NFL DFS Wild Card Round QB Coach: Jayden Daniels, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold
Published: Jan 10, 2025
Wild Card Weekend is here, and the NFL playoffs promise high-stakes drama and exciting matchups for DFS enthusiasts. This weekend’s quarterback slate features a mix of rising stars and established talents.
Washington Commanders rookie sensation Jayden Daniels leads his team into battle, showcasing his dual-threat abilities on the biggest stage yet.
Meanwhile, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers is poised to light up the scoreboard with his rocket arm and precision passing.
On the other side of the spectrum, Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold looks to continue his career resurgence, guiding his team with poise and experience.
Let’s dive into the top DFS plays at quarterback for Wild Card Weekend and analyze how these stars match up against their playoff opponents.
NFL DFS QB Top Tier & Play of the Week For Wild Card Weekend
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders - DraftKings: $7,500 | FanDuel: $8,400
From the second overall pick to the playoffs. That's the impact rookie QB Jayden Daniels had on the Washington Commanders franchise this season. Throwing for 3,568 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 891 yards and six scores on the ground, Daniels is a dynamic dual threat QB that he love to use in DFS. His matchup this weekend, on the road, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be a favorable one given the shaky pass coverage the Buccaneers have had this season and when they do cover well they need to worry about Daniels taking off which they saw up close and personal all the way back in Week 1 when he ran for 88 yards and two scores in his NFL debut.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel: $7,900
Opposite side of that matchup we have Baker Mayfield who put forth the best season of his career, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He also ran for a career high 378 yards and three scores.
Mayfield kicked his season into gear back in Week 1 against this Washington Commanders defense, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns.
Yes, the Commanders secondary has gotten better and we will the epic battle between Marshon Lattimore and Mike Evans on full display but the Buccaneers have developed enough weapons in the passing game that Mayfield can still be successful even if Lattimore gets the best of Evans here in this matchup.
NFL DFS QB Mid-Tier Picks For NFL Wild Card Weekend
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings - DraftKings: $6,500 | FanDuel: $7,800
Nobody needs a bigger bounce back this week than Sam Darnold after his stock took a big hit in the Vikings loss to the Lions in Week 18 on Sunday Night Football to lose the division and the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
Darnold completed just 43% of his passes for 166 yards in that blowout loss to the Lions. This week the Vikings go on the road to take on the Rams in a matchup we saw back in October. There, also on the road, Darnold threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns.
With elite receiving options in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson at his disposal, I'm betting on Darnold righting the ship here this weekend.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers - DraftKings: $6,000 | FanDuel: $7,600
There is a lot to like about Herbert this week as the Chargers go into Houston as a road favorite. We've seen Herbert now throw for at least 280 yards and two scores in three straight weeks as rookie Ladd McConkey and second-year WR Quentin Johnston make plays.
The Texans defense is good, they can get after the QB, but Herbert looks to have elevated his game and I'd bank on Greg Roman having a solid game plan this weekend to beat Houston.
NFL DFS QB Value Picks For NFL Wild Card Weekend
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams - DraftKings: $5,700 | FanDuel: $7,100
While Stafford's numbers fell off during the second half of this season he still finds himself with a favorable matchup this week against a Vikings defense that has had its issues against the pass this season. With a healthy Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp at his disposal lets see if we can get a repeat performance from Stafford who threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns against the Vikings earlier this season.
NFL DFS QB Fades For Wild Card Weekend
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans - DraftKings: $5,500 | FanDuel: $7,000
Something isn't working in Houston right now. The AFC South division winners are a home underdog in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Second-year QB C.J. Stroud has hit the sophomore slump at the worst possible time and the injuries at the wide receiver position have really hampered what was a promising season. Sure, Nico Collins is elite but the Chargers have a good pass defense and strong pass rush. I just don't see this play paying off this weekend.