3 Quarterback Buys for the Fantasy Football Playoffs (2024)
As the fantasy football playoffs approach, every roster move can mean the difference between a fantasy football championship run and a quick exit. Securing a reliable quarterback is especially crucial as they can make or break your playoff push with one standout performance. Whether you’re looking for an affordable trade target, a consistent performer, or a high-upside wildcard, there are options out there to help you dominate. In this article, we’ll dive into 3 quarterback buys who have favorable playoff matchups and the potential to lead your team to victory.
3 Quarterback Buys for the 2024 Fantasy Football Playoffs
Locking in a top quarterback for the fantasy football playoffs can be crucial. Anything goes once the playoffs start and your season can end by just one small lineup mistake. With that, securing a strong QB with a good playoff schedule can be huge. Continue reading for my top 3 quarterback buys for the 2024 fantasy football playoffs.
For this article, I’m utilizing our free fantasy football tool, the D-Pac Score. In short, the higher the D-Pac Score, the more often those teams give up fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Check out our free fantasy football tools and metrics to learn more. Now let’s get into the top 3 quarterback buys for the playoffs. Keep in mind, that the fantasy playoffs begin in Week 15.
Kyler Murray – Arizona Cardinals
Fantasy Football Playoff Schedule:
- New England Patriots
- @ Carolina Panthers
- @ Los Angeles Rams
So far this season, Murray has been wildly inconsistent. In total, he has finished the week as a QB1 four times. Including one week where he was the QB1 overall. He’s also been a QB2 three times and a QB3 twice. As a result, the inconsistency may make him easier to trade for before the playoffs.
During the first week of the fantasy playoffs, Murray goes up against the New England Patriots who have the 9th highest QB D-Pac Score. Currently, the Patriots are in contention for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. By Week 15, there may be no incentive for the team to play at their best.
Weeks 16 and 17 are where the matchups are truly ideal for Murray. In Week 16, the Cardinals go up against the Carolina Panthers who are every quarterback’s dream matchup. The Panthers have the 4th highest QB D-Pac Score and on average concede 22.1 fantasy points to the quarterback position. In Week 17, Murray faces off against the Los Angeles Rams. The last time Murray went up against the Rams in Week 2, he finished as the QB1 for the week with 28.5 fantasy points.
As mentioned previously, Murray has been wildly inconsistent this year. However, his matchups in the fantasy football playoffs offer weekly QB1 upside with league-winning potential.
Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
Fantasy Football Playoff Schedule:
- Indianapolis Colts
- @ Los Angeles Chargers
- @ Cincinnati Bengals
Heading into Week 11, Bo Nix is currently the QB9 overall in fantasy football. Needless to say, he’s been a pleasant surprise. More importantly, he has turned from a waiver wire pickup into an every-week starting quarterback for your fantasy teams.
With the Denver Broncos bye week coming up in Week 14, Nix and this offense will be well-rested ahead of their fantasy football playoff schedule. Nix will get two fairly “easy” matchups on paper in Week 15 against the Colts and in Week 17 against the Bengals. In Week 16, they get a fairly tough matchup for opposing quarterbacks on the road against the Chargers.
Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy Football Playoff Schedule:
- @ Los Angeles Chargers
- @ Dallas Cowboys
- Carolina Panthers
Did you know that Baker Mayfield is fantasy football’s number two scoring quarterback through the first nine weeks of the NFL season? Impressively, he is averaging 23.5 fantasy points per game. That is less than two points behind the QB1, Lamar Jackson. Overall, he has had only one game with less than 18 fantasy points. Despite one of the toughest schedules on paper so far this year.
What is most impressive about this performance, is that Mayfield has managed to average over 21 fantasy points over the last two games without his star wide receivers. Chris Godwin is out for the season with a dislocated ankle. Additionally, Mike Evans is dealing with a hamstring injury. However, Evans should be back and healthy before the start of the fantasy playoffs. Keep in mind, he’s at 335 receiving yards. That means there’s a chance they try to feed him the ball to let him reach another consecutive season with 1,000+ yards.
Mayfield’s most difficult opponent during the fantasy playoffs is unfortunately during the quarterfinals in Week 15. This one is with the Los Angeles Charges who possess a top-10 passing defense. This matchup will not be an easy one for Mayfield or the Buccaneers. However, if you manage to survive, the playoff semifinals and championship matches are stellar.
Week 16 Mayfield will go up against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have the fifth-highest QB D-Pac Score and give up on average over 20 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Keep in mind, that Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence may be back for this matchup. However, even with them earlier in the season, the Cowboys’ pass defense was not anything to be afraid of.
Championship weekend has Mayfield at home going up against the lowly Carolina Panthers. If you have been reading, or following the NFL at all this year, it is a fantastic matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Don’t be surprised when the Buccaneers are heavy favorites in this one according to a sportsbook such as DraftKings. This could lead to plenty of fantasy success in the playoffs for Mayfield.
Nobody in the fantasy football community forecasted Mayfield to be the QB2 so far in fantasy football. Ultimately, he has had and is having an exceptional season. He could cap off the season by providing you with a championship and ultimately bragging rights in your league. Mayfield wraps up my top 3 quarterback buys for the 2024 fantasy football playoffs.
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