The Yahoo team predicts which players (or defenses) can deliver a league-winning performance during the playoffs to help you secure the coveted fantasy football championship.
The league-winning QB no one saw coming
Sometimes I think that consistency of play is a seeming thing that we shouldn’t really strive for, but Sam Darnold of all people makes me reconsider that topic. Darnold has multiple touchdown passes in 10 different games and 11 starts with a rating above 100; he rarely throws up a stinker.
Darnold’s playoff schedule features two attractive home games (ah, that indoor life) and he’s tied to a winning infrastructure, between head coach Kevin O’Connell, alpha receiver Justin Jefferson and rising star Jordan Addison. You’re in my circle of trust, Sammy. Let’s become champions together. — Scott Pianowski
We have a good “Thielen” about this.
Returning to action following his return from IR, Adam Thielen came on fire over the past two weeks with 17 receptions on 21 targets for 201 yards and a touchdown, proving he is still a reliable option. The connection between Bryce Young and Thielen shouldn’t surprise anyone. Last season, Thielen was Young’s top target, posting three top-five finishes before fading in the second half of the year.
Fast forward to now and Thielen looks fresh and ready to finish the season in top condition. With Xavier Leggette’s recent struggles, Thielen is clearly Young’s favorite and most reliable target. Thielen’s fantasy playoff schedule includes an inconsistent secondary in Dallas, Arizona and an ideal championship week matchup against Tampa Bay. He should finish as a weekly top-20 receiver for the rest of the season with top-five potential in the Week 17 game. — Tera Roberts
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Trey McBride breaks his unlucky streak just in time
Trey McBride has been snubbed by the end zone so far this season despite catching 80 balls on 106 targets, including 16 opportunities in the red zone. It’s an outrageous and almost inexplicable scoreless streak that should end very soon. McBride has seen a whopping 41 targets in his last three games, catching 31 of them for 299 yards. He’s clearly helping his fantasy managers, even without the spikes.
Arizona will have a series of friendlies in the fantasy postseason, culminating in a Week 16 trip to Carolina to take on the defense, allowing the most fantasy points (by far) to come from the tight ends. McBride’s touchdown drought is pure fluke and won’t survive the next few games with the Patriots and Panthers. — Andy Behrens
Enjoy the favorable schedule of one of fantasy’s best workhorses
Chuba Hubbard played 97% of snaps after Jonathon Brooks re-injured his knee last week, seeing 31 of 32 RB opportunities. Brooks is out this season, so Hubbard will be Carolina’s complete workhorse. Bryce Young is playing much better, some hidden by drops and a tough recent schedule that is now easing.
The Panthers are favorites for the first time in exactly two years on Sunday, so the game script should be favorable. Additionally, Carolina has the fourth-easiest RB schedule during the fantasy playoffs, so Hubbard appears poised to bring home championships. — Dalton Del Don
Rico Dowdle… a must-start in the fantasy playoffs?!
Rico Dowdle is now an automatic start at running back in the fantasy postseason. It’s too little too late, but the Cowboys have sent the other veterans to the bench to simply give Dowdle all the opportunities he can get. Dowdle has handled over 70% of the backfield touches since Week 12 and he has played at least 70% of the snaps over the last two weeks. He has responded well to this promotion, averaging 5.6 yards per rush over the past three weeks. You can feel him getting into a rhythm as he gets more carries.
Dowdle is playing for a new contract with this team (or elsewhere next year) and Dallas should have every incentive to grade him as an RB1 down the road. He will face one of the worst defenses in the league in the Panthers in Week 15. Matt Harmon
The D/ST worth keeping is…
The Colts’ defense is a sneaky waiver at this point coming off the bye week; they were dropped from the vast majority of Yahoo Leagues. Currently they are available in more than 75% of competitions. This is a bit surprising given their strong schedule for the rest of the season. This week their toughest game will be against the Broncos. Bo Nix was good in his rookie season, but I wouldn’t consider him a concerning fit for a fantasy defense. The last time we saw Nix in action, he threw two interceptions and completed just 51% of his passes against the Browns.
In Week 16, Indy will take on the Titans who allow the most points per game to opposing fantasy defenses. Will Levis has played better over the past six weeks, but he still turns the ball over at an above-average rate. Finally, in Week 17, fantasy championship week, the Colts will face the Giants. New York is allowing the third-most points to opposing fantasy defenses this season. Tommy DeVito is back under center for the Giants and he is taking sacks at an unusually high rate.
The Colts are a top-five fantasy defense for the two biggest weeks of the fantasy season. All they need is one defensive score to tilt a playoff game in your favor. Add this D/ST if you can. — Sal Vetri
