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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was limited in practice for the second day this week on Thursday. Pickett suffered fractured ribs while filling in for the injured Jalen Hurts (concussion) in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and made the start in Week 17, but he gave way to third-stringer Tanner McKee in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Hurts returned to a full practice on Thursday and is on pace to return this Sunday for the wild-card playoff game against the visiting Green Bay Packers, but it remains to be seen if Pickett will be healthy enough to serve as Hurts' backup. The 26-year-old is unlikely to carry any fantasy value into the postseason unless Hurts suffers another injury. The former first-rounder saw action in five games (one start) in his first year in Philly in 2024 and went 25-for-42 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.