Divisional Round.

From RotoBaller