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I am not going to list kickers who have good and bad matchups because of the inability to predict the position. There’s too many variables to consider with kickers. Here we have my favorite and least favorite matchups for the fantasy playoffs.

QB:

Bad Matchups:



Deshaun Watson (NE, DEN, TEN, TB)

Some quarterbacks are matchup proof. Deshaun Watson could be there, but not against the elite. In weeks 13 and 14, he will face the 1st and 3rd best pass defenses in the Patriots and Broncos. The Titans are a top 10 pass defense so you would have to wait until week 16 before you get a favorable matchup for Watson when he plays Tampa Bay. Oh yeah, he’s on the road in weeks 15 and 16. Many of the top QBs have incredibly difficult schedules, so keep an eye on some potential streamers.

Dak Prescott (BUF, CHI, LAR, PHI)

Dak Prescott, like Watson, will also draw some tough matchups early on. He will get the 5th and 6th pass defenses in Buffalo and Chicago before playing against the Rams, who are currently ranked 11th, but just traded for Jalen Ramsey. Anybody that watched the week 7 matchup against Philadelphia will feel good about the final week of the fantasy football finals if you can make it there.

Good Matchups:

Tom Brady (HOU, KC, CIN, BUF)

Brady is pretty much matchup proof in real football but in fantasy, he’s not quite as dominant as his real-life self. His week 13 through 15 matchups are favorable and in week 16, I’m sure Brady will still find a way to win the game. I expect the Texans and Chiefs games to be high scoring and he should carve up the Bengals before facing the Bills.

Carson Wentz (MIA, NYG, WAS, DAL)

I don’t think there is a better top-to-bottom matchup QB all the way through the entirety of the fantasy playoffs than Carson Wentz. He faces the Dolphins, Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys. The Eagles pass defense is poor enough to cause some high scoring games. Overall, Wentz should be a top 3 QB in weeks 13-16 without a doubt.

RB:

Good Matchups:



Le’Veon Bell (CIN, MIA, BAL, PIT)

The biggest thing I like about Bell is his week 13 and 14 matchups. The 2 worst run defenses in the NFL. Cincinnati and Miami are the absolute worst at stopping the run. Bell is good enough to start against anybody, but the 1st round really makes you think he can carry your team if you own one of the QBs with a tough 1st round schedule.

Jordan Howard (MIA, NYG, WAS, DAL)

Doug Pederson has always loved a running-back-by-committee, but I think there’s a reason to believe that Howard will keep getting the majority of the touches. Howard has good matchups from top to bottom in weeks 13 and 16. All 4 teams are in the bottom half in run defense and the Dolphins and Giants are in the bottom 5.

Bad Matchups:

Derrick Henry (IND, OAK, HOU, NO)

Derrick Henry always seems to blow up towards the end of the year. He did so last year and many hope the volume continues to come for Henry. With Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, the Titans will be able to throw more often and the teams they face in weeks 13-16 are all much better at stopping the run than they are at stopping the pass. Henry’s volume may go down with Tannehill replacing Marcus Mariota and his efficiency definitely should when he faces 3 of the top 8 run defenses in the league to finish the fantasy season.

Mark Ingram (SF, BUF, NYJ, CLE)

One guy I’m concerned about going into the latter part of the season is Baltimore running back, Mark Ingram. The Ravens like to run the ball, but Ingram is only the second option behind quarterback Lamar Jackson. They face a very tough 49ers and Bills defense before taking on the Jets and Browns in weeks 15 and 16. I don’t like to advise people to trade away players, but if I were to recommend one guy to try and test the market with, it’s Mark Ingram.

WR:

Good Matchups:



D.J. Chark (TB, LAC, OAK, ATL)

Chark will face 3 of the bottom 5 teams in terms of pass defense. Keep Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles in mind when reading this but Chark has one of the easiest schedules during weeks 13 through 16. I’m not as big on D.J. Chark as many, but the numbers tell a story and he is bound to put up big numbers throughout your fantasy playoffs. His worst matchup is against the Chargers but Los Angeles isn’t playing their best football right now.

Alshon Jeffrey and DeSean Jackson (MIA, NYG, WAS, DAL)

All Eagles receivers will have good matchups weeks 13-15. The Dolphins, Giants, and Redskins are among the 9th worst pass defenses. Dallas is their only tough matchup but in rivalry games, especially at the end of the year, there will be a lot on the line as the Eagles and Cowboys will likely be vying for a playoff berth.

Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard (GB, PHI, MIA, WAS)

Giants receivers will also draw favorable matchups in weeks 14-16. Maybe it’s just a lot of bad pass defenses throughout the NFC East. New York will be playing 3 of the bottom 9 teams in terms of stopping the pass. The only tough matchup will be against Green Bay and their lockdown cornerback, Jaire Alexander.

Bad Matchups:

Julio Jones (NO, CAR, SF, JAX)

I don’t want to scare anyone away from Julio Jones. The guy is a once-in-a-generation talent. However, he will likely be drawing coverage from Marshon Lattimore, Donte Jackson and/or James Bradbury, Richard Sherman, and A.J. Bouye. Those are some of the best corners in the game. Julio has a ton of talent but at least one of those teams, if not more, will likely shut him down.

Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks (ARI, SEA, DAL, SF)

The Rams have been known for having one of the most feared offenses since they hired Sean McVay. The things that have stopped the Rams offense under McVay and quarterback Jared Goff are road games, cold weather, and great defenses. The 49ers just held Goff to under 100 yards and it reminded me of the game against the Bears last year. The Rams will play 3 of the top 8 pass defense and 3 games on the road in a 4-week span. Their most favorable matchup against the Cardinals in week 13 will be on the road. Then they host Seattle at home before facing Dallas and San Francisco on the road. Steer clear of Rams receivers and Jared Goff once we get closer to the end of the season.

TE:

Good Matchup:



Greg Olsen (WAS, ATL, SEA, IND)

There isn’t a single matchup in the fantasy playoffs that make you scared to start Greg Olsen. Whether it’s Cam Newton or Kyle Allen, it shouldn’t impact Olsen. Allen has played well and the veteran tight end is Newton’s favorite target. Many of the top tight ends play a touch schedule in weeks 13-16. Olsen does not. He will face the Redskins, Falcons, Seahawks, and Colts. 3 of those teams are bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. The other team is the Redskins and they definitely don’t scare you.

Bad Matchup:

Mark Andrews (SF, BUF, NYJ, CLE)

The Ravens draw what might be the toughest schedule in the league after week 8. Six of their 8 opponents from weeks 9-16 are in the top 8 in pass defense. If you’re a Ravens fan, best of luck to you. If you’re a fantasy owner, I’m selling high on all Ravens players.

D/ST:

Good Matchup:



Steelers (CLE, ARI, BUF, NYJ)

The Steelers will play one of the easiest schedules to close out the year. Their own offense has struggled so they shouldn’t get into many shootouts. Cleveland, Buffalo, and the New York Jets are all among the 7 worst offenses and Arizona is always hard to predict.

Bad Matchup:

Bears (DET, DAL, GB, KC)

Chicago definitely hasn’t had the success on defense this year as they did last year. In week 13 they will face Detroit, who have scored the 11th most fantasy points against opposing defenses. After that, they will play the TOP THREE offenses in Dallas, Green Bay, and Kansas City. This defense is not matchup proof. You may have to start streaming defenses sooner than you would like.