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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 NFC Fantasy Football Playoff Heroes
Be sure to also check out Potential AFC Playoff Heroes.
Arizona: An aggressive defense has a good playoff schedule vs. the Giants, Philadelphia and San Francisco in Weeks 14 through 16. The Giants are 30th in points per game. The Eagles are 30th in turnovers and the 49ers are 29th. Philadelphia is 31st in interceptions and San Francisco is 28th. The Eagles have allowed the most sacks and the Giants are 26th. The Cardinals are sixth in the NFC with 28 sacks and are fourth in the conference with 10 INTs.
Atlanta: Ito Smith looked better than Brian Hill in Week 12, averaging 5.4 yards per carry to Hill’s 4.2 and adding a rushing TD. Smith may be the best Fantasy insurance player behind Todd Gurley, and it is essential to roster the top NFL backups of your starting RBs. We are not sure if Gurley can remain available, so Smith is a necessary depth player if you roster Gurley.
Carolina: Robby Anderson had been slumping until he delivered 19.4 Fantasy points in Week 12. He will remain worthy of streaming consideration if the matchup is right. He still has some big-play potential because of his speed. Key Playoff Draw: The Panthers may have to throw frequently as they attempt to keep pace with the Packers in Week 15.
Chicago: David Montgomery has been regarded as only an adequate fantasy starter for most of his career so far. He had 143 scrimmage yards and a TD in Week 12, though, pointing to possible improved output during the Fantasy playoffs. Key Playoff Draws: Week 14 vs. Houston (31st in FFPG allowed to RBs), Week 16 vs. Jacksonville (28th).
Dallas: If you do not roster a top tight end, Dalton Schultz can provide decent output, and is capable of double figure fantasy points in any week. He has hit double figure points in two of his past four games. Key Playoff Draw: Week 14 vs. Cincinnati (28th vs. TEs).
Detroit: If you have not noticed by now, T.J. Hockenson is the No. 3 tight end in Fantasy Football. His 530 receiving yards are also third at the position and his 45 catches are fourth. He has earned rare must-start status at the position. Key Playoff Draw: Week 15 vs. Tennessee (26th).
Green Bay: Allen Lazard caught his first TD pass since his return in Week 11 on Sunday night, and may be more involved in a prolific Packers passing game going forward. Keep him reserved for now, but if you see a strong performance in the next week or two, he may have to get lineup consideration in deeper leagues or in situations where you may be searching for a streamer. Key Playoff Draws: Week 14 vs. Detroit (24th vs. WRs), Week 16 vs. Tennessee (28th).
Los Angeles Rams: Cam Akers appears to be on the verge of possibly claiming the No. 1 RB role he was ticketed for all along. Darrell Henderson is fading, and Malcolm Brown is a place holder. Akers ripped off a 61-yard run in Week 12 and was hand picked by Sean McVay to be the eventual featured back. After injuries and an unusual preseason held him back, Akers could emerge as a significant fantasy postseason contributor. Key Playoff Draw: Week 15 vs. New York Jets (24th vs. RBs).
Minnesota: There have been reports that Dalvin Cook is “banged up” and he had another injury scare in Week 12. He was also slowed by health issues down the stretch last season. Keep Alexander Mattison at the ready in case he is needed to start for the Vikings at any point during the fantasy playoffs.
New Orleans: Latavius Murray has fit better with Taysom Hill as the starting QB, as he rushed for 123 yards and two TDs in Week 12. You could get one quality fantasy playoff game out of Murray as a flex play in Week 14 vs. Philadelphia before Drew Brees returns, and he will be worthy of flex consideration.
New York Giants: Wayne Gallman has rushed for six TDs in his past five games, scoring in all of those outings. Even when Devonta Freeman returns, he may retain a significant role in the Giants offense while remaining a frequent goal-line option. Key Playoff Draw: Week 15 vs. Cleveland, which has allowed eight rushing TDs. The Browns rank 20th in passing yards allowed, so there will be opportunities to finish off some scoring drives.
Philadelphia: The Eagles are desperately searching for a playmaker in the passing game. They may have to start getting Travis Fulgham involved again or expanding the role of Alshon Jeffery while he is healthy. This is a situation to watch. If either player performs well in Week 13 vs, Green Bay, they may be worthy of some streaming consideration during the fantasy playoffs.
Seattle: Carlos Hyde scored 17-plus fantasy points in Week 11 and had 15 carries in Week 12. Chris Carson is a fantasy RB1 when healthy, but he is a notorious injury risk. It is essential to roster Hyde if you have Carson, as you may need to turn to your backup at any time during the fantasy postseason.
San Francisco: George Kittle is indicating he could return as soon as Week 15. But you can continue to take a shot on Jordan Reed until we know for certain Kittle is coming back. He has a two-TD game to his credit this season and a respectable, six-catch 62-yard outing in Week 10. Key Playoff Draw: If Reed has to start in Week 15, Dallas is 18th vs. TEs.
Tampa Bay: We have yet to see the true Antonio Brown “splash” game since he returned. Yet it could come at any time. He is capable of adding a real spark to the offense if the team figures out a way to get him going as a playmaker soon. He’s had a lot of time off, but as with Rob Gronkoswki, he could start to show his better form now that he played for a few weeks. The playoff schedule looks appealing for Brown, as he faces the Vikings (30th vs. WRs) in Week 14, followed by the Falcons (31st) and Lions (24th).
Washington: The production of J.D. McKissic has slowed recently, but if Washington has to play catch-up or engage in a higher-scoring game, he can still be a quality flex play. He is a good candidate to catch several passes in Week 15 vs. Seattle. One of those type of game scripts should work in his favor.
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