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It's time for postseason NFL action, and many of you are taking part in NFL playoff fantasy football leagues or DFS contests. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Chargers vs. Texans game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for whatever you are participating in.
The Texans have regressed late in the season and are down two key wideouts, but they're looking for their second playoff win in two seasons. Meanwhile, the Chargers have not won a playoff game since 2018, but Jim Harbaugh has plenty of postseason experience. All in all, it should be a fun AFC clash.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for this game -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Wild Card Weekend. Below, you'll see the fantasy football outlooks for key players like Nico Collins, J.K. Dobbins, Joe Mixon, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, and Will Dissly.
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
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
Spread: Chargers -2.5
Matchups We Love
WR Nico Collins
The Chargers were one of the better defenses in the NFL this season. However, Nico Collins has a strong matchup on the outside against this secondary this week. This Los Angeles defense has allowed some big fantasy games to Jakobi Meyers (27.3 PPR fantasy points), Jalen McMillan (18.5 PPR fantasy points), and Mike Evans (36.9 PPR fantasy points) in recent weeks. So, Collins should be in for a strong fantasy day.
1️⃣2️⃣ DOIN' HIS THING 🔥
📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/1iNmPxliqy
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2025
Matchups We Hate
RB J.K. Dobbins
Since returning from injury in Week 17, J.K. Dobbins has scored in double figures in PPR formats in back-to-back games while seeing at least 20 touches in both weeks. But it might be tough to rely on him in the first round of the NFL playoffs.
The Texans have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season and have allowed over 16 PPR fantasy points to only two running backs since Week 9.
JK DOBBINS. GO-AHEAD TD WITH 18 SECONDS LEFT.
📺: #CINvsLAC on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ou4r33q38K— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2024
RB Joe Mixon
After a strong start to the year, Joe Mixon has cooled off a little bit in fantasy. He hasn't scored over 11 PPR fantasy points in four straight games and has a tough matchup on Wild Card Weekend against the Chargers. Los Angeles has given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season while allowing only two running backs to score above 15 PPR fantasy points since Week 9.
Quentin Johnston had a career day last week, catching 13 passes for 168 yards. Those 13 catches, 186 receiving yards, and 31.6 PPR fantasy points were all career-highs. But Johnston will have a tougher matchup against Derek Stingley Jr. on the outside.
Stingley ranks third in catch rate allowed and second in coverage rating. The second-year wideout has also only totaled over 50 receiving yards just three times this season.
Dalton Schultz hasn't been a strong fantasy option for most of the year. He has scored in double figures in PPR formats just twice this season and has caught three passes or fewer in six of the past nine games. Unfortunately, things don't get easier for him in the first round of the playoffs against the Chargers. Los Angeles has allowed only two tight ends to score more than 10.5 PPR fantasy points since Week 5.
Other Matchups
Justin Herbert put up strong fantasy numbers in recent weeks, scoring above 23 fantasy points in three straight games. Therefore, he'll be a solid quarterback option against the Texans this week. Herbert has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in four consecutive weeks, and this Houston secondary has allowed over 20 fantasy points to three different quarterbacks over the last five games.
QB C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud was one of the more disappointing fantasy quarterback options in the regular season. He finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback just once since Week 5 and ended the year as the QB18. So, Stroud might not be the strongest quarterback play in the first round of the NFL playoffs. The good news for him, though, is that the Chargers have allowed over 19 fantasy points to five different quarterbacks over the past nine weeks.
It was great to see Ladd McConkey break out in the second half of the regular season. As a result, he will be a solid fantasy wide receiver option against the Texans this week. The rookie has scored over 14 PPR fantasy points in seven straight games while catching at least five passes in 10 of the past 11 contests.
You're a good Ladd, McConkey! 🔥 A 60 YD catch and run TD
📺: #NOvsLAC on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Kn8556EN3Q— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
TE Will Dissly
Will Dissly had some solid fantasy games this season, including last week against the Raiders. The veteran caught five passes for 42 yards and one touchdown en route to a 15.2 PPR fantasy point day. So, he could be a potential option in DFS contests this weekend. The Texans have allowed at least 9.5 PPR fantasy points to seven tight ends over the past eight weeks.
Notable Fantasy-Relevant Injuries
- J.K. Dobbins (ankle) - Questionable
- Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) - Questionable
- Joshua Palmer (foot) - Out
- John Metchie III (shoulder) - Questionable
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