The regular season is over, but Fantasy Football fun for diehards remains. It’s a definite skill to draft in a Guillotine League from the 14 playoff teams. Make sure you take an equal number of players from both conferences. In this battle of attrition, the best strategy is to pick players from teams you think will advance. I feel strongly about the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Lions, and Eagles winning their first games and beyond, so stacking players from those rosters makes sense. In fact, draft as many Lions as you can. I have less confidence in the Texans, Broncos, and Rams.
CALL OF THE WILD!
QB Josh Allen (vs. Broncos) — In two must-win games (Weeks 16 and 17), the Broncos lost both, giving up 696 yards and six total TDs to QBs Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow. Allen will throw, run, or even crawl to get the Bills in the end zone and advance their Super Bowl hopes.
QB Lamar Jackson (vs. Steelers) — Pittsburgh limps into Baltimore as the biggest underdog of the week (-9.5 points). Jackson is just 2-4 in playoff games, but did throw three TDs against the Steelers in Week 16.
RB Kyren Williams (vs. Vikings) — Jahmyr Gibbs tore through the Vikings for a combined 170 yards and four TDs last Sunday. The Rams would be thrilled with half that production from Williams.
RB Saquan Barkley (vs. Packers) — The Eagles will lean heavily on Saquon to keep Jordan Love & Co. on the bench. Way back in Week 1, Barkley had three TDs and 109 yards rushing against the Pack.
WR Mike Evans (vs. Commanders) — Averaging over seven receptions a game since Week 13, Baker Mayfield will continue to rely on Evans. Commanders’ talented CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) might miss the game, making this an even better spot for Evans.
WR Justin Jefferson (at Rams) — Jefferson was open all night against the Lions, but QB Sam Darnold played like the 2020 Jets version of himself (2 wins, 10 losses). Sam will force feed Justin for 100 yards and a TD against the Rams.
WR Puka Nacua (vs. Vikings) — Nacua has been on fire since returning from injury in Week 8, when he exploded for 106 yards on seven receptions. He’s averaged over 100 yards per game since. Who did Nacua play in Week 8? None other than the Vikings.
TE Mark Andrews (vs. Steelers) — The reports of Andrews’ 2024 demise were greatly exaggerated. He’s scored in 10 of his last 12 games. With leading WR Zay Flowers (knee-check status) iffy, I see another TD in Andrews’ future.
TE T.J. Hockenson (at Rams) — Los Angeles has been horrendous the last three weeks against TEs, giving up over 10 receptions and 100 yards per game.
D Chargers (vs. Texans) — Houston gave up double-digit Fantasy points to opposing team defenses in seven of their last 11 games.
WILD GOOSE CHASE!
QB Russell Wilson (at Ravens) — The Steelers are on a four-game losing streak. Of the 14 QBs in the playoffs, I have Wilson ranked dead last. It doesn’t help that his best WR is George “Butterfingers” Pickens who had three crucial drops last week against the Bengals.
QB Jordan Love (at Eagles) — In his last 12 games, Love scored more than 20 Fantasy points just four times. His problems are compounded by an injured elbow, a banged-up WR corps and facing a solid Eagles secondary on the road.
RB J.K. Dobbins (vs. Texans) — Dobbins had a TD in 54% of his games (7 for 13) this year. If he doesn’t score, you’re looking at 10 Fantasy points or less. Feeling lucky?
RB Javonte Williams/Jaleel McLaughlin (at Bills) — Neither RB has had a good Fantasy season. Things won’t improve in chilly Buffalo.
RB Brian Robinson Jr. (at Buccaneers) — If the Commanders are to pull out a victory against the Bucs, it will be on the back of QB Jayden Daniels, not Robinson. RBs have scored just seven times on the ground vs Tampa this season.
WR Courtland Sutton (at Bills) — Only three rookie quarterbacks have won a road playoff game in NFL history (the last was Russell Wilson in 2012 with Seattle). The Bills will take away Sutton, rookie QB Bo Nix’s best WR.
WR Rashod Bateman (vs. Steelers) — In five lifetime games against Pittsburgh, Bateman has six catches for 74 yards and one TD. Even if leading Raven WR Zay Flowers is out, I prefer to look elsewhere.
TE Tucker Kraft (at Eagles) — The only TEs to put up more than 10 points against Philly’s defense are Zach Ertz and Mark Andrews. Tucker only gets about three catches a week. The odds are against a successful outing.
D Commanders (at Tampa) — Only six teams have scored fewer Fantasy points for defenses than the Commanders, who averaged less than five points per game this year.
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com.