👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Quarterback Targets for DFS and Playoff Leagues: Divisional Round

If your regular season fantasy teams didn't perform as planned, no need to worry, you don't have to wait until next year for redemption. There are plenty of playoff leagues and daily fantasy leagues available which allow you to keep your competitive spirit sharp while at the same time possibly winning some money and/or bragging rights.

This article will aim to highlight playoff league targets and DFS plays for quarterbacks in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, players that you should consider targeting for your various fantasy football leagues and lineups.

I will list DraftKings and FanDuel prices for those looking for value DFS plays beyond the obvious QBs. The quarterbacks will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Top Plays for the Divisional Round - Quarterbacks Targets and DFS

Tom Brady, New England Patriots - vs. TEN ($7,000 DK, $8,800 FD)

After a bye week that was marred by a stunning ESPN expose which suggested there is a fracture between Brady, head coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft, the Patriots are surely itching to get back to just playing football. Drama aside, don't expect the  Patriots to have much trouble against a Titans team that barely snuck into the playoffs and shocked the Chiefs in the Wild Card round. Brady is the most expensive option on both DraftKings and FanDuel but his price isn't all that prohibitive. Unlike the other similarly-priced top quarterbacks on the slate, Brady has a plus matchup against a leaky Tennessee pass defense that ranked 24th in DVOA in the regular season. Brady is the top QB option on the slate by a wide margin and can be used in cash or GPPs. He should be the first quarterback selected in weekly redraft sites like Draft.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints - @ MIN ($6,300 DK, $8,100 FD)

Brees draws a tough matchup against a Vikings pass defense that ranked fourth in DVOA over the regular season. That being said, the future Hall of Famer came up big against a tough Panthers pass defense in the Wild Card round, passing for 376 yards and two touchdowns to down their division rivals. The 39-year-old signal caller was leaned on more extensively after the Panthers were able to slow the New Orleans ground attack. That could happen again against Minnesota and Brees is talented enough to be dangerous against any pass defense. Brees is worth a look this week, especially as a GPP option,

 

Mid-Tier - Divisional Round Quarterbacks and DFS Targets

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers - vs. JAX ($6,200 DK, $8,000 FD)

I was really close to placing Roethlisberger in the bottom tier and he will be a bottom tier option if star wide receiver Antonio Brown doesn't play. For now, reports on Brown have been optimistic but we won't know more until the team starts releasing practice reports on Wednesday. The Jaguars have employed a fearsome pass defense this season, ranking first in DVOA. I'm not too interested in Big Ben in cash games but he has some appeal as a low-owned tournament play, but only if Brown plays.

Case Keenum, Minnesota Vikings - vs. NO ($6,100 DK, $7,600 FD)

Keenum's success in 2017 was one of the better stories of the season. The former journeyman quarterback leaned heavily on the talents of Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph, Latavius Murray, and Jerick McKinnon to post a career-best 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns while only tossing seven interceptions. Coming off a first-round bye, Keenum will have his work cut out for him as the Vikings welcome a New Orleans pass defense that finished the season ranked fifth in DVOA. Keenum isn't a safe play but he's on the radar as a decent option based on the limited options on the slate and on how excellent his offense has been this season. Vegas likes the Vikings' chances as they have them as four-point favorites in a game with a decent 45-point over/under.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans - @ NE ($5,900 DK, $7,500 FD)

Mariota came to play against the Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs, throwing for 205 yards, two touchdowns and adding 46 rushing yards. His final line was buoyed by an improbable play which saw him throw a six-yard touchdown to himself on a pass that was batted by the defense. That play alone gave him 10 fantasy points on both DK and FD. While that won't happen again, the Titans will likely have to abandon their run-first offensive attack to keep up with a Patriots offense that has the highest implied team total of the entire weekend. The New England defense got progressively better as the season went on but they still finished as just the 21st ranked unit in DVOA.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars - @ PIT ($5,000 DK, $7,100 FD)

It was an ugly day for the Jacksonville offense in the Wild Card round, which managed just 10 points against the Bills. Bortles struggled, completing just 12-of-23 passes for 87 yards. In a stat line that's almost as surprising as Mariota throwing a touchdown to himself, Bortles eclipsed his passing yards with 88 rushing yards on 10 attempts to lead the Jaguars in rushing. While that won't happen again, Bortles' recent rushing production is not a fluke. The Jacksonville signal-caller has been a weapon on the ground this season, rushing for 322 yards in the regular season. The upside he offers as a rusher along with his low prices keeps him as a mid-tier QB option this week, even against a solid Pittsburgh pass defense.

 

Bottom Tier - Divisional Round Quarterbacks and DFS Targets

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons - @ PHI ($5,700 DK, $7,700 FD)

Ryan's 2017 struggles continued in the first round of the playoffs. Even though Atlanta finished with 26 points, Ryan threw for only 218 yards and one touchdown against the Rams. Ryan has performed as a QB2 in fantasy all season and I don't see that changing when he takes on the Eagles in the Divisional Round. Philadelphia has been tough against the pass this season, ranking seventh in DVOA and allowing the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. I'll be avoiding Ryan in all formats as he has yet to pass for more than two touchdowns in a single game this season and only reached multiple touchdowns five times all year.

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles - vs. ATL ($5,200 DK, $7,200 FD)

Foles came back to earth after a surprising Week 15 performance which saw him throw four touchdowns against the Giants. While he didn't play much in Week 17, he still threw just one touchdown and two interceptions over the final two games of the season. He could surprise against the Falcons in the playoffs but I'm not betting on that happening. For what it's worth, Vegas has no confidence in Foles, either, installing the Falcons as 2.5-point road favorites against an Eagles team that lost just three games all year. Foles is okay for a tournament lineup or two but I will be limiting my exposure to him this weekend.

 

More Wild Card Weekend Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
NFL

Mike Vrabel Returns to the Patriots on Monday
Tyree Wilson

Heading into Contract Year With New Team
Calijah Kancey

Buccaneers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option on Calijah Kancey
Jalen Carter

Eagles Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Pick Up Nolan Smith's Fifth-Year Option
Keon Coleman

Bills Aren't Giving Up on Keon Coleman
Aaron Rodgers

Former Steelers Coach Thinks Aaron Rodgers Will Return to Pittsburgh
Chris Gotterup

Looks to Continue Big-Game Hunting at Cadillac Championship
George Pickens

hasn't Signed his Franchise Tag With Dallas
Jason Day

Looks to Bring Experience Back to the Blue Monster
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Remains Highly Rated by Heat
Aaron Gordon

Won't Play Monday Night
Tyler Herro

to Undergo "Preemptive Procedure" on Foot
Cameron Young

Returns to Action For Cadillac Championship
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Bam Adebayo

Remains Untouchable for Heat
Sam Burns

Looks to Have Big Impact at PGA Tour's Return to Doral
Anthony Edwards

Officially Listed as Week-to-Week
Jordan Goodwin

Still Out Monday
Cooper Flagg

Wins Rookie of the Year Award
Kevin Huerter

is Available to Play in Game 4
Joel Embiid

is Probable for Game 5
Austin Reaves

Could Return for Game 5
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Officially Won't Play During First-Round Series
Jonathan Isaac

to Remain Out for Game 4
Will Smith

Back in Action in Series Opener Against Marlins
Josh Naylor

Back in Starting Lineup on Monday
Jason Zucker

Probable for Game 5 Against Bruins
Josh Norris

Could Return to Action Tuesday
Nikita Zadorov

Questionable for Game 5
Viktor Arvidsson

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Nils Lundkvist

Won't Play Tuesday
Yakov Trenin

Could Be an Option Tuesday
Mats Zuccarello

Questionable for Game 5
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Does Marvin Harrison Jr. Still Carry High-End Dynasty Upside?
Marquise Brown

Sliding Down Eagles' Depth Chart Following 2026 Draft
Darnell Mooney

Carries Deep-League Buy-Low Upside into 2026
Christian Kirk

Role in San Francisco in Question Following NFL Draft?
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Brashard Smith

Facing an Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Kansas City
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Rashee Rice

Can Rashee Rice Put Together a Full Season of Production in 2026?
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Manny Machado

Clubs Two Homers, Starting to Turn Things Around?
Kyren Williams

Becoming a Better Dynasty Value by the Day
Ben Sinnott

Is it Time to Move on From Ben Sinnott?
Sam Darnold

Still a Reliable Dynasty Hold
Brandon Hagel

Pops Up With Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Justin Fields

Could Dynasty Managers See One More Sell Window for Justin Fields?
Nathan MacKinnon

Records Three Points in Series-Clincher
Dallas Goedert

a Dynasty Bargain After Flurry of Eagles' Moves
Bowen Byram

Extends Goal Streak to Three Games
John Carlson

Delivers Two Assists in Game 4 Victory
Connor McDavid

Bags Pair of Power-Play Assists in 100th Playoff Game
Jason Zucker

Makes Early Exit in Blowout Win
De'Aaron Fox

Notches Game-High 28 Points Sunday
Joel Embiid

Returns With Double-Double
Jayson Tatum

Logs 30-Point Double-Double in Sunday's Win
LeBron James

Quiet in Game 4 Loss to Rockets
Julius Randle

Handed $35K Fine for His Part in Game 4 Altercation
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fined $50K for Game 4 Incident
Collin Murray-Boyles

Continues to Shine for Raptors
Deni Avdija

Returns to Form Sunday
Victor Wembanyama

Stuffs Stat Sheet in His Return
Emil Andrae

Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Monday
Matvei Michkov

Set to Be Scratched for Game 5
Radko Gudas

Remains Sidelined Sunday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Decision Sunday
Maxwell Crozier

to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday
Alexander Nikishin

Diagnosed With Concussion
Viktor Arvidsson

Exits Early Sunday
Theo Johnson

a Dynasty Faller After Busy Giants Offseason
Kyle Monangai

Remains a Dynasty Hold
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Left-Wrist Fracture
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Josh Naylor

Absent on Sunday With Quad Tightness
Ryan Helsley

Returns From Bereavement List on Sunday
Steven Kwan

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Brent Rooker

Activated and Starting on Sunday Against Rangers
Roman Anthony

Returns as DH on Sunday
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Arturs Silovs

Steps in and Saves Pittsburgh on Saturday
Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
Steven Kwan

Scratched With Neck Stiffness
Trey Yesavage

Returning From Injured List on Tuesday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
MLB

Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Giancarlo Stanton

Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Jackson Holliday

Receives Positive Test Results, Will be Shut Down for a Week
Jeff Hoffman

Out as Blue Jays Closer
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
Marco Penge

Trending Down Entering Zurich Classic
Sahith Theegala

Eyes Another Strong Week at Zurich Classic
Brooks Koepka

Shane Lowry Teams Up with Brooks Koepka at Zurich Classic
Si Woo Kim

Adds Another Strong Finish at RBC Heritage
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF