The fantasy football playoffs have finally arrived, and this is the time of year where
championships are won—or lost—on the smallest decisions. Depth matters. Handcuffs
matter. Matchups matter. Your bench becomes just as important as your starting lineup.
This is the part of the season where every move needs to be intentional.
Out of my four leagues, I made the playoffs in three of them. And while that sounds great,
anyone who’s ever played fantasy football knows the game always gives you a little
heartbreak with the success.
Unfortunately, one of those leagues—the one I play in with my son—started its playoffs this
week, and I was eliminated in brutal fashion. Daniel Jones went down early with an injury.
In a two-quarterback league, that alone can sink you. On top of that, Jackson Dart was on a
bye, and the other quarterbacks I had were Jaden Daniels and Baker Mayfield. I rolled with
Daniels… only for him to get injured during the game as well. Two injured quarterbacks in
one week—just devastating. That’s the game.
Fantasy analyst Connor Allen once said, “You can play the correct odds all season long, but
variance doesn’t care. The key is putting yourself in position to survive it.”
I tried. The breaks just weren’t there this week.
Now onto the Influencers League. I secured a playoff spot there too, despite Jalen Hurts
doing everything he could to sabotage me. He threw an interception and then fumbled on
the same drive. I lost that game by just a couple of points. But thankfully, I held onto the
final playoff spot.
I face the first-place team next week, but honestly, I feel confident. This team is built for a
run: Saquon Barkley, De’Von Achane, Rashee Rice, DK Metcalf, and Jameson Williams. And
I’ve got some really favorable matchups ahead—especially the Eagles’ offense going up
against Las Vegas. As ESPN’s Mike Clay likes to say, “Playoffs aren’t about who has the best
roster from Weeks 1–14. They’re about who has the best matchups from Weeks 15 through
17.”
I like my matchups. I like my odds.
Now, the Big Money League. I also locked into the final playoff spot there with a perfectly
average 7–7 record. And this team… well, this team has no running backs. I traded Christian
McCaffrey away for Lamar Jackson, and normally that would be risky. But in a two-QB
league, Lamar plus Joe Burrow gives me weekly firepower. They’re the reason I’m still alive.
But I need production this week from Breece Hall and Aaron Jones. Just give me mediocrity.
They don’t need to win me the week—they just need to not lose it for me. As analyst Jake
Ciely always says, “You don’t need league winners at every position. You just need enough
stability for your studs to do their job.”
If Burrow and Lamar show up like they can, I’ve got a real shot.
Now let’s talk playoff strategy. Number one: add your handcuffs. This is the point in the
season where backups become league-winners. Brian Robinson behind McCaffrey. Tyler
Allgeier behind Bijan. Blake Corim behind Kyren. Tank Bigsby behind Saquon. Israel
Abanikanda behind Breece. These guys matter now more than ever.
Second: add upside wide receivers. Xavier Worthy, Rome Odunze, Jameson Williams,
Dontayvion Wicks,—these guys can win a week with one play.
Third: start by matchup, not by name value. Benching a big name is not a crime in the
playoffs. Starting a bad matchup absolutely is.
Injury notes to watch this week:
Jaden Daniels, questionable with an elbow. Josh Jacobs, questionable with a knee- Emanuel
Wilson becomes a must-start if Jacobs sits. Aaron Jones is still a little banged up(grab
Mason) Tank Dell is out for the season, boosting Nico Collins. Achane is banged up but
should play. And Geno Smith’s groin injury affects Las Vegas’ WR rooms ceiling, so pay
attention.
On waivers this week, the best adds are Isaiah Davis, Tank Bigsby , Allgeier, Blake Corum ,
Brian Robinson Jr., Dalton Schultz, Jayden Reed, Chris Rodriguez, even Wright from Miami.
Final thought: stay aggressive. The playoffs reward the managers who aren’t afraid to make
bold decisions. You didn’t get here by playing scared. You won’t win a championship by
playing scared, either.
