Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey could have an even bigger role than usual in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans. McConkey quickly became the focal point of the LA passing game and thrived there in his rookie season. In the regular season finale, he took a backseat to Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness), but with Johnston questionable and Joshua Palmer (foot) ruled out, McConkey could end up being the only remotely reliable option for quarterback Justin Herbert to throw to. The rookie wide receiver is an unquestioned WR1 option in the Wild Card Round regardless, but he enters the absolute top tier if Johnston is unable to play.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Simi Fehoko (elbow) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's Wild-Card game against the Houston Texans. Fehoko is on the injured reserve, but he had his 21-day practice window opened on Tuesday. He has practiced in full each of the last two days, which is good news ahead of Saturday's game. If active, Fehoko might see a bigger role than normal with Joshua Palmer (foot) ruled out and Quentin Johnston (thigh, illness) questionable for this game. He's too risky of an option to be trusted in DFS lineups.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver D.J. Chark could be looking at an increased role in the passing game when the Chargers open up their playoff campaign against the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend. Chark barely saw the field this season due to a combination of injury and depth chart issues, but with fellow wide receivers Quentin Johnson (thigh/illness) questionable and Joshua Palmer (foot) out, it could fall on Chark to work alongside rookie Ladd McConkey as the top two LA wide receivers. Chark was able to catch his first touchdown of the season in last week's Week 18 win, so he's on the closest thing to a hot streak that he'd had in a Chargers uniform. If Johnston plays, Chark is unlikely to make much noise, but he'd be a value pick with some upside if he's the second wide receiver on the depth chart for the game.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert could find himself missing some key weapons in the Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans. The Chargers have listed starting wide receiver Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) and starting running back J.K. Dobbins (ankle) as questionable for Saturday's game. Both have been critical parts of the Chargers offense this season, but Herbert could find himself with Gus Edwards in the backfield and essentially only Ladd McConkey catching passes. Still, Herbert finished the season off well, putting up top-10 fantasy performances at his position for the past three weeks in a row. He's a strong option for playoff leagues made stronger if "QJ" and Dobbins are able to suit up.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans defensive back Jeff Okudah (concussion) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's Wild-Card matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Okudah was limited to start the week, but two full practices gives him the green light for Saturday's game. Barring any setbacks, Okudah should be out there and likely starting this playoff game. The former first-round pick has only managed to play in six games for the Texans this season. However, Okudah has shown to be a reliable asset on defense when he's healthy enough to play. Having Okudah out there is certainly a benefit for this secondary this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could see his role increase in the Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans. With starting running back J.K. Dobbins (ankle) questionable to play and Gus Edwards (ankle) returning from a two-game absence, Vidal could be needed as the next guy up. He showed some positive signs in his rookie year, but struggled to see the field near the end of the season, appearing on 11% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 17 and on only one snap total in Week 18. Still, if Dobbins is unable to suit up, Vidal figures to have a role in the backfield, especially since the presumed starter Edwards is usually a non-factor in the passing game. Vidal would not be worth fantasy consideration if Dobbins plays, however.

From RotoBaller

The good news for Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is that he has an almost unmatched target share with his team set to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in a Wild Card playoff game on Saturday. The bad news is that Houston's offense has been consistently below average for more than a month, averaging just 15.6 points in its past five games. Further, the Chargers rank third against PPR wide receivers and have held opposing offenses to the fourth-lowest scoring percentage in the NFL. While the matchup isn't ideal, the Michigan Man still hit 1,000 receiving yards despite missing five games and most of another, putting him in rare territory. Though Vegas is predicting a low-scoring game, Collins still can be considered a mid-tier WR1 for managers in playoff formats.

From RotoBaller

A midseason hot streak had Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon among the top options in fantasy football, but things have changed with Houston entering the playoffs against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 28-year-old is averaging 38.7 rushing yards across his past six games, and the Texans' offense has struggled overall, scoring a measly 15.6 points since December. Now comes a Chargers defense that ranks third against fantasy running backs and fourth in scoring percentage allowed, which are not encouraging signs. Mixon is still on the fringe of being a RB1 due to his unchallenged workload in the Houston backfield, but managers in playoff formats shouldn't bet the farm on a huge performance, either.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud should be considered among the lowest tier of starting quarterbacks for managers in playoff leagues with Houston set to play host to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round. The results just haven't been there for the Texans or their second-year starter, who finished as the No. 18 fantasy quarterback, a far cry from where he was drafted in preseason. The Chargers are a mid-tier defense against fantasy quarterbacks, but Houston's offense has averaged just 15.6 points in its past five games. Los Angeles ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring percentage allowed, fifth in yards after catch allowed, and fourth in net yards per passing attempt, which is not a great omen for Stroud or a struggling Houston offense.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn will face a difficult matchup in round one of the NFL playoffs when his team plays host to the Los Angeles Chargers on Wild Card Weekend. L.A. is one of the stronger teams against fantasy kickers, ranking seventh, but the bigger concern has been the offense to which Fairbairn is attached. The Houston offense has averaged a paltry 15.6 points across its past five games prior to the playoffs, which included the offense failing to score on Christmas Day against Baltimore. The Texans' recent performances and a Chargers defense that ranks fourth in scoring percentage allowed do not bode well for the veteran kicker. Managers in playoff formats should look for a stronger matchup elsewhere.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is a low-end option for managers in playoff formats with his team set to play host to the Los Angeles Chargers in a Wild Card game. The 28-year-old finished as TE20 in PPR formats, his worst finish in five years, while attached to a Houston offense that didn't live up to preseason expectations. Now comes a playoff matchup with a Chargers defense that ranks in the top 10 against tight ends and holds opposing offenses to the fourth-lowest scoring percentage in football. Smart money is on Schultz continuing to be involved at a secondary level, but nothing overwhelming as the Texans seek to advance to the Divisional Round for the second straight season.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson should not be considered for lineups with the Texans set to play host to the Los Angeles Chargers in a Wild Card meeting on Saturday. The 24-year-old has played more often since Tank Dell (knee) was lost for the season, but still managed just four catches for 34 yards in the past three weeks. With wide receiver Diontae Johnson now in the fold and Robert Woods still around, it's tough to say which, if any, secondary receiver will emerge behind No. 1 option Nico Collins. Additionally, Houston's offense has averaged just 15.6 points in its past five games. Hutchinson wasn't a strong option anyway, but an uncertain target share and an unpredictable passing offense make him avoidable in playoff formats.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman steps into the top receiver role with Zay Flowers (knee) getting ruled out for the opening playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Bateman did score against the Steelers in their last outing, he has only posted 44 total yards and three receptions on eight targets. He'll likely play a bigger role in the offense rather than serve as a deep threat while both tight ends will play important parts as well. Bateman always carries big play ability, but the Steelers' corners are good in coverage which makes him more of an intriguing option in bigger DFS tournaments rather than cash games.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry enters the Wild Card round on a three-game streak of at least 100 rushing yards which started when the Ravens and Steelers met last. Henry gashed the Steelers' defense for 162 yards on 24 carries in Week 16 after turning in 65 yards on 13 carries in their first meeting. He's produced 11 games of five or more yards per carry with five of those games over 6.5. The Ravens will likely try to get the ground game going early on which would make Henry a valuable DFS play in the opening round.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson drew a first-round matchup with the longtime rival Pittsburgh Steelers in what he hopes will be a different playoff experience. Jackson and company split the season series with the Steelers but won via blowout in their last game at home. That was the first non-COVID era home game he started against the Steelers and he registered 207 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception on 15-for-23 throwing with nine carries for 22 yards. Since their bye week, Jackson has thrown for at least two touchdowns in each game and has averaged 220.5 passing yards with 59.3 rushing yards. Signs point to much of the same which would make Jackson the big-time favorite for any and all DFS lineups in this showdown.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns will interview Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Charles London for their offensive-coordinator job on Friday, according to a source. In addition to London, the Browns will interview Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach/passing-game coordinator Darrell Bevell for the offensive-coordinator job. London's job in Seattle could be up in the air after Seattle recently fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season. He was in his first year coaching in Seattle under head coach Mike Macdonald after previously serving as the Tennessee Titans QBs coach/pass-game coordinator in 2023 and as the Atlanta Falcons' QBs coach from 2021-22. In addition to London and Bevell, the Browns already interviewed tight ends coach Tommy Rees as an internal candidate for the offensive-coordinator gig.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns are expected to interview Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach/passing-game coordinator Darrell Bevell for their vacant offensive-coordinator position, according to a source. In addition to Bevell, the Browns will discuss the same position with Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Charles London. Bevell is a long-time NFL assistant and has been with Miami since Mike McDaniel took over as the head coach in 2022. He has plenty of experience running offenses around the league, serving as the OC for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars. Bevell has been an interim head coach twice -- with the Lions in 2020 and with the Jaguars in 2021. Whoever is hired as Cleveland's next offensive coordinator will work closely with head coach Kevin Stefanski, although it's unclear who will be the Browns' QB in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has declined an interview request from the New England Patriots for their head-coach opening, according to sources. Instead, Glenn will interview for the other five head-coaching openings around the league -- the Raiders, Saints, Jets, Bears and Jaguars -- over the next few days. Glenn is one of the top head-coaching candidates available during this coaching cycle and was also a three-time Pro Bowler as a defensive back as a player in the NFL. He's in his fourth year as Detroit's defensive coordinator, and the Lions ranked seventh in points allowed per game (20.1) and fifth in rushing yards allowed per game (94.4) in 2024. The Patriots are widely expected to choose Mike Vrabel, a former linebacker with New England, as their next head coach after firing Jerod Mayo after just one season on the job.

From RotoBaller

The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to interview Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley for their offensive-coordinator job on Friday, according to a source. Fraley was an offensive lineman for 11 years in the NFL and has been instrumental in the Lions' running game during their resurgence. Improving their ground game is something Seattle desperately wants to do, so this connection makes plenty of sense. In addition to Fraley, the Seahawks plan on interviewing Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown for the same position. The 47-year-old Fraley was a center and appeared in 142 games with the Eagles, Browns and Rams during his career. He started in 2018 with the Lions as an assistant offensive-line coach before being promoted to offensive-line coach in 2020.

From RotoBaller

The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports that the Las Vegas Raiders currently don't have an interview set up to interview former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel for their head-coach job. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and former New England Patriots quarterback reportedly wants to get Vrabel in for an interview after the team fired Antonio Pierce earlier this week, but no interview is scheduled for Vrabel, who is believed to be the overwhelming favorite to become the next head coach of the Patriots. Brady and Vrabel played together in New England from 2001-08 and won three Super Bowl rings together. Vrabel won Coach of the Year in 2021 and went 54-45 from 2018-23 while reaching the playoffs three times as the head coach of the Titans, which is why he's one of the most popular head-coaching candidates this cycle.

From RotoBaller