Fantasy Playoff Schedules 2025: Best, worst league postseason matchups by position

One of the most crucial elements of a fantasy football championship season is targeting the best strength of schedule in the playoffs.

At this point in the season, after Week 8, we know which defenses allow the most fantasy points to specific positions.

One of the most innovative strategies before the trade deadline is to try to acquire players with the best schedule for your fantasy playoffs.

Even if these players are not performing well at the moment, buying low in a trade for your fantasy playoff run is always a smart move.

Just a friendly reminder: Even if a top player has a demanding playoff schedule, it doesn't mean you should overreact by benching or trading them. Some players are excluded from this, but we will still point out that they have tough matchups. 

Continue reading for your 2025 fantasy playoff primer. 

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Note: FPPG is in PPR

Best Fantasy Playoff Strength of Schedule 2025

Best QB Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Washington Commanders (Marcus Mariota)

New England Patriots 

Minnesota Vikings 

These are three of the better schedules in relation to the QB position. Heading into Week 9, the starters for these teams include Marcus Mariota (WAS, now with Jayden Daniels out), Drake Maye (NE), and J.J. McCarthy (MIN).

McCarthy could be a sneaky good stash for the playoffs. He is rostered at just 26% in Yahoo Fantasy leagues. If the second-year QB out of Michigan develops over these next 6 weeks, he could be a league winner. 

Best RB Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Green Bay Packers

New England Patriots 

Washington Commanders 

These three teams offer different kinds of backfields. You have Green Bay with Josh Jacobs, who is clearly the RB1. Any Jacobs owners should feel great about having him. 

The Patriots have been using Rhamondre Stevenson a lot more than TreVeyon Henderson truthers would like. Both these options offer some value against their postseason opponents. 

Then you get to Commanders, and Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt. JCM became a fantasy football sweetheart rapidly, and with an outstanding game in Week 5, this was only solitified. This playoff schedule may be the best there is for RBs. "Bill" is a must hold for this reason alone. 

Best WR Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Minnesota Vikings 

New York Giants 

Washington Commanders 

One thing that should stand out is that Washington has a favorable schedule for both WR and QB. Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin are both attainable via trades, as long as McLaurin health reports trend toward the positive. 

The Vikings easily have the best playoff schedule for the WR position. Their opponents are allowing, on average, 38.6 FPPG to WRs. This makes Justin Jefferson insanely valuable, as well as Jordan Addison. 

The Giants are a team to watch out for when acquiring a WR at the deadline. If so, that WR may be valuable. You can start Wan'Dale Robinson if you genuinely need to with these matchups. 

Best TE Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Baltimore Ravens 

Cincinnati Bengals 

Seattle Seahawks 

Mark Andrews for the Ravens is a fascinating TE to try to trade for before the deadline. With Lamar Jackson back and this cake walk playoff schedule, he could be a league winner. 

Noah Fant and AJ Barner might not offer a ton of confidence, especially in the playoffs. However, if you are desperate for a high-upside TE play, both have demonstrated the ability and have a bigger opportunity for target share than you may realize.

Best DST Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

New Orleans Saints

Arizona Cardinals 

Tampa Bay and Arizona are the better two defenses out of the three teams here. Both offer significant upside, but Tampa Bay is my favorite option. 

The Saints truly do not play a single competent offense in their playoff schedule. If you are feeling risky, they could be a good play. 

Worst Fantasy Playoff Strength of Schedule 2025

Worst QB Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Buffalo Bills 

Kansas City Chiefs 

Houston Texans 

Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen both have brutal playoff schedules. However, they also apply to the golden rule of not benching elite players just because the matchup is tough. 

If you were desperate, that's one thing, but there is zero chance you can start C.J. Stroud with any confidence in your fantasy playoffs. 

Worst RB Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Buffalo Bills 

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos 

You will not bench James Cook in the playoffs, regardless of the difficulty of the opponents. 

However, the Broncos have an absolutely brutal draw in the fantasy playoffs. This makes starting J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey scary. 

You might not have the luxury of benching D'Andre Swift, but with his playoff opponents being as tough as they are, consider trading Swift while his stock remains high. 

Worst WR Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Kansas City Chiefs 

Dallas Cowboys

Arizona Cardinals 

As far as your Chiefs WRs, such as Rashee Rice, and your Cowboys, such as George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, you aren't benching any of them in the playoffs. This is primarily to highlight their strict schedule and encourage you to consider making a trade for an alternative option. 

As for Marvin Harrison Jr., I'm not sure you can start him with 100% confidence. He has shown zero ability to stay consistent in this Cardinals offense. 

Worst TE Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Kansas City Chiefs 

Las Vegas Raiders 

Los Angeles Chargers 

Travis Kelce (KC), Brock Bowers (LV), and Oronde Gadsden (LAC) are all too good to bench regardless of matchups. 

It can be helpful to know this ahead of time, just in case you want to make a move before the deadline. 

Worst DST Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Minnesota Vikings 

Los Angeles Chargers 

Cleveland Browns 

For D/ST, it's pretty simple. I would under no circumstances play any of these three defenses due to their difficult matchups in your fantasy playoffs.

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