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Divisional Round Sunday DFS Fantasy Advice

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cory Bonini | Last updated Jan 17, 2026 9:19 PM ET

Game 1 of Sunday's NFL Divisional Round playoff football has the Houston Texans' stout defense traveling to a snow globe in Foxborough, Mass., as the second-seeded New England Patriots host a second consecutive postseason contest.

The forecast calls for up to six inches of wet, heavy snow, which can make for traction issues, and any team coming from a home dome tends to be at a disadvantage.

I have assembled a daily fantasy sports (DFS) lineup build to put some extra cash in your pocket via DraftKings fantasy football contests for the Divisional Round's Sunday-only slate of games. In addition, I'll highlight several value buys who are not included in this lineup.

Note: DraftKings is my preferred DFS platform. They do not sponsor this content.

My Favorite DraftKings Fantasy Football Lineup for Divisional Round DFS

Understanding what you're looking for out of a DFS lineup is paramount. The size of the contest, scope of the competition, and your desired range of outcomes all heavily weigh in. Tweaks will be recommended as they arise, but all final decisions should be based on your level of comfort.

QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears ($6,600)

Chicago weather is supposed to live up to the city's moniker in this one as gusts could top 40 mph. Typically, that screams punt for a quarterback from a warm climate, but Stafford has the necessary zip to cut through the wind, and he has the tools around him to succeed.

RB D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams ($6,000)

On the other side of this matchup, enter Swift, whose versatility and respectable nose for the end zone positions him well to lead your backfield this week. In 2025's regular season, LA gave up only six RB rushing scores all season long, but four of them came in Weeks 15-17, and then we saw Chuba Hubbard find paydirt twice in the Wild Card Round against this unit. I like Swift for 70-plus total yards and a score here.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans ($5,800)

I intended to play only Stevenson and not his backfield mate, TreVeyon Henderson, entering this lineup build, but the weather forecast persuaded me to play both. Stevenson offers a hint of TD upside on the ground but is a safer bet for aerial work in what should be an overall limited route tree if the snowy forecast holds true.

WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears ($9,000)

Regardless of the windy forecast, Nacua will get his, but the ceiling should be slightly lower this week. The Bears have been abused by receivers most of the year, and I'm not particularly concerned about recent health gains in the defensive backfield.

Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

WR DJ Moore, Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams ($5,200)

This is a combination of price and expected PPR production. I'm not sold on Luther Burden having a huge game, and Moore has been a strong contributor in the last five weeks. The weather conditions present some degree of concern, but he's also capable of thriving with underneath targets.

WR Xavier Hutchinson, Houston Texans at New England Patriots ($3,400)

A savings play, Hutchinson is an intriguing option for an offense that will be without its best playmaker in WR Nico Collins (concussion). The Patriots are strong enough defensively to contain all that is Houston's passing game, but Hutchinson is a boom-or-bust option who fits the build's otherwise safe -- and expensive -- construction.

TE Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans at New England Patriots ($4,200)

New England allowed TEs the 11th-most receptions and yards in '25. The Pats will happily let C.J. Stroud dink and dunk his way all game long if it means keeping big plays at bay. Schultz should benefit more than anyone from such a scenario.

FLEX RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans ($5,700)

Given the snowy conditions in the forecast and Houston's strength in the secondary, Henderson found his way into this lineup in an unintentional pairing with Stevenson. The rookie's breakaway speed matters more than usual with poor footing having an outsized impact on defenders.

D/ST New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans ($3,600)

Houston's defense should be able to keep the Patriots' offense in check, but a journeyman receiver in Christian Kirk, two rookies, and the largely untested Hutchinson are the receivers to worry about stopping. Then Schultz at tight end and rookie running back Woody Marks ... that's it. Preventing vertical routes with two-high safeties, focusing on Marks, and forcing Stroud to win consistently favors the Pats all day long.