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NFL Wild-Card Playoff Capsules

Fri Jan 10 12:56pm ET
Field Level Media

NFL Wild-Card Playoff Capsules

Saturday, January 11

AFC

No. 5 L.A. Chargers (11-6) at No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7)

4:30 p.m. ET

CBS, Paramount+

The Chargers are in the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh's first season as head coach and seeking their first postseason win since the 2018 season. The Texans won the AFC South for the second consecutive year and scored a wild-card win in DeMeco Ryans' first season as head coach last year. Chargers QB Justin Herbert was historically good at avoiding turnovers in 2024, and has a 10-to-0 TD-to-INT ratio on the road this season. He became the second player in NFL history (Aaron Rodgers, 2018) with 500-plus attempts (504) and three or fewer INTs (three) in a season. Texans QB C.J. Stroud can join five others who started and won playoff games in each of their first two seasons. RB Joe Mixon had his fifth career 1,000-yard rushing season and 11 rushing touchdowns in his first season with the Texans. Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins had a career-best 1,058 yards from scrimmage and topped 50 total yards in each of his 13 games. Dobbins missed four games with a knee injury. Houston's offensive line has performed better since Tytus Howard moved to left guard. The Texans' front five faces the Chargers' active front seven led by pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Los Angeles limited teams to 17.7 points per game in the regular season.

AFC

No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5)

8 p.m. ET

Prime Video

AFC North rivals meet in the playoffs for the fourth time with Pittsburgh holding a 3-1 record in the postseason series. They also won four of the past five games with the Ravens overall. But Pittsburgh's last postseason win was in 2016. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has 12 playoffs wins, one behind Mike Holmgren for seventh-best in NFL history. The Ravens led the NFL in total offense (424.9 yards per game) and ranked No. 3 with 30.5 points per game. Piloted by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, the first player in NFL history with 4,000-plus passing yards (4,172), 40-plus TD passes (41) and fewer than five INTs (four) in a season, the Ravens take the field Saturday night without Pro Bowl WR Zay Flowers (knee). But Jackson has a clear connection with TE Mark Andrews, who has a TD grab in six consecutive games entering this week. Pittsburgh's defense has fared well against Jackson historically. Pass rusher T.J. Watt has 17 sacks in 16 career games vs. Baltimore. Ravens RB Derrick Henry totaled 189 yards (162 rushing, 27 receiving) in the Week 16 meeting won by Baltimore. He should alleviate some of the pressure facing Jackson, who owns a 2-4 record in the playoffs, having thrown six interceptions while fumbling six times (losing three). He has thrown for six touchdowns and rushed for three in his playoff career.

Sunday, January 12

AFC

No. 7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4)

1 p.m. ET

CBS, Paramount+

Denver crashed the postseason by blitzing the Kansas City Chiefs' "B" team last week and the Broncos are pursuing their first playoff win since Peyton Manning beat Cam Newton and the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. The Bills are 8-0 at home this season and won the AFC East for the fifth consecutive season, and Buffalo has won a wild-card round game in each of the past four tries. QB Josh Allen had 40 total TDs in 2024. He has thrown 13 touchdown passes in five appearances in the wild-card round (4-1 record). Only Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers have totaled more wild-card TDs in their careers. One major difference this time around for Buffalo: The architect of the offense is Joe Brady. In his first full season as the coordinator following two years as quarterbacks coach, the Bills have the No. 2 scoring offense (30.9) and rank ninth in both passing and rushing yardage. The Bills gave up the fewest sacks (14) and fewest turnovers (eight) in the league. The Broncos racked up 63 sacks, nine more than any other team, and generated 25 takeaways. Nik Bonitto had a breakout season, leading the Denver defense with 13.5 sacks among his 16 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Jonathon Cooper added 10.5 sacks. While the defense has been stellar, the Broncos also found their long-sought franchise quarterback in first-round pick Bo Nix. He finished the regular season with 3,775 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores. Last week, Nix threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-0 win

NFC

No. 7 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

4:30 p.m. ET

FOX

Green Bay won a wild-card game in Philadelphia before capping the 2010 campaign with a victory at Super Bowl XLV in the last playoff matchup between these teams. The first time these franchises ever met in the playoffs, the Eagles defeated Vince Lombardi's Packers to capture the 1960 NFL Championship. The Packers were the first No. 7 seed to win in the playoffs when they shocked the Dallas Cowboys last January. Sunday's game is a rematch of the season-opening Friday night game on Sept. 6 in Brazil. Philadelphia recorded a 34-29 win behind three total touchdowns and 109 rushing yards from 2024 NFL rushing king Saquon Barkley (2,005 yards). Jalen Hurts passed for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the victory, while Jordan Love threw for 260 yards, two TDs and one pick for the Packers. Hurts will be suiting up for the first time since Dec. 22 due to a concussion. And Love was limited early in the week after leaving the Week 18 loss to Chicago with an elbow injury. Coach Nick Sirianni said he wasn't worried about rust with Hurts, who took the Eagles to the Super Bowl during the 2022 season but lost wild-card games at Tampa Bay after both the 2021 and 2023 seasons. Love made his playoff debut last season, posting a 48-32 wild-card win at Dallas before falling 24-21 in the divisional round at San Francisco.

No. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5) at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

8 p.m. ET

NBC, Peacock

Washington has lost five consecutive playoff games, including a 31-23 defeat at Tampa in their last postseason game in January 2021. The Commanders won 12 games for the first time since 1991, when they won SB XXVI. The two teams met in September in rookie QB Jayden Daniels' NFL debut. Daniels rushed for two touchdowns but didn't throw for any in a 37-20 road loss. The Buccaneers had the hotter quarterback as Baker Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. By the Commanders' count, Mayfield also wriggled off the hook five times on plays the coaching staff believes should've been sacks. Mayfield established career highs of 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns this season while being intercepted 16 times. The offense received a boost from breakout RB Bucky Irving. The rookie fourth-round draft pick has rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns. Mayfield has performed well on the playoff stage. He has 1,153 passing yards (288.3 per game) with 10 TDs vs. three INTs in four career playoff starts. In each of his last two postseason starts, Mayfield had 325-plus passing yards and three-plus TD passes in the 2023 playoffs. Commanders WR Terry McLaurin had 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a franchise-record 13 TD catches in 2024.

Monday, January 13

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (14-3) vs. No. 4 L.A. Rams (10-7), at Glendale, Ariz.

8 p.m. ET

ESPN/ABC/ESPN+

Public safety concerns stemming from the tragic wildfires in Southern California prompted the NFL to move the rematch of the Week 8 Vikings-Rams game to Glendale and the home stadium of the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams beat the Vikings 30-20 in that Oct. 24 meeting with Matthew Stafford throwing four touchdown passes. Stafford enters his ninth playoff start and won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams. He's facing Sam Darnold, making his postseason debut, after the Vikings completed a turnaround from last place in the NFC North. In the 2021 postseason, Stafford had 1,188 passing yards in four starts, the second-most passing yards in a single postseason all-time. Darnold became the first quarterback to win 14 regular-season games in his first season with a team in 2024. The last time the Rams and Vikings met in the postseason, they delivered the top-scoring NFC Divisional playoff game of all-time, a 49-37 win by the then-St. Louis Rams on Jan. 16, 2000.

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Player Notes
Mike Evans Jan 10 12:00pm CT
Mike Evans

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Friday that cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is good to go for Sunday night's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on wild-card weekend. Lattimore has missed plenty of time this year due to hamstring issues, including the final two games of the regular season, but the 28-year-old veteran cornerback will be available this weekend and is expected to try and shut down Bucs future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans in this matchup. It's worth noting that Lattimore held Evans to only two catches on six targets for 34 yards back in Week 6 when Lattimore was still with the New Orleans Saints. Evans will still be a top-five fantasy wideout on Sunday, but he could have more bust potential with Lattimore covering him. Even with Lattimore back, fantasy managers should avoid Washington's defense/special teams unit.

From RotoBaller

Diontae Johnson Jan 10 11:50am CT
Diontae Johnson

In his debut with the Houston Texans in the Week 18 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans in the regular-season finale, wide receiver Diontae Johnson caught two passes on four targets for 12 yards and also returned a punt for zero yards. He played 37 percent of the offensive snaps, but the Texans plan on using him more for the upcoming wild-card playoff game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite being on his third team this season, Johnson is fitting in well with Houston so far. "We were able to get him a little involved in the game as well. I thought he handled himself really well. We will start to continue to feed him more to see how he can help us," head coach DeMeco Ryans said. The Texans could really use someone to step up behind Nico Collins with both Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) out for the year. It could be Johnson, but he'll still be a risky boom/bust flex play in fantasy this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Jan 10 11:40am CT
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) returned to the practice field on Friday, according to head coach Andy Reid. It's not an official practice for the Chiefs since they are on bye for the wild-card round of the playoffs this week, but it's a good sign for Pacheco's availability next week for the Divisional Round. Along with most of the Chiefs regulars, the 25-year-old was held out of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos so that he could rest up for the postseason. The extra rest should help Pacheco get back on the field for the Divisional Round, but we'll have a better idea of his status once the Chiefs resume official practices next week. If he's active next weekend, Pacheco could share more work with backfield mate Kareem Hunt. Pacheco played in a career-low seven games in 2024 due to a broken leg and may not be back to full speed until next season.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Jan 10 11:40am CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson has been charged with one count of misdemeanor DUI, according to the Office of the Los Angeles Attorney. Robinson was arrested on suspicion of DUI on Nov. 25 after police officers saw him driving more than 100 mph. He will be arraigned in late February. The Rams didn't suspend Robinson after he was arrested in November, with head coach Sean McVay saying the team would "let the legal process take place." The 30-year-old started all 17 games in 2024 and surprisingly led the team with seven touchdowns despite finishing fourth with 31 catches and 505 receiving yards. With the charges coming out for Robinson just days before the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings in Arizona on Monday night, it remains to be seen if LA will suspend Robinson. If Robinson is active, he'll be a touchdown/dependent WR3/flex for playoff lineups.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Jan 10 11:30am CT
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) suffered a re-tear of his Achilles tendon and had another surgery on Thursday to fix it, according to sources informed of the situation. The re-tear comes less than three months after his original tear, and Watson could now miss the entire 2025 season. General manager Andrew Berry announced on Monday that Watson had suffered a setback in his rehab, but now we know that it's a pretty serious setback. Even if Watson can make it back at some point this year, there's an even bigger question about how he would perform after dual Achilles injuries. Since the Browns acquired Watson, he's played in just 19 of a possible 51 regular-season games due to injury and suspension -- he was suspended 11 games in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct. If he misses all of 2025, he will have played in just 19 of a possible 85 regular-season games.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Hurts Jan 10 11:30am CT
Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol, according to head coach Nick Sirianni. Hurts is now ready to go for the wild-card playoff game this Sunday against the visiting Green Bay Packers. This was the expectation after Hurts upgraded from a limited practice on Wednesday to a full practice on Thursday. He should be officially cleared from the final injury report for the week on Friday and start under center on Sunday. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups or in playoff leagues might be a little more hesitant to use the 26-year-old as their QB this weekend after he missed the final two games of the regular season due to his concussion, but his rushing prowess alone -- he had a league-high 14 rushing TDs in 2024 -- make him a top-five option at the position.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Jan 10 11:20am CT
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not require surgery for the fractured back that he played through late in the 2024 season. "One tough dude. Example of what you want," Ballard said. It's a testament to Pittman's toughness that he missed just one game due to his back injury. But the 27-year-old's back issues and inconsistent play from the quarterback position in Indianapolis in 2024 led to Pittman posting only 808 receiving yards -- his fewest since his rookie season in 2020 -- to go with 69 receptions (also his lowest mark since 2020) and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Better health will give him a chance to rebound in 2025, but his overall upside might be dependent on quarterback Anthony Richardson's health and his ability to improve as a passer.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Jan 10 11:10am CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the team will add competition to the quarterback room in 2025, in part because Anthony Richardson (back) hasn't been able to stay healthy for a full season yet early on in his career. In addition to injury issues, Richardson's accuracy concerns continue to be a problem. "We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster," Ballard said of Richardson. "The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he's got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question. We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he's not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games," Ballard said. The 22-year-old has started 15 of a possible 34 games in his first two NFL seasons. While his rushing ability is top tier, Richardson needs to stay healthy and improve as a passer to maintain his starting role in Indy.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Jan 10 1:03am CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said he would be 'very confident' in retaining QB Kirk Cousins to be the team's backup for the 2025 season. Fontenot also indicated that reports saying Cousins would be released before a $10 million roster bonus was due on March 17 were unfounded.

Fantasy Spin: While the Falcons GM made some points about the low cap hit of Michael Penix Jr. and the allure of having an experienced backup behind this season's first-round pick, it's probably little more than posturing as NFL teams are notoriously coy about tipping future plans. Obviously, if the Falcons do retain Cousins as QB2, he'd hold zero fantasy appeal. If he is released and resurfaces somewhere else with a shot at a starting job (Cleveland, perhaps?), the veteran would be worth tracking in case another offseason of recovery allows him to rediscover his pre-injury form.

From TheHuddle

Demarcus Robinson Jan 10 12:53am CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams WR Demarcus Robinson was charged with one count of misdemeanor DUI on Thursday, Jan. 9, stemming from an arrest on Nov. 25, 2024. The team elected not to suspend Robinson following his arrest, but he could face discipline from the NFL down the line.

From TheHuddle

Adam Gotsis Jan 10 12:23am CT
Adam Gotsis

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free-agent DT Adam Gotsis (Colts) to the practice squad on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

From TheHuddle

Eli Apple Jan 9 11:43pm CT
Eli Apple

Los Angeles Chargers CB Eli Apple (hamstring) was designated to return from the Reserve/Injured list on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

From TheHuddle

Pat Freiermuth Jan 9 10:20pm CT
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth was incredibly productive over the last two weeks of the regular season and will carry some positive momentum into a Wild-Card Round bout with the Baltimore Ravens. Freiermuth had his best showing of the year in Week 18, hauling in eight of 11 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. It is worth noting that Freiermuth was hardly utilized in either of his two meetings with the Ravens in 2024 and was held to three or fewer receptions in both contests. On paper, however, this is a favorable matchup for the 26-year-old as Baltimore struggled against the pass and opposing tight ends throughout the campaign. There are more reliable options for fantasy purposes this weekend, but Freiermuth is a solid value and offers upside in PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Justin Tucker Jan 9 10:20pm CT
Justin Tucker

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has had his well-documented issues this season but has been a bit more reliable since their bye week in Week 14. In that span, he's gone 18-for-18 in extra points and 3-for-3 in his field goal tries. His rough season can't be forgotten, which is what makes him more of a mid-level option rather than the elite fantasy asset that he used to be. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Tucker has a solid ceiling but a lower floor.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Jan 9 10:10pm CT
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens failed to make an impact in the team's final game of the regular season but will need to step up against the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Pickens was injured for Pittsburgh's most recent meeting with Baltimore, but back in Week 11, he earned 12 targets and logged eight receptions for 89 yards against his division rival. The Ravens allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wideouts this season, so this is certainly a matchup that Pickens can find success in. Unfortunately, quarterback Russell Wilson and the Steelers' offense as a whole have been wildly inconsistent, making it extremely difficult to rely on Pickens' production. That said, he has a high ceiling this weekend and can be considered a low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 in fantasy contests.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Jan 9 9:53pm CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill's 3.5 yards after catch and 1.75 yards per route run were both the lowest totals of his career.

Fantasy Spin: To be fair, Hill battled a wrist injury and played six games without Tua Tagovailoa under center. After quieting the speculation that he wants out of Miami, Hill should still be in the WR1 mix next season, although not necessarily a lock for the first round of fantasy drafts.

From TheHuddle

Isaiah Likely Jan 9 9:50pm CT
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely displayed some pretty big flashes of fantasy relevance throughout the regular season. Moving into the Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he'll benefit from Zay Flowers (knee) being ruled out. The last time the Ravens took on the Steelers, Likely found the end zone with three receptions for 29 yards. He doesn't automatically become a must-start because Mark Andrews is still the number-one option while Rashod Bateman presents a deep threat. Likely should be more involved, but has a lower floor for fantasy managers looking to deploy him in DFS lineups.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Jan 9 9:50pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren closed the regular season with a quiet performance and will look to get more involved against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. Warren played well against Baltimore in 2024, averaging 80 total yards and 4.5 receptions over two meetings with his AFC North foe. While it has been difficult to project Warren's utilization on a weekly basis, he should get plenty of opportunities on Saturday. The Ravens are heavy favorites at home, meaning Pittsburgh may be forced to shy away from the run and push the ball downfield. Najee Harris is a capable pass-catcher, but Warren has been the more prolific receiver over the past two seasons. Because of this, the 26-year-old offers some upside in PPR fantasy contests this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Jan 9 9:40pm CT
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris averaged 52.5 rushing yards and 15 receiving yards in his two meetings with the Baltimore Ravens this season. He will hope to be more effective against his division rival in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. The Ravens have been stout against the run all year, surrendering the fewest yards per carry in the league. Additionally, Baltimore is heavily favored at home, so Pittsburgh may be forced to rely on Russell Wilson and the passing game to keep up. Harris has contributed as a receiver throughout his career but will likely cede some opportunities through the air to teammate Jaylen Warren. Fantasy gamers should view Harris as a volume-based RB2 in playoff leagues or DFS contests this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Nelson Agholor Jan 9 9:30pm CT
Nelson Agholor

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor finds himself in a bit bigger of a role heading into the Wild Card round against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw career lows in targets, receptions, and yards this season, but he'll move up the depth chart with Zay Flowers (knee) getting ruled out. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will also play bigger parts in the passing game, so Agholor will still have competition for targets. He could be a sneaky option with a lower price in DFS lineups, but he's still a risky play.

From RotoBaller