I looked high and low and found the 5 best matchups for running backs through the fantasy football playoffs (Week 15 through 17). You might be asking why did I do this? I did this because players with easy playoff matchups often lead their fantasy teams to victory.
I have listed the opponents for each running back and where the team ranks in defending running backs in parentheses. First would be the easiest and 32nd would be the toughest.
RBs with Plus Matchups for Fantasy Football Playoffs
Easiest Schedule
D’Andre Swift & Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
Swift may have the easiest fantasy football playoff schedule of any running back.
- Week 15 at Seattle (5th)
- Week 16 vs. New York Giants (7th)
- Week 17 vs. Arizona (3rd)
In Week 15 Swift gets to play against the Seahawks who give up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. In the past seven games, there have been nine double-digit fantasy scorers against them. He follows this up in Week 16 against the Giants who give up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Giants give up an average of 116 yards and a touchdown plus another another 24 yards receiving to running backs. Then in Week 17 they get the Cardinals, who give up the third most fantasy points to running backs. The biggest threat to production might be that Swift has been splitting snaps with Kenneth Gainwell recently. Oh, I would add Gainwell if available as a handcuff through the playoffs.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
- Week 15 at Carolina (2nd)
- Week 16 vs. Indianapolis (4th)
- Week 17 at Chicago (11th)
If you drafted Robinson and suffered a little through the season as he split time with Tyler Allgeier, you should be happy now. Bijan has been dominating the snaps and production lately for the Falcons. It’s almost like Arthur Smith recently realized he drafted a stud who should get more touches. The Panthers and the Colts are both top 5 at allowing running backs to score fantasy points. The Panthers have allowed running backs to score a league-leading 21 touchdowns against them this season. Week 15 should be a breeze. In Championship week, Bijan gets the Bears, who give up the 11th most fantasy points to running backs.
Plus Schedule
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 15 at Las Vegas (6th)
- Week 16 vs. Buffalo (13th)
- Week 17 at Denver (1st)
If Ekeler didn’t manage 100 combined yards and a touchdown in Week 14 I may not have included him here even though the schedule is so easy. The Raiders are up in Week 15, and they allow running backs to average 140 combined yards and a touchdown. It gets a little tougher in Week 16 with the Bills but running backs produce against the Bills, averaging 88 yards rushing and another 6 catches for 47 yards receiving. In Championship Week, Ekeler gets to clean up with the Broncos who give up the most points fantasy points to opposing teams running backs. Ekeler just scored 18.5 fantasy points against the Broncos in Week 14.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 15 at Indianapolis (4th)
- Week 16 vs Cincinnati (15th)
- Week 17 at Seattle (5th)
Both Najee and Warren have been playing over 50% of the snaps. The Steelers will play the Colts in Week 15 and the Colts have given up four double-digit fantasy scores to running backs over the past two games. That makes both players usable for Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs. In Week 16 they play the Bengals, who Najee just ran for 99 yards and a touchdown against in Week 12. Championship week brings the Seahawks who have given up 10 or more fantasy points to a running back in all but two games this season. It looks like Najee is going to take some people to championships.
Favorable Schedule
Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
- Week 15 Kansas City (21st)
- Week 16 Denver (1st)
- Week 17 Buffalo (13th)
The Chiefs are up in Week 15 and is the toughest matchup on paper for any of the running backs listed. But in three out of the last four games the Chiefs have given up a fantasy score of 18 or more points to a running back. With Rhamondre Stevenson out Elliott is dominating the running back touches for the Patriots and will be a volume-based producer. In Week 16 the Patriots play the Broncos, it is not a coincidence that the Broncos keep showing up as an opponent on this list. Championship brings the Bills who are also not the greatest at defending the running back position. Elliott will have the volume to produce in all 3 matchups.
NOTE: If I had bench space or felt the need to add a handcuff for one of these players, I would add Kenneth Gainwell and Tyler Allgeier just in case.
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