It is time to start planning for the fantasy football playoffs. Week 11 is on the horizon and teams are in panic-mode looking to salvage their season as a result of poor performances, injuries, or both.<\/p>\n
With almost three months of games in our database, we can now project which players will have the best (and worst) opportunities when we enter the most critical part of the fantasy football season.<\/p>\n
Here are my rankings for the wide receiver fantasy schedules (Weeks 13-16) for all 32 teams, starting with the least favorable.<\/p>\n
Questionable quarterback play combined with the most challenging wide receiver playoff schedule will cause concern for fantasy owners. Quarterback Drew Lock<\/a> <\/strong>has the arm strength for big plays but his 62.1 percent true completion percentage only ranks last among all starting quarterbacks. Over the four-week playoff drive, the Broncos will face four of the league’s most difficult pass defenses. Denver also has the disadvantage of three road games during that span, while hosting an experienced cold-weather team in the Buffalo Bills<\/a> during Week 15. There are several athletic playmakers here, especially rookie wide receivers Jerry Jeudy<\/a><\/strong> and K.J. Hamler<\/strong>. However, the Broncos have many obstacles in their path that limit their receivers’ fantasy upside.<\/p>\n Carolina comes out with a slightly better rating than the team ranked above it (Pittsburgh), but the Week 13 bye week is a huge disadvantage. If your team is in the fantasy playoff hunt, having late bye weeks is very challenging. Carolina has two difficult road games at Green Bay and Washington during the biggest weeks of the fantasy season. In Week 14, the Panthers will need to navigate a Denver pass defense with two top cornerbacks in Bryce Callahan<\/a><\/strong> and A.J. Bouye<\/strong><\/a>. Per PFF<\/a>, Callahan is the second-highest rated cornerback this season, second only to Green Bay\u2019s Jaire Alexander<\/a> <\/strong>in coverage rating.<\/p>\n Carolina leading wide receiver Robby Anderson<\/a><\/strong> entered Week 10 ranked sixth in receptions and third in receiving yards, but teammate D.J. Moore<\/a> <\/strong>remains a true wild card. After two consecutive performances outside the Top 50 PPR wideouts, Moore tallied four receptions, 96 yards, and a touchdown against Tampa Bay on Sunday. The versatility of gadget receiver Curtis Samuel<\/a><\/strong> can create explosive fantasy opportunities. Despite their elite wide receiver talent, the Panthers have a very difficult wide receiver finishing slate of games for the fantasy football season.<\/p>\n The undefeated Steelers have operated with remarkable passing efficiency despite deep-ball limitations from veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/strong>. The Steelers boast the most explosive trio of receiving options with Diontae Johnson<\/a>, Chase Claypool<\/a>,<\/strong> and JuJu Smith-Schuster<\/a><\/strong>. However, their playoff schedule is the second-most challenging, including a Week 13 matchup against a Washington team that allows the fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts. The Steelers also face an underrated Indianapolis team in the Week 16 fantasy championship. Fantasy owners certainly aren\u2019t benching the Steelers wideouts but should realize their schedule is much more difficult than the majority of NFL teams. As long as Roethlisberger stays healthy, the fantasy floor for this trio remains strong.<\/p>\n It’s difficult to rely on the New England receivers for high-level production during the fantasy playoffs. Injuries have decimated this team across the board, including veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman<\/a><\/strong> and former first-round draft pick N\u2019Keal Harry<\/strong><\/a>. Quarterback Cam Newton<\/a><\/strong> finally reached weekly QB1 status again in Week 9 against the lowly Jets. However, his 28th\u00a0<\/sup>best ranking in passing yards stifles the upside for his pass catcher.\u00a0 The lone bright spot has been second-year receiver Jakobi Meyers<\/strong>, who produced the overall WR4 stat line in Week 9.<\/p>\n With three consecutive road games against the strong pass defenses of the Chargers, Rams, and Dolphins, it\u2019s obvious the New England receiving core should not be trusted down the stretch of the 2020 season.<\/p>\n While the Texans offense has seen a boost after the firing of former head coach Bill O’Brien<\/a><\/strong>, Houston faces a tough group of opponents during the fantasy playoffs. Will Fuller<\/a>, Brandin Cooks<\/a>, Randall Cobb<\/a><\/strong>, and Kenny Stills<\/a><\/strong> will need to navigate AFC South rival Indianapolis twice<\/em> in Weeks 13 and 15. The Colts have allowed the fourth-fewest receptions (90) to opposing wide receivers. A cold Week 14 December battle at Chicago is also challenging, as the Bears have allowed a league-low three touchdowns to opposing wideouts. The 2-7 Texans will certainly have negative game-scripts in their receivers’ favor, but Houston’s fantasy playoff schedule provides little help until Week 16 at Cincinnati.<\/p>\n Atlanta\u2019s pass defense matchups gradually get harder from Weeks 13-16. After hosting a Saints team that is beatable in the secondary, they travel to the Chargers, then host the Buccaneers, before a Week 16 date at Kansas City. Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong> and Calvin Ridley<\/a> <\/strong>represent an elite fantasy concentrated target share, making both Falcons receivers very attractive fantasy assets. Per PlayerProfiler,<\/a> Jones and Ridley rank Top 20 in target separation, while quarterback Matt Ryan<\/a><\/strong> is currently first in passing yards (2,746). The Falcons always play fast, ranking seventh in neutral game script pace per FootballOutsiders.<\/a> Based simply on volume, Atlanta\u2019s receivers should be able to overcome one of the league\u2019s most challenging schedules for wide receivers.<\/p>\n The Lions have two difficult bookend matchups at Chicago and home to Tampa Bay, with a challenging Week 14 game against Green Bay. The only saving grace of this schedule is a blowup spot in Week 15 at Tennessee. The Titans are second-worst at defending fantasy wide receivers, greatly skewing this four-game slate of data. Kenny Golladay<\/a><\/strong> is the difference-maker but needs to be completely healthy. In turn, he opens up production lanes for veterans Marvin Jones<\/a> <\/strong>and Danny Amendola<\/a><\/strong>. Quarterback Matthew Stafford<\/a><\/strong> has played well but hasn’t had his full complement of weapons healthy for most of the season. While their defense always forces the offense to score points to win, their lack of health and three difficult matchups place the Lions towards the bottom of this list.<\/p>\n Miami rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has impressed in his first three starts (all wins), but will again be challenged during the fantasy playoffs. The Dolphins have two difficult matchups in Kansas City and New England during Weeks 14 & 15. The good news is that Miami has three straight home games during this four-game span. Receiver Preston Williams<\/a><\/strong> suffered a foot sprain in Miami\u2019s 34-31 win at Arizona last Sunday, which probably will end his season. However, explosive returner Jakeem Grant<\/a><\/strong> should provide production with an increased role. Grant tallied four receptions, 43 yards, and a touchdown in Sunday’s 29-21 win over the Chargers. DeVante Parker<\/strong>, Grant, and Mack Hollins<\/a><\/strong> will form an unaccomplished but athletic wide receiver core. Bookend games against Cincinnati and at Las Vegas are reasonable enough to make this a neutral-rated fantasy playoff matchup.<\/p>\n It’s been quite a frustrating season for Cowboys fans and fantasy owners. Since quarterback Dak Prescott<\/a> <\/strong>suffered a season-ending right ankle fracture, the Dallas offense has sputtered. The Cowboys have averaged 32.6 points in games Prescott has started and just 10.2 points in games he didn’t start. The receiver production has been sporadic with Amari Cooper<\/a><\/strong> (20th in FPPG) finding the most consistency. Outside of a stiff Week 13 matchup at Baltimore, the Dallas wideouts have a path for fantasy playoff success. A Week 14 matchup at Cincinnati is followed by consecutive home games against San Francisco and NFC East rival Philadelphia. All three games should project as high-scoring and the Cowboys cannot rely on one of the league’s worst defenses. The schedule is fine, but will the quarterback play allow for a decent fantasy floor?<\/p>\n The low-volume Las Vegas passing attack is a challenge to handicap. Quarterback Derek Carr<\/a><\/strong> ranks just 21st among all quarterbacks in passing attempts (258), and there is no clear cut WR1. Tight end Darren Waller<\/a><\/strong> (71 targets) has just 12 fewer targets than Hunter Renfrow<\/a><\/strong> (37), Nelson Agholor<\/strong><\/a> (25), and Henry Ruggs<\/a><\/strong> (21) combined. The Raiders do have the advantage of being the only team with three straight home games from Weeks 14-16. During that span, they face tough pass defenses with Indianapolis, the Chargers, and Miami. Their Week 13 road contest is against the easily beatable Jets. The most likely candidate to emerge is veteran Agholor, who has two touchdowns over the past four weeks. A low-passing volume offense combined with a difficult schedule makes the Raiders receivers unattractive fantasy options.<\/span><\/p>\n The Seattle wide receivers are in the ideal fantasy situation. They are tethered to an All-Pro quarterback with such a poor pass defense that there is a weekly need to score points to win. The Seahawks lead the NFL in scoring with 34.2 points per game, averaging the exact same number at home or on the road. Their early playoff schedule is fantastic, with consecutive home games against the lowly Giants and Jets, but they will be challenged in Weeks 15 and 16. Seattle will battle the NFL’s top two pass defenses in Washington and the Rams. Second-year wideout D.K. Metcalf<\/a><\/strong> has shined, with both Tyler Lockett<\/a><\/strong> and David Moore<\/a> <\/strong>alternating boom weeks. Metcalf faced his biggest test this week against Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and struggled to a total of 28 receiving yards. They will renew their battle in Week 16 home matchup during the fantasy championship.<\/p>\n The Vikings receivers are fortunate to operate in one of the NFL’s most consolidated target shares. They just need more volume. However, that volume will only occur when Minnesota is trailing. In their last two games against Green Bay and Detroit, Minnesota has been able to control the ball behind the talent of running back Dalvin Cook<\/a><\/strong>. In those games, quarterback Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/strong> has only attempted 14 and 20 passes respectively. With a Week 13 home game against Jacksonville and a likely high-scoring road battle at New Orleans in Week 16, the fantasy playoff schedule should facilitate more opportunities. Adam Thielen<\/strong> is still tied for fourth with seven receiving touchdowns, while the rookie Jefferson has produced the overall WR2 and WR1 performances in Weeks 3 and 6 respectively.<\/p>\n San Francisco\u2019s offense has been devastated by injuries and COVID quarantines. The 49ers will battle down the fantasy stretch drive with backup quarterback Nick Mullens<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0after Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a><\/strong> suffered a likely season-ending ankle injury. The 49ers start with two challenging home matchups against the two of the toughest opponents for fantasy wide receivers in Buffalo and Washington. A Week 15 matchup at Dallas followed by a trip to Arizona should open allow for production from any of three San Francisco receivers. Veteran Deebo Samuel<\/a><\/strong> is the lead option but needs consistent health, with rookie Brandon Aiyuk<\/a><\/strong> and veteran Richie James<\/a><\/strong> ready to take advantage of his absence. James recently provided the overall WR1 performance in Week 8, tallying nine receptions, 184 yards, and a touchdown. Mullens is more than capable of taking advantage of those two favorable matchups and delivering unexpected WR2\/3 production for whichever receivers are available. <\/span><\/p>\n Arizona\u2019s Kyler Murray<\/a> <\/strong>is having a superbly efficient season, ranking first among all quarterbacks in fantasy points per game (30.1) and fantasy points per dropback (0.66). He has produced five consecutive Top 5 fantasy quarterback weeks, including the play of the season against Buffalo.<\/span><\/p>\n Kyler to Hopkins <\/p>\n What an amazing play pic.twitter.com\/mgsTqMKyL3<\/a><\/p>\n — For The Numbers (@OldSchool0909) November 16, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n31.\u00a0 Carolina Panthers
\nRobby Anderson, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel<\/h3>\n30.\u00a0 Pittsburgh Steelers
\nDiontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool<\/h3>\n29.\u00a0 New England Patriots
\nJulian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers<\/h3>\n28.\u00a0 Houston Texans
\nWill Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, Kenny Stills<\/h3>\n27. Atlanta Falcons
\nJulio Jones, Calvin Ridley<\/h3>\n26.\u00a0 Detroit Lions
\nKenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola<\/h3>\n25. Miami Dolphins
\nDeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant<\/h3>\n24. Dallas Cowboys
\nAmari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb<\/a>, Michael Gallup<\/h3>\n23. Las Vegas Raiders
\nNelson Agholor, Henry Ruggs<\/h3>\n22. Seattle Seahawks
\nD.K. Metca<\/a>lf<\/a>, Tyler Lockett, David Moore<\/h3>\n21.\u00a0 Minnesota Vikings
\nAdam Thielen, Justin Jefferson<\/h3>\n20.\u00a0 San Francisco 49ers
\nDeebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne<\/h3>\n19. Arizona Cardinals
\nDeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk<\/h3>\n\n