Top Fantasy Football Playoff Schedules: Strength of Schedule for Weeks 15, 16, 17

December 9, 2025

Dave's top 2025 fantasy football playoff schedules for Weeks 15, 16, 17. See which players have soft or difficult matchups and strength of schedules for the fantasy playoffs.

With the holiday season upon us, that means it's time to be thankful for everything we have. Spend time with friends and family, yada, yada, yada. More importantly, though, the start of the holiday season means the fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner.

Your immediate attention is probably laser-focused on securing a spot in the postseason. However, if you've already clinched a playoff berth or just want to peek ahead, it's not a bad idea to analyze the schedule to see what kind of matchups await your fantasy teams' top performers.

Make sure you're following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Here are the players with the best and worst schedules for the 2025 fantasy football playoffs.

A Few Things To Note

Here are some important notes about my methodology and how I set up the rest of the article:

• The strength of schedule (SOS) rankings are based on full PPR (point-per-reception) leagues.
• Composite SOS rankings were determined by combining the average PPR points per game allowed by opponents to each position, along with other data points.
• Each metric was put into a weighted category to spit out a final aggregate number.
• Data was compiled before the start of Week 13 (Nov. 27th).
• This article focuses on players currently rostered across most fantasy leagues. All players listed here are rostered in at least 70% of Yahoo leagues.
  • The only exception is for DSTs, where I amended the settings to 60% of Yahoo leagues.
  • I have listed the top three and bottom three options at each position that fit this criteria. Therefore, players like Tua Tagovailoa, who have a strong playoff SOS, will not be mentioned because they are not rostered in enough leagues.

Best Quarterback Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable QB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs QBs

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

• W15: Titans
• W16: Colts
• W17: Bears

Purdy missed a large chunk of this season, nursing a turf toe injury. While that was disappointing for managers who drafted him, those who held him could be rewarded in a big way.

San Francisco draws one of the best postseason schedules for quarterbacks in our rankings. The Titans in Week 15 present a nice cupcake to open up the playoffs, and the matchup against the Colts in Week 16 could morph into a shootout. The Bears are a good matchup on paper at the moment. However, their defense is getting healthier, and they might play better down the stretch.

Still, the 49ers' defense is bereft of talent, which could mean we see Purdy and the offense put up a lot of points to close out the season.

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

• W15: Seahawks
• W16: 49ers
• W17: Jaguars

Jones has enjoyed a resurgence with the Colts this year, and he might deliver for gamers when it matters most. Indianapolis' Week 15 showdown with the Seahawks is a brutal opening draw. There is no way around that. Jones is also dealing with a leg injury, and apparently Daniel Jones has been dealing with a broken fibula, but will play through. It will be key to monitor this as well.

Things really lighten up from there as the 49ers and Jaguars have been vulnerable through the air throughout this season. If you have Jones and survive Week 15, you could be rewarded in the weeks that follow.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

• W15: Bengals
• W16: Patriots
• W17: Packers

Baltimore opens the fantasy playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals and their next-level awful defense. With Joe Burrow expected to return soon, that game could easily morph into a high-scoring affair. The same could be said for the New England game in Week 16. Green Bay in Week 17 is a bit of a wildcard, as we don't know what we'll get from that team week to week.

Still, the Ravens defense has been far from an elite unit in 2025, so that Week 17 game could also see both teams light up the scoreboard. That would mean good things for Jackson and his fantasy owners. Even though Jackson struggled on Thursday evening, his upside remains very high and would not be surprising if he finishes as the QB1 during the fantasy playoffs.

Worst Quarterback Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Least Favorable QB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Worst Fantasy Playoffs QBs

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

• W15: Lions
• W16: Seahawks
• W17: Falcons

Stafford has played at an MVP level this season and has thrown 30 touchdowns against just two interceptions.

Wiiiiiiiiiiide open... TOUCHDOWN!

📺 @NFLonFOX | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/lmtstvv4BS

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 2, 2025

While that's been great, he draws a tough slate in the fantasy playoffs. The Lions' game could go either way, as Detroit has suffered some injuries in the secondary. A road matchup in Week 16 against a Seahawks defense that held him under 160 passing yards earlier this year is a brutal semi-final matchup.

The most interesting game in Stafford's playoff schedule is the Week 17 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta's numbers against quarterbacks are currently good, but that could change drastically in the coming weeks. The Falcons look like a team heading for a major regime change in the offseason, and that might cause players to check out. If that occurs, then that game will easily flip to a plus matchup.

It would also be good news for gamers who own Stafford and advance to their league's title game.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

• W15: Browns
• W16: Packers
• W17: 49ers

Williams has looked much better in his first season under new head coach Ben Johnson. He still has areas of his game to clean up, but he's currently the overall QB7 on the year.

DJ Moore throws a touchdown to Caleb Williams!

CHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/SK5g8iSNV9

— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2025

The sophomore quarterback has a tough opener for the fantasy playoffs as the Cleveland Browns have one of the best defenses in the league. Again, we have a big wildcard with the Packers in Week 16. Green Bay's defense has been vulnerable on the ground at times this year, so Chicago may lean on its rushing attack in that game.

If you can survive until Week 17, Williams gets a tasty matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. That will be his best opportunity to post a huge game, and it might help some managers clinch a fantasy championship.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

• W15: Rams
• W16: Steelers
• W17: Vikings

Goff hasn't been great in his first season without Ben Johnson calling plays, and he only has three QB1 finishes this year. He doesn't draw the best schedule for the fantasy playoffs either. A home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16 is probably the best opportunity to start Goff, as the Pittsburgh defense has had some issues this season.

Goff did throw for 284 yards and two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9, so he could be a viable streaming option against Minnesota in Week 17.

Best Running Back Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable RB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs RBs

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

• W15: Bills
• W16: Ravens
• W17: Jets

Henderson's rookie season has taken off over the last few weeks, and he appears to have cemented himself as New England's RB1.

TreVeyon Henderson takes off for 55 yards and a touchdown!

NEvsTB on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/xZtvUZTvId

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

That's good news because Henderson draws a very favorable schedule during the fantasy football playoffs. Games against the Bills and Ravens might look daunting on paper, but their defenses have been anything but good against the run this year.

Henderson then draws a date against the New York Jets in Week 17. Seeing as the rookie scored three touchdowns against New York in Week 11, he could be primed for a big performance during championship weekend.

Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints

• W15: Panthers
• W16: Jets
• W17: Titans

Kamara has been downright awful this year and is averaging a career-worst 3.6 yards per carry. However, he has one of the better schedules during the fantasy playoffs.

New Orleans could be competitive in all three of these games, and that would mean plenty of volume for Kamara. Unfortunately, Kamara did suffer a knee injury in this past weekend's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. It doesn't seem too serious, though, so hopefully he can return in a few weeks when the fantasy playoffs begin.

Even though this article is geared toward highly rostered players, I would be remiss if I did not advise that adding New Orleans running back Devin Neal off waivers this week is a good idea. He could be a great play down the stretch, depending on how long Kamara is sidelined. Neal is slated to take over RB1 duties this weekend, but may not hold this role long, as the Saints are not planning to place Kamara on the IR.

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

• W15: Bears
• W16: Bills
• W17: Steelers

Judkins has shown a lot of promise during his rookie season and could be a league winner down the home stretch. That will obviously depend on the Browns remaining competitive in all three of their games during the fantasy playoffs. That could be a tough ask because, as things stand, Cleveland will play three teams with winning records during the fantasy football playoffs.

Luckily, the Browns' defense is good enough that it could keep them in all three of these games and allow Judkins to be a viable volume-based RB2 play. If they're lucky enough to steal a game or two, then Judkins could be a surprise league winner.

Worst Running Back Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Least Favorable RB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Worst Fantasy Playoff RBs

Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers

• W15: Dolphins
• W16: Lions
• W17: Browns

Pittsburgh's run-heavy offense could hit a roadblock in a couple of weeks. Miami's run defense has been better of late, but it is still vulnerable on the ground. That looks like the best time for Pittsburgh's top two backs to deliver strong fantasy performances. After that, things get tough as both the Lions and Browns have been very good against opposing running backs.

Luckily, both Warren and Gainwell offer upside as receivers, so they could still post respectable numbers in those games. However, fantasy managers are forewarned that they face tough matchups in the majority of their playoff games, and this duo could disappoint to close the year.

R.J. Harvey, Denver Broncos

• W15: Packers
• W16: Jaguars
• W17: Chiefs

Harvey has not fully taken over as the Broncos' RB1 following an injury to J.K. Dobbins. We'll see if he can assume full RB1 duties by the time the fantasy playoffs begin. Even if Harvey does, though, gamers relying on him might come away feeling disappointed.

Showdowns with the Jaguars and Chiefs in the fantasy semi-finals and finals are a tough draw. Jacksonville's run defense has been very good, and Harvey couldn't find much running room in the team's Week 11 victory over Kansas City earlier this year.

We'll see what kind of improvements Harvey can make as the season winds down. But one thing is for sure - his rookie season has been highly disappointing so far.

Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers

• W15: Saints
• W16: Buccaneers
• W17: Seahawks

Dowdle stole the RB1 job away from Chuba Hubbard with back-to-back huge performances in Weeks 5 and 6. He's had an incredible season, is currently fourth in the NFL in rushing yards, and is also the PPR RB13 on the year. As great as he's been, Dowdle might come crashing back down to earth at the worst time.

Carolina has a brutal schedule for the postseason. Dowdle only ran for 53 rushing yards against the Saints in Week 10. Tampa Bay and Seattle's run defenses have been very good throughout the season, so Dowdle could post a couple of duds in those games, too.

If you've been riding Dowdle's hot streak in your dynasty league, it might not be the worst idea to consider trading him away.

Best Wide Receiver Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable WR Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs WRs

Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

• W15: Titans
• W16: Colts
• W17: Bears

We previously mentioned how Brock Purdy has a great schedule for the fantasy playoffs, so it shouldn't be too surprising to see his top two wide receivers listed here. Pearsall and Jennings have both dealt with injuries during the regular season, but they seem to be getting healthy at a great time.

Let's hope they both stay on the field because they'll be great options for gamers during the postseason. Don't be surprised if your league's eventual champion winds up having a few 49ers on its roster.

Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

• W15: Cowboys
• W16: Giants
• W17: Lions

On the one hand, it's great to see the Vikings' WR duo finish so high in our SOS playoff ratings. On the other hand, they will likely have J.J. McCarthy or Max Brosmer throwing them passes, depending on the severity of McCarthy's concussion and how long he's sidelined for.

The @packers really hit the Skol chant celebration after picking off McCarthy again 💀

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/cjTvR3cydJ

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 23, 2025

These are good matchups for Jefferson and Addison, and gamers could be hard-pressed to move off either player depending on their other options. It is just so hard to trust this passing game, given how bad McCarthy has played.

Hopefully, he figures things out down the stretch, and Jefferson/Addison can help managers secure a fantasy title.

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

• W15: Raiders
• W16: Commanders
• W17: Bills

Boy, another frustrating wide receiver tandem draws a good playoff schedule. I'm sure plenty of people will roll their eyes and rage quit this article once they see Brown's name.

Is he still an elite wide receiver? Yes. Can he fully take advantage of these matchups? Sure.

Will his quarterback and offensive coordinator allow him to do so? Possibly?

Should fantasy gamers trust Brown and Smith in the fantasy playoffs? Perhaps, but it will be hard for gamers to get away from either player, given their upside. We might have to hold our noses and hope for the best here. Brown has begun to flash his immense upside and could be poised for a massive finish to the campaign.

Worst Wide Receiver Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Least Favorable WR Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Worst Fantasy Playoffs WRs

Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams

• W15: Lions
• W16: Seahawks
• W17: Falcons

Based on the data, the Rams duo doesn't draw the best matchups for the fantasy playoffs. However, it's easy to see a scenario where they still perform well. The quarterfinal showdown with the Lions could be a shootout, and that would likely mean both Nacua and Adams deliver solid results.

Again, the Falcons' matchup is a tough one on paper based on current data, but Falcons players will likely be planning their offseason vacations by that point. Start your Rams with confidence once the playoffs begin.

Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

• W15: Chargers
• W16: Titans
• W17: Broncos

Much like the Rams duo above, the Chiefs' top two wideouts also don't have a great draw. Rice and Worthy do have a smash spot in Week 16 against the Titans, squeezed in between two tough matchups against the Chargers and Broncos in Weeks 15 and 17.

For Rice, there is really no argument to be made for sitting him when you consider his role in Kansas City's offense. There is a strong case to be made for benching Worthy, though, as he's had an incredibly disappointing sophomore season. He also seems to have taken a backseat to Rice since the latter's return from a suspension.

We'll see how Worthy performs in the final runup to the playoffs, but if he continues to be an afterthought in the Chiefs offense, it will be hard to justify starting him in Weeks 15 and 17.

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

• W15: Cardinals
• W16: Raiders
• W17: Chargers

Collins has started showing some signs of life in the second half of the season. His schedule during the fantasy football playoffs is not great, but he's still a good enough player to overcome poor matchups. However, that could be tough given the inconsistent play of quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offensive line.

Still, if you drafted Collins, you did so with the thought that he could carry your team to a title. Give him a chance to do so, and stick with him when it matters most.

Best Tight End Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable TE Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs TEs

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

• W15: Seahawks
• W16: 49ers
• W17: Jaguars

Warren has enjoyed a fine rookie season and is currently the PPR TE4 on the year. He is lined up to close the season out on a high note as the Colts drew the easiest schedule for tight ends in our SOS ratings.

Quarterback Daniel Jones has had no issue targeting Warren throughout the regular season, so the rookie tight end is more than capable of taking advantage of these matchups in the fantasy playoffs. If you have Warren on your team, congratulations. He could be a key piece in securing a fantasy football title.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

• W15: Bengals
• W16: Patriots
• W17: Packers

Is Andrews the same elite tight end we have seen in years past? No, but he could be a factor during the fantasy playoffs.

Andrews draws a fantastic matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in the quarterfinals. From there, he squares off against the Patriots and Packers in the semi-finals and finals. Both of those teams have had some issues against tight ends this year, and Andrews has been one of Baltimore's top red zone options.

So, he could turn back the clock and help gamers secure a championship victory.

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

• W15: Vikings
• W16: Chargers
• W17: Commanders

Ferguson has been a reliable option in PPR leagues and is actually the PPR TE2 on the year. He also draws some good matchups during the fantasy playoffs. Ferguson is averaging a ridiculously low 6.67 yards per reception, but he has scored seven receiving touchdowns to help balance out that figure.

If you've stuck with Ferguson for this long, you'll probably want to ride with him for the rest of the year. He could be one of the better-performing tight ends during the postseason.

Worst Tight End Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Least Favorable TE Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Worst Fantasy Playoff TEs

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

• W15: Eagles
• W16: Texans
• W17: Giants

Bowers is the best tight end in football. Unfortunately, he does not have the greatest schedule for the fantasy playoffs.

That's a tough break for gamers, but Bowers has proven that he is an elite player and can produce even in poor matchups. Start him in the fantasy playoffs and don't think twice.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

• W15: Patriots
• W16: Browns
• W17: Eagles

Kincaid had been one of the better-performing tight ends before his hamstring injury. The problem is that he is still not playing enough snaps to be anything more than a boom/bust option.

That is problematic when we look at Kincaid's playoff schedule, and that means it may behoove owners to consider other options.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

• W15: Chargers
• W16: Titans
• W17: Broncos

Kelce has played better in 2025, and his 12.6 yards per reception is his best mark since 2022. The bad news here? He does not have a great schedule during the fantasy playoffs and also has to fend off Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice for targets.

Kelce has proven he can still be a viable fantasy option at 36 years old, but gamers may want to have a backup plan for the playoffs.

Best D/ST Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Best Fantasy Playoffs D/ST Waiver Wire Pickups

Houston Texans

• W15: Cardinals
• W16: Raiders
• W17: Chargers

The Texans have arguably the best defense in football. As a result, they have been a fantastic DST option for fantasy games this year.

Seeing as Houston faces the Cardinals, Raiders, and Chargers (whom the Texans defense completely dominated in a Wild Card showdown last year) during the fantasy playoffs, there is no reason for managers to pivot off the Texans DST at crunch time.

Start them and reap the rewards.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• W15: Dolphins
• W16: Lions
• W17: Browns

Pittsburgh's defense has not been as formidable in 2025. However, they still have enough talent to deliver for fantasy gamers.

While they should be benched against the Detroit Lions in Week 16, Pittsburgh will be among the top options for gamers in the quarterfinals and semi-finals. The Steelers DST is only 67% rostered in Yahoo leagues, so they might be available if your league plays on that platform.

If they are, try and make room for them on your roster as they could post some big numbers during the fantasy playoffs.

Philadelphia Eagles

• W15: Raiders
• W16: Commanders
• W17: Bills

The Eagles' defense has fantastic matchups against the Raiders and Commanders in Weeks 15 and 16. The Philadelphia DST will be one of the top options for fantasy managers during those weeks.

Whether or not managers should start them against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills during the fantasy finals is a fair debate. Given how the Eagles' defense played against Dak Prescott this past weekend, it might be a smart idea for gamers to seek out other options in Week 17.

That aside, if for some reason the Eagles DST is sitting on waivers in your league, make sure you put in a claim and stash them for the playoffs.

Worst D/ST Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Least Favorable DST Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Seattle Seahawks

• W15: Colts
• W16: Rams
• W17: Panthers

Seattle has been one of the best defenses in the league this year. Unfortunately, they play a couple of high-powered offenses in the Colts and Rams during the fantasy playoffs. That is a bad break for gamers who own the Seahawks DST.

However, they do have a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. So if gamers can survive until their championship match, they could be rewarded with a huge performance from Seattle's defense.

Los Angeles Rams

• W15: Lions
• W16: Seahawks
• W17: Falcons

The Rams have been one of the better DSTs this season, but they do draw a few tough matchups during the playoffs. Los Angeles plays two high-powered offenses in the Lions and Seahawks in Weeks 15 and 16. The game against Detroit could be a high-scoring affair, but the Rams fared pretty well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense this past Sunday night. Los Angeles also had success against Seattle back in Week 11 and picked off Sam Darnold four times in that game.

The Rams draw a tantalizing matchup in the fantasy finals against Kirk Cousins and a bad Atlanta Falcons team. If you are lucky enough to advance to your league's title game, the Rams DST could post a crooked number against Atlanta and help you win a championship.

Baltimore Ravens

• W15: Bengals
• W16: Patriots
• W17: Packers

Baltimore's defense has dealt with several injuries this year. As a result, this unit has been largely disappointing for fantasy purposes. Given the offenses this unit will face in the playoffs, gamers will be better off starting other DSTs.

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