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Championship weekend has arrived in the NFL. With playoff leagues and DFS still in full swing, fantasy players must refine their start/sit decisions. There are only four teams to choose from, which means that the pickings are scarce.
Given that most teams that make it this far are generally solid all around, no matchup is ever incredible. However, by paying attention to the nuances of the games and understanding which secondary players may step up, you have a good chance of striking lightning in a bottle.
There is going to be a lot of good defense played this weekend. As such, you will need big-play potential in your lineup in addition to safe bets. Let's dive in and see who should and should not be in your lineup during championship weekend.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup We Love
Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at PHI
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 7th
Daniels is ready to enter a new stratosphere. Given how much he has had to do as a quarterback this postseason, he will certainly be asked to put together another stellar performance. The Chiefs vs. Bills game projects to be relatively low-scoring, which will limit the output of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. As such, it will be difficult not to stay in the flames with Daniels.
The Eagles defense will be a tough test for Daniels. However, the last time he played this team, he tossed five touchdowns. Win or lose, Daniels should put together a Herculean effort.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations
Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: WAS
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 15th
Hurts has been underwhelming during the playoffs as the Eagles have repeatedly ridden Saquon Barkley to victory. If they are going to propel themselves to the Super Bowl this weekend, hitching their wagon to Barkley is likely their best chance.
Hurts is also banged up after twisting his knee on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Look for the Eagles to protect him as much as they can while feeding Barkley. This feels like another game in which Hurts may only throw for 128 yards. You will need a tush-push touchdown to be happy with his day.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup We Love
James Cook - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 1st
The Chiefs were the No. 1 defense against opposing running backs in fantasy during the regular season. However, they faltered down the stretch and just allowed Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon to run all over them in the Divisional Round. We know that the Bills want to run the ball and control this game. Cook and his 4.9 yards per carry should have a solid day at Arrowhead.
Win or lose, Cook should find space to run against the Chiefs front. Look for him to contribute to fantasy this weekend.
Ray Davis hawking this touchdown from James Cook has me fully tilted 😵💫 pic.twitter.com/L3kfMIFXvN
— 👨💻Patrick Rice👨💻 (@MrPatrickRice) January 20, 2025
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations
Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at PHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 2nd
Robinson found the end zone twice against the Lions this past weekend. However, we are going back to the well here as it has been the Jayden Daniels show this postseason. The Eagles present a serious challenge to opposing running backs in fantasy football.
This game is almost certainly going to come down to Daniels and his magic. We have already seen Robinson shut down once this postseason with a 16-yard performance against the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round. Robinson's teammate, Austin Ekeler, is a better choice this weekend given his pass-catching prowess.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup We Love
Xavier Worthy - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: BUF
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 21st
Something tells me that the Chiefs are going to need some offense on Sunday if they want to advance to the Super Bowl. In the 16 games in which their starters played this season, the Chiefs only allowed 30 points on one occasion. That game came against the Bills.
Worthy had a pedestrian game in the Divisional Round, but he is going to be essential to the Chiefs' likely need to score a lot of points on Sunday. The Bills have been solid on defense for much of the season, but do we think Andy Reid does not have some wild plays drawn up for Worthy this weekend?
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations
A.J. Brown - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: WAS
Opponent Rank vs. WR 24th
It is difficult not to continue putting Brown in this category. His success is now also tied to the health of his quarterback. Jalen Hurts does not seem likely to play at 100% this weekend.
In two playoff games this season, Brown has caught three passes for 24 yards. Reason would suggest that the Eagles may need to lean on the pass to beat the Commanders. However, look for the Eagles to lean hard into the run and try to contain Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. The Eagles' best chances of winning on Sunday are in a low-scoring game.
Aj Brown got 24 yards in 2 playoff games combined this year pic.twitter.com/K4QCNyDXCW
— juice (@LArams4L) January 20, 2025
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love
Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: BUF
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 21st
Playoff Kelce has arrived. After breaking more Jerry Rice records this past Sunday, Kelce looks poised to continue leading the Chiefs through the postseason when they need him most. Couple that with the fact that the Bills are susceptible to tight ends and this could be another massive game for Kelce.
There is not much of a world where the Chiefs do much of anything in this game without Kelce. Whether or not they win, the Chiefs are likely to be in this game throughout. As such, Kelce should have a fine outing.
🚨| Travis Kelce when asked if he’s feeling 25
“22 baby, 22!”— Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) January 19, 2025
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations
Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 28th
By extension of the fact that he is the only tight end remaining in these playoffs who is unlikely to be a significant part of his team's game plan, Kincaid falls to this section on the list.
Kincaid has had an all-around disappointing follow-up to his solid rookie season. He has only caught four passes in the playoffs, including a lone reception in the Divisional Round. It's best to look elsewhere at this position this week.
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