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- 4 Gems With Perfect Playoff Schedules
With the fantasy playoffs starting next week, ideally I want to tilt my waiver adds to the players who have soft schedules in Weeks 15-17.
After reading both Kendall's waiver wire column and Dwain's Utilization Report, here are the players who 1) are seeing their opportunity increase and 2) face a soft playoff schedule.
The Perfect Schedules for Fantasy Football Playoffs
Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (second-easiest RB schedule)— Unfortunately, it does not look like preseason folk hero Jacory Crosky-Merritt (that’s right, I’m officially stripping him of the nickname ‘Bill’) is going to be relevant in 2025. That leaves Rodriguez as the lead in this Washington backfield. His role (roughly 13 attempts and one target) is just OK, but the schedule is awesome—specifically NYG in Week 15 and DAL in Week 17.
Saints RB Devin Neal (third-easiest RB schedule)—We hit on Neal last week, so he’s probably already rostered. If not, he’s worth a strong bid after his workload expanded to a 58% rush share and 71% route participation rate. His Utilization Score comps indicate he should be averaging around 13.9 points per game. That’ll play nicely over the next four weeks with these matchups: @TB, CAR, NYJ, @TEN.
Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa (third-easiest WR schedule)—With no Amon-Ra St. Brown, TeSlaa became a full-time player on Thanksgiving with a 94% route participation rate. He doesn’t earn targets at a high rate, but can certainly spike in the right matchups. The Lions get DAL, @LA, PIT over the next three weeks. I think he could deliver a solid Alec Pierce impression for as long as ARSB is out.
Dolphins TE Darren Waller (second-easiest TE schedule)—After a long injury absence, Waller returned in Week 13 and immediately notched a 15% target share. He’s maintained a strong role whenever he’s been healthy and gets a plush playoff schedule, including the nut matchup vs. the Bengals in Week 16.
What about the QBs, Pete?
Ya, about that … I wish I had something for you, but it’s rough out there. The Vikings have an incredible playoff schedule (@DAL, @NYG, DET), but arguably the worst QB room in the league right now. The Dolphins also have a great schedule, but Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t cleared 10 fantasy points since Week 8. Honestly? The best option is probably to snag Marcus Mariota and hope they shut down Jayden Daniels. They get @NYG, PHI and DAL in the money weeks.
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Fantasy
Editors’ Picks
Did you survive the waiver wire? Even if you’re left wanting, we have some great Fantasy Life content to help you prepare. Our Rankings and Xfinity Best Projections are also great gifts for you …
 | And then there were five. For those who have been able to avoid the chopping block, there’s a good chance Jaxon Smith-Njigba is available to bid on. How much should you bid for the star WR? |
 | Bucky Irving returned in dominant fashion, but is the role sustainable? The same question should be asked about the Jets new WR1, Adonai Mitchell. Dwain breaks it down in his latest Utilization Report. |
 | Did you forget to submit your waiver bids last night? Or did you set them and still miss out on your top options? We’ve got everything you need to take advantage of the leftovers for Week 14. |
Fantasy
Guess This Freedman’s Favorite RB for Week 14
This running back is true royalty for the position, having hit the hallowed 2,000-yard mark in his career and getting close a second time. This week he’s going up against a defense that’s allowing 100.4 rushing yards per game to RBs. And he’s a player Matthew Freedman highlighted as one of his favorite plays at the position for Week 14. As usual, Freedman did not stop at just running backs. He hit the other three positions as well:
Dynasty
The Time To Buy Your Bears TE Is Now
We're officially into December, which means it's crunch time for fantasy managers everywhere. If you are one of the lucky (or just good) ones who have more or less locked up a playoff berth or a first-round bye, enjoy these next few weeks and pray your roster stays healthy.
If you are out of playoff contention, let's look ahead to next season. Here are three dynasty targets you should go after that you can acquire for below market value …
Colston Loveland, TE - Bears
Here's one for the data/analytics crowd to kick things off … Colston Loveland is a screaming buy-low target in all dynasty formats.
The consensus TE1 in our annual Rookie TE Model, Loveland is also one of the youngest players at his position in his class. Yes, Tyler Warren has been wildly more productive by comparison (shoutout to Daniel Jones), but Loveland is nearly two years younger and is on an ascending offense of his own.
Loveland has only 3 TDs and just one game with more than 55 receiving yards, and is currently a low-end TE2. However, this Bears team is somehow 9-3 and sits atop the NFC North heading into the first week of December.
Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams have the Bears sitting as the No. 8 offense, scoring over 26 points per game. Their 25th-ranked defense has forced Williams to air it out, although their run game has dominated as well, leading to this team being pretty balanced.
Loveland is the fourth option in the passing game behind Rome Odunze, DJ Moore and … Olamide Zaccheaus. Bet you didn't see that one coming.
Moving forward, I fully expect Loveland to command a larger share of the passing game in seasons to come. I'm curious how long the Bears continue to ride with Moore, as they have the aforementioned Odunze and they just drafted the uber-talented Luther Burden.
All of this is to say that Loveland has too many things in his favor not to be on him. Even if you have to pay a slight premium to another savvy manager, we’re all in on his prospects moving forward.
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
It’s December with the fantasy playoffs staring at us. Time for some silliness and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.
📈📉 Christian Watson rises, Chase Brown falls. Full list of upgrades and downgrades.
🙏 The Chargers are getting a key piece back this week. Let’s ride (or die).
☔️ Kendall representing for the Seattle Supersonics. Make it rain!
🪓 How much should you bid on Jahmyr Gibbs in Guillotine LeaguesTM? In a word, everything.
👋 It’s win or go home for the Chiefs. Huge game on SNF.
🧓 CMC still doing this at his age … is nuts.
💨 The Broncos are the comeback kings … per the analytics.
🤔 Remember Brandon Aiyuk? Me neither.
⚖️ The range of outcomes for Michael Wilson are vast.
✈️ This Jet just might be ready to fly. Surely no one saw that coming.
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