As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, fantasy football managers know that the most crucial time of the season is upon us: the playoffs. While superstars like Saquon Barkley and Lamar Jackson have carried teams all year, the postseason often sees unsung heroes emerge to lead their teams to glory. As you prepare for the fantasy playoffs, keep an eye on these potential studs who could be the difference between heartbreak and hoisting the trophy.
Eagles Flying High
The Philadelphia Eagles boast a fantasy-friendly playoff schedule, with matchups against the porous defenses of the Panthers and Cowboys. This bodes well not just for obvious stars like Barkley, but also for the entire Eagles offense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers all season, and he should continue to soar in December. Don’t be surprised if Hurts finishes as the QB1 during the playoff weeks.
Bengals and Bills Bounce Back
After serving their bye weeks, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals are poised for strong finishes. Both QBs are averaging over 20 fantasy points per game and face favorable schedules down the stretch. Allen gets the underwhelming defenses of the Patriots and Jets in Weeks 16 and 17, while Burrow faces the Cowboys’ leaky defense in Week 14 before taking on the Titans and Browns. Managers who weathered the bye week storm should reap the rewards as these gunslingers light up the scoreboard.
Titan Up
Don’t sleep on the Tennessee Titans, even with a 3-8 record. Running back Tony Pollard is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, while receiver Calvin Ridley has been a consistent producer since returning from suspension. The Titans face the lowly Jaguars twice in December, a team hemorrhaging points to every position. Titans players could be sneaky-good additions for the playoffs, especially if your league mates are scared off by the team’s record.
“The fantasy playoffs are all about finding the right matchups and riding the hot hand. Sometimes, that means trusting players on underperforming teams who have favorable schedules. Don’t be afraid to start your Titans in the playoffs.”
– A fantasy football analyst
Buccaneers and Raiders Rebounding
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have underachieved this season, but their fantasy playoff schedule is a thing of beauty. With matchups against the Panthers (twice), Rams, Raiders, and Saints, Tom Brady should have no trouble putting up points. His favorite target, Mike Evans, is a weekly must-start as he chases his record 11th straight 1,000-yard season. Rookie running back Bucky Irving has also emerged as a reliable RB2, making the Bucs offense one to target for the stretch run.
In the AFC, the Las Vegas Raiders also have a mouth-watering slate of games against the Buccaneers, Falcons, Jaguars, and Saints. With Davante Adams no longer commanding a massive target share, receiver Jakobi Meyers has become a weekly WR2 with WR1 upside. The Raiders may be a dumpster fire in real life, but their skill players should still rack up stats in the fantasy playoffs.
Ride the NFC West Receivers
The Los Angeles Rams may have fallen on hard times, but their dynamic receiving duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua remains as potent as ever. Since returning from injury in Week 8, Kupp is averaging over 20 PPR points per game, while Nacua has emerged as a high-floor WR2 with weekly upside. Despite a challenging playoff schedule, Kupp and Nacua should deliver for fantasy managers when it matters most.
Lions Ground Game Roaring
The Detroit Lions have featured one of the NFL’s most productive backfields this season, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both delivering consistent fantasy value. Gibbs has scored double-digit PPR points in every game, while Montgomery has found the end zone 11 times in the Motor City. The Lions’ dedication to the running game should serve fantasy managers well, even against tough opponents like the Packers, Bills, and 49ers. Trust Detroit’s dynamic duo to carry you to a championship.
- Monitor the waiver wire for these potential playoff stars
- Don’t be afraid to bench underperforming early-round picks in favor of hot waiver wire adds
- Study the playoff schedules to find the best matchups for your roster
- Remember, volume is king in the fantasy playoffs, so prioritize players with guaranteed touches
As you embark on your playoff journey, keep these potential studs in mind. While superstars will always have a place in your lineup, it’s often the unheralded players who make the difference in the postseason. By staying ahead of the curve and rostering these breakout candidates, you’ll give yourself the best chance to hoist the fantasy football trophy. May the fantasy gods be with you.
