Fantasy Playoffs Rankings: Your 2022-23 Cheat Sheet!

Hello, fantasy football enthusiasts! It's that time of year again, the regular season is winding down, and the fantasy playoffs are just around the corner. You've spent all season tweaking your lineup, making trades, and strategizing, and now it's crunch time. To help you secure that league championship, we've put together this ultimate fantasy playoffs rankings guide. Let's dive in and get you ready for the big dance! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and fantasy playoffs rankings.

Understanding Your Playoff Schedule

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of fantasy playoffs rankings, let's quickly recap how the playoffs work. Typically, the top 4-6 teams in your league make the playoffs, with the top two seeds getting a bye in the first week. The playoffs usually consist of three weeks, with the championship game being the final showdown.

Here's a simple breakdown:

- Week 14 (Quarterfinals): The 4th and 5th seeds, and sometimes the 6th seed, face off. - Week 15 (Semifinals): The winners of week 14 take on the top two seeds. - Week 16 (Championship): The winners of week 15 face off for the league title.

Now that we're all on the same page, let's get to the fantasy playoffs rankings!

Quarterfinals (Week 14) - Start Your Engines!

Quarterbacks: The Gunslingers

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: Mahomes has been on fire lately, averaging over 300 passing yards and 3 TDs in his last four games. He's the clear-cut QB1 for the fantasy playoffs.

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: Allen is another QB who's been red-hot, throwing for multiple TDs in six straight games. His rushing ability makes him a weekly QB1.

3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: Hurts is a dual-threat QB who's been putting up elite numbers. He's a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

Running Backs: The Workhorses

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: Taylor has been a beast all season, leading the league in rushing yards. He's the clear RB1 for your fantasy playoffs.

2. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns: Chubb has been on a tear lately, averaging over 140 rushing yards in his last three games. He's a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

3. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers: Ekeler is a PPR machine, leading all RBs in receptions. He's a weekly RB1, especially in PPR formats.

Wide Receivers: The Game Changers

1. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: Kupp has been unstoppable, leading the league in receptions, yards, and TDs. He's a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: Jefferson has been putting up elite numbers, especially in the last four weeks. He's a WR1 you can trust in the fantasy playoffs.

3. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills: Diggs has been Josh Allen's favorite target, leading the team in receptions and yards. He's a weekly WR1.

Semifinals (Week 15) - The Elite 8

Tight Ends: The Tight End Tussle

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Kelce has been Mahomes' favorite target, leading all TEs in receptions and yards. He's a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens: Andrews has been Lamar Jackson's go-to guy, leading all TEs in TDs. He's a weekly TE1.

3. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders: Waller has been putting up solid numbers, especially in the last four weeks. He's a TE1 you can trust in the fantasy playoffs.

Championship (Week 16) - The Big Dance

Defenses: The Game Changers

1. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have been one of the best defenses all season, leading the league in sacks. They're a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

2. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have been playing lights-out defense lately, averaging over 10 sacks in their last three games. They're a defense you can trust in the fantasy playoffs.

3. New England Patriots: The Patriots have been one of the most consistent defenses all season. They're a solid play in the fantasy playoffs.

Kickers: The X-Factor

1. Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons: Koo has been one of the most consistent kickers all season, making over 90% of his kicks. He's a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

2. Greg Zuerlein, New York Jets: Zuerlein has been red-hot lately, making all 10 of his kicks in his last two games. He's a kicker you can trust in the fantasy playoffs.

3. Cody Parkey, Cleveland Browns: Parkey has been kicking at a high level lately, making all 10 of his kicks in his last three games. He's a solid play in the fantasy playoffs.

Streaming Options: The Dark Horses

Quarterbacks

- Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks: Smith has been playing at an elite level lately, throwing for multiple TDs in four straight games. He's a streaming option to consider in the fantasy playoffs.

- Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers: Pickett has been a surprise this season, leading the Steelers to wins in three of his last four starts. He's a streaming option to consider, especially if you're in a Superflex league.

Running Backs

- Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: White has been taking over the backfield, averaging over 100 scrimmage yards in his last three games. He's a must-start in the fantasy playoffs.

- Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins: Wilson has been the lead back in Miami, averaging over 100 scrimmage yards in his last two games. He's a streaming option to consider in the fantasy playoffs.

Wide Receivers

- Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos: Jeudy has been on a tear lately, averaging over 100 receiving yards in his last three games. He's a WR1 you can trust in the fantasy playoffs.

- Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnson has been Kenny Pickett's favorite target, leading the team in receptions and yards. He's a WR2 with WR1 upside in the fantasy playoffs.

Injury Watch: The Walking Wounded

As the fantasy playoffs approach, injuries start to pile up. Here are some key players to monitor:

- Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers: McCaffrey has been battling injuries all season, and his status is always in question. Keep an eye on his practice reports.

- Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings: Cook has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but he's expected to play in the fantasy playoffs. Keep an eye on his practice reports.

- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: Brown has been dealing with an ankle injury, but he's expected to play in the fantasy playoffs. Keep an eye on his practice reports.

- Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals: Higgins has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but he's expected to play in the fantasy playoffs. Keep an eye on his practice reports.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! Your ultimate fantasy playoffs rankings guide. Remember, the key to winning in the fantasy playoffs is starting your best players and making smart lineup decisions. Don't overthink it, trust your process, and most importantly, have fun!

Good luck in your fantasy playoffs, and may the best manager win!