Fantasy Football's Top 10 Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Fantasy owners researched all summer, carefully analyzing every coach, team, player and schedule as they aimed to assemble the best fantasy team possible. Countless hours spent analyzing each week’s matchup to start or bench the right players on their dream teams. They waited patiently each day for the newest injury update. They scurried the waiver lines to add the next defining fantasy star to take them to the next level.
The time has finally arrived.
The fantasy playoffs are here. If you were unlucky enough not to make it, better luck next year. If you were lucky enough to make it, the uneasiness will continue for at least three more weeks. Every yard, inch, reception, completion and point matters. This is when the nail biting truly begins. Will you be victorious or not? It could all come down to playing the right matchups. Which teams have the best fantasy matchups from weeks 13 to 16?
10. New England Patriots
1 of 10
The Patriots begin the fantasy playoffs against the Chicago Bears Week 14. Although the Bears boast one of the scarier defenses in the league, they have proven that big fantasy days can be had against them. Even when they “contained” Michael Vick, Vick threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Tom Brady has played like a man on fire in recent weeks, refusing to throw an interception. Brady’s receivers run precise routes to compliment Brady’s amazing accuracy. LeSean McCoy found some running room but also caught eight passes against the Bears Week 12, giving hope to BenJarvus Green-Ellis owners.
In Week 15, the Patriots host the Green Bay Packers. This is a fantastic matchup for all Patriots. While Green Bay has a nice defense, they are not as dominant as they were last season after being decimated by injuries. Brady will easily pick apart the Green Bay secondary, most likely utilizing rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez after seeing Vernon Davis go off for 126 yards and a touchdown on just four receptions Week 13.
If Patriots fantasy owners make it to the Week 16 Championship, they will be grinning from ear to ear as New England travels to Buffalo. Even if the weather is bad, Brady and the Patriots have shown they can put up numbers in any weather. Tarvaris Jackson just shredded the Bills off the bench and Adrian Peterson gutted them for three touchdowns. The Patriots have arguably the tastiest matchup for when fantasy counts the most.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
2 of 10
The Eagles have basically shown that they are matchup proof with Michael Vick at the reigns. Vick and his improved field vision have made all of the Eagles skill players fantasy monsters from week to week.
The first matchup for the fantasy playoffs comes in a primetime Sunday night shootout with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have been surrendering touchdown after touchdown this season. Although Jason Garrett has the offense playing better, this defense can be picked apart by Michael Vick and his speedy receivers. At least three touchdowns and a touchdown from LeSean McCoy should be expected.
The toughest matchup comes in Week 15 on the road against the New York Giants. Vick still managed two touchdowns against the G-Men a few weeks ago on Sunday Night Football. LeSean McCoy gutted the Giants to seal the victory with two monster runs. The Giants bottled up the Redskins but the Jaguars found a ton of running room Week 12. In the intense NFC East showdown, I would expect all fantasy players to do very well.
The Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings Week 16 with the fantasy Championship on the line. The Vikings turned in a fantastic game against the Buffalo Bills but have played poorly for most of the season. Vick will be a completely different animal from anybody they have seen thus far this season. It is going to be too difficult for the Vikings defensive line to contain Vick, which will give DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin more than enough time to get open down field. With the focus on Vick, LeSean McCoy should eat up the Vikings linebackers.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
3 of 10
The Chiefs travel to San Diego this week as they look to stay atop the AFC West. The Chargers were just dismantled by the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs coaching staff will have this team more than prepared for the division matchup. Dwayne Bowe was held without a reception against Denver, it won’t happen again. I expect all of the Chiefs players to blow up this week after seeing how well Jacoby Ford, Michael Bush and Darren McFadden played.
The Chiefs are on the road once again in Week 15, this time against the St. Louis Rams. The Rams have played very good football this season, but the Chiefs offense shouldn’t have much trouble putting up numbers in the dome. Jamaal Charles could shred the Rams linebackers, and Dwayne Bowe presents a major mismatch for their secondary.
The Tennessee Titans present the toughest matchup of the three game series for the Chiefs, but this team has been eerily disappointing in recent weeks. The defense is playing uninspired football and the offense has been invisible. It is difficult to believe the Titans will turn it around. With the Chiefs eying the playoffs and the Titans eying the recovery room, the Chiefs will dominant at home.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Indianapolis Colts
4 of 10
I don’t know what has gotten into Peyton Manning lately. He has thrown an unbelievable 11 interceptions in the past three games. It happens. The one thing we know is that the Colts are going to let Manning air it out, which will always benefit his fantasy owners and the Colts skill players. The Colts play the Titans on Thursday night. Although the Colts are on the road with short rest, they should come in determined to try to recapture the division lead from the Jaguars, who just dismantled the Titans.
In Week 15 they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have been up and down, but are vulnerable to both the pass and rush despite shutting down the Titans. The Colts should have no trouble abusing the Jaguars secondary after seeing what Matt Schaub and Eli Manning recently did to them.
The Colts finish with a nice matchup against the Raiders. The Raiders pass rush has been performing better and the Colts line is struggling. By the time these two teams meet, I don’t expect the same problems to be troubling Peyton Manning and his offense. The Colts will strategically pick apart the Raiders in a close game.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
5 of 10
Jacksonville has been surprisingly strong this late in the season. Usually, Maurice Jones-Drew and David Garrard fall apart late. This year, they are surging for fantasy purposes. This week they start the playoffs with a nice matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders played very well against the Chargers but Maurice Jones-Drew is a completely different beast. Jones-Drew is running with more determination and power now. The bowling ball will prove to be every bit worthy of that cream of the crop selection.
The Jaguars travel to Indianapolis Week 15. This is an ideal matchup for the Jaguars. The Colts have been part of shootouts or simply dominated in recent weeks. Maurice Jones-Drew will gut the division rival while David Garrard carefully shreds them. Look for Marcedes Lewis to have a monster game in this matchup.
The Jaguars finish with a nice home matchup against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins defense has done well for fantasy but not in real life. The Giants ripped out their souls as they scored four rushing touchdowns. Maurice Jones-Drew will be salivating all afternoon.
5. San Diego Chargers
6 of 10
The Chargers have been up and down all season but Mike Tolbert and Philip Rivers have been great for their fantasy owners all season. Antonio Gates, when healthy, is easily the best tight end in the game by leaps and bounds. They start the fantasy playoffs against the Chiefs. After losing to the Raiders, the Chargers should be well prepared for their home matchup to stay in the division race. I expect a heavy dose of Mike Tolbert and for Philip Rivers to be on point.
The Chargers get another nice home matchup Week 15 against San Francisco. Aaron Rodgers shredded the 49ers secondary for three touchdowns. Rivers should easily top 300 yards and toss a couple of his own.
Finally, the Chargers finish on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have disappointed all season and will surely continue that streak down the stretch. Brees threw two touchdowns this past week. Chris Ivory went off against the Bengals for two touchdowns as well. Expect the Chargers to come out firing as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
4. Oakland Raiders
7 of 10
The Raiders have a fantastic playoff schedule. They start things against the Jaguars have been thrown and run on in recent weeks. The Raiders will run, run and run some more with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Both could top the century mark in the contest. Jacoby Ford should find room deep in the coverage for a bomb of his own.
In Week 15 they host Denver, who they embarrassed earlier in the season. McFadden had a career day and was in rare MVP form. Don’t think for a second he forgot.
Finally, McFadden gets another amazing matchup against the Indianapolis Colts who have surrendered a ton of yards and touchdowns on the ground this season. McFadden is simply too fast and strong for the Colts defense.
McFadden should be the star of the fantasy playoffs with three appetizing matchups.
3. Denver Broncos
8 of 10
The Broncos have stumbled mightily in recent weeks but things are about to pick up.
This week, the Broncos travel to Arizona to the play a Cardinals team that seems to have already called it quits on the season. Kyle Orton will get back on track with the potential to throw for over 400 yards in the contest. Knowshon Moreno has run better the past few weeks than he has all season and will easily top the century mark.
The Broncos will look to avenge their embarrassing mid-season rout when they travel to Oakland Week 15. The Raiders played great against the Chargers Week 13 but this defense is still suspect from a week to week basis. Josh McDaniels’ offense will come in prepared for the division battle.
They finish the fantasy season with the best possible matchup. The Broncos host the Texans with the fantasy Championship on the line. The Texans are so bad that Josh McDaniels might force Orton to throw for 500 yards in the contest.
2. Baltimore Ravens
9 of 10
After a tough division matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 13, the Ravens will gladly take a Week 14 showdown with the Houston Texans. The Texans boast one of the worst defenses in the league. Ray Rice will think he’s running through the Grand Canyon after battling the Steelers. Anquan Boldin will have a field day against the Texans with the lights shining bright. As owners hope to make it past the first round of the playoffs, they couldn’t have hoped for a better matchup for their Ravens players.
The Ravens host the New Orleans Saints Week 15 in another excellent matchup. Cedric Benson found enough room for two touchdowns last week. Ray Rice should pick up a ton of yardage and receptions in a big shootout.
Baltimore closes the year with a trip to Cleveland. Although the Browns have played inspired football this season, their defense is no match for this high powered Ravens offense. Anquan Boldin is too big and strong for the Cleveland secondary. Rice may not find as much running room as he would like, but he’ll more than make up for it through the air.
1. Atlanta Falcons
10 of 10
The Falcons have arguably the best fantasy playoff matchup out there. The Falcons are clicking on all cylinders at the moment with a 10-2 record. To start the fantasy tournament, they get a nice division matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Michael Turner’s eyes will be wide open in this one after seeing Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch run for three touchdowns. The Matt Ryan to Roddy White combination will surely put in work against the lowly Panthers.
The feast continues when Atlanta travels to Seattle Week 15. Although Seattle has generally been a tough place to play in recent years, this is a mediocre team fighting to stay atop the NFC West. Dwayne Bowe lit up the Seahawks for three touchdowns. There’s no telling what Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner could do to this defense.
The Falcons finish the fantasy season with a monster showdown against the New Orleans Saints that could potentially decide the division. The only thing to expect from this dome matchup is a shootout. The Saints surrender touchdowns from all angles. This fun and exciting shootout will be filled with fantasy goodness all around.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
