It’s Week 13, and for those who have already booked their place in the fantasy football playoffs, some forward thinking is in order. Those rostering one of the league’s elite quarterbacks need not worry, but bad matchups can ruin any fantasy week and are never more important to avoid than in December.
For example, Caleb Williams faces the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers in Weeks 15 and 16. Meanwhile, Jordan Love faces the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 15 and 17.
For those who don’t have the luxury of a Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, streaming quarterbacks for the playoffs should be a serious consideration. Below are three quarterbacks who could get you through the playoffs if needed, and some week-specific options to cover your quarterback’s tough matchups.
*All players mentioned are less than 50% rostered in Yahoo leagues unless otherwise stated. In-depth stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Top QB Streamers for the Fantasy Football Playoffs
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Weeks 15-17: vs. NYJ, at DEN, at IND.
Trevor Lawrence is currently 52% rostered but is the clear top option in a vacuum, so he was worth including in this list. Heading into Week 13, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has recorded three top-12 fantasy weeks in four games since the team’s Week 8 bye.
That Week 16 matchup with the Broncos stands out as one to avoid. However, the New York Giants (21.7) and the Indianapolis Colts (18.1) have given up the second-most (tied) and 13th-most fantasy points per game to QBs this year.
Lawrence isn’t a dream option, but he has a solid floor for someone you can pick up on the waiver wire. If adding Lawrence, you can pair him with a player from the list below to avoid playing him against Denver.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Weeks 15-17: at PIT, vs. CIN, vs. TB.
Tua Tagovailoa isn’t a player I saw myself recommending anytime soon, and if you can’t bring yourself to play the Miami Dolphins quarterback, that’s understandable. However, there isn’t a quarterback in the NFL with a friendlier schedule over the fantasy playoffs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (258.7), Cincinnati Bengals (259.8), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (243.5) ranked 31st, 32nd, and 27th, respectively, in passing yards allowed per game heading into Week 13.
The Bengals have allowed the most passing yards per game, the most passing touchdowns (26), and rank 32nd in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric.
Tagovailoa disappointed in a great spot against the Washington Commanders in Week 11, as the Dolphins focused on their run game. With games against Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield to come, and their own defense struggling, Miami will need to lean on its quarterback more often.
Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
Weeks 15-17: at Jax, at NOR, vs. NWE.
Tyrod Taylor doesn’t have any standout matchups in the fantasy playoffs, but he is a mobile quarterback who has settled well into the New York Jets offense and has a solid floor. Taylor has started two games this year and produced a QB9 finish against the Buccaneers in Week 3 and a QB17 finish against an elite Ravens defense in Week 12.
The veteran has forged strong chemistry with John Metchie III and tight end Mason Taylor, while the new signing, Adonai Mitchell, remains a big-play threat. Most importantly, though, star receiver Garrett Wilson is eligible to return from IR just in time for the fantasy playoffs in Week 15.
Taylor targeted Wilson 13 times in Week 3, which the receiver turned into 10 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, so there is clearly chemistry there, too.
Week-Specific Streamers for Each Round of the Fantasy Playoffs
Week 15: Kirk Cousins (at TB), Tua Tagovailoa (at PIT), Trevor Lawrence (vs. NYJ), Tyrod Taylor (at JAX), C.J. Stroud (vs. ARI)
Week 16: Kirk Cousins (at ARI), Tua Tagovailoa (vs. CIN), Tyrod Taylor (at NOR), C.J. Stroud (vs. LV)
Week 17: Trevor Lawrence (at IND), Tua Tagovailoa (vs. TB), Tyrod Taylor (vs. NWE), Marcus Mariota (vs. DAL).