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Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for the Divisional Round of 2024-25. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.
The Divisional Round is upon us, and the pool of NFL players available for fantasy has shrunk. As such, discerning who has the best and worst matchups will become more important with each passing round.
Some of the big hitters such as Justin Jefferson and Mike Evans are gone. However, with the best teams continuing to move on in the playoffs, there is no shortage of excellent players left to choose from for playoff fantasy and DFS lineups.
The Divisional Round affords playoff teams a chance to face teams they have already faced this season. That can make it tough for offensive players to produce, but the best players are often matchup-proof. Let's dive in and see who has the best matchups and the worst matchups in an excellent slate of football this weekend.
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Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup We Love
Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at DET
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 23rd
Let's stay in the flames with Daniels once again this week. Daniels is the quarterback on this week's slate with the best matchup. The Lions improved defensively down the stretch of the season despite their injuries. However, if the Commanders are going to have any chance of winning this week, it will be on the back of Daniels.
The rest of the quarterbacks in the league figure to find themselves in slugfests. Daniels has been matchup-proof all season long and he could provide a solid fantasy floor with his legs this week.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations
C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 18th
Stroud had a nice week against a solid Chargers defense in the Wild Card round. However, it was not convincing enough of a performance to suggest the Texans offense turned the page on their regular-season woes. Stroud will now have to roll into Kansas City and face the two-time defending champs.
The Chargers beat themselves more than the Texans beat them in the Wild Card round. That will not happen against an excellently coached Chiefs team. Stroud could be in for a long day this weekend.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup We Love
Derrick Henry/Justice Hill - Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: at BUF
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 30th
There is a two-for-one special in the Ravens backfield this week. The Bills gave up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. They are middle of the road in rushing yards allowed per game with 115.5, but this team is susceptible to the running game, especially one as potent as the Ravens'.
Henry will be necessary throughout the game as the bruiser. However, in a game that projects to be high-scoring, Hill has a chance to rack up points as a receiver. He already caught a touchdown in the Wild Card round against the Steelers. Henry is a safe play while Hill is a DFS play for upside.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations
Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at DET
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 3rd
Detroit was a team to avoid with your running backs all season. That will not change in the playoffs. Robinson was very consistent as a runner in the regular season. He regularly produced double-digit fantasy points. Unfortunately, all the Commanders have been able to get going on the ground in recent weeks has been through quarterback Jayden Daniels.
To reiterate, the Commanders' only hope in this game is through magic from Daniels. Robinson is not even a risky play with an upside this week.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup We Love
Marquise Brown - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: HOU
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 27th
With many of the stud receivers this weekend already locked into lineups, let's throw some love toward Hollywood Brown. The Texans have a solid defense, but they have been leaky to receivers this season. They just got torched by Ladd McConkey in the Wild Card round for 197 yards and a touchdown.
Brown returned from injury late in the season and looked like an immediate go-to target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs will have a great game plan this week and it feels like Brown will be a key focal point. Do not be surprised if he gets loose for a long touchdown with so much attention likely to be on rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
We are Hollywood Brown days away from playoff football in Kansas City.
The Arrowhead invitational is back y’all. pic.twitter.com/aKgAAfUlI3
— fatty patty (@theonlydyl_) January 13, 2025
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations
A.J. Brown - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: LAR
Opponent Rank vs. WR 21st
There is definitely concern for the Eagles wide receivers given their recipe to win. The Eagles want to run the ball and dominate in the trenches. Unfortunately for fantasy football, they are very good at doing just that. They just won a two-possession game with Brown catching one pass for 10 yards.
The Eagles will aim to dominate the Rams up front this weekend. If they succeed, they should cruise right to victory without having to do much in the passing game. Brown is a dangerous fantasy piece as a result.
AJ Brown is reading a book on the sideline? 📚😂
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/jQGv8smD9N
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 13, 2025
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love
Dallas Goedert - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: LAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 32nd
It's time to pick on the Rams once again with this week's tight-end selection. The Rams simply cannot seem to stop this position. Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson just managed to score his first touchdown of the season on the Rams in the Wild Card round.
Goedert is a man among boys on the field, as evidenced by this ridiculous touchdown he scored against the Packers. He is as good a bet as anyone on the Eagles not named Saquon Barkley or Jalen Hurts to score a touchdown this week.
DALLAS GOEDERT JUST WENT BEAST MODE ON THIS TD 😳
WE FELT THAT STIFF ARM.
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/t2HPIYttHg— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 12, 2025
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations
Zach Ertz - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at DET
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st
Of all the Divisional Round tight ends, Ertz draws by far the worst matchup. Ertz could go either way this week. He is essential to Jayden Daniels' success, but the Lions could realistically eliminate him from the game.
Ertz has been a target and PPR machine this season. Just temper your expectations with the No. 1 defense against opposing tight ends on the other side this week.
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