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Injuries have come for quarterbacks at an alarming rate this season. Several viable starters have suffered season-ending injuries, which has limited the available pool of signal callers and forced managers to rely on rookies, journeymen and relative unknowns.
With the number of high-end fantasy options at the position dwindling, it’s a good idea to look ahead and be aware of which quarterbacks are up against the hardest schedules in the fantasy playoffs. Some of them are still going to be started no matter what because there are just so few good options to pivot to but others should be avoided entirely in difficult matchups with your season on the line.
(Week 15-17 opponents in parentheses.)
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (NYJ, DAL, BAL)
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Tagovailoa’s playoff schedule is daunting. The Jets, Cowboys and Ravens are three of the five best passing defenses in the league and they’re all near the top of the league in takeaways. Tagovailoa ranks second in the NFL in passing touchdowns (21) and third in passing yards (2,934) but he doesn’t add any value as a rusher, which caps his ceiling in these games. He’s been a low-end QB1 for most of the year and he’s demonstrated enough upside (three top-three finishes) that it’s hard to imagine pivoting away from him even in these tough matchups. Friday’s game against New York will be informative for the first round since Tagovailoa hasn’t played the Jets since 2021.
Sam Howell, Commanders (LAR, NYJ, SF)
Howell leads the NFL in passing yards (3,038) and interceptions (12), harkening back to Jameis Winston’s infamous 2019 season when he led the league in both categories. The second-year signal caller has been able to overcome his turnover issues with sheer volume — he’s thrown 60 more passes than the next closest quarterback — and marginal rushing production. Even still, managers who are riding with Howell should be aware of what’s coming down the pike in the playoffs: Rams, Jets, 49ers. He’s sure to be pressured and continue to pile up turnovers against those opponents, but so far Howell has been able to overcome sacks and picks with gaudy passing stats.
C.J. Stroud, Texans (TEN, CLE, TEN)
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Stroud leads the NFL in passing yards per game (296.2) and had the single best quarterback performance in Week 9 when he finished with 41.8 points in a record-breaking performance. The yards are there and so are the touchdowns, and the rookie has even added some value as a rusher in his last few games. However, his playoff opponents — Titans, Browns and Titans again — could slow down his torrid pace. Tennessee isn’t a terrible matchup, but that second-round game against Cleveland could be a problem for the first-year pro. The Browns allow the fewest passing yards per game (143.7) and Stroud has also been loose with the ball as of late as he has six turnovers in his last two games after just committing two in his first eight.
Jake Browning, Bengals (MIN, PIT, KC)
It’s unlikely that Browning will be relied on in any single quarterback leagues and even in two-quarterback leagues he can’t be counted on just yet. With weapons like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, it’s possible that Joe Burrow’s backup could make do once he’s more acclimated to the offense, though Cincinnati’s playoff schedule during the fantasy playoffs isn’t doing him any favors. The Bengals play the Vikings, Steelers and Chiefs, three teams with strong pass rushes in Weeks 15 to 17. It’s probably for the best that Browning is left on benches during those weeks and any team with championship hopes almost certainly has better options available at quarterback.
Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe, Patriots (KC, DEN, BUF)
It’s currently unclear whether Jones or Zappe will start Sunday against the Giants, let alone which Patriots’ passer will be taking snaps a few weeks from now. That said, neither player should be relied on late in the year, especially against the likes of the Chiefs, Broncos and Bills, three poor matchups for quarterbacks. New England is the second-lowest scoring offense in the NFL and the uncertainty under center is just another reason to avoid this situation altogether in the postseason.
