Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Network: FOX
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: START, QB1
Justin Herbert has cooled off immensely from his blistering start to the season, no surprise considering the torrent of injuries among his offensive line. Herbert has faced pressure at the fifth-highest rate among quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts and has the third-lowest time to pressure. A slight problem considering Herbie’s completion percentage drops by about 33% while facing pressure, something the Cowboys excel at despite bleeding points. The Cowboys pressure opposing quarterbacks at a 43.2% rate, the highest in the NFL. Dallas gives up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and the matchup is too mouthwatering to consider sitting Herbert. But if the great-value offensive line Herbert has protecting him and his broken left hand fail to give him time, he could disappoint. He’s a high-risk, high-reward start for the semifinals.
Running Back
Omarion Hampton: START, RB2
Kimani Vidal: FLEX, RB3
The success Kimani Vidal had while Omarion Hampton was sidelined has allowed the Chargers to ease the rookie back into action slowly, leading to a happy Jim Harbaugh but frustrated fantasy managers. Hampton outcarried Vidal last week, 15 to 12, but Vidal was on the field an extra 25% of snaps: 63% snaps, 12 carries, 16 routes, 1 target (48 yds). Neither did much of anything, and Hampton should see increasing volume with each passing week. But Vidal is still plenty involved, making both startable against a Dallas defense that’s allowed five rushing touchdowns over its past two games.
Wide Receiver
Ladd McConkey: START, WR1
Quentin Johnston: FLEX, WR4*Watch practice reports
Keenan Allen: FLEX, WR4
Jerry Jones is such a nice guy that Dallas doesn’t just give up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks; they also give up the most fantasy points to wide receivers! Ladd McConkey has less than five points in three of his last four games but is in quite literally the best bounce-back spot possible. Quentin Johnston missed Week 15 with a late-week hamstring issue, and his status for this week is truly a toss-up. If he’s active, fire him up as a boom/bust FLEX with week-winning upside against the Cowboys. Keenan Allen has been a shell of himself since Week 7, but is an interesting FLEX option whether or not QJ were to sit out again.
Tight End
Oronde Gadsden: STREAMER | START, TE1 (If Johnston inactive)
My, how the mighty have fallen. Oronde Gadsden looked like a true breakout for a stretch in the middle of the season. But the rookie just barely broke 10 points in Week 15 for the first time since Week 9. He’s a decent streaming option with the implied game total pushing 50 points, and would elevate to top 10 status if Johnston were to miss.
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Chargers: SIT
Not against Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
Dak Prescott: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
Dak Prescott has been riding a tubular wave of fun fact status most of the season, but had a full-on Week 15 wipeout. Prescott failed to throw a touchdown for the first time since week 8 and barely completed over 60% of his throws. Up next is the shutdown secondary of the San Diego, err, Los Angeles Chargers, who have twice as many interceptions as passing touchdowns allowed in their last seven games (10 interceptions, 5 touchdowns). With arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league, Prescott is still starting for you in essentially all formats. But he lacks that weekly QB1 overall ceiling against the Chargers.
Running Back
Javonte Williams: START, RB2
Malik Davis: SIT
Jaydon Blue: SIT
Javonte Williams left the game against Minnesota for a stretch in the first half but returned at the start of the second half to deliver another solid yet unspectacular performance, taking 15 carries for 91 yards and an opening-drive score. Williams has been one of the best values in fantasy compared to his ADP last season, scoring 10+ points in all but two games this season, though he hasn’t hit 20 points since Week 5. He’s a locked-in RB2 regardless of matchup with one of the safest floors in fantasy.
Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb: START, WR1
George Pickens: START, WR2
Ryan Flournoy: SIT
CeeDee Lamb is a non-negotiable starter in your lineup, but did you know that he kicked off the holiday season by taking a grieving family on a massive shopping spree? Partnering with the Boys & Girls Club in late 2024, he filled the grocery carts of a widow and her daughters to ensure they had a worry-free holiday feast after the loss of their father. Steelers fans are laughing like that little lizard with the “I told you so” grin on his face right now. You know who I mean. This guy.
Nobody has ever denied George Pickens‘ talent. But the issues of motivation and erratic effort have reared their ugly head in Dallas. I won’t get into the semantics, but it certainly appears Pickens has taken plays off and not finished routes. He’s far too talented to sit, even with the issues and the matchup. However, he can no longer be viewed as an auto WR1.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson: SIT
My, how the mighty have fallen. Oronde Gadsden Jake Ferguson looked like a true breakout for a stretch in the middle of early in the season. But since the return of CeeDee Lamb, Fergie has been under 12 points in 7 of 8 games and under 10 in 50% of them. In a bottom-10 matchup with a ceiling capped around 15ish points, I’d rather look elsewhere.
Defense/Special Teams
Dallas Cowboys: SIT
