Fantasy Football: Daily League Guide to Wild Card Sunday

Wild Card Weekend might be the mere start of the NFL playoffs, but it can provide the grandest fireworks. Remember Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts' rally against the Kansas City Chiefs last year? It set off a season in which the third-year quarterback elevated to the No. 1 scoring player in fantasy football.

Yeah, fantasy junkies have a lot of reason to pay very close attention to the also-rans kicking off the postseason this weekend. Daily fantasy is a potentially profitable reason, too.

Bleacher Report breaks down Sunday's games in depth for daily players, scouring the news, injury reports, matchups and position-by-position rankings from the Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts and the Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys games. B/R already did the same with the Saturday matchups here.

We don't see a 2014 Luck playoff performance on tap in any of the four showdowns, but no one saw Luck's 443-yard, four-touchdown performance (Pro-Football-Reference.com) coming last year either. It is why we watch, and why we play fantasy football. This slideshow helps you digest all of the possible angles for a playoff payoff this Sunday. 

Note: Practice participation information comes from the official NFL injury report (credentials required). All dollar values are from the games at DraftKings.com and all references to fantasy points against specific positions are derived from FFToday.com.

Taking Some Hints from the Las Vegas Numbers

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Sunday's matchups feature the bigger totals in Las Vegas this weekend and should provide greater fantasy numbers than the defensive matchups of Saturday. It is what we daily fantasy players like to see. Big numbers are like a ringing cash register to the ears.

It is especially intriguing in the first game Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals at the Indianapolis Colts. Not only do the Bengals have a potent rushing attack behind rookie breakout Jeremy Hill, but Andrew Luck can put up points with anyone. The nightcap features a potential Texas shootout between Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo.

Here is the Las Vegas tale of the tape, per OddsShark.com, as the data pertains to daily fantasy action.

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts

Favorite: Indianapolis (-6)

Total: 49

Super Bowl futures: Colts (28-1), Bengals (40-1)

AFC futures: Colts (14-1), Bengals (20-1)

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

Favorite: Dallas -7

Total: 48

Super Bowl futures: Cowboys (15-2), Lions (40-1)

NFC futures: Cowboys (9-2), Lions (22-1)

Most Passing Yards

1. Andrew Luck (IND)—7-4
2. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)—2-1
3. Matthew Stafford (DET)—4-1
4. Tony Romo (DAL)—7-1
5. Joe Flacco (BAL)—10-1
6. Andy Dalton (CIN)—12-1
7. Cam Newton (CAR)—15-1

Most Receiving Yards

1. Antonio Brown (PIT)—5-2
2. Dez Bryant (DAL)—4-1
3. Calvin Johnson (DET)—4-1
4. T.Y. Hilton (IND)—6-1
5. A.J. Green (CIN)—7-1
6. Golden Tate (DET)—9-1
7. Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)—10-1
8. Steve Smith (BAL)—15-1
9. Torrey Smith (BAL)—15-1
10. Greg Olsen (CAR)—20-1

Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Doubtful: WR A.J. Green (Concussion)

Green got only one limited practice in Thursday as he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, according to ESPN.com's Coley Harvey. He was officially listed as doubtful Friday, even though there is still time for him to be cleared.

"I can't concern myself about it," head coach coach Marvin Lewis told Harvey. "Just when he gets cleared, he'll be out there ready to go, full speed and playing."

Green ($8,000) carries a significant price tag, so you shouldn't plan on him performing up to it even if he is a surprise starter Sunday. Mohamed Sanu ($4,200) looks far more intriguing as Andy Dalton's go-to downfield weapon, especially if he expect the Colts to push the number in this one. Sanu can pick up some garbage-time stats.

Questionable: TE Jermaine Gresham (Back)

Gresham ($3,700) was able to practice on a limited basis Friday, making it likely he will be on the right side of a game-time decision. Ordinarily, he wouldn't move the fantasy needle, but the tight end options are a bit limited this weekend and Gresham has had a touchdown in each of the past three games and all five of his season scores in his past six.

Gresham is a solid buy, especially against a Colts team that has given up the sixth-most points to fantasy tight ends.

Questionable: RB Cedric Peerman (Concussion, Shoulder)

Regardless of the injury, Peerman ($3,000) is behind Jeremy Hill ($6,200) and Giovani Bernard ($5,600) in the pecking order. Peerman doesn't belong in lineups.

Officially Out

• WR Dane Sanzenbacher (concussion)
• WR James Wright (knee)

Indianapolis Colts Injury Report

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Questionable: RB Trent Richardson (Illness)

Richardson ($3,400) did not practice Friday because of an illness, but more important, he had lost his starting job to Dan Herron ($4,700), as ESPN.com's Mike Wells reported Friday. Herron becomes an even greater play, especially against a Bengals run defense that was sixth-worst in fantasy against running backs.

Probables

The following were officially listed as probable. Their minor ailments shouldn't significantly impact fantasy.

• TE Dwayne Allen (knee)
• WR Joshua Cribbs (not injury related)
• LB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring)
• G Joe Reitz (ankle)
• LB Erik Walden (knee)
• WR Reggie Wayne (groin)
• LB Bjoern Werner (shoulder)

Detroit Lions Injury Report

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Doubtful: DT Nick Fairley (Knee)

Fairley looks to be a week away from a potential return, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. His return could have helped slow down DeMarco Murray ($8,800) for the NFL's No. 1 run defense and the No. 2 team in fantasy against running backs. The Lions have been getting along fine against the run without him, especially since defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh won his appeal for a one-game suspension.

Probables

The following were officially listed as probable. Their minor ailments shouldn't significantly impact fantasy.

• WR Calvin Johnson (ankle)
• DE Ezekiel Ansah (toe)
• DE Darryl Tapp (not injury related)

Officially Out: G Larry Warford (knee)

Dallas Cowboys Injury Report

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

Doubtful: RT Doug Free (Ankle)

Not only will DeMarco Murray ($8,800) contended with a still-healing, surgically repaired hand, but he will face the NFL's No. 1 run defense, potentially without the services of his right tackle Free. Free still has a chance to be upgraded before game time, though, head coach Jason Garrett told Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram.

Questionable

• DE Tyrone Crawford (illness)
• LB Anthony Hitchens (ankle)

Probables

The following were officially listed as probable. Their minor ailments shouldn't significantly impact fantasy.

• RB DeMarco Murray (hand)
• QB Tony Romo (back)
• G Zack Martin (ankle)
• LB Rolando McClain (knee, illness)
• LB Bruce Carter (knee)
• DT Nick Hayden (shoulder)
• S Jeff Heath (thumb)
• DT Josh Brent (calf)
• S C.J. Spillman (groin)
• LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring)

Four Fantasy Matchup Breakdowns for Sunday

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Here are four statistically significant matchups from Sunday that should guide your lineup choices for daily play this weekend:

Dan Herron vs. Cincinnati Bengals Run Defense

Herron ($4,700) is no one's first choice as a fantasy running back—he only recently became the Indianapolis Colts' first choice to start—but he has the most favorable matchup of all the running backs on the board this weekend. The Bengals have been the sixth-worst team in fantasy against running backs.

Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton might have helped make Andrew Luck a fantasy beast, but he also has long been considered a run-game guy. He should rely on it more heavily than you might think with the stacks the highest in the postseason.

We should expect Herron to get a season high in touches (17-plus) in this one. His number is modest, too, especially if you expect the Colts to be leading late—as Las Vegas does—and running out the clock in the fourth quarter. Also, as written in a prior slide, backup Trent Richardson ($3,400) is questionable with an illness.

Bengals Pass Defense vs. Andrew Luck

You have to figure there will be a lot of daily fantasy players riding Luck and his weapons in this one, especially because Las Vegas has this as the highest total on the board. The matchup suggests otherwise.

The Bengals are fourth-best team in fantasy against quarterbacks and the third best against fantasy wide receivers. So, yes, they are quietly in the area code of the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills defenses in terms of fantasy unfavorability.

You shouldn't love T.Y. Hilton ($7,800), Reggie Wayne ($4,300), Donte Moncrief ($3,600) or Hakeem Nicks ($3,300).

DeMarco Murray vs. Detroit Lions No. 1 Run Defense

Murray ($8,800) is the top running back on the board, with Le'Veon Bell (knee) officially ruled out Friday on the official NFL injury report. He is still worth it.

If Murray has taught us fantasy owners anything this season, you don't sit him against anyone. That includes the NFL's No. 1 run defense. The Cowboys are just too good and stubborn in the run game, No. 2 in the NFL to the Seahawks.

Eric Ebron vs. Cowboys Defense

If there is a hidden tight end gem on the board, rookie Eric Ebron ($3,000) is it. He will be facing a Cowboys defense that has given up the second-most points to fantasy tight ends, including a league-high 109 receptions. Ebron looks primed for a sneaky five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Ranking Sunday's Plays by Position

Don Wright/Associated Press

Taking the analysis from this slideshow, here is how we rank the plays at each position in Sunday's matchups.

Quarterbacks

1. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts ($8,800)
2. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions ($7,200)
3. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys ($7,500)
4. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals ($6,100)

Running Backs

1. Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals ($6,200)
2. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys ($8,800)
3. Dan Herron, Indianapolis Colts ($4,700)
4. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals ($5,600)
5. Joique Bell, Detroit Lions ($5,500)
6. Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys ($3,000)
7. Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions ($4,800)
8. Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts ($3,400)
9. Theo Reddick, Detroit Lions ($3,200)
10. Lance Dunbar, Dallas Cowboys ($3,000)

Wide Receivers

1. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys ($8,500)
2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions ($8,800)
3. Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals ($4,200)
4. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts ($7,800)
5. Golden Tate, Detroit Lions ($5,500)
6. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts ($4,300)
7. Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts ($3,600)
8. Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis Colts ($3,300)
9. Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys ($3,700)
10. Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys ($3,400)
11. Brandon Tate, Cincinnati Bengals ($3,000)
12. Jeremy Ross, Detroit Lions ($3,000)

Tight Ends

1. Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions ($3,000)
2. Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts ($3,800)
3. Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts ($5,000)
4. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals ($3,700)
5. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys ($4,500)

Defense/Special Teams

1. Dallas Cowboys ($3,200)
2. Indianapolis Colts ($3,100)
3. Detroit Lions ($3,200)
4. Cincinnati Bengals ($1,900)

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.