Fantasy Football: 4 Players With Favorable Playoff Schedules

While carefully crafting a fantasy football roster, it's wise to consider each player's schedule as you work through the draft. For example, you want to avoid a group of top players having the same bye.

Perhaps the second-most important area in regards to schedule is each player's matchups for the fantasy playoffs. This is when the ultimate bragging rights in your league are won. A great regular season is all for naught if your squad comes up short when it matters most.

The standard league size is typically 12 teams with the playoffs beginning in Week 15. The top two teams are awarded byes, followed by semifinal matchups in Week 16 and the championship game in Week 17. Of course, this can vary depending on your league size and rules.

For this piece, we will look at Week 14 to Week 17 for the playoff schedules. Which notable players have favorable matchups for the postseason, giving them even more value?

Breece Hall, New York Jets

One of the top running backs on draft boards could flourish when it matters most. Breece Hall has an average draft position (ADP) of RB3 and sixth overall in half-point per reception (PPR) leagues, per FantasyPros.

He finished as RB4 in 2023 while leading his position in receiving yards, receptions, and targets. The rushing production was there, too, with 4.5 yards per attempt and 0.66 rushing yards over expectation per carry (RYOE/C).

From Week 14 to Week 17, Hall will face the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and Buffalo Bills. According to numberFire's schedule-adjusted power rankings, the Dolphins, Jaguars, and Rams are all among the bottom nine teams in run defense ahead of the 2024 season. The Bills are also in the bottom half, carrying the 13th-lowest run defense grade.

Miami and L.A. have obvious concerns in the heart of their defenses due to offseason departures. For the Fins, Christian Wilkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders; he had the third-best run-defense grade among defensive tackles in 2021 and the second-best in 2022, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Last year was a bit of a slide with a 71.5 grade, but Wilkins was still above average.

The Rams saw one of the best defensive players of all time retire in the offseason . Aaron Donald was still producing, finishing as PFF's second-highest graded interior defensive lineman in 2023. His run defense slid to grades of 71.7 and 75.6 over his final two seasons compared to posting at least a 85.0 grade in his prior eight seasons. This is still a major piece to replace for Los Angeles, though.

Additionally, the Dolphins, Rams, and Jags all finished in the bottom half of rushing touchdowns allowed per game last season, giving Hall the opportunity to scamper into the end zone.

Hall's receiving game could really shine in Week 15 against Jacksonville, as well. The Jaguars gave up 6.4 receptions (the worst mark) and 45.4 receiving yards per game (tied for the second-worst) to running backs last season.

So far, we've focused on every run defense expect Buffalo. The Bills will likely be the toughest matchup among the four, but they aren't invincible. In fact, they gave up the fourth-most rushing yards per attempt in 2023.

New York's stud running back could produce some of his best fantasy numbers from Week 14 to Week 17.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Sticking with tailbacks, Alvin Kamara is also gearing up for one heck of a fantasy playoff run. Kamara is already drawing interest with FanDuel Research's season-long projections forecasting the New Orleans Saints' back for RB7 compared to his RB17 ADP.

Three of Kamara's four opponents from Week 14 to Week 17 are among numberFire's bottom-11 run defenses. The New York Giants come in as the 11th-worst unit, followed by the Green Bay Packers at 10th and the Washington Commanders holding the 5th-worst mark.

Each unit was also among the bottom eight in rushing yards allowed per attempt. last season. The favorable numbers for Kamara keep going as all three run defenses were among the bottom half in run stuff rate, per ESPN.

New York's third-worst run stuff rate from last season particularly stands out. Losing Xavier McKinney, who had a 89.1 tackling grade at PFF, could signal an incoming drop for the Giants' run defense, as well.

Of course, a big part of Kamara's game is his receiving, for he had the second-highest target share at his position last season, per PlayerProfiler. Washington should be circled as Kamara's potential boom performance in the playoffs, as the Commanders gave up the fifth-most receiving yards per game and the third-most receiving touchdowns per contest against running backs a season ago.

During the four-week span, the Raiders tout the best run defense that Kamara will see as the 16th-best unit. However, Las Vegas surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points per game against running backs last season. This was from getting shredded on the ground, giving up 98.1 rushing yards per game to halfbacks.

The Raiders' run defense will likely improve with the addition of Wilkins to the interior defensive line. However, the unit probably won't be much better than mediocre at best, as numberFire's ratings suggest.

All four of Kamara's opponents were among the bottom 11 in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs in 2023. This alone is enough evidence to feel confident about his position for the postseason.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

With the Seattle Seahawks undergoing big coaching chances prior to the 2024 season, Geno Smith has been circled as one fantasy QB flying under the radar. Ryan Grubb, who orchestrated a potent passing attack with the Washington Huskies in 2023, coming in as offensive coordinator could be a big benefit to Smith's value.

Smith is carrying a QB26 ADP. FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL passing props have Smith's passing yards set at only 3,425.5 -- a mark he easily surpassed over the last two seasons. He seems to be overlooked across the board.

If Smith approaches 2022's production (QB5), he could truly become a league-winner -- especially with juicy playoff matchups.

The Seahawks are scheduled to take on four bottom-14 passing defenses during the span. The Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 and Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 could be feast weeks for Geno.

Arizona has the second-worst schedule-adjusted passing defense while Minnesota comes in as the seventh-worst. Additionally, PFF's secondary rankings have the Cards as the worst unit while the Vikings have the sixth-worst secondary.

The Chicago Bears -- Week 17's opponent -- is another check with PFF's 14th-worst secondary. Plus, they gave up the 12th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season.

Smith's biggest challenge will likely be the Packers in Week 15. They have the best pass defense among the four opponents, holding the 14th-worst schedule-adjusted pass defense. This unit feels capable of more, though, with two studs in the secondary -- Jaire Alexander and McKinney.

However, Green Bay still has a clear hole at their second corner spot. Seattle has a deep receiving corps with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith has more than enough to take advantage of the Pack's questionable depth in the secondary.

If you're looking for a gunslinger to take you home in the playoffs, Smith could be the answer.

Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

We highlighted Kyle Pitts as a fantasy asset with a favorable early-season schedule. The Atlanta Falcons carry more potential for the playoffs in Drake London.

The four-week stretch includes the Vikings, Raiders, Giants, and Commanders. Minnesota, New York, and Washington are a running theme in this piece. The Commanders have numberFire's worst schedule-adjusted pass defense while the Vikes are seventh.

London has yet to tap into his fantasy potential, finishing as WR36 and WR39 over his last two seasons. Projections currently have the third-year target on track for WR9.

One of his promising traits last season was finishing among the top 25 in red zone targets. He's forecasted for 0.5 receiving touchdowns per game in 2024 compared to 0.2 and 0.1 over his previous two seasons.

We should see London's touchdown numbers finally rise with Kirk Cousins stepping in -- as it should considering London's 6-foot-4 frame.

How does this relate to his playoff matchups? The Commanders gave up the most touchdowns per game to receivers in 2023, and the Vikings tied for the sixth-highest mark.

The Raiders and Giants will be tougher tasks for London, but there's still potential success here. Las Vegas is in the bottom half of PFF's secondary rankings, and Atlanta has PFF's sixth-best offensive line that can help fight off the Raiders' pass rush -- offering London more opportunities.

New York has the ninth-best schedule-adjusted pass defense. However, the Giants still gave up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to receivers last season. Plus, the unit will likely drop off following McKinney's departure, for the star safety had the best coverage grade at his position in 2023 (91.2).

London has the stage to take advantage of some questionable cornerback units while carrying a good chance of finding the end zone.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.