Entering the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, it comes as no surprise that fantasy-friendly matchups are hard to come by; the adage “defense wins championships” still exists for a reason. Here’s a rundown of this week’s fantasy options as you tweak your playoff fantasy rosters and set your DFS lineups.
QUARTERBACKS
The most fantasy-friendly matchups belong to Marcus Mariota, Tom Brady and Case Keenum; clearly, one of these things is not like the other. Conversely, no team allowed fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Vikings, but I’ll still take Drew Brees getting his in that environment over other the remaining alternatives.
1. Tom Brady, NE
2. Drew Brees, NO
3. Case Keenum, MIN
4. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
5. Matt Ryan, ATL
6. Marcus Mariota, TEN
7. Nick Foles, PHI
8. Blake Bortles, JAC
RUNNING BACKS
The last time Le’Veon Bell faced Jacksonville he only saw 15 carries–but he also had 10 receptions; you know one way or another he’ll get his. Tougher to say that about the Saints’ dynamic duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, as no team allowed fewer fantasy points to running backs than the Vikings (say, haven’t we heard something like that before?). You have to think Derrick Henry will be the weapon Bill Belichick decides to take away in the Titans/Patriots game, but New England may not have the personnel to do so. Unfortunately we saw little evidence that the Eagles would cover for Nick Foles by leaning more heavily on the ground game so it’s tough to project a feature-back workload for Jay Ajayi.
1. Le’Veon Bell, PIT
2. Leonard Fournette, JAC
3. Alvin Kamara, NO
4. Derrick Henry, TEN
5. Devonta Freeman, ATL
6. Dion Lewis, NE
7. Jerick McKinnon, MIN
8. Jay Ajayi, PHI
9. Mark Ingram, NO
10. Tevin Coleman, ATL
11. Latavius Murray, MIN
12. Rex Burkhead, NE
13. LeGarrette Blount, PHI
14. James White, NE
15. Chris Ivory, JAC
16. DeMarco Murray, TEN
17. Corey Clement, PHI
18. T.J. Yeldon, JAC
19. Stevan Ridley, PIT
20. Derrick Coleman, ATL
21. Kenjon Barner, PHI
22. Zach Line, NO
23. C.J. Ham, MIN
24. Tommy Bohanon, JAC
WIDE RECEIVERS
Antonio Brown at 100 percent makes him a lock for the top spot, even against the vaunted Jacksonville pass defense–you know, the one he took for 10-157 earlier in the season. On paper the Tennessee wide receivers have far and away the easiest fantasy matchup, but with no reliable go-to among their outside targets none crack the top 12.
1. Antonio Brown, PIT
2. Brandin Cooks, NE
3. Adam Thielen, MIN
4. Julio Jones, ATL
5. Michael Thomas, NO
6. Chris Hogan, NE
7. Stefon Diggs, MIN
8. Alshon Jeffery, PHI
9. Mohamed Sanu, ATL
10. Ted Ginn, NO
11. Nelson Agholor, PHI
12. Dede Westbrook, JAC
13. Corey Davis, TEN
14. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT
15. Danny Amendola, NE
16. Torrey Smith, PHI
17. Eric Decker, TEN
18. Marqise Lee, JAC
19. Brandon Coleman, NO
20. Martavis Bryant, PIT
21. Rishard Matthews, TEN
22. Allen Hurns, JAC
23. Justin Hardy, ATL
24. Jarius Wright, MIN
25. Keelan Cole, JAC
26. Nick Williams, ATL
27. Kenny Britt, NE
28. Taylor Gabriel, ATL
29. Jaydon Mickens, JAC
30. Willie Snead, NO
31. Andre Roberts, ATL
32. Phillip Dorsett, NE
TIGHT ENDS
Playoff teams tend to defend tight ends well; in fact, only one remaining team ranked in the top half of the league in fantasy points allowed to the position. Fortunately for Gronk, it was the Titans–as if he needs additional help.
1. Rob Gronkowski, NE
2. Zach Ertz, PHI
3. Delanie Walker, TEN
4. Kyle Rudolph, MIN
5. Austin Hooper, ATL
6. Jesse James, PIT
7. Marcedes Lewis, JAC
8. Josh Hill, NO
9. Trey Burton, PHI
10. Vance McDonald, PIT
11. Levine Toilolo, ATL
12. David Morgan, MIN
13. Jonnu Smith, TEN
14. Jacob Hollister, NE
15. Michael Hoomanawanui, NO
16. Ben Koyack, JAC
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Another reliable facet of playoff teams: they don’t give up much in the way of D/ST fantasy scoring. Again, only one team ranks outside the stingiest dozen clubs in that regard–and again it’s to the benefit of the Titans. Of course, the Nick Foles-led Eagles might be more prone to turnovers than the Carson Wentz-led version if Philly insists on having Foles throw 38 passes a game like he’s been doing.
1. Patriots DST, NE
2. Jaguars DST, JAC
3. Vikings DST, MIN
4. Steelers DST, PIT
5. Falcons DST, ATL
6. Eagles DST, PHI
7. Saints DST, NO
8. Titans DST, TEN
PLACEKICKERS
Yet again the most favorable fantasy matchup plays to the Patriots’ favor, as the Titans have allowed a point and a half more per game to opposing kickers than any other squad left in the postseason. After that, it comes down to which offenses are good enough to move the ball on these stout remaining defenses yet not quite able to punch it into the end zone. When you’re counting by threes instead of ones, that’s when the kicker points start adding up.
1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE
2. Kai Forbath, MIN
3. Will Lutz, NO
4. Matt Bryant, ATL
5. Jake Elliott, PHI
6. Chris Boswell, PIT
7. Josh Lambo, JAC
8. Ryan Succop, TEN
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