The Fantasy Footballers’ 2024 Playoff Primer

With the fantasy football trade deadline just around the corner, it is officially time to make those pivotal roster moves that could shape your playoff journey.

In today’s episode, Andy, Mike, and Jason break down the best and worst team schedules for the fantasy playoffs, highlighting players with matchups that can carry you to a championship and those who could disappoint when it matters most. Read on to discover the key difference-makers to fuel your playoff push and give you the edge to finish the season strong!

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The 2024 Playoff Primer

Disclaimer: Playoff Matchups are not everything. They are a piece of the puzzle. Don’t bench ELITE studs because of a bad matchup.

Best QB Schedules:

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Baker Mayfield has more than earned his new nickname on the show: “Laser Mayfield.” He started the season on fire, building strong connections with top wideouts Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Unfortunately, Godwin suffered a season-ending injury in Week 7, and Evans has been sidelined since then with an aggravated hamstring injury. Despite these setbacks, Mayfield has maintained his form, thanks largely to the emergence of tight end Cade Otton.

With Tampa Bay on their bye week, the timing could not be better. This break will give Mayfield a chance to heal from a minor toe injury, and Evans is expected to return soon after. When he is back on the field, he will join Otton, along with two versatile receiving backs, Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, setting up the Bucs for a strong finish to the season. Mayfield’s playoff matchups look promising as well, with games against the Chargers, Cowboys, and Panthers. All signs suggest Mayfield could be a key asset for fantasy teams in the closing weeks, making him a savvy buy-low target while the Bucs are on bye.

 

 

 

 

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos – After a slow start, it is now time to give Bo Nix the recognition and respect he deserves. The talented rookie has progressed as a passer and emerged as a true (and unexpected) dual-threat weapon for fantasy football. Nix’s ability to read defenses, feel pressure, and turn a broken play into rushing yards not only elevates his team but also gives him a fantasy ceiling that few expected. Currently ranked as a top-10 QB in fantasy scoring, Nix might still seem like a risky choice to lead your team into the playoffs, but he has the tools to keep defying expectations. With three favorable matchups in the fantasy playoffs against the Colts, Chargers, and Bengals, Nix could be an unexpected game-changer. If someone in your league undervalues Nix, take the opportunity to trade for him and trust that he can lead your team to a strong finish.

 

 

 

 

Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray’s season has been full of ups and downs, frustrating many fantasy managers with inconsistent performances. It is worth noting that he has faced a challenging fantasy schedule, which has been influential in reducing his usual ceiling. So far, Murray has only two games with multiple passing touchdowns and has been selective about using his rushing ability. His low touchdown count can also be linked to Trey McBride’s inability to score and the inconsistent play from rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. 

However, with Arizona heading into their bye, the offense has a chance to regroup, and the schedule opens up for a strong finish. Both McBride and Harrison should find more consistency, positioning Murray to benefit from their improved play and a friendlier stretch of matchups. In the fantasy playoffs, he will face the Patriots, Panthers, and Rams. While the Cardinals may establish early leads against the first two, likely also leaning on the run game, the championship matchup against the Rams has the potential for a high-scoring back-and-forth, giving Murray a chance to shine when it matters most.

 

 

 

 

Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers – Of these options discussed, Jason is feeling especially confident that Jordan Love can lead fantasy teams to championships this season. Love’s year has been marked by some prolific performances and some untimely injuries that have kept him from producing at a top level every week. Coming off the bye, he should be primed to recover fully and refocus for a strong finish. While the Packers face a couple of challenging matchups in the coming weeks, their schedule for the fantasy playoffs is highly favorable, with games against the Seahawks, Saints, and Vikings.

Green Bay boasts a deep receiving corps, including Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Tucker Kraft, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. With this lineup of targets, Love is well-positioned to capitalize on the advantageous schedule and deliver big numbers during the fantasy playoffs. Expect him to throw for multiple touchdowns in each of these matchups, making him an ideal trade target for a playoff push.

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Worst QB Schedules:

While matchups aren’t everything, and starting your studs should still be your priority, it is important to keep an eye on their schedules for the fantasy playoffs and develop a strategy for how to approach them. Some premier quarterbacks face tough fantasy playoff matchups, including those on the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings. Among these, Josh Allen is the only true “set it and forget it” option. Joe Burrow, though capable of overcoming tough matchups, has struggled historically against the Browns, which is a matchup to watch out for.

Brock Purdy is another quarterback worth considering in this group, despite his challenging playoff schedule. With a full complement of weapons, he still has a chance to perform in difficult matchups, but it is worth weighing your options carefully. Jared Goff, Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, and Sam Darnold should be avoided for the fantasy playoffs. If you have one of these quarterbacks, consider exploring trade opportunities for players with more favorable playoff schedules to maximize your chances of success.

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings

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Best RB Schedules:

There is nothing quite like rostering starting running backs with favorable fantasy playoff schedules. We have also seen unheralded backs deliver career games in the right matchups, so it is crucial to identify players who might benefit from upcoming schedules. Teams with the best fantasy playoff schedules for running backs include the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, and Green Bay Packers.

While you are likely already starting players like Saquon Barkley, Kyren Williams, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, James Conner, Breece Hall, and Josh Jacobs without much hesitation, it is still reassuring to know that they are primed for success in the playoffs. As for backs who are not quite elite studs, like Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Aaron Jones, and Tony Pollard, their positive schedules could make them excellent plays and increase their trade appeal. If you roster any of the lead backs on these teams, strongly consider acquiring their backups. Key handcuff options include Trey Benson, Braelon Allen, Tyler Allgeier, Blake Corum, Cam Akers, Kenneth Gainwell, Tyjae Spears, and MarShawn Lloyd. Even if you do not need to handcuff, adding them could be a smart and strategic move. If the lead back goes down, these players could be potential league-winners.

James Conner & Trey Benson, RBs, Arizona Cardinals

Bucky Irving & Rachaad White, RBs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Breece Hall & Braelon Allen, RBs, New York Jets

Bijan Robinson & Tyler Allgeier, RBs, Atlanta Falcons

Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery, RBs, Detroit Lions

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Aaron Jones & Cam Akers, RBs, Minnesota Vikings

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Tony Pollard & Tyjae Spears, RBs, Tennessee Titans

Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

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Worst RB Schedules:

Unfortunately, several teams face tough fantasy playoff schedules for running backs, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and Cincinnati Bengals. While some elite backs like Joe Mixon and De’Von Achane have the talent to power through almost any matchup, fringe options in these backfields could struggle in tougher conditions.

For the Steelers, while Najee Harris has dominated touches this season, the challenging schedule could favor Jaylen Warren, who is more involved in the passing game. In Kansas City, Isiah Pacheco’s potential return from injury could spell trouble for managers relying on Kareem Hunt, but Pacheco might also face a tough road given the difficult matchups. Moving on from backs in these rotations for players in backfields boasting softer schedules could give you an edge.

Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren, RBs, Pittsburgh Steelers

Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans

D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears

Isiah Pacheco & Kareem Hunt, RBs, Kansas City Chiefs 

De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, & Jaylen Wright, RBs, Miami Dolphins

Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants

Brian Robinson & Austin Ekeler, RBs, Washington Commanders

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

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Best WR Schedules:

There are few things worse than having a top wide receiver on your fantasy team only to realize they’ll be up against shutdown cornerbacks every week in the fantasy playoffs. On the flip side, it is a huge advantage when your receiver gets favorable matchups during this critical stretch. This advantage is especially helpful for receivers with inconsistent quarterbacks who need easier defenses to produce.

Teams with wide receivers facing ideal matchups in the fantasy playoffs include the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend overpaying for all of these players, if they are available at a fair price, they should be worth considering for a strong playoff run.

Malik Nabers & Darius Slayton, WRs, New York Giants

Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans

Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, WRs, Green Bay Packers

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Garrett Wilson & Davante Adams, WRs, New York Jets

Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, & Xavier Worthy, WRs, Kansas City Chiefs

Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle, WRs, Miami Dolphins

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Worst WR Schedules:

As stated prior, few things feel worse than realizing your star wide receiver will be up against shutdown cornerbacks in the fantasy playoffs. That said, if you have an elite talent like Ja’Marr Chase, it is usually best to ignore his tough matchups and trust his ability to overcome them. However, fringe players in challenging schedules could make ideal trade-away targets, allowing you to pursue receivers with more favorable matchups. Teams with tough fantasy playoff schedules for wide receivers include the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Cincinnati Bengals. Teams combining these tough schedules with weaker quarterback play should be avoided at all costs in the playoffs.

Josh Downs, Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, & Adonai Mitchell, WRs, Indianapolis Colts

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Amon-Ra St. Brown & Jameson Williams, WRs, Detroit Lions

Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, & Demarcus Robinson, WRs, Los Angeles Rams

DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, & Tyler Lockett, WRs, Seattle Seahawks

Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins, WRs, Cincinnati Bengals

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Best TE Schedules:

Matchups might matter more for tight ends in fantasy football than any other position. Defensive coverage can make or break a tight end’s week, so it is essential to pay attention and exploit favorable matchups when possible. Even star tight ends can struggle against tough defenses, while lesser-known players can shine with the right matchup. Teams with tight ends facing favorable schedules in the fantasy playoffs include the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders. Each of these teams has a star tight end who could play a pivotal role in bringing home fantasy championships this season.

TJ Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns

Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas

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Worst TE Schedules:

While some tight ends can sometimes overcome difficult matchups, it is far from ideal to rely on one with a tough schedule during the fantasy playoffs. Top-tier players should still be viewed as startable, though their ceilings may be limited against the league’s toughest defenses against the position. Streamable tight ends, on the other hand, are best avoided when facing poor matchups in favor of options with easier schedules. Teams with tight ends facing challenging playoff matchups include the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills. While Travis Kelce remains a “set it and forget it” option, Mark Andrews may warrant a second look despite his recent hot streak. Dalton Kincaid, meanwhile, could be better suited on your bench or as a trade-away candidate.

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs 

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

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Best D/ST Schedules:

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST

Indianapolis Colts D/ST

Green Bay Packers D/ST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST

Arizona Cardinals D/ST

Atlanta Falcons D/ST

Strength of Schedule Tool – for Supporters at JoinTheFoot.com – Updated Weekly

Week 17 Individual Matchups to Consider:

New Orleans Saints D/ST

Miami Dolphins D/ST

Strength of Schedule Tool – for Supporters at JoinTheFoot.com – Updated Weekly