The Yahoo team predicts which players (or defenses) could deliver a championship-winning performance throughout the playoffs to help you win that coveted fantasy football championship.
The league-winning QB no one saw coming
Sometimes I think passing consistency is an imaginary thing that we shouldn’t really strive for, but Sam Darnold, more than anyone, makes me rethink this topic. Darnold has thrown multiple touchdown passes in 10 different games and 11 starts with a rating above 100; he rarely vomits a stench.
Darnold’s playoff schedule includes two attractive home games (ah, that indoor life) and he’s tied to a winning infrastructure, between head coach Kevin O’Connell, alpha wide receiver Justin Jefferson and emerging star Jordan Addison. You’re in my circle of trust, Sammy. Let’s be champions together. — Scott Pianoowski
We have a good “Thielen” on this subject
Back in action after returning from IR, Adam Thielen has caught fire over the past two weeks with 17 receptions on 21 targets for 201 yards and a touchdown, proving he remains a reliable option. The connection between Bryce Young and Thielen should surprise no one. Last season, Thielen was Young’s top target and finished in the top five three times before fading in the second half of the year’s season.
Fast forward to now, and Thielen looks fresh and ready to finish the season in peak 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 remainder of the season with top-five potential in the Week 17 game. Tera Roberts
Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Forecast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Or wherever you listen.
Trey McBride breaks his unfortunate streak just in time
Trey McBride has been pushed out of the end zone so far this season, although he has caught 80 balls on 106 targets with 16 red zone opportunities included. This is a scandalous and almost inexplicable scoreless streak – one that should end very soon. McBride has seen 41 foul targets over his last three games, catching 31 for 299 yards. He’s clearly helping his fantasy managers, even without the spikes.
Arizona is heading into a series of fantasy playoff games, highlighted by a Week 16 trip to Carolina to take on the defense, allowing the most fantasy points (by far) to opposing tight ends. McBride’s touchdown drought is pure fluke, and he won’t survive the upcoming matchups with the Patriots and Panthers. — Andy Behrens
Take advantage of the favorable program of one of the best fantasy workhorses
Chuba Hubbard played 97% of snaps after Jonathon Brooks injured his knee again last week, seeing 31 of 32 RB opportunities. Brooks is out for the season, so Hubbard will be Carolina’s workhorse down the stretch. Bryce Young is playing much better, hidden in part by drops and a tough recent schedule that is now easing up.
The Panthers are favorites on Sunday for the first time in exactly two years, so the match scenario should be favorable. Additionally, Carolina has the fourth simplest RB schedule During the fantasy playoffs, Hubbard therefore appears ready to help bring championships home. — Dalton DelDon
Rico Dowdle… a must-have for the Fantasy playoffs?!
Rico Dowdle is now an automatic running back in the fantasy playoffs. It’s too little, too late, but the Cowboys sent the other veterans to the bench in favor of simply giving Dowdle every chance he could get. Dowdle has handled over 70% of the backfield’s touches since Week 12 and he has played at least 70% of the snaps over the past two weeks. He has responded well to this promotion, averaging 5.6 yards per carry over the past three weeks. You can feel him getting into a rhythm as they give him carries.
Dowdle is playing for a new contract with this team (or elsewhere next year) and Dallas should have incentive to evaluate him as an RB1 in the future. He faces one of the worst run defenses in the league in the Panthers in Week 15. – Matt Harmon
The D/ST worth hiding is…
The Colts defense is currently a sneaky addition to waivers, coming off its bye week; they have been abandoned in the vast majority of Yahoo leagues. Currently, they are available in over 75% of leagues. This is a bit surprising given their strong schedule for the rest of the season. This week will be their toughest game against the Broncos. Bo Nix was good in his rookie season, but I wouldn’t consider him a worrisome matchup for a fantasy defense. The last time we saw Nix in action, he threw two interceptions and completed just 51 percent of his passes against the Browns.
In Week 16, Indy will face 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 at center for the Giants and he’s taking sacks at an unusually high rate.
The Colts are a top-five Fantasy defense for the two most important weeks of the Fantasy season. All they need is one defensive score to tip a playoff game in your favor. Add that D/ST if you can. — Sal Vétri
