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The best quarterback fantasy football playoff schedules and matchups for Weeks 15, 16, 17 (2024). Tim identifies soft QB schedules for the fantasy football playoffs.
Fantasy football players selecting their starting quarterbacks for the 2024 fantasy football playoffs will have varying choices depending on their league format. The increase in fans playing in Superflex or two-quarterback games has increased the importance of the position -- and the depth at the position that needs to be considered.
It helps that all three quarterbacks on this list are jockeying for NFL playoff positioning, meaning they'll surely be playing at full capacity with the drive to win at full throttle.
Note: Don't confuse this with the Fantasy Football Playoff Waiver Wire Streamers series. (Read that one, too!) This report focuses on highly rostered players, using Yahoo Fantasy Football percentages. Also, in parentheses, listed next to the three playoff opponents are the rankings of that team's fantasy points allowed to the position (1 = best matchup for the QB, 32 = worst).
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Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (89%)
- W15: Chargers (24)
- W16: Cowboys (4)
- W17: Panthers (7)
Even with the departure of Dave Canales, Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator who saved his career in 2023, Mayfield continues to heave the rock and help fantasy players. (New TB OC Liam Coen worked with Mayfield during the QB's stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.)
Through Week 14, Mayfield ranks fifth with 20.9 fantasy points per game, with 7 games of 20-plus fantasy points and 4 games of 300-plus yards.
2024 QB's with 30+ total TD's:
Joe Burrow
Josh Allen
Baker Mayfield
Lamar JacksonRank them 1-4 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6soINlbPAx
— BakerMuse (@MuseBaker) December 11, 2024
Mayfield has sustained week-to-week consistency thanks to his ability to lean on Mike Evans, the emergence of tight end Cade Otton, and a revolving group of complementary receivers that mostly include catch-happy running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving (pending his ability to get over a back injury).
Baker Mayfield Fantasy Playoff Schedule Outlook
Readers should worry less about the Chargers' low ranking. Both teams will be jostling for playoff positioning, so Tampa Bay will sling it frequently, which is a volume advantage even against a tough Bolts defense.
We can't harp enough about the favorable draws in the final two weeks. Dallas has succeeded lately against weaker quarterback rooms, but even in a win against the Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels eventually pushed through with a solid stats day. Mayfield and Coen's offense should pester a Cowboys defense that misses its former coordinator.
Carolina, meanwhile, did hold Patrick Mahomes in check, but he's had a down year anyway, and the Bucs offense arguably has been more potent. Mayfield was facing Carolina in Week 13 when he was injured, presumably meaning he had more upside in him than the 16.6 fantasy points he mustered with a hurt leg.
Even with the Chargers drawing presenting a potentially rougher go than his normal flow, Mayfield could help win plenty of fantasy titles this December.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (70%)
- W15: Colts (11)
- W16: Chargers (24)
- W17: Bengals (3)
He's off bye, so go grab him.
This rookie is making veteran throws:
BO NIX WITH AN ABSOLUTE DIME TO Marvin Mims Jr. FOR A 93-YARD TOUCHDOWN 😤 pic.twitter.com/DDtQPMFD80
— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2024
The biggest challenger to Jayden Daniels for Rookie of the Year is making head coach Sean Payton look like a genius once again. Let's not throw out the Drew Brees comparisons yet, but the foundation for Nix to become another Payton success story is being loudly established.
A caveat, sure, is that Nix's success mostly comes when he's not under pressure. The former Oregon Duck boasts a 99 passer rating in clean throwing situations, contrasted with a 54.8 in pressure spots, per Pro Football Focus. However, PFF rates Nix as playing carefully, with just 1.72% of his throws rating as turnover-worthy.
An even bigger stat in Nix's favor: He ranks fourth with 94 Total Points Earned, per Sports Info Solutions. (This marks a player's EPA responsibility and credit for successful passing plays.)
By the time the fantasy playoffs start, Nix will be emerging from a Week 14 bye -- not a bad week to take stock and further dissect your opponents while fighting for a playoff berth.
Bo Nix Fantasy Playoff Schedule Outlook
Nix faced the Chargers in Week 6 and churned out 24.9 fantasy points on 216 passing yards, two aerial TDs, and 61 rushing yards. Expect him to try to beat a talented Chargers defense with his feet again, which should help pad his fantasy point total.
The matchups that sandwich Week 16 look great, though. Broncos Country, let's ride (yes, even without Russ).
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (59%)
- W15: Raiders (9)
- W16: Giants (17)
- W17: Commanders (15)
Of course, the quarterback who's thrown the most interceptions this year (15) hasn't logged a touchdown across his past three games, during which he's given away six picks.
What's still working for Cousins is the Falcons' torrid pace of play under head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Atlanta's offense ranks tied for fifth with 32.4 plays per game in situation-neutral splits, according to SIS.
Though Cousins has thrown too many attempts into the hands of opponents, at least the volume of plays run will continue to give him opportunities to contribute through the Falcons' talented offensive core of RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts.
Kirk Cousins Fantasy Playoff Schedule Outlook
Hang in there, though; you will like what he can give you in a pinch.
These matchups are too loose not to allow at least a few scoring tosses down the stretch, especially with the final two teams ready to roll over.
Fantasy managers who've been playing the QB carousel all season should at least stash him as an option.
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