The NFL Wild Card Weekend is here, and it kicks off today with the Chargers taking on the Texans at 4:30 ET. With the start of many fantasy football leagues, I will still provide a weekly column of fantasy football advice. This weekly column will contain rankings for each position for PPR formats and give you a start/sit pick for each position. With so many options in this format, you are chasing a high floor and plus matchups on wild card weekend. Let’s break down which players you can trust to deliver and who might leave you disappointed on the biggest stage.
Quarterbacks
Rankings
- Josh Allen (BUF)
- Lamar Jackson (BAL)
- Jayden Daniels (WAS)
- Baker Mayfield (TB)
- Jalen Hurts (PHI)
- Bo Nix (DEN)
- Sam Darnold (MIN)
- Justin Herbert (LAC)
- Matthew Stafford (LAR)
- C.J. Stroud (HOU)
- Jordan Love (GB)
- Russell Wilson (PIT)
Start of the Week
Baker Mayfield (TB)
Baker Mayfield has been on fire, scoring at least 22 fantasy points in four consecutive games. Playing at home, where he’s averaged 22.3 fantasy points per game this season, Mayfield faces a favorable matchup against the Washington Commanders. He torched this defense in Week 1, throwing for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, resulting in a monster 30-point fantasy performance. With this weekend’s game expected to be high-scoring, as indicated by a 50.5-point total from sportsbooks, Mayfield is poised for another big outing.
Sit of the Week
Jordan Love (GB)
Jordan Love struggled down the stretch, scoring fewer than 15 fantasy points in four of his final five games and throwing one touchdown or fewer in most contests. His matchup against the Eagles doesn’t bode well, as they’ve allowed just nine passing touchdowns and the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks at home this season. With Philadelphia’s defense peaking and the Packers’ path to success not aligning with fantasy production for Love, he’s best left out of your starting lineup.
Running Backs
Rankings
- Saquon Barkley (PHI)
- Derrick Henry (BAL)
- Bucky Irving (TB)
- James Cook (BUF)
- Kyren Williams (LAR)
- Josh Jacobs (GB)
- Joe Mixon (HOU)
- Aaron Jones (MIN)
- JK Dobbins (LAC)
- Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN)
- Rachaad White (TB)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (WAS)
- Jaylen Warren (PIT)
- Austin Ekeler (WAS)
- Justice Hill (BAL)
- Najee Harris (PIT)
Start of the Week
Bucky Irving (TB)
Bucky Irving has been a revelation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking over as the lead back and producing three 100-plus rushing yard games in his last six outings. Heading into the Wild Card game against Washington, Irving has solidified his role with 15 or more carries in each of the last four games. The Commanders allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs among playoff teams in the second half of the season, making this a favorable matchup for Irving. With his recent dominance and an expanded workload, Irving should be a top-five fantasy running back this weekend.
Sit of the Week
Brian Robinson Jr. (WAS)
Brian Robinson Jr. ended the regular season on a cold streak, scoring single-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games and failing to find the end zone in four straight contests. His struggles are likely to continue against the Buccaneers, who have been elite at shutting down running backs, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position since Week 12. Tampa Bay has also surrendered just one touchdown to a running back in that span, making Robinson’s path to success difficult without a score. While he had a decent performance in Week 1 against the Bucs, his role in the passing game has diminished, and the overall matchup is daunting.
Wide Receivers
Rankings
- Puka Nacua (LAR)
- Justin Jefferson (MIN)
- A.J. Brown (PHI)
- Nico Collins (HOU)
- Ladd McConkey (LAC)
- Terry McLaurin (WAS)
- Courtland Sutton (DEN)
- Mike Evans (TB)
- Jalen McMillan (TB)
- Jordan Addison (MIN)
- George Pickens (PIT)
- Cooper Kupp (LAR)
- Khalil Shakir (BUF)
- DeVonta Smith (PHI)
- Rashod Bateman (BAL)
- Marvin Mims Jr. (DEN)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (WAS)
- Quentin Johnston (LAC)
- Romeo Doubs (GB)
- Jayden Reed (GB)
- Keon Coleman (BUF)
- Amari Cooper (BUF)
- Calvin Austin III (PIT)
- Demarcus Robinson (LAR)
Start of the Week
Jalen McMillan (TB)
Jalen McMillan is poised for a strong performance as Mike Evans battles Marshon Lattimore in their storied rivalry, leaving McMillan with more favorable matchups against Benjamin St-Juste and rookie Mike Sainristil. McMillan has been on fire, with at least 50 receiving yards and a touchdown in five straight games, leading the NFL with seven touchdowns since Week 14. In Week 18, he played a career-high 88% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps, emphasizing his growing role in the offense. With the game against Washington expected to be high-scoring (50.5 over/under), McMillan’s consistency and upside make him a reliable fantasy starter.
Sit of the Week
Cooper Kupp (LAR)
Cooper Kupp has been a disappointment in recent weeks, with single-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games, including a zero-point outing in Week 15. Over his last three games, he’s been targeted only three times per contest and hasn’t exceeded six fantasy points in any of them. The Vikings are a plus matchup but nothing suggests that Kupp has the upside to be in play this week considering that we can choose our receiver options. Despite the Vikings’ defense being vulnerable to receivers, Kupp’s diminished role in the Rams’ offense makes him a risky play.
Tight Ends
Rankings
- T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
- Mark Andrews (BAL)
- Pat Freiermuth (PIT)
- Zach Ertz (WAS)
- Tucker Kraft (GB)
- Dallas Goedert (PHI)
- Isaiah Likely (BAL)
- Will Dissly (LAC)
- Dalton Kincaid (BUF)
- Dalton Schultz (HOU)
- Cade Otton (TB)
- Tyler Higbee (LAR)
Start of the Week
Zach Ertz (WAS)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled against tight ends, allowing the second-most receiving yards and 7th most fantasy points to the position. Zach Ertz has been a red zone machine, scoring six touchdowns in his last seven games, and rookie Jayden Daniels heavily relies on him in critical moments. This high-scoring matchup should provide plenty of opportunities for Ertz to deliver, especially after his recent hot streak of 11 catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns in the past two weeks. While Ertz had a quiet Week 1 performance against Tampa Bay, Daniels has since developed, and Ertz is primed for a strong playoff showing. With his playoff experience and the Buccaneers’ defensive struggles, Ertz is a must-start.
Sit of the Week
Pat Freiermuth (PIT)
Despite finishing the season strong, Pat Freiermuth faces a brutal Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who have elite linebackers and safeties to limit tight end production. Over two games against Baltimore this year, Freiermuth combined for just five catches and 30 yards, totaling a disappointing 5.5 fantasy points. Russell Wilson has leaned on Freiermuth down the stretch, but his struggles against the Ravens cannot be ignored. Given Baltimore’s ability to shut down tight ends and Freiermuth’s history against them, it’s best to look elsewhere for your playoff lineups.
Defenses
Rankings
- Baltimore Ravens
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Buffalo Bills
- Minnesota Vikings
- Houston Texans
- Los Angeles Rams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Green Bay Packers
- Denver Broncos
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Start of the Week
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens defense has been dominant recently and draws a favorable matchup against the Steelers offense. Pittsburgh has averaged just 14.3 points and 258.5 yards per game over its last four contests while allowing the third-most sacks during that span. With the Ravens playing at a high level and the Steelers struggling to protect the quarterback, Baltimore is a strong defensive option for Wild Card Weekend.
Sit of the Week
Denver Broncos
Despite being one of the top fantasy defenses in the regular season, the Denver Broncos should be avoided this week against the Bills. Buffalo, led by Josh Allen, boasts one of the highest-scoring home offenses in the league, second only to the Lions. Additionally, the Bills’ offensive line has allowed the fewest sacks at home, limiting Denver’s ability to rack up fantasy points. Given the tough matchup, leaving the Broncos on your fantasy bench is best.
Kickers
Rankings
- Cameron Dicker (LAC)
- Will Reichard (MIN)
- Chase McLaughlin (TB)
- Justin Tucker (BAL)
- Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU)
- Chris Boswell (PIT)
- Tyler Bass (BUF)
- Brandon McManus (GB)
- Jake Elliott (PHI)
- Joshua Karty (LAR)
- Zane Gonzalez (WAS)
- Wil Lutz (DEN)
Start of the Week
Cameron Dicker (LAC)
Cameron Dicker was a standout fantasy kicker in the regular season, capping it off with an impressive 41 points over his final three games. He has a favorable matchup against the Texans, who allowed more than nine fantasy points per game to opposing kickers in their last eight contests. With the Chargers’ offense likely to move the ball effectively, Dicker should have plenty of opportunities to score. He’s a reliable option for Wild Card Weekend and a must-start.
Sit of the Week
Brandon McManus (GB)
Despite a strong finish to the regular season, Brandon McManus faces a tough challenge against the Eagles. Philadelphia’s defense has been stingy against kickers, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position over the final nine weeks of the season. The Packers could struggle to get into scoring range, limiting McManus’ opportunities.