Best/Worst Fantasy Football Playoff Schedules: Streamers and Starts To Win A Championship (2024)

20 mins ago by Tim Heaney

Link copied to clipboard!

Follow @Tim

In This Article hide

2. Best Quarterback Fantasy Playoff Schedules

3. Best Running Back Fantasy Playoff Schedules

4. Best Wide Receiver Fantasy Playoff Schedules

5. Best Tight End Fantasy Playoff Schedules

6. Best D/ST Fantasy Playoff Schedules (Streaming)

7. More Start/Sit Advice

Planning too far in advance to align your fantasy football players for an optimal playoff performance comes with many pitfalls. However, positioning yourself for good fortune in Weeks 15 through 17 should be a key piece of your strategy if you're in line to make the bracket.

Fantasy players still have time to trade for names with sparkling postseason schedules, and your competitors who might think their rosters are set could be ignoring prime opportunities to upgrade their complementary pieces -- even if only for a single week in the future.

Which teams have the best schedules for Weeks 15 through 17? What widely available players might be solid stash targets ahead of time for the stretch run?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:

Prep For Fantasy Football Playoffs Success

Here are some important notes about my methodology and how I set the rest of the article up:

Rankings for fantasy points allowed per game to the given position are based on 0.5 PPR (half-point-per-reception) leagues. Composite schedule rankings are determined by prospective opponents' average points allowed to the position across the three games.
Data was compiled before Thursday Night Football of Week 11 (Nov. 14).
Numbers in parentheses next to opponent names reflect how favorable the matchup ranking is ("1" means the best possible matchup, "32" is the worst, etc.).
For free agents, I'll target players in Yahoo! Fantasy Football leagues with rostered percentages of 50% or lower.
We may see wild swings in these stats allowed heading into Weeks 15-17. My recommendations aim to provide context behind these numbers that will account for and withstand any changes.
I will not include one-week streamers, as they are covered week to week in RotoBaller's fantasy waiver wire and sleepers reports.

Now let's plan for a successful fantasy football playoff run!

Best Quarterback Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable QB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

I'm not touching any Giants outside of Superflex leagues. Baker Mayfield (83%) and Kirk Cousins (70%) don't meet the rostership criteria.

Rank	Team	W15 Opp	vQB PPG	vQB Rk	W16 Opp	vQB PPG	vQB Rk	W17 Opp	vQB PPG	vQB Rk	Avg PPG	Avg Rk
1	Titans	CIN	21	5	IND	18	9	JAC	22	3	20.3	5.7
2	Giants	BAL	22.7	2	ATL	18.9	7	IND	18	9	19.9	6
3	Panthers	DAL	21	4	ARI	16.3	18	TB	23.6	1	20.3	7.7
4	Buccaneers	LAC	15.1	23	DAL	21	4	CAR	19.1	6	18.4	11
5	Falcons	LV	18.5	8	NYG	17.3	11	WAS	16.7	14	17.5	11

Best Fantasy Playoffs QB Waiver Wire Pickups

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (9% rostered, Yahoo! Leagues)

W15: Bengals (5)
W16: Colts (9)
W17: Jaguars (3)

If you're digging this deep, you might as well chase a high ceiling. These go-for-broke options fit perfectly for those with limited options and chasing upside in Superflex/2QB.

This second-year slinger unleashed on the Chargers in Week 10 (18-for-23, 175 yards, two passing TD, 41 rushing yards). Though the Titans traded away DeAndre Hopkins, they still boast Calvin Ridley and two pass-catching running backs, giving Levis plenty of outlets that match up well with these weak secondaries.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (4%)

W15: Cowboys (4)
W16: Cardinals (18)
W17: Buccaneers (1)

Carolina's renewed trust in the 2023 NFL Draft's No. 1 pick has revived his sophomore season. Young hasn't been startable for 1QB leagues yet, but he's progressed across his past three games, highlighted by a 224-yard, two-touchdown effort in Week 8.

Adam Thielen's return marginally makes up for the trade of Diontae Johnson. The emergence of three significant rookies -- WR Xavier Legette, WR Jalen Coker, and TE Ja'Tavion Sanders and the presence of RB Chuba Hubbard (and eventually Jonathon Brooks) offer up enough offensive contributors to position Young for competent numbers for at least one of these weeks.

In Superflex/2QB setups, this schedule against weak pass defenses should put Young into the No. 2 starter conversation and put him on the list for deeper, desperate QB teams.

Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders (3%)

W15: Falcons (7)
W16: Jaguars (3)
W17: Saints (24)

I'll list Minshew here with the hope Vegas doesn't trot out Desmond Ridder for these juicy matchups. (I'm less inclined to recommend Ridder in any one-quarterback setup.)

Minshew's loss of Davante Adams puts a huge dent in his outlook, but TE Brock Bowers and WR Jakobi Meyers remain in Silver and Black, which gives him hope to seize these opportunities.

Best Running Back Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable RB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Carolina's duo of Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks are too widely rostered. As of course, is Breece Hall (but not his Jets backfield mate).

Rank	Team	W15 Opp	vRB PPG	vRB Rk	W16 Opp	vRB PPG	vRB Rk	W17 Opp	vRB PPG	vRB Rk	Avg PPG	Avg Rk
1	Panthers	DAL	24.3	4	ARI	22.3	9	TB	22.5	8	23	7
2	Jets	JAC	24.2	5	LAR	19.8	21	BUF	26	2	23.3	9.3
3	Cardinals	NE	22.7	7	CAR	28.3	1	LAR	19.8	21	23.6	9.7
4	Chargers	TB	22.5	8	DEN	20.6	15	NE	22.7	7	21.9	10
5	Raiders	ATL	18.2	23	JAC	24.2	5	NO	24.3	3	22.2	10.3

Best Fantasy Playoffs RB Waiver Wire Pickups

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (32%)

W15: Jaguars (5)
W16: Rams (21)
W17: Bills (2)

The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder stole the spotlight from Breece Hall earlier this season with some big performances but has faded to the background in recent weeks, notably since Todd Downing replaced Nathaniel Hackett as offensive play-caller.

Still, getting ahead of a Hall injury or favorable game flows could pay off against at least one of the pair of top-five pushovers. The Jets could lean more strongly on Allen to kill the clock against the Jags; attack the Rams' weak middle of the defense; and keep Josh Allen off the field versus Buffalo.

Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (26%)

W15: Falcons (23)
W16: Jaguars (5)
W17: Saints (3)

One of the biggest preseason busts has lost the main tailback gig to Alexander Mattison but scored on limited Week 10 work. As the Raiders play out the string, they could aim to feed White more often and give him another extended trial, a la 2023.

Flex chasers could cross their fingers for an extended run, especially in the final two postseason matchups.

Best Wide Receiver Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable WR Matchups: Weeks 15-17

The Bears' and Dolphins' wideouts are all too universally rostered. I'm eager to touch on names from Nos. 2 and 3 - with a piece from No. 6 thrown in.

Rank	Team	W15 Opp	vWR PPG	vWR Rk	W16 Opp	vWR PPG	vWR Rk	W17 Opp	vWR PPG	vWR Rk	Avg PPG	Avg Rk
1	Bears	MIN	32.2	3	DET	31.9	4	SEA	28.3	11	30.8	6
2	Giants	BAL	38.1	1	ATL	28.6	9	IND	27.8	12	31.5	7.3
3	Packers	SEA	28.3	11	NO	28.5	10	MIN	32.2	3	30	8
4	Raiders	ATL	28.6	9	JAC	29.8	6	NO	28.5	10	29	8.3
5	Dolphins	HOU	29.3	7	SF	24.5	22	CLE	32.2	2	29	10.3

Best Fantasy Playoffs WR Waiver Wire Pickups

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (44%)

W15: Seahawks (11)
W16: Saints (10)
W17: Vikings (3)

At a 53 rostered percentage, Romeo Doubs just barely misses qualification for this list. The typically boom-or-bust Watson enjoys a favorable schedule that could produce significant spike weeks, even in a crowded Packers receiver room.

Watson compiled 13 targets in the pair of games before the Pack's Week 10 bye, during which many players might've dropped him. As Jordan Love regains strength in his lower body, his deep ball might improve, which plays to Watson's strength.

Deeper diggers could also go down the line and add Dontayvion Wicks (20%) in case more snaps and/or looks open up.

Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (49%)

W15: Ravens (1)
W16: Falcons (9)
W17: Colts (12)

As usual, Robinson sees a boost in PPR formats due to most of his action coming around the line of scrimmage. Still, Robinson sits as the likely No. 2 target for whoever takes snaps for New York.

I'm not sure I fully trust him against the Ravens, even with that No. 1 matchup ranking. However, Robinson could play a huge role versus Atlanta in Week 16: The Giants may try to avoid Falcons CB A.J. Terrell, who could shadow star wideout Malik Nabers.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs (10%)

W15: Browns (2)
W16: Texans (7)
W17: Steelers (23)

Even with Hopkins joining the receiving corps, JJSS could find fantasy utility as the third option here. (Let's be honest, Xavier Worthy is a gimmick player at the moment.)

Set for his first action Sunday since Week 7, Smith-Schuster could contribute down the stretch due to his history with Patrick Mahomes. Weeks 15 and 16 look primed to offer Smith-Schuster a chance to help many fantasy players on their road to the finals as a flex or WR3.

Best Tight End Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable TE Matchups: Weeks 15-17

I will not recommend the Titans' or Broncos' TE room in good conscience. The Cardinals' Trey McBride and the Browns' David Njoku are almost universally rostered. So the only true matchup darling here is a rookie.

Rank	Team	W15 Opp	vTE PPG	vTE Rk	W16 Opp	vTE PPG	vTE Rk	W17 Opp	vTE PPG	vTE Rk	Avg PPG	Avg Rk
1	Titans	CIN	12.5	4	IND	12	6	JAC	11.7	7	12.1	5.7
2	Giants	BAL	11.2	9	ATL	10.6	10	IND	12	6	11.3	8.3
3	Cardinals	NE	8.6	17	CAR	14.1	1	LAR	11.6	8	11.4	8.7
4	Broncos	IND	12	6	LAC	8.4	20	CIN	12.5	4	11	10
5	Browns	KC	13.1	2	CIN	12.5	4	MIA	7.3	25	11	10.3

Best Fantasy Playoffs TE Waiver Wire Pickups

Theo Johnson, New York Giants (1%)

W15: Ravens (9)
W16: Falcons (10)
W17: Colts (6)

Johnson has seen his role tick upward just enough to consider him in an overall down year for tight ends. By the time this window rolls around, he could establish himself as a more consistent option. However, he's on the path there with at least three catches in his past three games and six targets in each of his past two.

Best D/ST Fantasy Playoff Schedules (Streaming)

Best Fantasy Playoffs D/ST Waiver Wire Pickups

Cincinnati Bengals

W15: Titans
W16: Browns
W17: Broncos

Though I recommended Levis to capitalize on the Bengals' Week 15 matchup, Cincy should still achieve plenty of fantasy points through potential sacks and takeaways.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

W15: Chargers
W16: Cowboys
W17: Panthers

Tampa Bay likely will struggle against Justin Herbert and the Bolts in Week 15, but the subsequent two games against likely punting teams are too tasty to pass up stashing them on benches. (Rarely do I suggest holding two D/ST pieces, but when planning for the long term in a playoff chase, I'll allow it.)

Facing Cooper Rush or Trey Lance with the Cowboys and Bryce Young with Carolina offers up plenty of chances for even a Bucs defense with holes to add fantasy points via sacks and takeaways.

Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

Win More With RotoBaller

Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video: