Examining playoff schedules to find favorable fantasy football matchups is a good way to be proactive when building your fantasy football team. While we have to temper our expectations because so much can change throughout a season, we can still project likely shootouts.
On this page, you’ll find a breakdown of players with favorable playoff schedules. The focus is on the projected game script rather than head-to-head matchups versus pass/run defenses. That’s because it’s easier to predict games that will be high-scoring than it is to pick which pass defenses or run defenses will struggle, especially since so many injuries happen during the season.
We’ll list teams with favorable schedules, including fantasy-relevant players, along with game totals from DraftKings Sportsbook to add more context.
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Players with Favorable Fantasy Football Playoff Schedules to Target
Below, you’ll find seven teams with favorable playoff schedules, with game totals from DraftKings Sportsbook listed in parentheses.
Atlanta Falcons
- Week 15: at Buccaneers (47.5)
- Week 16: at Cardinals (46.5)
- Week 17: vs. Rams (46.5)
The Falcons have an appealing playoff schedule, where Michael Penix Jr. is likely going to have to air it out in three projected shootouts against the Buccaneers, Cardinals and Rams. That means it’s all systems go for their two studs in Drake London and Bijan Robinson, each of whom comes off the board in the first two rounds of fantasy football drafts.
Don’t be surprised if Penix establishes himself as a legitimate streamer in time for this enticing schedule.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 15: vs. Falcons (47.5)
- Week 16: at Panthers (47.5)
- Week 17: at Dolphins (47.5)
The Buccaneers were one of the most pass-heavy and explosive offenses last season. Even with Liam Coen now head coach of the Jaguars, Tampa should still be involved in several shootouts, especially considering their deficiencies on defense.
The playoff schedule looks great, with a potential shootout in Atlanta. Look for Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka to be appealing plays there. Bucky Irving should smash against the Panthers in the following week. As for Week 17 against the Dolphins, they’re a defense on the decline.
Arizona Cardinals
- Week 15: at Texans (45.5)
- Week 16: vs. Falcons (46.5)
- Week 17: at Bengals (47.5)
The Cardinals have a tough matchup in Week 15 against the Texans, but that’s followed by two smash spots against the Falcons and Bengals. It’s a great opportunity for Kyler Murray to connect with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride early and often.
James Conner should also have a chance to rack up yards and touchdowns. This favorable schedule adds more appeal to Trey Benson as a handcuff. If Conner were to miss time during this stretch, Benson would be an upside RB2.
Seattle Seahawks
- Week 15: vs. Colts (44.5)
- Week 16: vs. Rams (44.5)
- Week 17: at Panthers (43.5)
The Seahawks are transitioning into a more run-heavy offense with Klint Kubiak calling plays and Sam Darnold under center. The playoff schedule looks favorable in Weeks 15 and 17, where Kenneth Walker (or Zach Charbonnet if Walker is out) can feast on the Colts and Panthers.
As for Week 16, this sets up as a spot for Darnold to air it out to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Cooper Kupp revenge game against his old team. Don’t be surprised if that game turns into a shootout.
Carolina Panthers
- Week 15: at Saints (43.5)
- Week 16: vs. Buccaneers (47.5)
- Week 17: vs. Seahawks (43.5)
The Panthers should be able to have their way with a tanking Saints team in Week 15. Expect Chuba Hubbard to gash this defense in a favorable game script as the Panthers are expected to play with a lead. That’s followed by a potential shootout against the Bucs.
Expect Baker Mayfield and company to pour on the points, forcing Bryce Young to air it out to Tetairoa McMillan. The last matchup is a tough one against an improving Seahawks defense, but this is likely to be a close game, which bodes well for fantasy production.
Los Angeles Rams
- Week 15: vs. Lions (48.5)
- Week 16: at Seahawks (44.5)
- Week 17: at Falcons (46.5)
The Rams have two likely shootouts against the Lions in Week 15 and the Falcons in Week 17. These are spots where Matthew Stafford will likely pepper Puka Nacua and Davante Adams with targets.
Week 16 is a bit tougher against the Seahawks, but this projects as a close game, so perhaps Kyren Williams can get going there. Don’t sleep on rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson, who the team considered taking in the first round before ultimately trading down.
Miami Dolphins
- Week 15: at Steelers (44.5)
- Week 16: vs. Bengals (48.5)
- Week 17: vs. Buccaneers (46.5)
The Dolphins have a challenging matchup against the Steelers to start the fantasy playoffs, but that’s followed by two terrific spots in projected shootouts against porous defenses in the Bengals.
Expect Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith to have opportunities to rack up fantasy points in these spots. Consider this favorable schedule as a tiebreaker if you’re debating between Achane and another running back in the second round.
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