2021 Wild Card – AFC
4 min read
The postseason of the NFL season is here! I understand for the most part the 2021 Fantasy Football Season is complete and we are all enjoying our recent championships! I know though, that there are various playoff leagues/competitions and of course daily fantasy football to take us thru the Super Bowl LVI. So, I am going to continue to go on in hopes that it helps with your postseason decisions, in regard to Fantasy Football.
To start, I am looking at the first games of the postseason in Wild Card Weekend on Saturday January 15th for the AFC teams. The matchups are: Las Vegas Raiders at the Cincinnati Bengals; New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers at the Kansas City Chiefs! Remember, my favorite players usually are on teams that have a Top Offense that can produce lots of Targets and Touchdowns! Let’s review who they are below in this game and if they would be a Starter, Upside Play or Sleeper for Fantasy Football!
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals
Starters – Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, Josh Jacobs (LV). Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase (CIN).
Upside Plays – Derek Carr, Zay Jones (LV). Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd (CIN).
Sleepers – Kenyan Drake, Foster Moreau, Bryan Edwards, Raiders D/ST (LV). Samaje Perine, Chris Evans, C.J. Uzomah, Bengals D/ST (CIN).
Looking to be on the higher scoring half of Wild Card Weekend and I think the multiple options has me leaning toward the Bengals. That Cincinnati offense looks to have a bit more than the Las Vegas team but maybe Darren Waller is ready to explode for his team. Just doubting the Raiders have enough to get the win in this one.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Starters – Damien Harris (NE). Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Devin Singletary (BUF).
Upside Plays – Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots D/ST, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry (NE). Bills D/ST, Dawson Knox, Cole Beasley (BUF).
Sleepers – Brandon Bolden, Nelson Agholor, Mac Jones (NE). Zack Moss, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Emmanuel Sanders (BUF).
The running game has been the primary piece for the Patriots while the Bills did get a nice passing game going the last time these two teams met. This one hinges on how much the Patriots D/ST is able to contain Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense. While I look for that New England running game to continue being their primary option so as to give Allen less time and opportunity to do his thing.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs
Starters – Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson (PIT). Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce (KC).
Upside Plays – Ben Roethlisberger, Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth (PIT). Darrel Williams, Byron Pringle (KC).
Sleepers – Steelers D/ST, Ray-Ray McCloud (PIT). Mecole Hardman, Chiefs D/ST, Derrick Gore (KC).
This looks to be a fun one to finalize the AFC for next week’s Divisional Round games! Obviously, the Chiefs have plenty of weapons to run away with this game but the gritty Steelers playing with nothing to lose could be dangerous here. Imagine Kansas City gets it done in this game but probably closer than expected against this Pittsburgh team. Harris and Johnson should get lots of opportunities, while Kelce, Hill (hopefully feeling better from the recent heel injury) and Mahomes get plenty of chances as well in this game.
Keep current with the latest injury news up until kickoff as there are plenty of moving parts. Enjoy the games and good luck as your fantasy football matchups start! Look for my Rankings as you have decisions to make for this weekend’s games! Good luck!
Keep up on the latest injury news as game time gets closer!
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If your players are on an offensive team that can get many Targets and Touchdowns, you know I would be interested in them! Statistics courtesy of The Football Database , a great resource for your NFL players statistics. If you enjoyed the article please share it with others (via the social media links).
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Missed any recent posts?!, check them out below as you get your mind focused on fantasy football opportunities!
- 2021 Wild Card – NFC
- 2021 Top Offenses
- 2021 Quarterbacks
- 2021 Tight Ends
- 2021 Wide Receivers
- 2021 Running Backs
I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy! Enjoy the journey throughout the 2021 Fantasy Football Season!
