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Boom or Bust DFS Lineup Picks: Wild Card Weekend

Welcome back, RotoBallers. In this article, I will cover five of my favorite boom or bust DFS plays for Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. These players can make or break your daily fantasy football lineups in the NFL's Wild Card weekend.

The Boom or Bust play is one of the most talked about aspects of fantasy football each week. Boom or Bust players can be used as lineup options in deeper leagues, when it appears you are a heavy underdog in your head-to-head matchup or even in Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments in DFS. Let's get rolling.

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Quarterback

Matt Moore, Dolphins QB vs PIT

If you want a late round quarterback in your playoff fantasy draft or are looking for a cheap quarterback for the weekend, Moore might be someone you would consider. With eight touchdowns to three interceptions, Moore has played better than most expected after the Ryan Tannehill injury, but success has been a bit misleading as Moore has yet to eclipse 300 passing yards despite averaging 27.33 passes per game in his 3 starts.

In the wild card round, Moore faces a Steelers defense that has been stingy against quarterbacks, allowing the seventh fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. The Dolphins will likely try and use Jay Ajayi to exploit the Steelers run defense that has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Dolphins are the biggest underdog of the weekend, projected to lose by 10 with a team total of 18. Weather is expected to been in the teens in Pittsburgh, which will likely be a factor for Moore and the Dolphins offense that is used to playing in sunny Miami.

Verdict: Bust

 

Running Back

Latavius Murray, Raiders RB at HOU

The Raiders announced yesterday rookie quarterback Connor Cook will make his first career start in a road playoff game against the Houston Texans. Normally, when a team is starting a QB in this precarious of a situation, I tend to avoid the entire offense like the plague. However, given the lack of other options and the plus matchup for running backs, I think this is a solid spot for Murray.

With Cook in, the Raiders will likely be running as much as possible against a Houston defense that ranks in the top five in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and wide receivers this season. If the Raiders are to have a chance at advancing, they will need to use Murray early and often. Additionally, in the “survivor” type playoff format, the Raiders aren't likely to go deep into the playoffs and put you in a situation where you'd want to use the Raiders again.

Verdict: Boom

 

Wide Receiver

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks WR vs DET

After two season of finishing as a top 11 PPR fantasy wide receiver, saying things like “Doug Baldwin is good” or “Doug Baldwin is a really good play this week” is hardly going out on a limb. However, often times he isn't referenced in the same frame as guys like Antonio Brown, Deandre Hopkins or Amari Cooper, even though he may have a better matchup than them this week.

The Seahawks lost Tyler Lockett late in the season, which means that they will be even more likely to pepper Baldwin with targets against a Lions defense that allowed the third most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The Seahawks have a team total of 25 as -8 point home favorites which should help to equal a big day for Baldwin against the Lions secondary.

Verdict: Boom

 

Tight End

C.J. Fiedorowicz, Texans TE vs OAK

Jimmy Graham will likely be the choice for everyone and their monkey's uncle this weekend, but if are looking for an alternative option, look no further than C.J. Fiedorowicz. Fiedorowicz finished the season as the TE17 despite missing one game and not becoming involved in the offense until week 4. Since week 4, Fiedorowicz has scored eight PPR points or more in 10 of 12 games with six 10+ PPR point games.

Fiedorowicz may not provide the floor or ceiling that Jimmy Graham has, but he is significantly cheaper and he faces an Oakland defense that has been exploited by the tight end, allowing the eighth most fantasy points to the position. In the event Tom Savage plays, Fiedorowicz becomes a slightly less attractive play, but still a solid play whoever is under center.

Verdict: Boom

 

Hail Mary of the Week

In the Hail Mary of the Week, I will choose a Boom/Bust candidate who is available on the waiver wire or at the end of benches in most fantasy football leagues and could have a big week:

Zach Zenner, Lions RB at SEA

Zenner was one of the favorites among draftniks during the 2015 NFL draft season and toward the latter part of 2016, Zenner began to show why some of that hype may have been warranted. In his last two games, Zenner has 32 carries for 136 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Zenner has also been involved in the Lions passing game with 10 catches on 13 targets for 128 receiving yards in three games.

Zenner has emerged as the RB1 in the Lions offense with Riddick out and now he faces a Seattle defense that has been stout throughout the season, allowing the sixth fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Despite the poor road matchup, Zach Zenner still makes for a solid play this weekend because he will get the necessary volume to live up to his DFS price. In an eliminator style tournament, the Lions are not a team to threaten to go deep into playoffs, so using a running back who could get significant usage and likely won't cost you later in the playoffs is a great play.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
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Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
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Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Jack St. Ivany

to Miss Up to Eight Weeks After Surgery
Cody Glass

Exits Early Tuesday Night
Anton Lundell

Expected to Be Available Thursday
Jordan Kyrou

Jake Neighbours Knocked Out of the Lineup Tuesday
Elias Lindholm

Hurt in Tuesday's Win
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Exits With Injury Tuesday
Ondrej Palat

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Listed as Questionable for Wednesday's Game
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Available for Wednesday's Tilt
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in Danger of Missing Another Game
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Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Davion Mitchell

Iffy for Wednesday
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an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
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Questionable Wednesday
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Remains Out Wednesday
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Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
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Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
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Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
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Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Darius Garland

Won't Be Available Wednesday
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Franz Wagner

Won't Play Wednesday
Draymond Green

Expected to Return Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

Available Against Jazz
Jordan Goodwin

Starts Against Nets
Peyton Watson

Back for Nuggets Tuesday
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Rock Tuesday Night
Jamal Murray

Active Versus Pistons
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Wiggins

Moves to Starting Lineup Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bobby Portis Replaces Giannis Antetokounmpo in Starting Unit
Joel Embiid

Ready to Take on Bucks
Paul George

Returns to Action Tuesday
Stephen Curry

Listed as Probable for Wednesday
Collin Gillespie

Misses Tuesday's Matchup
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Leo Carlsson

to Miss Olympics
Alex Turcotte

Unavailable Tuesday
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Dylan Holloway

Remains Out Tuesday
Marco Rossi

to Return After Olympics
Thatcher Demko

Won't Return This Season
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Inks Four-Year Extension With Avalanche
Bryan Rust

Slapped With Three-Game Suspension
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

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Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
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Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
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Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
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Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
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Set to Return Tuesday
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Out Until Olympics
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Won't Play This Week
Zeev Buium

Lands on Injured Reserve
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Canucks Place Brock Boeser on Injured Reserve
Sean Durzi

Hurt on Monday Night
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Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
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to Miss 6-8 Weeks
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Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
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Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
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Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
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Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

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Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

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Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
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Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
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College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay

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