We’re in the end game now. If you’re reading this, you’ve made your league’s playoffs! Congrats! You’re probably also curious to see if you have or should be picking up, a quarterback with a plus matchup for the fantasy football playoffs. This has been one of the more difficult years for the position.
For one reason or another, nearly half of the league’s quarterbacks who started for their team in Week 1 will not be starting in Week 15. I don’t think I need to tell you to play your studs if you have them, but let’s see who of those left standing, if needed, have the best matchups to give you the best chance at winning your league’s title.
Quarterbacks with Plus Matchups in the Fantasy Football Playoffs
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
At this point in the season, Brock Purdy is matchup-proof. Luckily, as we enter the fantasy football playoffs, Purdy gets a few plus matchups to be excited about. In Weeks 15 and 17, he’s on the road, but against the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders. Both units rank inside the top-10 in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Even better, the Commanders lead the league with 30 passing touchdowns allowed while the Cardinals are tied for fourth-most (22) allowed.
In between these matchups, the San Francisco 49ers host the Baltimore Ravens. That’s not ideal for the fantasy football semi-finals, but at least it’s at home. It’s worth noting Matthew Stafford just put up 23.66 points against the Ravens in Baltimore. You can start Purdy, an MVP front-runner, with confidence no matter what.
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
If you, like many managers have lost their starter at some point this season, you can put your faith in Russell Wilson. He opens the fantasy football playoffs with a plus matchup on the road in Detroit against the Lions. They’re allowing the fourth-most points to opposing quarterbacks. In Week 16, Russ and the Broncos host the New England Patriots. Like the aforementioned Purdy (above), it’s a tough draw for the fantasy semi-finals, but at least it’s at home.
Wilson then wraps up with a fantasy football finals matchup hosting the Los Angeles Chargers. They’ve allowed the most passing yards this season and the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Assuming Justin Herbert misses an extended period of time, that Chargers defense could be on the field more than they’d like to be if the offense can’t get things figured out. Russ just posted 16.46 points against them in Week 14.
Nick Mullens/Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings
It’s yet to be seen if Mullens or Dobbs will get the starting nod in Week 15. One can assume it’s Mullens after watching Dobbs head to the bench in their 3-0 Week 14 win to help move the Vikings to a 7-6 record. Mullens started the season as Kirk Cousins’ backup before landing on Injured Reserve, giving way to a brief Joshua Dobbs takeover. Whoever does end up the starter will have a plus matchup in both Week 15 and 16. The Cincinnati Bengals rank 11th in points allowed to quarterbacks, but that includes the sixth-most passing yards. The Vikings are the third pass-heaviest team in the league this season.
Minnesota then hosts the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in Week 16 and 17 respectively to round out the fantasy football playoffs. Detroit allows the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks while the Packers are a bit tougher of an opponent. They’ve allowed just 14 passing touchdowns all season. At this point, Dobbs or Mullens are more considerations for 2QB leagues. We’ll be keeping an eye on who the starter is as well as the availability of Justin Jefferson.
Honorable Mentions
- Will Levis gets two plus-matchups with the Houston Texans during the fantasy football playoffs. He and the Tennessee Titans host the Texans in Week 15 before heading to their house in Week 17. The Texans have allowed the seventh-most points to quarterbacks. That includes a league-high six rushing touchdowns. Levis is more likely to hand the ball off to Derrick Henry but does have rushing upside.
- Tommy DeVito opens the fantasy football playoffs with a brutal matchup in New Orleans against the Saints. However, in the semi-finals, he and the New York Giants will head to Philadelphia to play the Eagles. They are the absolute best matchup for a quarterback in fantasy football. It’s a plus matchup to take advantage of for those 2QB league managers with an opening-round bye. DeVito will get a fantasy finals matchup in Week 17 hosting the Los Angeles Rams who currently rank eighth in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.