One of the most crucial elements of a fantasy football championship season is targeting the best strength of schedule in the playoffs.
At this point in the season, after Week 8, we know which defenses allow the most fantasy points to specific positions.
One of the most innovative strategies before the trade deadline is to try to acquire players with the best schedule for your fantasy playoffs.
Even if these players are not performing well at the moment, buying low in a trade for your fantasy playoff run is always a smart move.
Just a friendly reminder: Even if a top player has a demanding playoff schedule, it doesn't mean you should overreact by benching or trading them. Some players are excluded from this, but we will still point out that they have tough matchups.
Continue reading for your 2025 fantasy playoff primer.
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Note: FPPG is in PPR
Updated Nov. 7: All stats reflect post-Week 9
Best Fantasy Playoff Strength of Schedule 2025
Best QB Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Washington Commanders (Marcus Mariota)
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @NYG | 20.6 |
| 16 | PHI | 16.9 |
| 17 | DAL | 24.9 |
New England Patriots
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | BUF | 13.3 |
| 16 | @BAL | 19 |
| 17 | @NYJ | 18.8 |
Minnesota Vikings
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @DAL | 24.9 |
| 16 | @NYG | 20.6 |
| 17 | DET | 17.9 |
These are three of the better schedules for the QB position. Heading into Week 9, the starters for these teams include Marcus Mariota (WAS, now with Jayden Daniels out), Drake Maye (NE), and J.J. McCarthy (MIN).
McCarthy could be a sneaky good stash for the playoffs. He is rostered at just 53% in Yahoo Fantasy leagues. If the second-year QB out of Michigan develops over these next 6 weeks, he could be a league winner.
Best RB Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Green Bay Packers
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @DEN | 18 |
| 16 | @CHI | 22.7 |
| 17 | BAL | 26.3 |
New England Patriots
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | BUF | 23.4 |
| 16 | @BAL | 26.3 |
| 17 | @NYJ | 23 |
Washington Commanders
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @NYG | 27.3 |
| 16 | PHI | 23.1 |
| 17 | DAL | 26.9 |
These three teams offer different kinds of backfields. You have Green Bay with Josh Jacobs, who is clearly the RB1. Any Jacobs owners should feel great about having him.
The Patriots have been using Rhamondre Stevenson a lot more than TreVeyon Henderson truthers would like. Both these options offer some value against their postseason opponents.
Then you get to Commanders, and Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt. JCM became a fantasy football sweetheart rapidly, and with an outstanding game in Week 5, this was only solidified. This playoff schedule may be the best there is for RBs. "Bill" is a must hold for this reason alone.
Best WR Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Minnesota Vikings
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @DAL | 40.5 |
| 16 | @NYG | 36.8 |
| 17 | DET | 35.1 |
New York Giants
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | WAS | 37.3 |
| 16 | MIN | 28.6 |
| 17 | @LV | 36.4 |
Washington Commanders
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @NYG | 36.8 |
| 16 | PHI | 31.8 |
| 17 | DAL | 40.5 |
One thing that should stand out is that Washington has a favorable schedule for both WR and QB. Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin are both attainable via trades, as long as McLaurin's health reports trend toward the positive.
The Vikings easily have the best playoff schedule for the WR position. Their opponents are allowing, on average, 37.5 FPPG to WRs. This makes Justin Jefferson insanely valuable, as well as Jordan Addison.
The Giants are a team to watch out for when acquiring a WR at the deadline. If so, that WR may be valuable. You can start Wan'Dale Robinson if you genuinely need to with these matchups.
Best TE Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Baltimore Ravens
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @CIN | 22.4 |
| 16 | NE | 14.6 |
| 17 | @GB | 15.9 |
Cincinnati Bengals
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | BAL | 13.5 |
| 16 | @MIA | 17 |
| 17 | ARI | 15.4 |
Seattle Seahawks
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | IND | 17.8 |
| 16 | LAR | 12.1 |
| 17 | @CAR | 14.6 |
Mark Andrews for the Ravens is a fascinating TE to try to trade for before the deadline. With Lamar Jackson back and this cake walk playoff schedule, he could be a league winner.
Noah Fant and AJ Barner might not offer a ton of confidence, especially in the playoffs. However, if you are desperate for a high-upside TE play, both have demonstrated the ability and have a bigger opportunity for target share than you may realize.
Best DST Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Week | OPP | PPG |
| 15 | ATL | 17.9 |
| 16 | @CAR | 18.9 |
| 17 | @MIA | 20.0 |
New Orleans Saints
| Week | OPP | PPG |
| 15 | CAR | 18.9 |
| 16 | NYJ | 21.0 |
| 17 | @TEN | 14.4 |
Arizona Cardinals
| Week | OPP | PPG |
| 15 | @HOU | 21.0 |
| 16 | ATL | 17.9 |
| 17 | @CIN | 24.0 |
Tampa Bay and Arizona are the better two defenses out of the three teams here. Both offer significant upside, but Tampa Bay is my favorite option.
The Saints truly do not play a single competent offense in their playoff schedule. If you are feeling risky, they could be a good play.
Worst Fantasy Playoff Strength of Schedule 2025
Worst QB Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Buffalo Bills
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @NE | 16.2 |
| 16 | @CLE | 14.7 |
| 17 | PHI | 16.9 |
Kansas City Chiefs
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | LAC | 13.7 |
| 16 | @TEN | 17.4 |
| 17 | DEN | 12.7 |
Houston Texans
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | ARI | 15.2 |
| 16 | LV | 16.4 |
| 17 | @LAC | 13.7 |
Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen both have brutal playoff schedules. However, they also apply to the golden rule of not benching elite players just because the matchup is tough.
If you were desperate, that's one thing, but there is zero chance you can start C.J. Stroud with any confidence in your fantasy playoffs.
Worst RB Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Buffalo Bills
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @NE | 17.6 |
| 16 | @CLE | 15.4 |
| 17 | PHI | 23.1 |
Chicago Bears
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | CLE | 15.4 |
| 16 | GB | 18.4 |
| 17 | @SF | 21.4 |
Denver Broncos
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | GB | 18.4 |
| 16 | JAX | 19.5 |
| 17 | @KC | 18.7 |
You will not bench James Cook in the playoffs, regardless of the difficulty of the opponents.
However, the Broncos have an absolutely brutal draw in the fantasy playoffs. This makes starting J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey scary.
You might not have the luxury of benching D'Andre Swift, but with his playoff opponents being as tough as they are, consider trading Swift while his stock remains high.
Worst WR Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Kansas City Chiefs
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | LAC | 26 |
| 16 | @TEN | 35.1 |
| 17 | DEN | 25.3 |
Dallas Cowboys
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | MIN | 28.6 |
| 16 | LAC | 26 |
| 17 | @WAS | 37.3 |
Arizona Cardinals
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @HOU | 26 |
| 16 | ATL | 28.1 |
| 17 | @CIN | 31.6 |
As far as your Chiefs WRs, such as Rashee Rice, and your Cowboys, such as George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, you aren't benching any of them in the playoffs. This is primarily to highlight their strict schedule and encourage you to consider making a trade for an alternative option.
As for Marvin Harrison Jr., I'm not sure you can start him with 100% confidence. He has shown zero ability to stay consistent in this Cardinals offense.
Worst TE Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Kansas City Chiefs
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | LAC | 10 |
| 16 | @TEN | 12 |
| 17 | DEN | 11.2 |
Las Vegas Raiders
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @PHI | 8 |
| 16 | @HOU | 9.7 |
| 17 | NYG | 12.8 |
Los Angeles Chargers
| Week | OPP | FPPG Allowed to POS |
| 15 | @KC | 10.6 |
| 16 | @DAL | 13.8 |
| 17 | HOU | 9.7 |
Travis Kelce (KC), Brock Bowers (LV), and Oronde Gadsden (LAC) are all too good to bench regardless of matchups.
It is helpful to know this ahead of time, in case you want to make a move before the deadline.
Worst DST Fantasy Playoff Schedules
Minnesota Vikings
| Week | OPP | PPG |
| 15 | @DAL | 29.2 |
| 16 | @NYG | 21.9 |
| 17 | DET | 29.9 |
Los Angeles Chargers
| Week | OPP | PPG |
| 15 | @KC | 26.1 |
| 16 | @DAL | 29.2 |
| 17 | HOU | 21.0 |
Cleveland Browns
| Week | OPP | PPG |
| 15 | @CHI | 26.9 |
| 16 | BUF | 29.4 |
| 17 | PIT | 25.3 |
For D/ST, it's pretty simple. I would under no circumstances play any of these three defenses due to their difficult matchups in your fantasy playoffs.
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