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Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and lineup advice for all 2026 Wild Card Weekend matchups. Joey Pollizze analyzes in-depth matchups via game-by-game breakdowns.
Welcome, RotoBallers, to another start'em and sit'em piece as we look ahead to Wild Card Weekend! If you are new here, this matchups analysis and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em article will look at the best and worst matchups of the week.
Even though the regular season is over, the fantasy season could continue for some in the playoffs. Many will be participating in fantasy playoff challenges throughout the playoffs. For this week, this article will go through every player in every game to determine the top starts across the six games of Wild Card Weekend.
So, let's dive into every Wild Card Weekend game and analyze the best starts and sits of the week.
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Matchups Analysis - Saturday Games
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
Matchups We Love:
Tetairoa McMillan has a great matchup ahead of him in the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. The Rams have given up the second-most fantasy points to outside WRs this year, and McMillan did catch a 43-yard score against this secondary a few weeks ago. Although that was the only catch the rookie totaled in that Week 13 game, he is a solid play against a defense that has struggled to contain WR1s recently.
Bryce Young does it again on 4th down!
LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/eBEbscGKjs
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
Matchups We Hate:
The Panthers have been one of the better defenses against fantasy QBs this season. Carolina has given up the seventh-fewest fantasy points and ninth-fewest passing touchdowns to the QB position, which included holding Matthew Stafford to just 13.6 fantasy points back in a Week 13 matchup. Therefore, expectations should be tempered for the veteran.
RB Rico Dowdle
Rico Dowdle will be a lower-end RB play this week against the Rams. He has scored in single digits in three straight games and totaled under 10 carries in two of those three contests. With this Carolina backfield basically a 50/50 split, Dowdle doesn't have much upside in lineups. Los Angeles has also given up the third-fewest rushing touchdowns to opposing backs this season.
WR Jalen Coker
Jalen Coker put together one of his best fantasy performances of the season against the Rams earlier this season. He caught four passes for 74 yards and one touchdown in that Week 13 game. However, Coker is harder to trust this week. Los Angeles has given up the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing slot WRs this year, which is where the Panthers playmaker plays 58% of the time.
Other Matchups:
QB Bryce Young
Bryce Young has been a more consistent fantasy option in recent weeks. He has scored at least 17 PPR fantasy points in four of his last seven games and threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams back in Week 13. So, Young is worth a look in some fantasy playoff challenges and DFS contests this week. Los Angeles has allowed a QB to score above 16.5 fantasy points in five of the past six weeks.
Kyren Williams will be a reliable RB option in fantasy this week. He has scored in double figures in PPR formats in six straight games and ran for 72 yards and one touchdown in his last meeting against the Panthers. Given that Carolina has given up the eighth-most fantasy points and fifth-most rushing touchdowns to opposing RBs this year, he is a solid play.
RB Blake Corum
Blake Corum has definitely seen more involvement on offense in the second half. He has logged double-digit carries in four of his last five games and has scored five touchdowns since Week 13. Back in that first matchup against the Panthers, Corum rushed for 81 yards and one touchdown en route to a 14.1 PPR fantasy point day. So, he could be a cheaper option in the first round.
WR Puka Nacua
After finishing first in fantasy points per game, first in receptions per game, and first in receiving yards per game among all WRs in the regular season, Puka Nacua will be a top fantasy playoff target. He averaged 23.3 PPR fantasy points per game in the regular season and scored above 26 PPR fantasy points in four of his last five games. That's enough reason to make him a top play.
Davante Adams will return in the Wild Card Round. Although Adams missed the final three games of the regular season due to a hamstring injury, he should be close to 100% come Saturday. So, the 33-year-old will be a top WR play this week. He caught two touchdown passes against the Panthers in Week 13, and his touchdown upside makes him a viable option.
Colby Parkinson will enter Wild Card Weekend as a potential TE target for those playing in fantasy playoff challenges or DFS contests. He has scored above 11 PPR fantasy points in five of his past eight games and has caught eight touchdown passes since Week 10. Given that the Panthers just let Cade Otton score 22.4 PPR fantasy points last week, Parkinson has some upside in this contest.
Injuries:
None
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Matchups We Love:
QB Jordan Love
It has been a couple of weeks since Jordan Love has played. However, he will be a solid QB option in most formats against the Bears. Chicago has given up the fourth-most passing touchdowns this season and has allowed a 300-yard passer in back-to-back games. Love also finished with 20.3 fantasy points against this secondary in the team's first meeting in Week 14.
WR Jayden Reed
Jayden Reed will be a sneaky target in different formats this week. The Bears have given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing slot WRs this year, and Amon-Ra St. Brown just totaled 11 catches for 139 yards while working exclusively in the slot last week. Considering Reed plays over 70% of his snaps in the slot, he is worth a look.
Rome Odunze (foot) will return for this game after missing the past five weeks due to a foot injury. The second-year WR has a solid matchup on the outside against Green Bay's corners. The Packers have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to outside WRs this year. Even if Odunze is limited, he could be an option. DJ Moore also has a good matchup, but he would be a lower-end play with Odunze's return.
Matchups We Hate:
None
Other Matchups:
The last time that Caleb Williams faced this Green Bay secondary, he threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 21-point fantasy day. As a result, Williams has the potential to be an above-average play in the Wild Card Round. He has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in five straight games, and the Packers have let up 11 passing touchdowns since Week 13.
CALEB WILLIAMS TO DJ MOORE
BEARS WIN pic.twitter.com/3ShtuowNYm
— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025
In both games against the Packers this season, D'Andre Swift was not a strong fantasy option. He only scored 11.2 PPR fantasy points in Week 14 and then was held to only nine PPR fantasy points in Week 16. Still, Swift is the RB to play in this Chicago backfield. The Packers just let Derrick Henry rush for over 200 yards and four touchdowns two weeks ago, and Swift has scored above 20 PPR fantasy points in three of his last six games.
Although Kyle Monangai has played above 40% of the team's offensive snaps in seven straight games, the rookie isn't the most enticing fantasy play this week. He has scored above 10 PPR fantasy points just once since Week 14 and has seen single-digit carries in three consecutive contests. That makes him a lower-end option in all formats.
RB Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs will enter the playoffs feeling the best he has in six weeks. Therefore, he can be considered a top RB play on Wild Card Weekend. He ran for 86 yards and one touchdown against the Bears back in Week 14, and Chicago allowed over 104 yards per game on the ground in the regular season. Given Jacobs' touchdown upside, he's trustworthy this weekend.
Christian Watson will be a high-ceiling, low-floor play in the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. He has scored over 18 PPR fantasy points in three of his last five games, but also scored under six PPR fantasy points in the two other games. But since he scored 24.9 PPR fantasy points against the Bears back in Week 14, he is worth a look in most formats. Chicago ranks 27th in yards per completion allowed this season.
WR Romeo Doubs
Romeo Doubs hasn't been the most consistent fantasy option in recent weeks. He has scored above 10 PPR fantasy points just once since Week 14. However, Doubs could be a cheap option in some DFS contests. Chicago ranks 27th in yards per completion allowed, and Doubs caught five passes for 84 yards and one touchdown in his most recent meeting against the Bears in Week 16.
Luther Burden III has seen more opportunities in the passing game with Odunze sidelined. That resulted in the rookie totaling eight catches for 138 yards and one touchdown against the 49ers in Week 17. With Odunze on pace to return in the Wild Card Round, though, Burden could see fewer targets through the air. Still, he has the upside to be a solid play as his role continues to evolve in this offense.
Colston Loveland will be a top TE play in all contests this week. He has scored above 20 PPR fantasy points in back-to-back games and has caught 16 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns across the past two weeks. Even though Loveland struggled to do much in his last game against the Packers (three catches for 30 yards), his recent production makes him a nice target.
Injuries:
None
Matchups Analysis - Sunday 1:00 EST Game
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Matchups We Love:
Travis Etienne has a fantastic matchup in front of him this weekend. He will go up against a Bills defense that ranks 25th in fantasy points allowed, 27th in rush yards allowed, and 31st in rush touchdowns allowed to RBs this season. Therefore, Etienne will be a great play in all formats this week. He has scored above 15 PPR fantasy points in seven of his last 10 games.
Khalil Shakir wasn't the best fantasy option in the second half. He scored in double figures in PPR formats just twice since Week 11 and has totaled under 40 receiving yards in four of his last five games. However, Shakir is a sneaky play this week against the Jaguars' secondary. Jacksonville has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing slot WRs this year.
Matchups We Hate:
There has been no quarterback hotter in fantasy than Trevor Lawrence. He has scored the most fantasy points at the position since Week 12 and has scored above 23 fantasy points in four consecutive games. Nevertheless, expectations should be tempered for him in this matchup against the Bills. Buffalo allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points and the fewest passing yards in the regular season.
RB James Cook
James Cook has a tough matchup on his hands against the Jaguars on Sunday. Jacksonville has given up the second-fewest fantasy points, the fewest rush yards, and the fourth-fewest rush touchdowns to opposing RBs this season. So, Cook could be harder to trust this week. The good news for him is that this defense has let an RB score over 17 PPR fantasy points in two of the last three weeks.
WR Brian Thomas Jr./Jakobi Meyers
Both Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers will have difficult matchups on the outside. The Bills have given up the second-fewest fantasy points to outside WRs this year, and neither WR has done much in recent weeks. Both Thomas and Meyers have scored under 10 PPR fantasy points in three straight games. That makes both Jacksonville WRs riskier options.
The Bills were one of the best defenses against TEs in fantasy across the regular season. They allowed the fewest fantasy points, the fewest receptions, and the fewest receiving yards to the TE position. For that reason, Brenton Strange should be avoided at almost all costs in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
Other Matchups:
QB Josh Allen
Josh Allen will come in as the No. 1 quarterback in all leagues this week. He finished as the overall QB1 for the fourth time in his career this year and averaged 23.4 fantasy points per game. Even though the Jaguars have allowed only one quarterback to score above 17 fantasy points in a game since Week 11, Allen is still a strong play in both fantasy playoff challenges and DFS contests.
Parker Washington has been on an unreal run. He has scored at least 19 PPR fantasy points in three straight games and has totaled a combined 347 yards over the past three weeks. With the Bills much more suspect in the slot than on the outside, Washington is the best WR play on this Jacksonville offense this week.
Injuries really held back Dalton Kincaid from being a consistent fantasy option in the regular season. He has played just three games since Week 11 and hasn't played more than 36% of the team's offensive snaps in any of those contests. But Kincaid has some potential this week against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has given up the fifth-most receptions and the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs this year.
Injuries:
- Dalton Kincaid (knee)
Matchup Analysis - Sunday Afternoon Game
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Matchups We Love:
Dallas Goedert will be a reliable TE option this week against the 49ers. San Francisco has given up the eighth-most fantasy points and the sixth-most receiving touchdowns to opposing TEs this season, and Goedert has been a touchdown machine throughout the year. The Eagles' playmaker caught 11 touchdowns in the regular season.
Matchups We Hate:
QB Brock Purdy
No defense allowed fewer passing touchdowns than the Eagles in the regular season. Considering Philadelphia has given up only seven passing touchdowns since Week 7, Brock Purdy is hard to trust in most formats this week. So, he'll be a lower-end option after totaling just 6.2 fantasy points last week against an elite Seahawks defense.
WRs Jauan Jennings/Ricky Pearsall
There's a strong chance that Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) does not play in this game after missing practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. Even if he does, though, it's best to avoid both Pearsall and Jauan Jennings in most formats. The Eagles have given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs this year and haven't let one WR score over 14.5 PPR fantasy points since Week 13.
George Kittle has a tough matchup on his hands in the Wild Card Round. Philadelphia has given up the second-fewest fantasy points, second-fewest receptions, and second-fewest receiving yards to opposing TEs. That does not bode well for Kittle. The Eagles haven't let a TE score above 13.5 PPR fantasy points against them this year.
Other Matchups:
QB Jalen Hurts
Although Jalen Hurts has scored under 18 fantasy points in five of his last eight games, he will be a top quarterback play this week. The 49ers have let up multiple passing touchdowns in three of the past four weeks and gave up the ninth-most passing yards in the regular season. Given Hurts' rushing potential, he will be a great option.
Christian McCaffrey will be the No. 1 RB option on Wild Card Weekend. He finished as the overall RB1 in the regular season, and his receiving upside gives him one of the highest floors and ceilings among all RBs this week. The Eagles have also given up the seventh-most receiving yards to opposing RBs this season.
Saquon Barkley will be a top RB play this week against the 49ers. He has scored above 17 PPR fantasy points in three of his last four games, and the 49ers have struggled to contain RBs in the passing game. San Francisco ranks 30th in receptions allowed and 23rd in receiving yards allowed to opposing RBs. So, Barkley could be in for a solid all-around game.
WR A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown will be one of the better WR options in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. He has scored at least 11 PPR fantasy points in seven straight games, and the 49ers have allowed some big games to outside WRs this year. Michael Wilson totaled 33.5 PPR fantasy points back in Week 11, and Alec Pierce just totaled 24.6 PPR fantasy points in Week 16.
Things haven't been great for DeVonta Smith recently. He has scored under 10 PPR fantasy points in four of his last five full games and has seen five targets or fewer in two of the past three contests. Still, Smith will be a solid option in most formats. Just two weeks ago, this San Francisco defense let Burden -- who plays in the slot like Smith -- total 27.8 PPR fantasy points.
Injuries:
- Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle)
Matchup Analysis - Sunday Night Football
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
QB Drake Maye
The Chargers have been a tough matchup for opposing QBs all year. They have given up the second-fewest fantasy points, fourth-fewest passing yards, and the third-fewest pass touchdowns to the position this season. Therefore, Maye won't necessarily be a top QB play on Wild Card Weekend. Los Angeles has allowed just one QB to score more than 16 fantasy points in a game since Week 9.
After missing last week's game due to an ankle injury, Omarion Hampton has started the week with back-to-back no practices. So, there might be some concern surrounding his availability for Sunday night. Even if he plays, though, Hampton is a lower-end option. The Patriots have given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs, and defensive tackle Milton Williams is back and healthy.
Patriots RBs
The Chargers had one of the better run defenses in the regular season. This unit ranked third in fantasy points allowed, ninth in rush yards allowed, and 12th in rush touchdowns allowed to RBs. Los Angeles also ranked sixth in receptions allowed and hasn't allowed a receiving touchdown to RBs this year. That makes both TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson riskier plays in a tough matchup.
WR Stefon Diggs/Kayshon Boutte
No defense has allowed fewer big plays to WRs than the Chargers this year. That is not great news for both Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Los Angeles has given up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs and has only let up 10 receiving touchdowns all year. So, Boutte should be avoided in most contests, while Diggs will have a lower fantasy floor.
Quentin Johnston has been a hit-or-miss fantasy option in the second half. Although he has scored above 14 PPR fantasy points in back-to-back games, his matchup on the outside against Christian Gonzalez is extremely tough. Gonzalez ranked ninth in fantasy points allowed per target among all cornerbacks in the regular season. Therefore, Johnston is a risky option.
Quentin Johnston incredible catch!
LACvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/zTjbltY7bZ
— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025
TE Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry has been a steady TE play as of late. He has scored above 10 PPR fantasy points in five of his last six games and has caught at least five passes in two of the past three weeks. Unfortunately, though, this matchup against the Chargers is a tough one. Los Angeles has given up the fourth-fewest receptions and fourth-fewest receiving yards to opposing TEs this year.
Other Matchups:
Justin Herbert has not been a viable QB play recently. He has scored under 16.5 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and has thrown multiple passing touchdowns just twice since Week 10. Given that the Patriots also rank 11th in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs, it's hard to trust him as a QB1 in most formats this week.
Neither Ladd McConkey nor Keenan Allen has done much in the second half. McConkey has totaled less than 45 yards in six straight games, and Allen has scored in double figures in PPR formats just once since Week 8. Therefore, both will be lower-end options in the Wild Card Round. Of the two, McConkey is the slightly better play since Allen has run 25 routes or fewer in 10 straight contests.
TE Oronde Gadsden II
Oronde Gadsden II is tough to trust heading into Wild Card Weekend. He has caught just 12 passes over his last six games and appears to have taken a backseat in this Los Angeles offense. However, he can be worth a look in some DFS contests since he'll be priced lower. The Patriots have allowed the 10th-most receiving yards to opposing TEs this season.
Injuries:
- Omarion Hampton (ankle)
Matchup Analysis - Monday Night Football
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Matchups We Love:
QB C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud will come in as a potential QB play against the Steelers on Monday night. Stroud has thrown seven passing touchdowns over his last four games and just scored 17.3 fantasy points in the team's final game of the season. Now, he gets a Pittsburgh defense that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points and third-most passing yards to opposing QBs this year.
WR Nico Collins
With Stroud having a good matchup, Nico Collins will also have a favorable matchup on the outside. The Steelers have been suspect through the air for most of the year, ranking 26th in fantasy points allowed, 30th in receptions allowed, and 28th in receiving yards allowed to opposing WRs. That makes Collins one of the better WR options of the week.
Jayden Higgins is a sneaky play in some DFS contests this week. The Steelers have given up the seventh-most fantasy points, third-most receptions, and fifth-most receiving yards to opposing WRs this year. Considering Higgins has caught a touchdown pass in back-to-back games, he has some upside in this matchup.
Dalton Schultz will be a top TE play in the Wild Card Round. He has scored in double figures in PPR formats in three of the past four weeks and has a fantastic matchup on deck against the Steelers. Pittsburgh has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs, which included allowing Darren Waller to score 25.6 PPR fantasy points back in Week 15.
Matchups We Hate:
Aaron Rodgers has put up better numbers under center recently. He has scored at least 17 fantasy points in three of his last five games and scored over 21 fantasy points against the Baltimore Ravens a few weeks ago. Despite that, though, Rodgers should not be started in most cases this week. The Texans allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs in the regular season.
RB Woody Marks
The volume has been there for Woody Marks, but the production hasn't. Although Marks has seen 17 touches in six of his last seven full games, he scored more than 11 PPR fantasy points just once during that span. Things don't get easier for him this week either, as the Steelers rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs this year. As a result, Marks is a lower option.
WR DK Metcalf
Following a two-game suspension, DK Metcalf will make his return to the field on Wild Card Weekend. However, Metcalf should not be started in most formats this week. Derek Stingley Jr. will likely shadow the Steelers' playmaker in this contest, and Stingley has been one of the best shutdown corners in the league this year. He ranked ninth in catch rate allowed among all CBs in the regular season.
Other Matchups:
Kenneth Gainwell's usage in the passing game makes him a strong play this week. He has caught at least five passes in four of his past five games and has totaled over 45 receiving yards in two of the last three weeks. With the Texans ranking around league average in both receptions and receiving yards allowed to RBs this year, Gainwell is a nice option.
Jaylen Warren has been a bit quiet over the last few weeks. He has scored under 15 PPR fantasy points in seven of his last nine games and continues to lose work to Gainwell out of the backfield. Considering Warren is the primary rusher on this Pittsburgh team, he won't be the best play. The Texans have given up the fourth-fewest rush yards to opposing RBs.
Pat Freiermuth will be a risky play in the Wild Card Round. He hasn't totaled more than 10 PPR fantasy points in six straight games, and Metcalf's return could hurt his target share. For that reason, he isn't a top play in most leagues.
Injuries:
None
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