There are many formats for fantasy football playoff leagues. The most common are those in which a roster is either drafted like a typical fantasy draft or selected from a player pool where players can be rostered on multiple fantasy teams.
The cheat sheet below list is best used in leagues with PPR scoring, one point per 20 passing yards, four points per passing touchdown and six points per rushing or receiving touchdown.
Be sure to keep an eye on our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news. For player usage updates and roster context, check out RotoWire's NFL depth charts, and don't miss the weekly projections to see how this week's playoff matchups shape up.
The Key to Success for Playoffs Fantasy Drafts
It is tempting to target players on the No. 1 seeds from each conference, and sometimes that pays off. However, there are upsets almost every year in the playoffs, and the real edge is often found by identifying players from lower-seeded teams who will play multiple games.
Before ranking players as you would for a season-long draft, it is crucial to project how you think the games will unfold throughout the entire bracket. Once you have completed the bracket, note how many games you expect each player to play.
At that point, a useful cheat sheet can be created.
Advice on "One-and-Done" Players
Be careful when projecting players you believe will play only one playoff game.
Elite fantasy players who carried teams through the regular season are attractive, but in the playoffs, unless that player delivers a legendary performance in a loss, you risk passing on a elite player who could play multiple games. However, there is a risk-reward element if the draft cost is reasonable for a player you expect to exit early. And do not forget, teams surprise us every year. That player might end up making a deep playoff run.
My Process for Creating This Playoff Cheat Sheet
As noted, predicting the entire playoff bracket is the most important step. From there, placing players with the most projected games atop each position is straightforward. Adjustments are then made for elite players with "one-and-done" projections.
Most will not agree with my playoff projections, but that's OK. If you believe a team will advance farther or be eliminated earlier than I do, adjust those players accordingly.
Full disclosure: I have been saying for weeks that this will be one of the strangest playoff fields we have ever seen. I believed the bracket setup would expose some teams' biggest flaws. I did not intend to pick all lower seeds in the first round, but after breaking down the matchups, that is where I landed.
Injury Report
Quarterback
Jordan Love (concussion) will start the Packers' wild-card game. He was injured Week 16 and missed the following week before suiting up not playing last week when the team rested its starters.
Running Back
Omarion Hampton (questionable, ankle) did not play Week 18, as the Chargers rested their key players.
Ty Johnson (questionable, ankle) is day-to-day, according to Bills coach Sean McDermott.
J.K. Dobbins (injured reserve, foot) has a chance to return if the Broncos make a deep playoff run.
Jawhar Jordan (questionable, ankle) was injured Week 18.
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams (questionable, hamstring) missed the last three games, but early indications are that he will be ready to start.
Ricky Pearsall (questionable, knee) has been in and out of the lineup since Week 5 and did not play Week 18.
Rome Odunze (questionable, foot) missed the last five games but participated in limited practices ahead of Week 18.
Dontayvion Wicks (questionable, concussion) was injured Week 17 and missed the regular-season finale.
Jordan Whittington (questionable, knee) was injured Week 18.
Bo Melton (questionable, knee) left Week 18 with the injury.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith (questionable, hamstring) was injured in the regular-season finale.
Tight End
Dallas Goedert (questionable, knee) sat out Week 18, though the Eagles rested most of their starters.
Terrance Ferguson (questionable, hamstring) was injured Week 18, but Rams coach Sean McVay expects Ferguson to be available this weekend.
Grant Calcaterra (questionable, ankle/knee) left Week 18 with injuries.
Kicker
Matt Prater (questionable, quadriceps) is considered "more day-to-day," according to McDermott.
Quick Hits on Each Playoff Team
Rams: They faded late but should get Davante Adams back. The offense is elite, and the defense is good enough to fuel a playoff run.
Bills: Playing on the road with a leaky defense is not ideal, but this is a year where Josh Allen can drag the team to the finish line.
49ers: Despite disappearing in Week 18, this offense is capable of forcing shootouts, which is ideal for fantasy.
Seahawks: The defense is elite, but until Sam Darnold proves to be more than a strong regular-season performer, it is hard to believe in him.
Packers: The offense could step up, but the loss of Micah Parsons will catch up with the team in January.
Chargers: It would be great to see Justin Herbert make a run, but the offensive line is unlikely to give him the chance.
Broncos: A bye week and home-field advantage with a strong defense give them a chance. However, Bo Nix and his inconsistent mechanics are likely to limit Denver.
Texans: This is a championship-level defense, but a weak running game and poor offensive line could be Houston's downfall.
Patriots: It was a great season, and Drake Maye is an excellent quarterback. That said, the defense is unlikely to do enough, and the offensive line remains a concern in pass protection if New England has to chase points.
Bears: Between a weak defense and an inconsistent passing attack, Chicago appears to be a year or two away from its peak.
Eagles: The offense flashed at times, but it was maddening most weeks. It is tempting to believe Philadelphia can flip a switch, but nothing from the regular season suggests that will happen.
Jaguars: Jacksonville had a phenomenal second half of the season, but drawing Josh Allen in the first round is one of the worst possible matchups.
Steelers: A typical Mike Tomlin season: a winning record followed by an early playoff exit. The defense is not elite, and the offense is unreliable.
Panthers: Carolina lost more games than it won this year. They beat the Rams in a rainstorm, but this time the storm will be unleashed on the Panthers.
Projected Games Per Team
4: Bills, Rams
3: None
2: Broncos, Texans, Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers, Packers
1: Patriots, Jaguars, Steelers, Bears, Eagles, Panthers
