5 Tips To Win In The Fantasy Football Playoffs
TIP 1: Line Up Your Fantasy Defenses
For those fantasy managers who play in leagues with D/ST, stashing the right ones in Week 15 through Week 17 is extremely important. It really could be the difference between a championship and a first-round exit.
It might be a smart idea to drop those low-end bench pieces and line up defenses for Week 15, Week 16, and Week 17. Stashing three different defenses at this point in the year could be a league-winning move.
Week 15 Defense Targets (Rostered in less than 60% of ESPN leagues)
San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. Tennessee Titans (DEF1 at WalterPicks)
Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs. Minnesota Vikings (DEF2 at WalterPicks)
Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. Las Vegas Raiders (DEF3 at WalterPicks)
Chicago Bears D/ST vs. Cleveland Browns (DEF8 at WalterPicks)
Week 16 Defense Targets (Rostered in less than 60% of ESPN leagues)
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at Tennessee Titans (DEF1 at WalterPicks)
New York Giants D/ST vs. Minnesota Vikings (DEF3 at WalterPicks)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. Carolina Panthers (DEF7 at WalterPicks)
Week 17 Defense Targets (Rostered in less than 60% of ESPN leagues)
New York Giants D/ST at Las Vegas Raiders (DEF2 at WalterPicks)
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at Cleveland Browns (DEF6 at WalterPicks)
New Orleans Saints D/ST at Tennessee Titans (DEF8 at WalterPicks)
TIP 2: Don’t Be Afraid To Sit Struggling Star Players
Early in the season, fantasy managers should be starting their studs no matter what. But as we head toward the backend of the season, starting your studs is no longer a must.
Fantasy managers should play the matchups, ride the hot hand (which we will talk about in tip 3), and avoid players who have failed to produce solid fantasy numbers recently. Week 14 will be extremely telling as to what star players managers can’t rely on in the fantasy football playoffs.
Some star players who are trending down and are risky plays as of now:
Lamar Jackson
Justin Herbert
Saquon Barkley
Rico Dowdle
Justin Jefferson
Michael Pittman Jr.
Tetairoa McMillan
DK Metcalf
TIP 3: Ride The Hot-Hand (Especially With Rookies)
Riding with players who have produced big fantasy numbers in recent weeks is one of the best tips to win in the fantasy playoffs. Managers should continue to ride with players who are on a hot streak.
That could mean leaning on rookies more down the stretch. First-year players usually fall under that league winner category, which was the case last year. Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, Malik Nabers, Jayden Daniels, Ladd McConkey, and Brock Bowers all helped managers win fantasy championships last year.
The rookies who could fall under that category this year:
RJ Harvey
TreVeyon Henderson
Tyler Warren
Omarion Hampton (post-injury)
Quinshon Judkins
Jaxson Dart
Ashton Jeanty
Colston Loveland
TIP 4: Check The Weather In Outdoor Games
There’s nothing worse than starting a player in frigid, snowy conditions in the fantasy football playoffs. The games are usually run-heavy, and most of the players fall short of expectations.
There were multiple instances of players busting in fantasy where the weather was bad in the final weeks of last season. The Rams and 49ers played in a game in Week 15 that featured rain and ended 12-6. The Rams then traveled to New York to take on the Jets in a game that had a high of 19 degrees and strong winds (28 total points scored).
So, make sure to check the weather for each outdoor game in the fantasy football playoffs. If a game is played in extreme winds and/or snow, be prepared to pivot away from those players in fantasy.
Some stadiums to look out for in the fantasy playoffs:
Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland Browns)
Highmark Stadium (Buffalo Bills)
Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots)
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles)
M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)
MetLife Stadium (New York Giants & New York Jets)
TIP 5: Use The WalterPicks App For Start/Sit Decisions
There is no easier way to dominate in the fantasy football playoffs than by using the start/sit tool in the WalterPicks app. The projections team updates the rankings daily, based on news, matchups, reports, and weather forecasts.
If you can’t decide between two to three players, Walter will compare those players for you. You are then able to see Walter’s projected points, the players’ boom/bust probability, and the defense’s rank for each of those players.
Download the WalterPicks app TODAY!
