TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Who Should I Start For Fantasy Football Wild Card Round? Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, T.J. Hockenson

Sam Darnold - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Who should I start for Wild Card Weekend? Fantasy football outlooks for Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, T.J. Hockenson. Our expert fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks.

The Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs wraps up tonight with a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.

While most of the playoff games have been blowouts thus far, tonight’s contest should be a competitive matchup.

However, are Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, and T.J. Hockenson solid starting options for fantasy players? Let’s dive into it.

 

Should I Start Sam Darnold For Fantasy Football?

Darnold had an outstanding first year with Minnesota, averaging 18.1 fantasy points per game. The veteran quarterback finished with 35 passing touchdowns, one of the highest totals in the NFL. More importantly, he played well in the Week 8 matchup against the Rams.

The former USC star had 240 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 18.2 fantasy points in the loss. While Los Angeles has a solid defense, they have struggled against elite passing attacks. Darnold is an excellent starting option tonight.

 

Should I Start Matthew Stafford For Fantasy Football?

Unfortunately, Stafford struggled to end the regular season. He averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game over his final three contests, totaling one passing touchdown. Furthermore, the future Hall of Famer had under 190 passing yards in every matchup.

However, Stafford has had some productive moments this year, totaling 20 passing touchdowns. His best fantasy performance came in Week 8 against the Vikings, totaling 279 passing yards, four touchdowns, and 24.8 fantasy points. While he won’t play that well in the rematch, Stafford is a solid starting option.

 

Should I Start T.J. Hockenson For Fantasy Football?

The star tight end missed the first half this year recovering from a torn ACL. Unfortunately, he didn’t score a touchdown during the regular season. Hockenson averaged 6.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling single digits in 80% of the contests.

Yet, the veteran is an excellent fantasy option tonight against the Rams. Los Angeles struggled to slow down tight ends during the regular season, surrendering 13.3 fantasy points per game, the second-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 14.8 fantasy points and a receiving touchdown to Noah Fant.

 

More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks

Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Fact or Fiction: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Malik Willis, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Luther Burden III, Jayden Higgins, Jake Tonges

Welcome back to Fact or Fiction, RotoBaller's weekly look at some of the NFL's most shocking performances. If you're reading this in search of lineup advice for Week 18, I first want to say that I'm sorry your commissioner has your league playing in Week 18. If you're here because you're playing DFS this week or […]


Dylan Sampson - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Rookies

Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Michael Carter: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 17

Cleveland Browns running backs Dylan Sampson (hand) and Raheim Sanders will have more opportunities to touch the football in Week 17. The Browns starting RB, Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) is out for the season after suffering a gruesome leg injury in Week 16. Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter also stands to benefit workload-wise since […]


Kenneth Gainwell - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Sleepers

Kenneth Gainwell, Tony Pollard, Jaylen Warren: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 17

The running back position is quite interesting in championship week. Any starting RB as well as a handful of RB2s should be considered for starting lineups. Even the "lower-tier" starting RBs can be quite valuable for fantasy teams. We just saw Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard, who was one of the biggest draft busts […]


Jakobi Meyers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Parker Washington, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jakobi Meyers: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 17

Week 17 is coming up. Whether you're fighting for your fantasy football league championship, hoping to get some winnings from placing highly, or just trying to avoid being the toilet bowl loser, finding who to start at wide receiver is always important. Many WRs, like Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Emeka Egbuka, have been tough to […]


Quentin Johnston - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Lineup Picks

Fact or Fiction: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Ashton Jeanty, Jaylen Warren, Parker Washington, Quentin Johnston, A.J. Barner

Welcome back to Fact or Fiction, RotoBaller's weekly look at some of the NFL's most shocking performances. For most of you, this is it: the Super Bowl of fantasy football. Championship week is here, so only one thing matters: winning your fantasy football game. With that in mind, there's no looking ahead this week. There's no […]




Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

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

Graham Pauley

Defense Gives him an Advantage at 3B
Braxton Garrett

on Track to be a Full-Go in Camp
Max Meyer

Expected to be Full-Go for Spring Training
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
San Diego Padres

Padres Sign Leandro Cedeno to Minor-League Contract
A.J. Ewing

a Name to Watch in Mets Pipeline
Cooper Ingle

to Contend for Early MLB Debut?
Luis Pena

Expected to Begin Season at High-A?
Dominick Barlow

Lands Standard Contract With 76ers
Carlos Lagrange

Earns Ticket to MLB Spring Training
Jalen Suggs

Records First Career Triple-Double vs. Nets
Sean Sullivan

to Attend Big-League Camp
Isaiah Jackson

Not Available Friday vs. Kings
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jared Thomas

Earns Invite to Spring Training
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Kristaps Porzingis

Unlikely to Debut Saturday vs. Lakers
Ivica Zubac

Not Ready for Indiana Debut on Friday
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Grayson Allen

Exits Early vs. Warriors
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Poised for Regression After Career Season
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Exits Early with Hamstring Soreness
Matt Olson

Carries High Floor at First Base
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
David Bednar

Poised to Remain Elite Closer in New York
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Brent Suter

Angels Closing in on Contract with Brent Suter
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
Ty France

Linked to Three Suitors Ahead of Spring Training
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Kyle Finnegan

Not Expected to See Many Save Opportunities?
Arizona Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Acquire Infielder Jose Mejia From Baltimore
Arizona Diamondbacks

Wellington Aracena Traded to Diamondbacks
Javier Báez

Javier Baez Suspended From WBC After Positive Marijuana Test
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Brendan Rodgers

Red Sox Sign Brendan Rodgers to Minor-League Deal
Michael Harris II

Remains an Everyday Contributor After Joining 20/20 Club
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Bobby Portis

Questionable to Play Friday
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Set for Celtics Debut Friday
Joel Embiid

Good to Go Against Lakers
Andrew Nembhard

Ready to Return Friday
Pascal Siakam

Available Friday
Ty Jerome

to Sit Out Friday's Action
Deni Avdija

Considered Questionable for Friday's Matchup
De'Anthony Melton

Will Play Against Suns
Jalen Duren

Exits Early Thursday
Darius Garland

Unavailable Friday Night
Domantas Sabonis

Iffy for Friday
Josh Okogie

Tari Eason Out Thursday
Kelly Olynyk

Luke Kornet Out, Kelly Olynyk In Thursday
Julius Randle

Still Dealing With Thumb Issue, Questionable for Friday
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
Wyatt Kaiser

Hurt Against Blue Jackets
Sandis Vilmanis

Injured in Wednesday's Win
Jack Hughes

Out Thursday
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF