Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (quad) will get his first career playoff start this Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams on the road. Darnold sustained a mild quad injury in last weekend's loss to the Detroit Lions but he is all systems go for the Wild Card round after practicing fully. The 27-year-old is coming off one of his worst starts of the season as Detroit was all over him last Sunday night, though he didn't do himself many favors. He'll line up against a Rams squad that's been a favorable spot for quarterbacks in 2024, letting up an average of 19.2 fantasy points per game -; the ninth-most in the league. The USC product was able to bounce back earlier in the season after a few subpar performances, and we'll see if he can do it again in a win-or-go-home situation. He'll clock in at RotoBaller's QB6 for the tournament's first round.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (illness) is officially questionable to play in the Wild Card playoff game on Monday against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Minnesota's final injury report of the week. He appeared on the injury report Friday, but Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Saturday that he expects the backup running back to be available come Monday. The veteran compiled 69 total yards last week at Detroit, his most productive game of the season, and figures to once again be the second man out of the Minnesota backfield behind starter Aaron Jones. But with a low volume of carries expected, Akers is a low-end RB2 for managers in playoff leagues.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (ankle) is officially active for Saturday's playoff game against the Houston Texans. Dobbins remained a limited participant throughout the week and will be a full go this afternoon. Dobbins missed time earlier this season due to a knee injury but looked strong in his return, tallying just under 70 rushing yards per game over the final two weeks of the season. During the first 11 games of the season, Dobbins was the workhorse of the backfield as he averaged 14.4 attempts per game while posting a strong 4.8 yards per attempt. Given his role, he carries RB1 upside in this matchup despite facing a tougher Houston Texans rushing defense.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) is officially active for Saturday's game against the Houston Texans. Johnston opened the week as a limited participant but was then downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday. However, he was able to return to limited participation during Friday's final practice session. In Week 18, the sophomore wideout enjoyed the best game of his career, tallying 186 yards on 13 receptions. This was the first time he caught double-digit passes this season and the second time he tallied at least 100 yards. Johnston is worth a look as a WR2 in DFS this afternoon as he will face a struggling Houston secondary that has allowed the 11th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) is officially active for Saturday's playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Metchie opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade each day, ending the week off with a full session on Friday. However, the wideout was unable to avoid a questionable tag. With Tank Dell (knee) sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Metchie to operate as the No.2 wideout this afternoon opposite of Nico Collins. Metchie carries some intriguing upside in DFS formats, as he could see a high volume of targets, especially if the Texans are trailing in this contest. He is worth a look as a high-floor WR3.

From RotoBaller

According to the team, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst and rookie running back Kimani Vidal are both inactive for Saturday's playoff game against the Houston Texans. Both Hurst and Vidal were not on the injury report but will sit out during the opening game of the NFL playoffs. Hurst has appeared in only nine games this season and averaged a mere 1.4 targets per game. Fantasy managers should expect Will Dissly to operate as the clear TE1 on Saturday afternoon. With Vidal sitting out, fantasy managers should expect J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to lead the backfield. Dobbins carries RB1 upside in this match, while Hurst should be viewed as a TE2.

From RotoBaller

According to Ian Rapoport, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) could miss next weekend's divisional playoff game if the Ravens were to advance. The All-Pro wide receiver was already ruled out for Saturday's wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after sustaining a knee sprain during Week 18. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but this does not seem promising. Rapoport said the wideout was "hobbling around the locker room" throughout the week. His practice status next week will provide clarity on his status. Fantasy managers should expect Rashod Bateman to operate as the top wideout on Saturday evening alongside tight end Mark Andrews. Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace, and Isaiah Likely could also see an increase in targets. Flowers enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign, tallying 1,059 yards and four touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Sean Clifford to the active roster before their playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Clifford will serve as the team's emergency third quarterback as both Jordan Love (elbow) and Malik Willis (thumb) battled injuries during the week. While both quarterbacks are off the injury report and do not carry a designation, Clifford would be eligible to enter the game if both quarterbacks were to face a setback during Sunday's contest. Clifford only attempted one pass in his professional career and completed it for 37 yards during the 2023 season. DFS players should view Jordan Love as a low-end option in DFS as he will face a tough Philadelphia defense, the third-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans tight end Teagan Quitoriano (calf) has been downgraded to out for Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. Quitoriano missed the final five regular-season games due to his calf injury, but the Texans opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week to return from Injured Reserve. They apparently didn't think the 24-year-old tight end made enough progress in practice this week to play this weekend. With Quitoriano missing yet another game, Cade Stover and Irv Smith Jr. will continue to serve as backups to starter Dalton Schultz. In his third year in the NFL with Houston in 2024, Quitoriano was not on the fantasy radar at all and didn't receive a single target in the seven games that he was active. He has only nine catches on 17 targets for 146 yards and two touchdowns in 23 career games.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Baltimore Ravens are hoping that wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) will be available next weekend in the Divisional Round of the postseason if they can knock off the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night in the wild-card matchup. Flowers suffered a right-knee sprain in the Week 18 win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns in the regular-season finale and was unable to practice all week, but hopefully a week off and he'll be ready to return if the Ravens take care of business. With the 24-year-old out, quarterback Lamar Jackson will have Rashod Bateman as his top wideout and will likely lean more on tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely through the air. Behind Bateman, expect Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace to see more snaps on offense against a tough Steelers defense.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (ankle) is expected to play on Saturday in Houston against the Texans on wild-card weekend, barring a setback during pre-game warmups. Dobbins was limited in practice all week and was listed as questionable for Saturday on Thursday's final injury report. It means that Dobbins should be LA's primary backfield option versus Houston after he led the team with 195 carries, 905 rushing yards (4.6 yards per tote) and nine rushing touchdowns in 13 games in 2024 in his first year with the team. Gus Edwards, who missed the last two regular-season games with an ankle injury of his own, will also return and be the primary backup for Dobbins. The Texans D was stingy against RBs this year, allowing the third-fewest half-PPR points per game, making Dobbins a low-end RB1 for playoff fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to pull out all the stops to try and beat the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card showdown on Saturday night, which includes using backup quarterback Justin Fields in the offense. Since Russell Wilson took over for the Steelers under center in Week 7, Fields has attempted just one pass while rushing seven times for 58 yards in four games, so it's hard to imagine him having a major role all of a sudden in the postseason. However, it's more reason to fade Wilson in DFS lineups against a Ravens defense that has played its best football at the end of the season. If anything, the Steelers could sprinkle Fields in a bit more on some run-pass option plays to try and keep Baltimore's defense guessing, but it most likely won't be enough to give Fields any kind of fantasy appeal.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz was one of the most consistent fantasy kickers in 2024, making 31 of his 34 field-goal attempts and all 46 of his extra-point tries in 17 games to put him as the No. 7 fantasy kicker. Since having the potential game-winning kick blocked in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Lutz has gone 13-for-13 on field goals and 27-for-27 on his extra-point attempts in seven games, so he's bringing a nice perfect streak into the wild-card playoff game in Buffalo against the Bills on Sunday. While the 30-year-old has been money for the Broncos, we'd suggest fading him on the road in frigid temperatures at Orchard Park in a game in which Denver is nearly 10-point underdogs. In addition, Buffalo allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game (5.9) to opposing kickers in 17 games this season.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele isn't going to be in many DFS or playoff lineups on wild-card weekend when the Broncos head to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. In his first 13 NFL games in 2024, Vele averaged 6.6 half-PPR points per game on 41 receptions, 475 yards and three touchdowns, putting him tied for 77th among all pass-catchers. Going into the postseason, Vele is essentially Denver's WR3 behind Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. That won't give anyone confidence to use him this weekend, but the Broncos should be in pass-first mode as nearly 10-point underdogs, and the Bills defense has allowed the most half-PPR points per game in the last five weeks, including over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. If Denver is forced to air it out on Sunday, Vele could be a sneaky flex play with more volume.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime is hard to recommend for fantasy lineups against the Buffalo Bills on wild-card weekend this Sunday as part of a three-man RB committee in Denver that also includes Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams. Estime did have 12 carries in the Week 18 win over the Kansas City Chiefs -- his second-highest total of the year -- but most of his work came in garbage time in a 38-0 blowout. In his first 13 NFL games in 2024, Estime averaged 4.1 yards per carry and only 5.8 rushing attempts per game. Opportunities are surely to be limited again this weekend in a game the Broncos are nearly 10-point underdogs on the road. The 21-year-old will probably only pay off as a flex play for fantasy managers if he finds the end zone, which he was only able to do twice this year. Estime has little upside as long as he's sharing touches with McLaughlin and Williams.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley heads into Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers fresh after sitting out the regular-season finale. Barkley was just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, finishing with 2,005 rushing yards in 2024. The Eagles have relied heavily on Barkley all season, with the star back accounting for 36.6% of the team's scrimmage yards, the highest percentage in the NFL this year. In Week 1, Barkley torched the Packers for 132 yards and three touchdowns, taking full advantage of Green Bay's frequent use of light boxes. With Jalen Hurts recently cleared from a concussion, expect Philadelphia to lean on Barkley and their top-ranked rushing attack, which averaged 36.5 rushing attempts per game this season. Barkley remains a must-start in all formats this week.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has cleared concussion protocol and is set to start Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Hurts missed the final two games of the regular season, but his return is a massive boost for Philadelphia's offense. Despite the Packers allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, their defense has struggled against dual-threat QBs. Hurts' rushing ability remains his most valuable asset, with a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024, including numerous scores via the Eagles' trademark "tush push." While his rushing volume could be slightly tempered following his concussion, Hurts' combination of passing and goal-line prowess makes him a top-tier fantasy play. Expect Hurts to anchor the Eagles' offense in their quest for playoff success.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) showed no signs of rust in his Week 18 return from Injured Reserve, catching four of six targets for 55 yards despite playing just 13 snaps. His efficiency in limited action against the Giants highlighted his readiness to contribute as the Eagles prepare to host the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. Green Bay has been strong against wide receivers this season, but their defense has been more vulnerable to tight ends, allowing 93 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns to the position. Goedert posted four catches against the Packers in their Week 1 clash and has proven reliable in high-stakes games. Reunited with quarterback Jalen Hurts for the first time since Week 13, Goedert is positioned to play a pivotal role in Philadelphia's air attack on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott wrapped up the regular season with a mixed performance, converting two of three field-goal attempts and nailing both extra points in the Week 18 victory over the Giants. Elliott's lone miss was from 39 yards, marking his first misstep inside 50 yards all season. As the Eagles prepare for the playoffs, Elliott's fantasy relevance will remain tied to the effectiveness of Philadelphia's high-powered offense. The more opportunities the offense creates, the greater Elliott's potential for meaningful production. With the Eagles boasting one of the league's most potent attacks, Elliott could find himself in key scoring situations against the Packers in the Wild Card round. Count on him as a reliable option if Philadelphia's offense is clicking.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams doesn't have much upside at all while involved in a three-man RB committee as the Broncos head to Buffalo on Sunday to face the Bills at Orchard Park in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Especially if the Broncos are forced to throw the ball often -- they are nearly 10-point underdogs in this one -- Williams' workload will most likely be light. It means that he'll probably need to find the end zone, which he's done only four times this season, in order to pay off for fantasy managers using him as an RB2 in DFS or playoff leagues. The 24-year-old had a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry on 139 rushing attempts in 2024 and just did not have the burst he showed early in his career. Williams had only five carries to Jaleel McLaughlin's 16 and rookie Audric Estimes's 12 in the Week 18 win over the Chiefs. Opportunities will be limited for Williams to do damage against Buffalo.

From RotoBaller