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Fantasy Football Playoff Primer (Running Backs)


The fantasy football playoffs are quickly approaching and it's time to start planning for your championship run. If you've been reading Astronaut content this year, congratulations, you're on your way to greatness. This article will breakdown everything that you need to get the edge over your competition. As the end of the fantasy regular season approaches, individual weekly matchups become less important and it's critical to take the time to look ahead and prepare yourself for what's to come.

How do I use this information to win my league's championship?

At this point of the season, there is no one-size-fits all strategy. We crunched hundreds of data-points to put together these reports. Ultimately, you should be targeting assets with a strong playoff performance grade and then prepare to pivot for poorer graded players. If your trade deadline hasn't passed, this is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on current value by exchanging it for future performance. Look to trade a player who is playing well now but has a difficult playoff schedule for a player with easier matchups down the stretch.


This article uses half-point PPR and 4-point passing TD scoring for any reference to rankings.


Christian McCaffrey

Last 4 weeks: 32 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 9th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Broncos, Packers, WFT

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Antonio Gibson

Last 4 weeks: 21 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 16th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: 49ers, Seahawks, Panthers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Dalvin Cook

Last 4 weeks: 21 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 32nd

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Buccaneers, Bears, Saints

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Derrick Henry

Last 4 weeks: 19 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 1st

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Jaguars, Lions, Packers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Nick Chubb

Last 4 weeks: 18 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 17th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Ravens, Giants, Jets

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Alvin Kamara

Last 4 weeks: 15 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 21st

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Eagles, Chiefs, Vikings

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Josh Jacobs

Last 4 weeks: 14 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 15th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Colts, Chargers, Dolphins

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


Aaron Jones

Last 4 weeks: 12 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 2nd

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)

Opponents: Lions, Panthers, Titans

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+


David Montgomery

Last 4 weeks: 13 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 3rd

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB2)

Opponents: Texans, Vikings, Jaguars

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A


James Robinson

Last 4 weeks: 16 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 18th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)

Opponents: Titans, Ravens, Bears

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A


Kareem Hunt

Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 17th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)

Opponents: Ravens, Giants, Jets

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A


Jamaal Williams

Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 2nd

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)

Opponents: Lions, Panthers, Titans

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A


James White

Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 20th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)

Opponents: Rams, Dolphins, Bills

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A


Melvin Gordon III

Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 10th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)

Opponents: Panthers, Bills, Chargers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A


Austin Ekeler

Last 4 weeks: 18 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 13th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)

Opponents: Falcons, Raiders, Broncos

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B+


D'Andre Swift

Last 4 weeks: 17 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 7th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)

Opponents: Packers, Titans, Buccaneers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B+


Chris Carson

Last 4 weeks: 13 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 30th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)

Opponents: Jets, WFT, Rams

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B+


Wayne Gallman

Last 4 weeks: 16 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 29th

Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB2)

Opponents: Cardinals, Browns, Ravens

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Kenyan Drake

Last 4 weeks: 15 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 24th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Giants, Eagles, 49ers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Ezekiel Elliott

Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 25th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Bengals, 49ers, Eagles

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Ronald Jones II

Last 4 weeks: 12 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 6th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Vikings, Falcons, Lions

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Latavius Murray

Last 4 weeks: 11 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 21st

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Eagles, Chiefs, Vikings

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Todd Gurley II

Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 23rd

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Chargers, Buccaneers, Chiefs

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Raheem Mostert

(Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG)

Playoff Schedule Rank: 19th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: WFT, Cowboys, Cardinals

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Damien Harris

Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 20th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Rams, Dolphins, Bills

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Zack Moss

Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 26th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Steelers, Broncos, Patriots

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Myles Gaskin

Last 4 weeks: NA

Playoff Schedule Rank: 8th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)

Opponents: Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B


Cam Akers

Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 12th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Patriots, Jets, Seahawks

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Jonathan Taylor

Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 4th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Raiders, Texans, Steelers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Miles Sanders

Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 28th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


J.K. Dobbins

Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 11th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Browns, Jaguars, Giants

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Giovani Bernard

Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 5th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Cowboys, Steelers, Texans

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


James Conner

Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 14th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Bills, Bengals, Colts

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Frank Gore

Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 27th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Seahawks, Rams, Browns

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Nyheim Hines

Last 4 weeks: 13 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 4th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Raiders, Texans, Steelers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Chase Edmonds

Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 24th

Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)

Opponents: Giants, Eagles, 49ers

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+


Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Last 4 weeks: 12 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 31st

Projected Startable Matchups: 1 (RB2)

Opponents: Dolphins, Saints, Falcons

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C


Devin Singletary

Last 4 weeks: 5 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 26th

Projected Startable Matchups: 1 (Flex)

Opponents: Steelers, Broncos, Patriots

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C


David Johnson

Last 4 weeks: 1.6 fantasy PPG

Playoff Schedule Rank: 22nd

Projected Startable Matchups: 0

Opponents: Bears, Colts, Bengals

Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C


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