Sunday Playoff Preview
Sunday Playoff Preview The Divisional Round continues Sunday with a pair of games. FullTime Fantasy‘s Sunday Playoff Preview breaks down the slate from a fantasy football and sports betting perspective. And just because the fantasy regular season has ended doesn’t mean the fun is over. FFWC Playoff Fantasy Football is a great way to extend the fantasy fun and win amazing prizes! Los Angeles Rams (11-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) Time: 3:00 Eastern Line: Eagles -6 Total: 44 Money Line: Rams +233, Eagles -273 Rams Offense The Rams pulled off the “home” upset last week in Arizona, but traveling into freezing Philadelphia is different. Stafford has been significantly better since getting Puka Nacua back into the lineups. However, a forecast of sub-freezing temperatures and a 70% chance of snow doesn’t bode well. Therefore, Stafford’s RDA* projections aren’t favorable. Matthew Stafford outdoors in the rain or snow: 1-8 54.6 completion % 14 TD 11 INT 76.0 rating (via @TBagleySports) pic.twitter.com/Cp17f3IkDt — SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 16, 2025 Only Kansas City allowed fewer fantasy points to running backs than Philadelphia. However, Kyren Williams remains a good play due to his position-leading snap-share. Additionally, Williams is a three-down back and a dependable short-yardage option with a nose for the stripe. Puka Nacua caught 9-of-13 targets for 117 scoreless yards against the Eagles in Week 12. He remains the focal point of LA’s offense but should expect more intense coverage from an improving Philly secondary. However, with the volume potential is this game as the Rams’ only reliable pass-catcher, Nacua tops our RDA* projections. Back in the day, Cooper Kupp was that dependable, volume-driven option in LA’s offense. However, his efficiency eroded to the point that Kupp barely factored into the Rams’ offense over the past month. With a tough matchup and adverse conditions, I wouldn’t bet on a rebound here. Demarcus Robinson will be the main WR3 and offers some DFS appeal. At tight end, Tyler Higbee is rounding into shape. Higbee was the TE13 in the final three regular-season weeks. Additionally, he reeled in all five of his targets for 58 yards in the Wild Card win. Conversely, this is a tough matchup for Higbee, as the Eagles allowed just 9.3 fantasy points per game to the position–second-fewest in the league. Eagles Offense Jalen Hurts essentially missed Philadelphia’s final three regular-season contests and looked rusty last week. That said, no Eagles fans are complaining about a 22-10 victory. That same formula worked in Week 12 when Hurts and the Eagles beat the Rams 37-20 despite modest numbers from Hurts. Also, weather could force the Eagles to a more ground-based approach. Especially considering they posted 314 rushing yards against this opponent in Week 12. Saquon Barkley was the main catalyst of that thrashing, running for 255 yards and two touchdowns. We’re projecting about half of that production in the rematch. However, Barkley still tops our Week 20 RDA* projections. Despite destroying the Rams on the ground, A.J. Brown still caught six balls for 109 yards and a TD in his previous outing with the Rams. Brown remains an elite option against a secondary that ceded 20 touchdowns to wideouts in 2024. DeVonta Smith missed Week 12 but has been heating up. Smith has topped 50 yards in four consecutive games, including a pair of outings with 100-plus and three combined TDs. In a game where weather could hamper downfield attempts, Smith’s underneath role could be key. Dallas Goedert is a sneaky pick to have a big game. The Rams allowed 15.2 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends–the third-highest mark in the NFL. Baltimore Ravens (13-5) at Buffalo Bills (14-4) Time: 6:30 Eastern Line: Ravens -1 Total: 51..5 Money Line: Bills -106, Ravens -114 Ravens Offense Sunday’s Main Event takes place in the late window, as the Bills and Ravens square off to earn a trip to next week’s AFC title game. Buffalo has not won in the Divisional round since 2020 and will be home underdogs to a Ravens squad that humbled them 35-10 back in Week 4. In that game, Lamar Jackson only threw for 156 yards and two scores. However, he ran for 54 and another score en route to a weekly QB6 finish. The forecast calls for 13 degrees with a 50/50 shot at snow but that won’t necessarily be a hindrance to Jackson and company. Vegas set a line of 278.5 total yards with a lean on three total scores. Fantasy’s overall RB1, Derrick Henry ran for 199 and scored two total touchdowns in Week 4 against this defense. The Bills have shored up that run D since September but still surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to the position. Henry is -200 to revisit the end zone in this game a yardage prop of 106.5 yards. While the rushing attack is locked in, things are more uncertain through the air. Mainly because of the health of Zay Flowers, who missed the Wild Card game with a knee injury. Flowers hasn’t practiced all week and is doubtful to play. Even if he does, he would be limited. Our RDA* projections are modest, mainly because of the baked-in risk. Rashod Bateman will see an increase in targets and remains the best bet to score. However, his volume is fairly modest, so Bateman is rather TD-dependent. Still, the Bills were below-average defending wideouts, and the 51.5-point total indicates a solid game script. All other Baltimore wideouts are relegated to low-cost DFS dart throws. Mark Andrews is our TE3 for the week, projected to score 11.9 PPR points. Additionally, the Ravens will also use Isaiah Likely liberally in place of the aforementioned ancillary wide receivers. Likely didn’t do much against Buffalo (1/26/0) previously, but has a Vegas yardage prop of 36.5. Bills Offense After a brutal start, Baltimore’s pass defense has greatly improved. Josh Allen can supplement that with plenty of rushing production, but the Ravens have allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards to quarterbacks. This seems like a
Saturday Playoff Preview
Saturday Playoff Preview The NFL Divisional Round kicks off Saturday with a pair of high-profile matchups. FullTime Fantasy‘s Saturday Playoff Preview breaks down the slate from a fantasy football and sports betting perspective. And just because the fantasy regular season has ended doesn’t mean the fun is over. FFWC Playoff Fantasy Football is a great way to extend the fantasy fun and win amazing prizes! Houston Texans (11-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) Time: 4:30 Eastern Line: Chiefs -9 Total: 41.5 Money Line: Houston +395, Kansas City -500 Texans Offense Houston’s offense has been stagnant for a while. However, DeMeco Ryans’s D stepped up huge in the Wild Card round, leading the Texans to a 20-point victory. Things won’t be as easy in the Divisional round, as a trip to frigid Missouri to face the defending champs is on deck. It will take a near-perfect game from C.J. Stroud to give the Texans any chance. Stroud and company played in this building five weeks ago, and Stroud threw a pair of interceptions in a 27-19 loss. His play has regressed in Year Two, and facing a well-rested KC defense will be tough in freezing conditions. Although there is some optimism about Houston covering, Stroud is a lesser option in this four-game slate. RB Joe Mixon has cooled after a torrid start. He did rush for 106 yards and a score last week against a formidable Chargers defense. However, facing the Chiefs will be much more difficult. Opposing running backs averaged a league-low 16.2 fantasy points per game versus Kansas City. Mixon will play a high snap share and can contribute as a receiver but he’ll have to score a touchdown to pay off as a DFS option. It’s Nico Collins or bust at receiver for Houston. Collins has an over/under of 83.5 yards and is +180 to score per Vegas. However, our RDA* projections have Collins as the WR3 in this slate thanks to volume. Also, if Houston falls behind by multiple scores, that only favors Collins. Additionally, the Chiefs were below average in terms of surrendering fantasy points to enemy wideouts, so we’re signing off on Nico. After that, Houston offers up little more than DFS dart throws. Robert Woods caught three balls for 19 yards against KC in Week 16. John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson also don’t inspire a ton of confidence and Jared Wayne was just called up from the practice squad. At tight end, Dalton Schultz had a nice game against KC, snagging five balls for 45 yards and a touchdown. And only three teams allowed more fantasy points to the position than the Chiefs, so our RDA* projections (4.6/43/.33) have Schultz as a top-4 PPR option in Week 20. Chiefs Offense Houston ceded the sixth-fewest passing yards in 2024 and they did a solid job on Patrick Mahomes in Week 16. In that contest, Mahomes threw for 260 yards and one touchdown. However, Mahomes did run for 33 and an additional score to post good fantasy numbers. Vegas has Mahomes projected to total 277.5 yards (23.5 rushing) and he’s -144 to go OVER 1.4 touchdowns. KC’s backfield has resolved into a frustrating committee. However, there is a chance that the club has been saving Isiah Pacheco for another Super Bowl run. Vegas has Pacheco projected to produce 51.5 scrimmage yards and he’s +150 to score. However, our RDA* projections have Pacheco at 62 yards with a 37% chance of hitting pay dirt. Kareem Hunt will also be involved. However, the question remains how much? Hunt out-touched Pacheco against Houston previously and found the end zone. But Vegas has Hunt projected to have fewer yards and be less likely to score than Pacheco. Xavier Worthy has been Kansas City’s leading receiver, including catching a team-high seven balls (11 targets) for 65 and a TD versus Houston last month. Our RDA* projections are just under that but Worthy remains a solid start in Playoff Fantasy Leagues. Week 16 was Hollywood Brown’s first game with the club and he immediately commanded a healthy eight targets. As good as Houston’s pass defense was, they did allow opposing wideouts to score 21 touchdowns, so we like Brown and DeAndre Hopkins as quality options. Houston also allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends. While Travis Kelce has been quiet of late (at least by his standards), he tends to show up big in the postseason. Our RDA* projections have Kelce posting 14.2 PPR points, putting his as the TE2 in the slate. Washington Commanders (13-5) at Detroit Lions (15-2) Time: 8:00 Eastern Line: Detroit -9 Total: 55.5 Money Line: Washington +400, Detroit -550 Commanders Offense The AFC kicks off the day but it’s the NFC game that has the fantasy appeal. The upstart Commanders fly into Detroit to take on the conference’s top seed. And Vegas is expecting fireworks with that outrageous 55.5-point total. That puts Jayden Daniels near the top of the Week 20 QB rankings. However, that is not exactly new territory for Daniels, who finished his rookie season as fantasy’s QB5. Detroit has had issues slowing down opposing QBs all season. The Lions allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to the position, including the fourth-most rushing yards (454) and second-most rushing TDs (6). Therefore, Daniels is our QB3 for the week and worth every bit of his lofty DFS price tag. The matchup for the ground game isn’t as appealing. Detroit surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs even with myriad injuries. Washington will utilize two backs, but it’s Austin Ekeler who leads the way in RDA* projections, mainly due to his pass-catching prowess. Brian Robinson can also factor in as a receiver and is just as likely to punch in a short-yardage score. However, Vegas projects Ekler to have one more scrimmage yard, 51-50. Proceed with caution. As explosive as Washington’s offense is, Terry McLaurin has been the only reliable wide receiver. McLaurin posted WR7 numbers in the regular season, averaging 15.9 PPR points per contest.
Injury Report: Divisional Round
Injury Report: Divisional Round The regular season is over, so the reported injuries have cooled significantly. However, with so much on the line playing Playoff Fantasy Football, monitoring injuries is as important as ever. Our Injury Report: Divisional Round will update you on the latest from around the NFL. Also, don’t forget to check out weekly rankings before you finalize this week’s lineups. Also, bookmarking our NFL Injury Report is a great way to stay updated on the latest injuries. Finally, FullTime Fantasy Members will get the latest NFL injury news and advice live each Sunday and Thursday in the FullTime Fantasy Discord. Click below to join us today! Zay Flowers (WR) Baltimore Ravens – Flowers missed the Wild Card game with a knee injury and still has not returned to practice. At this point, he is looking very questionable about suiting up against the Bills. Even if he can play, Flower could be limited. Rashod Bateman is looking like the best bet to be Baltimore’s WR1. David Montgomery (RB) Detroit Lions – After sitting out the last four weeks, Montgomery was a full participant at practice this week. He is expected to be back in his usual role. This boosts Detroit’s postseason run and gives the Lions a pair of RB1s for the NFC playoffs. Joe Mixon (RB) Houston Texans – Mixon has been limited with an ankle injury but is expected to play Saturday. Nico Collins (WR) Houston Texans – Listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. However, it appears to be a veteran rest day, so no concern. Isiah Pacheco (RB) Kansas City Chiefs – Full participant (rib) Tuesday. Dalton Schultz (TE) Houston Texans – Off the injury reports after being limited with a shoulder ailment. Tyler Higbee (TE) Los Angeles Rams– Higbee was sent to the hospital after coughing up blood concluding the Rams’ Monday night victory. However, Jourdan Rodrique of The Athletic indicated that Sean McVay expects his tight end to play on Sunday. Tyler Higbee (chest) was hospitalized last night because he was “coughing up a little bit of blood” said Sean McVay, but was able to make the trip home and McVay added he expects to play Sunday. — Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 14, 2025 Ray Davis (RB) Buffalo Bills – Davis has not cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is looking doubtful for Sunday’s game versus Baltimore. Robert Woods (WR) Houston Texans – Woods sat out practice Tuesday with a hip injury. However, the veteran was able to return to practice Wednesday, increasing his odds of playing on Saturday. Cade Stover (TE) Houston Texans – The Texans placed Stover (shoulder) on IR, ending his season. Irv Smith Jr. and Tegan Quitoriano will now be Houston’s reserve tight ends versus Kansas City. FullTime Fantasy’s Playoff Fantasy Football Contests Play 1 or play all 3! YOU decide! Emil Kadlec Memorial Playoff Pick ‘Em — A FREE Single-Entry Contest. Maui Madness Playoff Pick’Em — ($25 or a 5-pack for $100) Playoff Draft World Championship $229 with NEW and improved league prizing! Maui Madness is still accepting entries until Conference Championship Weekend. The contest determines the winner by using your highest two weekly scores. While most fantasy football leagues have already concluded, that does not mean the fun is over. In fact, the best is yet to come for one skilled fantasy player! That person who can build the best fantasy lineup for the playoffs will win the grand prize of: A Trip for Four to Maui! The Grand Prize includes: • Resort Accommodations for 6 nights in Maui’s Five-Star Kaanapali Alii Resort (2BR-2BA) • Airfare for Four anywhere in the continental U.S. (up to $1000 for each person roundtrip airfare* • Grand Prize package worth an estimated $10,000! *certain date restrictions may apply 1 ENTRY = $25 5-PACK = $100 (that’s a $25 savings!) Find full scoring here.
