2026 FFPC Playoff Challenge: Overview and Strategy

FFPC Playoff Challenge

There are a wide variety of fantasy playoff contests and one of my favorites that we'll focus on in this article is the FFPC's Playoff Challenge. A pair of buy-ins are offered: a $200 entry with 7,250 entries and a $500,000 top prize, as well as a $35 entry with 16,000 entries and $100k up top. Both contests pay the top 11.3 percent. 

If you're new to the format, rosters are comprised of 12 players, but the caveat is that you can only select one player from each team. With 14 playoff teams, two teams will need to be faded altogether. Points are doubled in the Super Bowl for added strategy and excitement. The FFPC is also a TE premium format with 1.5 points per reception compared to one PPR for RBs and WRs. Rosters consist of: QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, TE, 4 Flex (RB/WR/TE), K and DEF. Complete rules can be found here. 

Last year's winning lineup: Jayden Daniels, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Puka Nacua, Xavier Worthy, T.J. Hockenson, Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook, Bucky Irving, Ladd McConkey, Chris Boswell and Hou D/ST.

Interested in other playoff challenges? Check out our strategy article for the DraftKings Best Ball contests here. 

Quarterback

FFPC Fantasy Scoring Leaders Per Game Week 1-17

With QB typically being the highest scoring position, it's important to find a quarterback who will play at least three games. Daniels did just that last year, pulling off upsets as a road underdog twice and posted at least 22 fantasy points in all three. If you think the Bills will get past the Jaguars (Buffalo is currently a one-point favorite), Josh Allen makes sense considering James Cook is the only other viable option. Staying in the AFC, the Patriots are expected to play the most games, so we have to look towards Drake Maye. New England's offense has been difficult to predict in terms of who will pop off, with TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson essentially splitting work and Stefon Diggs not having a true No. 1 WR target share. On the NFC side, the Eagles are the second biggest favorite in the Wild Card round, and we know Jalen Hurts can pile up rushing TDs. Similar to the Patriots, Philadelphia has spread the ball around, giving Hurts additional appeal.

Running Back

FFPC Fantasy Scoring Leaders Per Game Week 1-17

Last year was RB heavy with the winning lineup in the $200 contest having five RBs compared to zero backs in the flex two years ago. While there are a handful of teams using committee approaches, I still like using a couple backs in the flex. With Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs' teams missing the playoffs, McCaffrey is head and shoulders the most dominant fantasy RB available. I'd fade him only if you're doing several teams and want to diversify your exposure.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are the favorite to get out of the AFC, and RJ Harvey is my preferred target from Denver. The rookie came on strong following J.K. Dobbins' injury and had at least 20 fantasy points in three of the last six games.  Josh Jacobs had a week to rest and should be back to 100 percent, and I think we'll see a healthy workload for him Saturday.

Wide Receiver

FFPC Fantasy Scoring Leaders Per Game Week 1-17

Davante Adams will return from a hamstring injury that the Rams were cautious with, so this will be the first time we'll see the veteran since Week 15. While Adams has been the go-to option in the red zone, Puka Nacua has been dominant all season long and with the Rams being roughly 83 percent to win and likely to play at least two games, he's another guy that's incredibly risky to fade. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will also be a heavily rostered player in this contest as I don't think fantasy managers will be comfortable slotting in Kenneth Walker or Zach Charbonnet in their lineups as a contrarian play. 

Digging a little bit deeper, I'm drawn to using one of Jakobi Meyers or Parker Washington. I lean towards Washington for leverage, as the third-year receiver had 29 targets across the last three games compared to 23 for Meyers. Maybe that means it's Brian Thomas that will go off, but he hasn't given us much reason to think that will happen. C.J. Stroud has been spreading it around a bit, but Nico Collins is still a reliable fantasy option as well.

Tight End

FFPC Fantasy Scoring Leaders Per Game Week 1-17

Tight end feels much tougher than usual to settle on someone, which kind of sums up the position this year. Travis Kelce has historically been a great fit for the contest, but those days are over. I find myself leaning towards Colston Loveland, as receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore are both less than 100 percent healthy while the RB situation is a committee. The rookie posted 16-185-2 across the last two weeks. I also don't mind going with Dalton Schultz as the Steelers have struggled to defend opposing TEs this year and outside of Collins, there isn't a great non kicker or D/ST to use on Houston.

Kicker

FFPC Fantasy Scoring Leaders Per Game Week 1-17

At this point, we can focus on teams we expect to lose in the first round. The Panthers are an obvious target as a double digit underdog, while the 49ers, Chargers and Steelers are the other three teams that are at least a field goal underdog. Jim Harbaugh tends to be conservative and Cameron Dicker has been one of the best kickers in the league throughout his career with a big leg. The Packers are another team void of quality choices, so I don't mind going with Brandon McManus as points will be at a premium against the Bears.

Defense/Special Teams

FFPC Fantasy Scoring Leaders Per Game Week 1-17

Staying with the theme above, as good as the Seattle defense is, we want to stick with teams that we expect to lose in the first round. I have a hard time choosing any positional players from the Chargers, and maybe they can force some mistakes out of Drake Maye in his first playoff contest. I think the Patriots could even be a sneaky defense to play if you don't think the Patriots make a deep playoff run. 

Primary Team-by-Team Options

Buffalo: Josh Allen, James Cook

Carolina: Ryan Fitzgerald, none (fade team altogether)

Chicago: Colston Loveland, none

Denver: RJ Harvey, Courtland Sutton

Green Bay: Josh Jacobs, Brandon McManus

Houston: Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz

Jacksonville: Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington

LA Chargers: Cameron Dicker, D/ST

LA Rams: Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua

New England: Drake Maye, Stefon Diggs, D/ST

Philadelphia: Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown

Pittsburgh: DK Metcalf, D/ST, none

San Francisco: Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle

Seattle: Kenneth Walker, Jaxon Smith-Njigba

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