Taking a look at the five toughest QB fantasy football strength of schedules for the fantasy playoffs!
As important as it is to make the fantasy playoffs, it’s just as important to make sure your team is set up to go on a run in the playoffs as well. With league trade deadlines approaching, now is the time to make your final trades to push for glory in the fantasy playoffs. With quarterback being a position that many may be streaming or struggling to find a full-time answer, we break down the five toughest QB fantasy football strength of schedules in the fantasy playoffs.
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Toughest QB Fantasy Football Strength of Schedules | Fantasy Football Playoffs
1) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Playoff Schedule: vs Texans, vs Chargers, @ Titans, vs Broncos
It would be incredibly stupid for me to say anything close to benching Mahomes for the fantasy playoffs when we’re still weeks out. He’s had a good year so far and has a shot to be the MVP at the end of the year. With that being said, his fantasy football strength of schedule for the fantasy playoffs is a nightmare. Mahomes plays three defenses ranked in the top four against quarterbacks, while the Tennessee Titans rank a respectable 18th. The most brutal part of this schedule is that he faces the best defense against quarterbacks in what is likely your first round, and the third-best defense in what could be your championship week. Again, I’m not saying he’s someone that you need to trade, but make sure you have a backup plan just in case.
2) Kyler Murray/Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
Playoff Schedule: vs Rams, @ Texans, vs Falcons, @ Bengals
Even when he has been healthy this season, Kyler Murray has struggled to get much of any production for fantasy. In five games this season so far, Murray’s highest finish has been QB16. During the most important time of the year for your team, it’s hard to envision that he will magically find his form again. Even if Jacoby Brissett is running the show, the fantasy football playoffs could be tough. In a four-week stretch, the Arizona Cardinals will face three teams ranked sixth or better against quarterbacks, with the Bengals being the odd team out (31st against quarterbacks). Although the Bengals are a great matchup, especially during what would likely be your championship week, his road to get there is daunting at best. With the Cardinals struggling as well, it remains to be seen if he even suits up for many or any of those games at the back end of the season.
3) CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
Playoff Schedule: @ Chiefs, vs Cardinals, vs Raiders, @ Chargers
Just like Kyler Murray, CJ Stroud will have a four-week stretch that sees him face off against three teams ranked in the top 12 against quarterbacks. With the Chiefs ranking 12th, the Cardinals ranking eighth, and the Chargers ranking fourth, Stroud will have a tough time producing much of anything offensively. Even when he isn’t facing good defenses this season, Stroud has struggled. Since a blistering rookie campaign in 2023, Stroud finished as QB18 last year and had just one finish as QB10 or better so far this season. Make sure to have a backup option available if Stroud is your starting quarterback this season.
4) Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
Playoff Schedule: @ Browns, @ 49ers, vs Chiefs, vs Saints
Compared to some of the other quarterbacks on this list, Cam Ward certainly doesn’t face an impossible task. However, Ward doesn’t face one “easy” defense from Week 14 through Week 17. The New Orleans Saints are the worst defense he faces, ranking 21st against quarterbacks. As for the Browns, 49ers and Chiefs, those defenses rank seventh, 20th and 12th. Ward has already struggled mightily this season, and to be fair to him, much of it is not his fault. No matter the reason, Ward had just one finish as QB20 or better through his first eight weeks of the season, and it seems unlikely that will reverse any time this season.
5) Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
Playoff Schedule: vs Broncos, @ Eagles, @ Texans, vs Giants
If you have Geno Smith on your team and you’re playing him, it’s highly unlikely your team is in any sort of position to even be contending. Nevertheless, he may be a guy that you’re interested in for a limited role down the stretch, whether due to injury or a dry waiver wire. In either case, keep Geno Smith far away from any team you have in the playoff race. Even more, don’t even roster him on your team. During the four-week stretch where most play their playoffs, Smith plays against two of the top three defenses against quarterbacks. While the Eagles and Giants rank 17th and 29th, respectively, they have also both played much better offenses than some of the other teams that are ahead of them on that list. With an incredibly low floor and ceiling even against average defenses, there is no reason to even consider Geno Smith for the rest of the season.
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