After one of the most exciting Wild Card rounds in recent memory, we have arrived to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. This means that fantasy football players who are in DFS formats, fantasy football playoff challenge formats, and other fantasy formats will want to look at the best options in this week’s slate.
As a reminder, for these articles,
I will be using a standard setup which consists of:
- 1 Quarterback
- 1 Running Back
- 1 Wide Receiver
- 1 Tight End
- 1 Flex Player (RB/WR/TE)
- 1 Super Flex Player (QB/RB/WR/TE)
- 1 Kicker
For each position I will provide two options; and every week throughout the playoffs I will rule out players that I’ve already used in previous articles.
Fantasy Football Playoff Challenge
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers come off a blow out win against the defending NFC champions, but still have their question marks in the secondary. Jared Goff is a better passer than Jalen Hurts, as well as having all his weapons readily available. Goff should be able to take advantage of the Bucs’ secondary and have a great game.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans
Lamar Jackson is not Joe Flacco. The added mobility against an inexperienced defense gives Lamar advantage here. The only scary part is Jackson’s current 1-3 record in the playoffs, but this Ravens team is different and should allow for Lamar to shine. Easy start for the MVP favorite!
Running Backs
Christian McCaffery, San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers
CMC looks to build off an incredible 2023 season. He gets to face a Packers defense that is not built to stop the run. Add in the weather looking a bit rainy and the game script looks to favor a more run heavy front. CMC should get his usage to make the most in the divisional round for fantasy football teams.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills
Isiah Pacheco has emerged as a great offensive weapon for the Chiefs; both a heavy runner and a check down option for Patrick Mahomes. Pacheco should be featured heavily this week in both the run and receiving game.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers one downside last week was attempting to stop Devonta Smith. Amon-Ra is a bigger and more explosive version of Devonta – not to mention a better route runner. There’s a good chance he finds the end zone this week and boosts fantasy football teams playing in this playoff format.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens
I totally missed on Nico Collins last week. Holy hell can this young man ball out. As CJ Stroud’s go-to option in the offense, look for Nico to get his targets. It also helps that he gets to play a secondary that has been banged up recently. This should allow Nico more opportunities to build on an already impressive post-season.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sam LaPorta has been Goff’s favorite target when the Lions find themselves in the red zone. I don’t see him changing it when it’s working as well as it is. With another week to get healthy, LaPorta should be a valuable asset for fantasy football teams.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills
While Travis Kelce’s overall stats may have taken a dip this season he is still one of the few reliable options in the Kansas City offense. The relationship between Mahomes and Kelce is one of trust, which means both players are usually on the same page. Kelce should also feast against a Bills team that has not guarded tight ends all too well and is a dealing with injuries along the defense.
Kickers
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills
Butker has been the Chiefs scoring offense so far in the postseason. He has done an efficient job during the year as well.
Michael Badgley, Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In case you missed Todd Bowles press conference, the Detroit Lions play in a dome. With this in mind, the crosswind is not a factor for kickers. I see the Lions putting up points, and that will give Badgley the usage he needs.
Randy Vuxta
Randy Vuxta (@RandallVuxta) is a beat writer covering sports picks and dynasty/redraft content for The League Winners with a little over a decade playing fantasy football. Before joining the staff, he studied Journalism and Sports Business management and created The Randy Report, a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all things sports. When he’s not watching game film or the latest Marvel release, he can be found on Twitch streaming everything from Spider-Man to NBA2K. Randy looks to not only win every league he joins, but help others achieve that goal as well.