The Premier Division Champions, Nash Kato look to maintain their elite status and Premier Division spot with another win against D.C. Whitefish. The last time these two teams met Nash Kato came up the better in a low scoring 84-59 affair. These two teams are not the highest-scoring teams in the league and their entry into the playoffs couldn't be more opposite. Nash Kato enters the knockout rounds winning their last four games, while the Whitefish dropped three of their last four. The Whitefish got off to a solid start last night with a 20-point headstart from the 49ers' defense and kicker Jason Myers.
Key In-Game Matchup: Joe Mixon vs. Jonathan Taylor
These two backs had similar 2021 campaigns, but Joe Mixon excelled this season in a much stronger offense while Taylor slightly declined. Despite this decline, Taylor comes into Wild Card Week with a much tastier matchup than Mixon. Taylor was averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game in the 4 weeks prior to his Week 14 bye and he comes off the bye to face a Vikings D that is 20th against fantasy backs. He is an elite RB1 on the road this week. Mixon on the other hand is a game removed from coming out of concussion protocol posting 12 points and losing a TD to Samaje Perine. His matchup is against a Bucs D that is 7th against fantasy backs this year. Mixon is a low-end RB1 on the road this week giving a slight edge to Nash Kato in this battle of the backs.
Key In-Game Matchup: Wide Reciever Corps
Tyreek Hill and Jamar Chase headline this battle, but names like A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, Christian Kirk, and Gabe Davis fill the undercard. Both teams relied heavily on their wideouts to make it to the playoffs and these players will certainly be the reason for a win or loss this week. The Whitefish wideouts accounted for 44.6 points per game this season while Nash Kato averaged 42.5 with their starting three. Jamar Chase is coming off a stellar performance last week and is back to full health, as he tallied 15 targets, 10 receptions, 119 yards, and 1 TD. He should be an elite WR1 against a Bucs D that is 13th against fantasy wide receivers. on the other side, Hill has posted double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this year. Even in the Buffalo snow, he should be an elite WR1 against a Bills D that is 21st against fantasy wide receivers.
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