The NFL Playoffs are here! If you’re not quite ready to leave the thrill of the chase behind (no pun intended), there are still daily contests to be played, as well as playoff fantasy leagues. I’ve released my playoff league rankings and will be updating my weekly rankings throughout the playoffs. We’ll also be previewing each individual game’s fantasy prospects. Up next, the AFC Wild Card Saturday game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game airs on NBC at 8:15 pm EST this Saturday, January 14.

Note: All point totals and rankings are PPR unless otherwise noted. DFS values are DraftKings Classic ranks. Odds and betting information are courtesy Quarter4.

AFC Wild Card Saturday Preview: Chargers’ Offense

It was your typical Chargers’ season. Several maddeningly-close losses. Some inexplicable lapses. More than a few interesting calls by coach Brandon Staley. And a tantalizing offense that, for all its firepower, never seems to quite put it all together. It all led to the AFC’s fifth seed and a cross-country trip to Jacksonville for the AFC Wild Card Saturday game. The Chargers will be looking for a much different outcome than the two teams’ previous meeting Week 3 in Los Angeles. A sleepy first quarter turned into consecutive Charger turnovers. That allowed things to snowball quickly, and suddenly the Jaguars were cruising to a 38-10 win. It was the Chargers’ worst showing of the season and ended up playing a big part in both teams’ playoff fates. The Jaguars would win the AFC South by one game, meaning the Chargers would travel to Florida, and not Tennessee, for this game.

That tantalizing offense could have been “tantalizing-er” had the Chargers not dealt with injuries to their star wide receivers. Both Keenan Allen (WR40) and Mike Williams (WR31) have missed considerable time with injuries. The Chargers have had precious little time with all their top weapons on the field at the same time. This game will be no different, as Williams has been ruled out with a back injury suffered while playing in Week 18’s meaningless game in Denver.

Fantasy Playoff League Outlook

Interestingly, the Chargers are slightly favored to win this matchup. I agree, so I think you’re getting at least two shots with most of the outstanding weapons you draft out of the City of Angels. That puts Austin Ekeler (RB1) firmly in high-end RB1 territory. If you can get Ekeler’s 21.9 fantasy PPG average for two or more games, you may just walk away with the whole shebang. Allen warrants low WR1 status, but with the opportunity to explode in Williams’s absence. Justin Herbert (QB11) and Gerald Everett (TE12) both rank as mid-tier number one options at their respective positions as well. Herbert’s a full-grown man at quarterback, but took a step back in his rushing and saw his efficiency numbers dip markedly in the redzone this season.

I wouldn’t waste a roster spot on Williams. He’s not certain to return this postseason, and if the Chargers happen to bow out in the Wild Card round, you’d be guaranteeing yourself a zero. That most likely tanks your chances at winning. Cameron Dicker (K30) looked good once he finally got the job. He’s got as good a chance as any kicker, averaging two field goal attempts per game. If the Chargers can make a run, he and the Los Angeles DST (DST23) could offer nice returns.

DFS Outlook

The Jaguars were the number six DST in fantasy, but were actually rather middle-of-the-pack in terms of points surrendered per position. They offer a nice matchup for quarterbacks and tight ends, giving up the ninth- and seventh-most points at those respective positions. That makes Herbert a tempting play, but his value at $6,600 is obviously much better if you can nail the correct stack with him. Everett would make a logical layer in that stack at an affordable $3,800. If you want to pay up at running back, you know Ekeler ($8,100) will be catching passes, too. You’re paying a premium for him, but that pass game work makes him one of the best running back options for stackers every week.

As the clear-cut number one option without Williams, Allen may have a nice day. But paying seven G’s might leave you with precious little else. Instead, look at DeAndre Carter or Josh Palmer if you want to go with the four-deep, all-in Chargers stack. Carter’s $3,600 price tag would leave you more to spend elsewhere. He’s a big swing, but generally does more with his opportunities than Palmer target-for-target. All things considered, I’m not sure the Los Angeles DST is worth the $400 more than you’d spend on the Jaguars in this same matchup.

AFC Wild Card Saturday Preview: Jaguars’ Offense

Every season, we see a team go from rags to relative riches. Americans love an underdog story, and this season the Jaguars were the team to fit that bill. Somehow, the NFL fandom collectively willed the Jaguars to the AFC South title (a complete collapse by Tennessee and the play of Jacksonville’s defense may have had something to do with it, too). But the brackets don’t care about your feelings. Vegas cares about your feelings insofar as they can use them to get you to make poor life choices. The Jaguars are a consensus dog in this one, but just by a little bit. Vegas is hoping you’ll all see how close the lines are, and bet with your heart on the Jaguars. The evidence in Jacksonville’s favor is there in the form of that Week 3 game we mentioned.

Fantasy Playoff League Outlook

Alas, I don’t see the Jags sticking around long enough to make too much noise in these playoffs. And that means you won’t have them around to score points for your fantasy team. As a likely one-and-done, I don’t want a ton of exposure to them in playoff fantasy drafts. Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, and the crew offer better odds than some other players I have predicted for a single game, but overall I’m going to be wary of taking a chance on any Jaguar. Etienne has a good matchup with Los Angeles, so taking him as your second running back could work out. Evan Engram is a good tight end, but has seen precious few targets lately despite the must-win circumstances.

DFS Outlook

This is where I like the Jaguars in fantasy. As mentioned, Etienne has a good matchup and is a good deal cheaper at $6,000 than the top-tier options available to you. Christian Kirk doesn’t offer enough upside for me at $5,900. But Zay Jones at $4,300 is the perfect mix of affordable floor with high upside. I’m grabbing him in daily contests left and right. Marvin Jones ($3,400) is even more affordable, but offers a fallout shelter-level floor without any of the protection. Lawrence ($5,700) has cooled off a bit and did not look great against Tennessee, but could be stacked on the cheap maybe with Etienne and either of the Joneses if you want to spend extravagantly elsewhere. Engram ($4,200) is an unexciting play and a bit risky at the price.

Betting Lines (Courtesy of Quarter4):

Favorite: Chargers (-5.5)

Over/Under: 48.5

Notable Props: Justin Herbert passing yards (279.3); Austin Ekeler receptions (4.8); Foyesade Oluokun total tackles (9)

Best of Luck!

Here’s hoping your playoff fantasy contests go well and you get to live the lesser dream for awhile. Remember to check Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and entertaining insight. Rankings, game previews, and betting advice will help you cash in this postseason! As always, more great NFL coverage is available on the main Belly Up site, as well as fun, informative content on the Belly Up Podcast Network. Got something to say? Leave a comment below, follow me on Twitter @SttChaseFFB, and catch me on the Belly Up Fantasy Live podcast each week.