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As you are preparing for the playoffs, examining schedules and matchups now becomes a primary focus. You must also finalize the core of your roster for the championship drive as bye weeks will be done, and there is no more room or time to stash players or waste bench spots on guys that will not see the starting lineup when it matters the most.
Knowing who to rotate around your superstars and top performers will be ultra-important. This is an essential guide to the role players and streamers who could help boost your team to Fantasy Super Bowl glory. These are the possible unexpected and significant playoff contributors who can become your own personal heroes.
We tell you why they have the potential to play a part in your postseason success, and when they might do so. All of us have been enthralled by unlikely playoff stars in real sports. Here are the ones who may bring you those type of unique thrills in your quest for a fantasy title this year.
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Potential AFC Fantasy Football Playoff Heroes
Be sure to also check out Potential NFC Playoff Heroes.
Buffalo: Zack Moss rushed for 59 yards on nine attempts in Week 12 and rushed for nine yards on 59 carries. He gets all of the red zone attempts for Buffalo. He’s worthy of flex consideration. Key Playoff Draw: Week 15 vs. Denver, which has allowed five rushing TDs to RBs, second most in the league.
Miami: Mike Gesicki has been targeted 15 times in the past three games and caught a TD pass on Sunday. He may emerge as one of the clearly preferred targets in the passing game for the Dolphins as they make a playoff push. Key Playoff Draw: Week 14 vs. KC, 19th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs.
New England: James White scored twice on Sunday and his receiving prowess is well established. The coaching staff trusts him and he is set for an expanded role as New England tries to keep their playoff hopes alive. Key Playoff Draws: Week 15 vs. Miami (17th vs. RBs), Week 16 vs. Buffalo (20th)
New York Jets: For those in deeper leagues, Breshad Perriman had 11 fantasy points in Week 12 and three TDs in the two games prior to Sunday. He has some upside and scoring potential. Key Playoff Draws: Week 14 vs. Seattle (32nd vs. WRs), Week 16 vs. Cleveland (22nd).
Baltimore: Once he returns, J.K. Dobbins should continue to see an increased role. He is obviously the most explosive RB on the roster and could be a real upside performer for the fantasy playoffs. Key Playoff Draws: Week 15 vs. Jacksonville (28th), Week 16 vs. Giants (21st).
Cincinnati: The defense scored nine points in Week 12, and faces Dallas in Week 14. The Cowboys have allowed opposing defenses to generate the third most Fantasy points against them, so the Bengals could be a sneaky one week play if you get desperate at DST.
Cleveland: Jarvis Landry had his best game of the year in Week 12, catching eight passes for 143 yards and a TD. He affirmed that he can be a fantasy WR3 with Odell Beckham Jr. when the matchup is right and the weather cooperates. Key Playoff Draw: Week 16 vs. Jets (27th).
Pittsburgh: Eric Ebron is a frequent threat to score a TD. He is a end zone-or-bust TE, but many players at the position are outside of the top few. Key Playoff Draws: Week 14 vs. Buffalo (29th), Week 15 vs. Cincinnati (28th).
Houston: Brandin Cooks has 15 catches in his past three games and has gone over 80 yards in three of his past four. He is staying healthy and working as a firm No. 2 WR in what should continue to be a busy passing game. Key Playoff Draw: Week 16 vs. Cincinnati (20th).
Indianapolis: Nyheim Hines can be boom or bust, but the “boom” is more likely when the Colts are engaged in high-scoring games or playing from behind. Key Playoff Draw: Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh. The Steelers are averaging 29.8 points per game, fourth in the NFL. The Colts will either fall behind or try to trade some offensive punches with Pittsburgh. Indianapolis ranks ninth at 27.5 PPG, so game flow could favor Hines at RB for the Colts in this matchup.
Jacksonville: If D.J. Chark is back in action by Week 14, he should be started as a Fantasy WR3. The Titans are 28th vs. WRs. Chark and James Robinson will be the only Jaguars that should be on your roster during the Fantasy playoffs.
Tennessee: When Derrick Henry is rolling, the Titans can be very successful with play-action passing. When they go to the air, A.J. Brown has been the primary focus of defenses. All the attention those two generate has opened up more room for Corey Davis to make plays, and he is finally delivering qualityfantasy production. Davis has averaged 13.3 Fantasy Points Per Game since Week 7. He is a good WR3 play when the matchup is right. Two of his playoff matchups will be favorable draws, as he faces the Jaguars (25th) in Week 14 and the Lions (24th) in Week 15.
Denver: Melvin Gordon is very unreliable, but can perform well when the Broncos are actually leading or staying in a game, as in Week 11 when they beat Miami. He faces his former team, the Chargers, in Week 16. Los Angeles is 22nd vs. RBs and is an opponent the Broncos can be competitive with for Gordon’s game flow purposes. He will be worthy of flex consideration for championship games in deeper leagues.
Kansas City: Harrison Butker has not been as good as last year, as he is 12th among kickers so far. He is 18th in field goals made and 22nd in attempts. But a Week 16 matchup with the Falcons can produce a good amount of points on both sides and boost Butker’s overall outlook. The Chiefs could roll out to a big lead and become less aggressive later in the game, leading to some field goals instead of TDs.
Las Vegas: Nelson Agholor has already scored six times and is averaging 17.1 yards per catch. When the offense is playing well, Agholor is the top downfield option for Derek Carr. He faces the Chargers in Week 15, and caught a 45-yard TD pass in the first meeting, Miami (18th) is the Week 16 draw.
Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Ekeler is never going to carry a full workload on his own. Either a healthy Kalen Ballage or Joshua Kelley could be worth deeper league consideration in the final weeks. We will have to monitor the situation as it develops over the next game or two. The Chargers draw the Raiders (29th) in Week 15, and either RB could be good for a score.
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