Congratulations to those who won their regular season fantasy fantasy leagues this year. Yet whether you won or lost, fantasy football is not over quite yet Enter, the fantasy playoff football challenge. Whether you are a part of a large competition such as #SFPL9, the CBS Sports Playoff Challenge, Fantasy DFS, or just a league with a couple of friends, I am here to help you win.
Fantasy Football Playoff Challenge
The setup is simple. Each week you are tasked with creating a lineup of players from all available teams left in the playoffs. However, once you use a player, you can’t use them again throughout the remainder of the playoffs. Your total points through each round are added, with the winner having the most fantasy points accrued. For these articles, I will be using a standard setup which consists of:
- 1 Quarterback
- 1 Running Back
- 1 Wide Receiver
- 1 Tight End
- 1 Flex Player (RB/WR/TE)
- 1 Super Flex Player (QB/RB/WR/TE)
- 1 Kicker
For each position I will provide two options; and every week throughout the playoffs I will rule out players that I’ve already used in previous articles.
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles
Baker Mayfield plays a Philadelphia Eagles unit that has not looked like themselves as of late, ending the season on a 1-5 skid. The Eagles are ranked 31st in passing yards per game (only above the Washington Commanders) allowing close to 250 yards per game. If the Buccaneers are to keep up with the Eagles, they will have to rely on Baker to go toe-to-toe with a high-powered offense. The only caveat here is that Baker is deemed questionable with an ankle injury suffered in Week 18. However, since this game is on Monday night the added rest should work in his favor.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers
After an amazing campaign that led to the second seed in the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys host the Packers in Round 1 of the NFL Playoffs. And I expect them to rely on the arm of their MVP candidate, Dak Prescott.
The Packers defense will likely be without star CB Jaire Alexander. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has had his struggles this year as well. Because of that, Prescott is a must-start option. I understand wanting to save Dak for another week – as his team could be one of the four that make it to championship weekend in the NFC. However, I don’t see a better matchup for Dallas than the Packers defense.
Running Backs
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions
Kyren Williams was a league winner in 2023. I see that continuing this weekend against the Detroit Lions. Williams was able to rest the meaningless week 18 game against the niners, and with that rest comes fresh legs for the playoffs. The rams come into this game on a bit of a hot streak, and seeing that be able to carry Williams against a pretty tough Detroit front seven. Williams has a magnet for the end zone, so do not be shocked if he ends up with a multi score game in Detroit.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys
Aaron Jones enters the playoffs on a tear, surpassing 100 yards rushing in his last three games; once again emerging as the leader of the Packers offense. Jones gets a matchup against the Cowboys, who allowed the Lions’ tandem of Montgomery and Gibbs to run through them two weeks prior. Jones has also done some sneaky work in the receiving game, giving Jordan Love a reliable option to check down to. The lack of touchdowns does leave some points to be desired, but the usage alone is enough to give Jones the overall nod.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles
The reasoning here is same as grabbing Baker Mayfield; the Eagles have not been dominant defending the pass over the past couple of weeks. Couple in the fact that Darius Slay may not suit up, and its up to James Bradberry to cover Mike Evans (see Deebo Samuel’s comments on Bradberry). Evans should be the main weapon for Baker on Monday night and a fantasy football goldmine.
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs
The script makers set up a playoff homecoming for Tyreek Hill, who takes on his former team in the first round of the playoffs. The key to success for the Miami Dolphins is to get the ball into the hands of their best playmaker, and that happens to be Hill. Hill was the 2023 receiving yards king, and with the Chiefs corners being banged up (as well as a potential temperature wind chill in the negatives), and I do not see him being contained. Because I believe the Chiefs will beat Miami, this is the only week to use Hill. I opted to make sure he’s a high value target.
Tight End
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Dalton Kincaid started off a bit slow for the Bills, but has since emerged as a valuable weapon in Josh Allen’s arsenal. Kincaid will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, a unit that is currently dealing with a plethora of injuries. I expect Kincaid to continue to see high usage in an offense that will not slow down this week.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans
David Njoku has been electric since playing with Joe Flacco (he also helped me win my fantasy championship). Now, he gets a great matchup against the Texans, who struggle against covering tight ends this season. The return of Amari Cooper does suggest a lower target share this week, but you play the matchup game in fantasy football. Njoku could go off this weekend.
Kicker
Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs
Having a kicker on a high powered offense does seem to be a recipe for success. Jason Sanders has been a valuable asset for the dolphins this season. The only setback is the weather in Kansas City does not look like it will be the most ideal kicking setting, but I do believe the opportunities for Sanders will be available. It all comes down to him making the kick(s).
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers
Brandon Aubrey has been phenomenal this year. The undrafted rookie for the Cowboys has played at an All-Pro level. The Cowboys also have the best chance at being able to score dynamically, which will allow more opportunities for Aubrey. Jerry’s World is kicker friendly, which is where I instantly drool at being able to use Aubrey.
Randy Vuxta
Randy Vuxta (@RandallVuxta) is a beat writer covering sports picks and dynasty/redraft content for The League Winners with a little over a decade playing fantasy football. Before joining the staff, he studied Journalism and Sports Business management and created The Randy Report, a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all things sports. When he’s not watching game film or the latest Marvel release, he can be found on Twitch streaming everything from Spider-Man to NBA2K. Randy looks to not only win every league he joins, but help others achieve that goal as well.