Start/Sit Fantasy Football: January 12, 2025

The second day of NFL Wild Card Weekend brings exciting matchups and critical decisions for fantasy football managers. We have 3 games on the slate and all should be explosive with with offense.

Game 1: Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills

Start

Josh Allen (QB, Bills): Allen is a playoff performer through and through. I will never not tell you to start him. His ability to produce in the air and on the ground makes him an easy start if you want. That said there is other value to be had at the qb position if you’re playing in daily lineups

Bo Nix (QB, Broncos): Still not my favorite qb play on the slate. However, Nix’s upside in this matchup can be huge and his price discount on Draftkings is significant. His ability to both run and pass creates a big ceiling in a game that should be high scoring. If the Broncos have any chance at winning, they will need to pass.

Courtland Sutton (WR, Broncos): Sutton has been a model of consistency throughout the season. In a game in which the Broncos will have to pass, I would expect that to continue. Wheels up for Sutton in this matchup.

Javonte Williams (RB, Broncos): I will say this with extreme caution! The Bills run defense is one of the worst in the league. This pick is more like a blind dart throw. That said, Williams has had a few breakout games in similar matchups throughout the season. I would not be placing him in all my lineups, but he can be a difference maker in the right circumstance.

Sit

Amari Cooper (WR, Bills): Cooper has yet to find his footing since being traded to Buffalo mid season. I would imagine he will also have Patrick Surtain covering him part of the time as well. If he manages to go off, Ill just at eat my words on this one.

Game 2: Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Start

Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles): Don’t think I need to say much for this pick. Barkley has been the workhorse all year and the Packers rank in the bottom half in the league when it comes to run defense. Expect Barkley to rake here.

Jayden Reed (WR, Packers): Picking a wide receiver to go off on the Packers offense has become a difficult task. Reed feasted on the Eagles secondary in their matchup in the first week of the season. In what should be a shootout, I will take my chances with Reed’s elite talent.

Sit

Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers): Jacobs appeared to injure himself a few weeks ago in the Saints game and hasn’t looked the same since. He doesn’t carry any injury designation here for the game but the Eagles do have one of the best run defenses in the league.

Game 3: Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Start

Baker Mayfield (QB, Buccaneers): This is my favorite start on this slate. His opponent probably gives the highest upside, but on a 3 game slate I believe Mayfield will be strongly overlooked in daily lineups. When these two teams played earlier in the season he put up 29 fantasy points. In a game that should have scoring, I will roll the dice with Baker as my QB1.

Jayden Daniels (QB, Redskins): It is no secret Tampa’s secondary is one of the absolute worst in the NFL. Add Daniels running capabilities and this pick is a no brainer. Daniels should be one of the most owned qbs in daily leagues as he should be.

Bucky Irving (RB, Buccaneers): Perhaps my favorite play at running back on this slate. Irving has steadily become the primary back in the Buccaneers backfield as the season has progressed. Giving the significance of the game now, Irving should be in line to have a terrific game.

Sit

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, Redskins): It has been a rough second half for Robinson Jr. Going against one of the leagues best run defenses won’t help.

Value Plays

Olamide Zaccheaus (WR, Commanders): As mentioned above, the Buccaneers have one of the worst passing defenses in the league. Zaccheaus has seemed to have found a relationship here with Daniels over the last few weeks of the season.

Marvin Mims Jr (WR, Broncos): Mims has come out of nowhere the last couple weeks of the season. In a game that the Broncos will need to pass, you can bet Mims will be involved in that passing attack.