FAVORABLE Fantasy Football Playoff Schedules

We’re into Week 11 and the playoff weeks in fantasy leagues loom large.  Below, you will find a ranking of those teams with FAVORABLE schedules for Weeks 14 – 16 and Weeks 15 – 17, the weeks of most fantasy football leagues, for each primary fantasy position: QB, RB, WR, TE, and DST.  This ranking is based on fantasy points allowed up to Week 10 by opponents of each team by position. The rankings are in ascending order meaning the team listed at the top has the most unfavorable schedule.

In terms of the rankings below, what you see may surprise you as to which team has the most favorable schedule by position.  In some instances, the ranking is wasted.  In other instances, a team could be ranked top ten in Weeks 14 – 16 but then disappear from the top ten in Weeks 15 – 17.  The opposite is true as well where there are teams that are not ranked top ten in Weeks 14 – 16 but then appear as a top ten in Weeks 15 – 17.  The explanation is simple.  There is either an awfully difficult game or an easy game, as the case may be, that shows up on the schedule in one of the two sets of bye weeks that skews the numbers for or against that team by position.  As a way to gauge your players remaining schedule and why they show up or why they do not show up in the top ten, be sure to check out each team’s NFL schedule for Weeks 14 – 17.The schedules can be found by going to the homepage, looking under “Categories,” and then choosing “NFL Schedules.” By looking at the schedule, you will understand why the teams below are ranked as they are. 

That said, there is three to four weeks of regular season, fantasy football to play depending on your league’s schedule. So, you should NOT run out and add a player who has been mediocre this season just because he has a favorable playoff schedule and dump your No. 1 player who may not be ranked top-ten for the playoffs.  Remember, a lot can happen.  Plus, a schedule may not affect the performance of a really good player.  Yet, if you have the roster room to plan ahead, there would be nothing wrong with adding a quality player that you could use during the playoffs.

Good luck! 

The Fantasy Greek

Quarterbacks  

Analysis:  Most interesting in the above referenced rankings is the lack of true No. 1 fantasy quarterbacks that do not have a favorable schedule. Besides Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady in Weeks 14-16, and Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers in Weeks 15-17, there isn’t another stud quarterback to speak of. Yet, there are several fringe quarterbacks that could make some noise in the playoffs like Tony Romo, Michael Vick (if healthy), Joe Flacco, and Josh Freeman. Further, Brandon Weeden and Sam Bradford could prove valuable should the injury bug strike and fantasy owners be forced to pick-up a player from waivers.

Running Backs 

Analysis:  Wow! What’s missing from this list is the big time running backs that will likely lead most teams to the fantasy playoffs like Arian Foster, Alfred Morris, Ray Rice, and, LeSean McCoy. Yet, fo fantasy players who have been patient this season, players like Shonn Greene, Willis McGahee, DeMarco Murray, Reggie Bush, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Jamaal Charles could have breakthrough fantasy playoffs, assuming they are healthy. Also, don’t count any of the running backs from the Saints or Steelers, as they could have a significant impact too. Further, expect Stevan Ridley, Chris Johnson, and Doug Martin to be some of the better plays in the fantasy playoffs.

Wide Receivers  

Analysis:  Here, there are some recognizable names of wide-receivers who could be crazy good for fantasy players in the playoffs including: DezBryant/Miles Austin, Demaryius Thomas/Eric Decker, Dwayne Bowe, Torrey Smith / Anquan Boldin, Andre Johnson, and Vincent Jackson/Mike Williams. Then, there are others that could be good depending when your fantasy football playoffs fall like the wide-receivers from the Saints, Steelers, Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, Rams, Falcons, and Browns. Almost each one of the aforementioned receivers (not all) were impossible to bench in 2012 regardless of the match-up. 

Tight-Ends

Analysis:  As opposed to teams whose tight-ends have pulled unfavorable match-ups for the 2012 playoffs, these teams will be facing teams that either do not specifically defend the tight-end position or can’t put enough pressure on their opponents such that it forces them to keep their tight-end on the line to help block the defensive edge rushers. This bodes well for Jason Witten, Brent Celek, Dennis Pitta, and to a lesser extent, Vernon Davis. Also, it turns out that favorable schedules are presently expected in Weeks 14-16 for Kyle Rudolph, Jimmy Graham, and Heath Miller, and in Weeks 15-17 for Antonio Gates. Just because you may not see your tight-ends team referenced above doesn’t mean you should panic. Players like Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez (if healthy), Jimmy Graham, and Tony Gonzalez should continue to be started as these are top tight-ends in fantasy even though their playoff schedule may not be favorable at tmes.

Defenses 

Analysis:  Obviously, there are some top defense/special team units referenced above that fantasy players will start, regardless of the match-up like the Seahawks and the Bears. When you look at defenses ranked toward the bottom of the fantasy football strength of schedule rankings for the playoffs, keep in mind that elite defenses like the Bears, 49ers, and Texans are must starts regardless of the strength of schedule. Defenses that might be available on your waivers that you could platoon with another defense to play the match-ups, or pick-up and try to ride during the entire playoffs include the: Steelers, Broncos, Patriots, and Packers. Three units that could surprise as match-up based plays in the fantasy playoffs include the Redskins, the Raiders, and the Jets. However, note, if you make the fantasy playoffs, you likely will not do it by playing these latter three defenses.