The schedule for the fantasy football playoffs (Week 15 through Week 17) is one of the first things many fantasy owners look at when the NFL schedule is released. It’s important to not overweigh matchups in general based on the previous year, but savvy owners can certainly get an edge by at least being prepared and having things in the back of their mind. This article goes through what you could call the biggest “winner” and “loser” at each position based on the final three matchups of the year.
Quarterback
Best: Sam Darnold
Matchups: v IND, v LAR, @ CAR
Quarterback isn’t as impacted by matchups if you have a high-end QB1 or at least a stable weekly starter, but Darnold could be positioned nicely as a streamer down the stretch. First, he’ll face an Indy defense that signed Charvarius Ward but is still unsettled at the other cornerback spot, then he’ll take on two NFC opponents with the Rams’ biggest weakness being cornerback and the Panthers having all-time bad defense in 2024. Depending on how the season goes for Seattle, the schedule might even provide a soft landing for Jalen Milroe to make his debut as a possible fantasy force.
Worst: Jordan Love
Matchups: @ DEN, @ CHI, v BAL
It’s difficult to imagine a more challenging stretch than what Green Bay will face in the fantasy playoffs, as Denver and Chicago are two of the stingiest pass defenses in the league, and Baltimore should only improve in the second year under defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Love is a streaky quarterback as it is, so the lowered floor and ceiling based on the late-season matchups should have fantasy owners thinking ahead by mid-to-late November.
Running back
Best: Bucky Irving
Matchups: v ATL, @ CAR, @ MIA
Irving was a stud down the stretch as a rookie, and the schedule sets up for him to again help power fantasy championships—with the Week 16 matchup versus Carolina being the one to circle after he ripped them for 185 total yards and 190 total yards last season. Before that, Atlanta won’t have fun trying to stop Irving on a short week to kick off the fantasy playoffs, and things end versus a Miami team that could realistically be out of contention by Week 17.
Worst: Quinshon Judkins
Matchups: @ CHI, v BUF, v PIT
Josh Jacobs could have been the choice here based on the stretch for the Packers, but Judkins also gets a few difficult draws at a time when many are hoping for a rookie to really emerge. Chicago should get back to being a top run defense under new coordinator Dennis Allen, the Bills might blow out the Browns to force them away from the run, and Judkins will end his fantasy season versus the stout Pittsburgh defense.
Wide receiver
Best: Ladd McConkey
Matchups: @ KC, @ DAL, v HOU
The Chargers are primed for three shootouts in the fantasy playoffs, and McConkey is further boosted by often avoiding coverage on the perimeter. Last year, he only faced the Chiefs once but went for a 5/67/1 line, and McConkey ended his rookie campaign with nine receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown versus Houston in a playoff loss.
Worst: Brian Thomas Jr.
Matchups: v NYJ, @ DEN, @ IND
Thomas proved to be at a level where he needs to stay in lineups after a fantastic rookie season, but expectations might need to be tempered for the fantasy playoffs—particularly the first two weeks with coverage from Sauce Gardner and Pat Surtain II. Even the Colts might not be the best draw if Charvarius Ward is tasked with a shadow assignment, and Jacksonville doesn’t need to force the issue to Thomas with No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter on the field.
Tight end
Best: Evan Engram
Matchups: v GB, v JAX, @ KC
Again, we don’t want to put too much weight on the previous year, but Green Bay, Jacksonville, and Kansas City all ranked in the bottom 15 of fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends in 2024. For the fantasy championship, Engram will be highly determined against his former team in Week 16, and Christmas Night at Arrowhead Stadium has game-of-the-year potential.
Worst: Zach Ertz
Matchups: @ NYG, v PHI, v DAL
Washington gets a gauntlet of NFC East foes that extends to Week 18 by facing the Eagles again—and all three of New York, Philadelphia, and Dallas were in the top 10 in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends in 2024 (with the Giants and Eagles in the top five). For what it’s worth, Ertz didn’t fare as well in the second matchup versus New York (one catch for five yards) or Philly (one catch for 12 yards) last year, and he turns 35 in November.