Fantasy Playoff Impact Players

It’s Week 14, and likely the opening round  of the playoffs in your fantasy league. Whether you’ve stumbled in like the Kool-Aid Man (see below), or cruised your way to a first round bye, you made it. Now it’s time to plan. Streamers, handcuffs, and matchups, oh my. We’re going to take a look at the players who we think might help deliver you the championship you’ve been waiting for.

Note: Sure, you should probably always play your studs (Aaron Rodgers, Seattle DEF, etc). However, you may not have the luxury of those easy decisions. If that’s the case, these players (based on recent performance and/or matchups) might just do the trick.

Quarterback and Defense Streamers

Week 14

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) vs NO
Andy Dalton (CIN) @ CLE
Eli Manning (NYG) vs DAL

DEF
Cincinnati Bengals @ CLE
Detroit Lions vs CHI
Houston Texans @ IND

Week 15

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) at DAL
Carson Palmer (ARI) vs NO
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) vs CLE

DEF
Buffalo Bills vs CLE
Houston Texans vs JAX
Miami Dolphins @ NYJ

Week 16

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) @ NO
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) vs MIA
Marcus Mariota @ JAX

DEF
San Diego Chargers @ CLE
Tennessee Titan @ JAX
Los Angeles Rams vs SF

Running Back Handcuffs

Whether you have the starter on these teams (listed after each) or are looking for playoff depth, the following running backs will be great options if the guy ahead of them misses any time.

DeAngelo Williams (PIT) (LeVeon Bell)
Derrick Henry (TEN) (DeMarco Murray)
Mike Gillislee (BUF) (LeSean McCoy)
Charles Sims (TB) (Doug Martin)