To excel in fantasy football during the playoffs, a strategic approach is crucial. The most important tip is to focus your picks on 1-2 teams from each side of the bracket. Avoid spreading your top 10 selections across too many teams, as this dilutes your chances of a high-scoring Super Bowl lineup. Early draft picks should guide your mid and late-round selections. For instance, if you wanted Josh Allen but had to settle for Lamar Jackson, lean toward drafting Ravens players to maintain a cohesive strategy.
When making playoff picks, take a stand on likely outcomes rather than hedging. While some matchups, like Buffalo vs. Baltimore, could go either way, projecting the bracket accurately is essential. Confidence tiers help clarify potential outcomes. High-confidence picks include Baltimore over Pittsburgh, Buffalo over Denver, and Philadelphia over Green Bay. Medium-confidence predictions feature matchups like the LA Chargers over Houston and the LA Rams over Minnesota. In lower-confidence scenarios, marquee matchups such as Buffalo vs. Kansas City could swing either way, making these games pivotal in fantasy planning.
A tiered ranking system offers additional insights. First-tier teams like Detroit, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and Baltimore boast high offensive potential and are cornerstone picks. Second-tier teams, including Kansas City and Tampa Bay, present significant upside but come with risks. Lower-tier teams, like Washington and Houston, are likely one-and-done, making their players less appealing.
Positional rankings emphasize prioritizing running backs over wide receivers due to depth concerns. Top quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts should be early-round targets, while later-round quarterbacks, such as Justin Herbert or Matthew Stafford, offer value depending on team matchups. At running back, players like Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley are key assets, while wide receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown offer elite scoring potential.
Tight ends and kickers are also critical. Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce lead the tight end rankings, while kickers like John Bates and Harrison Butker provide steady points. For defenses, Buffalo and Philadelphia rank highest, with Wild Card weekend favorites offering additional upside.
By aligning your picks with playoff projections and focusing on team synergy, you can maximize your chances of fantasy success.
