🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NFL and NBA Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
Ashton Jeanty

Ankle Injury isn't Severe
Jayden Daniels

to Practice This Week, Considered a Long Shot for Week 13
C.J. Stroud

Remains in Concussion Protocol
Mike Evans

Could Return Before End of Regular Season
J.J. McCarthy

in Concussion Protocol
Tyrod Taylor

to Remain the Jets' Starting QB
Shedeur Sanders

to Make Another Start for Browns in Week 13
Tee Higgins

Won't Play on Thanksgiving
Joe Burrow

Bengals Expect Joe Burrow to Play on Thursday
Baker Mayfield

Not Being Ruled Out for Week 13
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
New York Giants

Giants Fire Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen
Tee Higgins

in the Concussion Protocol
Scott Wedgewood

Gives Avalanche Second Consecutive Shutout
Macklin Celebrini

Makes History During Multi-Point Performance
Joey Daccord

Posts Shutout in Losing Effort
David Rittich

Keeps Kraken Quiet
Jesper Wallstedt

Picks Up Third Shutout of the Season
Rasmus Andersson

Extends Point Streak With Three Assists
Davante Adams

Catches Two Touchdowns in Sunday Night Win
Baker Mayfield

has Sprained Shoulder, Will Undergo MRI Monday
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Quinshon Judkins

Salvages his Day With Two Trips to the End Zone
Alvin Kamara

Dealing With MCL Sprain, Timetable Unclear
Michael Wilson

has Double-Digit Catches, Over 100 Yards for Second Straight Week
Baker Mayfield

Doubtful to Return on Sunday Night With Shoulder Injury
A.J. Brown

Delivers Vintage Performance in Week 12
George Pickens

at the Center of Cowboys Offense Once Again
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Aaron Gordon

Sidelined 4-6 Weeks with Hamstring Strain
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Dereck Lively II

Out with Foot Issue Again
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Anthony Davis

Doubtful With Calf Strain Against Miami
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return
MON

Alexandre Texier Joins Canadiens
Goga Bitadze

a Very Late Scratch on Sunday Night
Ryan Dunn

Ruled Out with Wrist Sprain
Jason Dickinson

Returns to Action Sunday
Elias Lindholm

Activated From Injured Reserve
Mikko Rantanen

Suspended for One Game
Neal Pionk

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Sunday
Donovan Clingan

Upgraded to Available vs. Thunder
Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Out Week-to-Week
Robert Williams III

Sidelined Against Thunder
Anthony Black

Entering the Starting Lineup Versus Boston
Alexander Romanov

Out 5-6 Months Due to Shoulder Surgery
Goga Bitadze

Getting the Start on Sunday Night
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic Remains Out Sunday
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Sidelined on Sunday Evening
Tre Mann

Returns to Action Sunday
Wendell Carter Jr.

Ruled Out on Sunday Night
Luke Kennard

Misses Sunday's Contest
Onyeka Okongwu

Good to Go Sunday
Collin Murray-Boyles

Available Against Nets
Egor Demin

Cleared for Sunday
Nicolas Claxton

Available Sunday
Kevin Durant

Will Miss the Next Two Games
Kristaps Porzingis

Taking the Night off on Sunday
Kawhi Leonard

Off the Injury Report, Cleared to Suit Up on Sunday
Sidney Crosby

Records 500th Multi-Point Game
Mackenzie Blackwood

Posts 35-Save Shutout
Aaron Ekblad

Battling an Illness
Jake McCabe

Suffers Upper-Body Injury
Brayden Point

Makes Early Exit Versus Capitals
Nikita Kucherov

Hurt on Saturday
Nic Dowd

Out Against Lightning
Jake Evans

Good to Go Saturday
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP