We have officially arrived at the NFL Playoffs with the Wild Card Weekend upon us, as we have studs all around the place at the quarterback position in these games this weekend. The quarterback position this season has been a roller coaster ride in DFS but if you have been following my series throughout the season, you would be on the right track most of the time on who to start and who to sit in these lineups. As we wait for the Chargers and Texans to kick off the Wild Card Weekend, these are the DFS picks I’m confident in heading into the crazy weekend of the NFL Playoffs.
Quarterback Must Starts of Wild Card Weekend
Justin Herbert ($6,000 Draft Kings, $7,600 FanDuel)
The Chargers quarterback is looking to redeem himself from his last playoff appearance, in which the LA blew a huge lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that second half, he was poor in his performance. Now Herbert has Jim Harbaugh and a strong run game to rely on.
Even though the best part of this Houston Texans team is the pass rush and Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage, the duo of Ladd McConkey and him will continue the momentum they have had these last couple of weeks. Expect Herbert to break the 17-20 point fantasy mark against the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Jayden Daniels ($7,500 Draft Kings, $8,400 FanDuel)
Daniels is heading back to Raymond James Stadium where in his NFL Debut, he had 2 rushing touchdowns. The 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner has been impressive in his NFL Rookie season which has helped turn around the Commanders quickly as they clinched a playoff berth for the first time since the 2020 season when they won the NFC East that year.
This game this time around should be a shootout between these two teams and that’s because Daniels has improved as a passer throughout the regular season and his connection with Terry McLaurin has blossomed ever since that game. Look for Daniels to have at least 20+ fantasy points in this matchup.
Baker Mayfield ($6,800 Draft Kings, $7,900 FanDuel)
Mayfield is entering this year’s playoffs as one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league and a benefactor of having star receiver Mike Evans back into the fold after his injury. The Buccaneers quarterback is playing his first game after being snubbed from the Pro Bowl Roster earlier this month after a very productive season. Look for Mayfield to continue his hot 2024 at home against a suspect Commanders defense.
Quarterback Must Sits of Wild Card Weekend
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in Wild Card Weekend.
Jordan Love ($5,800 Draft Kings, $7,200 FanDuel )
Love is entering the Sunday showdown against the Eagles in the Linc with a hampered elbow that he injured last weekend against the Bears. He is also without his top deep-threat wide receiver Christian Watson, who tore his ACL early in the Bears game. All of that, plus facing the No.1 Defense in the NFL, is a bad combination for Love’s success in DFS in this weekend’s matchup.
CJ Stroud ($5,500 Draft Kings, $7,000 FanDuel )
Stroud has had a sophomore-type slump season for Houston, as the problems with his interior line have continued all season long. The injuries at wide receiver have led to this dip in production in the passing game this season for Stroud and the Texans. The former Ohio State Buckeye will put up a valiant effort but this Jesse Minter defense will get after him throughout this game on Saturday afternoon. Avoid Stroud at all costs in DFS.
Lock of Wild Card Weekend
Jalen Hurts ($7,300 Draft Kings, $8,300 FanDuel )
‘Hurts is BACK, Hurts is BACK, Hurts is BACK!’ Jalen Hurts returns from a concussion as he was fully cleared on Friday afternoon for Sunday’s game. He has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in DFS play this season after the Eagles’ Week 5 bye.
Look for Hurts to continue his success in DFS on Sunday especially when he looks to AJ Brown this weekend. The Packers will also be without Jaire Alexander, so if he can find Brown and Devonta Smith early and often in this game, he will continue running as the best play of the weekend.
Fade of Wild Card Weekend
Russell Wilson ($5,300 Draft Kings, $6,900 FanDuel)
Wilson has been struggling in the last four-game stretch including the last matchup against the Ravens in Week 16. Wilson had two crucial turnovers in that game on the Saturday before Christmas. I feel it’s time to move on from the hype of Wilson and FADE him once again in DFS for the Wild Card like his Denver days.
Sleeper of Wild Card Weekend
Matthew Stafford ($5,700 Draft Kings, $7,100 FanDuel)
Stafford is a good sleeper option this weekend because if he can get the offense going again, he’ll have all of the answers against the Brian Flores blitz. I think Stafford will find Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua early and often in this game. I look forward to the veteran quarterback completing my picks in a stellar way this Wild Card weekend with production that no one expects after the Rams offense has limped into the playoffs.
My picks have hit over 50 percent of the time this season for the Quarterback DFS Slates for the year so follow along with Total Apex Fantasy throughout the Playoffs for great fantasy DFS advice.
