Fantasy Points managing editor Joe Dolan runs a playoff contest with his friends that employs the “one-and-done” or “use ‘em and lose ‘em” format.
The premise is simple: you pick a lineup from the entire available player pool every week (in this format, I reluctantly include kickers and defenses to make lineups bigger). The goal is to score the most points throughout the entire playoffs. But you can only use a player once. So you can choose to use Josh Allen in the first week of the postseason, but he’s unavailable the rest of the way.
It’s a really deep and interesting way to play because you have to maximize your scoring every week. Yes, saving players is important. But you can’t just use scrubs from teams you project to lose every week because you need to score the most points overall to win the grand prize. On the flip side, you can load up on points in the first round, but you may be doing so by eliminating players who are going to advance deep into the playoffs, which gives you a very limited player pool the rest of the way.
With that in mind, here are the strategies our staff are using in the contest in the first round.
Lineups are 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 PK, 1 DST, and 2 WRT FLEX. Scoring is PPR with 4 points per passing TD. Return TDs — but not yards — count.
Joe Dolan
24th place out of 24; 103.46 points (50.1 out of first)
Quarterback (1)
I’m using Josh Allen this week. I have to stick with using AFC QBs so I don’t leave myself shorthanded in the Super Bowl, and if I use Allen — I used Lamar Jackson last week — I will be able to use either Patrick Mahomes or Baker Mayfield next week, guaranteeing I will get an NFC QB to use in the Super Bowl. I wanted to use Mahomes because I finished last in my own damn contest last week, but if I use Mahomes and Allen loses, I won’t have a QB to use in the AFC Championship Game. That would mean I’d have to use an NFC QB… and if I pick the wrong one, I’d have to go without a quarterback in the Super Bowl. Yikes.
Also considered: Patrick Mahomes (KC)
Previously used: Lamar Jackson (Bal)
Running Backs (3)
Again, I’m playing from behind, so I’m using three hammers this week — Alvin Kamara, Cam Akers, and Nick Chubb. I expect both the Rams and Browns to lose, so I want to use their best players. Meanwhile, I don’t want to blow a chance to use Kamara, given that the Tampa Bay/New Orleans game is such a toss-up. I’m going short on Bucs receivers this week in the event the Bucs win that game, so I can deploy them next week.
Also considered: Kareem Hunt (Cle)
Previously used: Derrick Henry (Ten), JD McKissic (Was), Jonathan Taylor (Ind), David Montgomery (Chi)
Wide Receivers (3)
I like this matchup for Michael Thomas, so I’m using him and loading up on the top two Saints this week. I’m stacking Stefon Diggs with Josh Allen, and I like Jarvis Landry in the week’s highest-totaled game.
Also considered: Cole Beasley (Buf), Robert Woods (LAR), Chris Godwin (TB)
Previously used: Antonio Brown (TB), Tyler Lockett (Sea)
Tight End (1)
Simple. I’m using Mark Andrews against a Buffalo team that gave up 14 receptions and a TD to Indy TEs last week, and also allowed the most catches to TEs this year.
Also considered: None
Previously used: Logan Thomas (Was)
Defense/Special Teams (1)
I’m using Green Bay against the dinged up Jared Goff. Of course, that didn’t work in using Seattle last week.
Also considered: Kansas City
Previously used: Seattle
Place Kicker (1)
I’m using Wil Lutz at home, indoors.
Previously used: Rodrigo Blankenship (Ind)
Tom Brolley
14th place out of 24; 126.76 points (26.8 out of first)
Quarterback (1)
I’m tentatively planning on riding AFC quarterbacks through championship weekend before using the NFC quarterback in the Super Bowl. I’ve already used Lamar Jackson in this contest and I’m going to use his opponent this weekend, Josh Allen, to hopefully leave myself Patrick Mahomes next week. Allen is riding a hot streak with 32+ FP in his last three full games, and he’s accounted for 3+ TDs in four straight games heading into a tougher matchup with the Ravens.
Also considered: Patrick Mahomes (KC)
Previously used: Lamar Jackson (Bal)
Running Backs (2)
Shoutout to our guy Ben Kukainis for being the only person in our contest to use Cam Akers last week. Akers is probably going to be one of the higher-owned backs this week and for good reasons. Akers is averaging 23.6 touches per game in his last five contests after ripping the Seahawks for 176 scrimmage yards, and the Packers allowed a generous 139.4 scrimmage yards per game to RBs this season.
I’ll look for J.K. Dobbins to extend his touchdown streak to seven games this week. He struggled a bit last week against the Titans with just 9/43/1 rushing against the Titans but he’s still averaging 6.3 YPC during his seven-game hot streak.
Also considered: Alvin Kamara (NO)
Previously used: Derrick Henry (Ten), Nick Chubb (Cle), David Montgomery (Chi), Jonathan Taylor (Ind)
Wide Receivers (4)
I’m using Allen at quarterback this week and I want to stack him with his best receiver this week. Stefon Diggs has 120+ receiving yards in four of his last five games and 6+ catches in 16-of-17 games this season so he has an extremely safe floor.
Mike Evans hasn’t had much success going against Marshon Lattimore over the last two seasons so Chris Godwin could be headed toward a slightly bigger role. He’s scored in four straight games and he has 79+ receiving yards in three consecutive contests.
I liked what I saw out of Michael Thomas in his return to the lineup last week after a three-week layoff. He scored his first touchdown in his eighth game of the season, and I’m looking for him to continue his momentum against a Buccaneers defense that’s struggled to slow lead WRs.
I’m expecting the Browns to get eliminated this week, but this passing game could be throwing a little more than usual to try to keep pace with the Chiefs. Jarvis Landry has posted 5+ catches and 50+ receiving yards in six straight games with touchdowns in five of those contests.
Also considered: John Brown (Buf), Marquise Brown (Bal)
Previously used: A.J. Brown (Ten), Allen Robinson (Chi)
Tight End (1)
We have some solid options at TE this week and one elite option, and I’m looking to save Travis Kelce for one of the last two weeks. I’m going to turn to another TE in this Cleveland-Kansas City matchup who is surging at the end of the season. Austin Hooper has posted 13+ FP in four straight games with touchdowns in four of his last six games while the Chiefs gave up the seventh-most FPG (14.5) to the position this season.
Also considered: Travis Kelce (KC), Jared Cook (NO)
Previously used: Mark Andrews (Bal)
Defense/Special Teams (1)
My biggest mistake last week was using Pittsburgh’s defense, which obviously wasn’t helped by the terrible play of its offense against the Browns. I’m going to take a little gamble and use the Saints defense, which was used by five people last week, going against Tom Brady. The Saints have sacked TB12 six times with five interceptions in two games this season. I’m hoping to get another strong performance at low ownership with most people looking toward the Packers this week.
Also considered: Green Bay Packers
Previously used: Pittsburgh Steelers
Place Kicker (1)
I’ll go with Will Lutz playing indoors in the second-highest totaled game of the weekend.
Also considered: Tyler Bass (Buf), Mason Crosby (GB)
Previously used: Ryan Succop (TB)
Ben Kukainis
5th place out of 24; 142.86 points (10.7 out of first)
Quarterback (1)
Baker Mayfield (Cle): I’m going heavy on Browns this week. They have great options, are likely to lose, and the offense will likely have to get to 27 points to have a chance against the Chiefs. Mayfield could drop back 40 times in this one so I don’t want to miss out on a prime opportunity before Mayfield and Cleveland are eliminated and off the board.
Previously used: Lamar Jackson
Running Backs (2)
Kareem Hunt (Cle): Part II of going heavy on the Browns this week. If the Browns are going to keep it competitive, Hunt will have lots of involvement. As Greg Cosell said on the Matchup Points livestream, the Chubb-Hunt duo isn’t a case of lead back-passing back, but rather just a 1A and 1B. There’s no reason to think Hunt won’t command 2 or 3 drives and get 15 touches.
J.K. Dobbins (Bal): This has a chance to be an ugly slugfest. I did also consider using Alvin Kamara, as I believe the Buccaneers will beat the Saints, so there’s a chance I miss out on Kamara entirely if the Saints do lose. But I still want Kamara in my back pocket to use next week if the Saints win.
Previously used: Cam Akers, Nick Chubb, JD McKissic, Latavius Murray
Wide Receivers (3)
Jarvis Landry (Cle): Part III of going heavy on the Browns this week.
Robert Woods (LAR): My whole approach this week was “how can I save the 3-4 game guys? How can I save Hill, Thomas, Godwin, Kelce, Adams, etc etc? And considering the Rams’ offense will have to show up big time to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and crew, I’m once again looking at a prime opportunity to grab big points before they’re gone. Woods and Kupp combined for 17 targets last week, in a game during which the Rams QBs combined for 27 attempts. And now with Kupp nursing an injury and a GTD, the only two Rams players of value are Cam Akers (who I used last week) and Robert Woods.
Michael Thomas (NO): Thomas seems close to being back to his normal self, and as much as I want to save some of the studs for the final rounds, I can’t miss out on both Kamara and MT points if the Saints lose. And I ultimately don’t hate the idea of rolling with Emmanuel Sanders next week if New Orleans does win.
Previously used: Allen Robinson, Marquise Brown
Tight End (2)
Mark Andrews (Bal): I want to save Travis Kelce and Robert Tonyan for the coming weeks, and considering Andrews could be off the board entirely with an L, I’m plugging him in this week.
Austin Hooper (Cle): Part IV of going heavy on the Browns this week.
Previously used: Logan Thomas
Defense/Special Teams (1)
Bills DST: -3.0 FP? Really, Pittsburgh? I noted last week “I believe either the Browns will win, or they will keep it competitive throughout.” It was certainly competitive, but only after Cleveland established a what-would-be insurmountable lead. I’m going to plan ahead here--though I believe many are thinking what I am--and use the Bills DST. It’s not necessarily a slight on the Ravens offense, but I have no interest in using the Bills DST if they continue, with a matchup at Kansas City likely and then the possibility of facing the Saints, Bucs, or Packers in the Super Bowl.
Previously used: Pittsburgh
Place Kicker (1)
Wil Lutz (NO): Kicking indoors for a high-powered offense.
Previously used: Ryan Succop
Graham Barfield
8th place out of 24; 139.46 points (14.1 points out of first)
Quarterback (1)
Josh Allen: I used Lamar last week so I could save Allen for this week and it turns out either way would have worked! I’m hoping the weather in Buffalo holds off on Saturday night and we get a chance to see both of these offenses put up points in decent conditions. Because, outside of Mahomes, no quarterback has a higher ceiling than Allen on this slate. Over his last six games, Allen is averaging a ridiculous 28.8 fantasy points per game and will have another chance at a ceiling game in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Also considered: Tom Brady
Previously used: Lamar Jackson
Running Backs (2)
Cam Akers: I went ahead and used up all of the bell-cow backs from the previous round that were underdogs in their games (Chubb / Taylor / Montgomery), which worked out perfectly outside of Montgomery laying an egg. I’m glad I saved Cam Akers because he’s arguably one of the best plays on the slate in what is a top-8 matchup on paper on this slate. Of course, the Rams could get stomped and go down a few scores early, but regardless, this offense will be on Akers’ back. Over his last five starts, Akers has handled 22, 31, 16, 25, and 30 touches. I think Akers is a must-play in one-and-done and in DFS.
Devin Singletary: With Zack Moss (ankle) out for the rest of the postseason, we’ll see Singletary in a true every-down role. It’s a tough matchup, but I’m happy guaranteeing myself a floor of 8-10 points and the upside for 15-20 while saving some of the other premier backs for future rounds. When Moss missed three games and was limited in his return to the field in Week 3-6, Singletary played on 79% of the team’s snaps and averaged 15.8 touches per game. Since I’m also using Josh Allen, I theoretically have access to every single one of the Bills touchdowns they score on the Ravens. Using Singletary now saves Aaron Jones and Alvin Kamara for the NFC Conference Championship or Super Bowl.
Also considered: J.K. Dobbins, Leonard Fournette (great play if Ronald Jones sits), Kareem Hunt
Previously used: Nick Chubb, Jonathan Taylor, David Montgomery, J.D. McKissic
Wide Receivers (4)
Stefon Diggs: I’m completing my Bills onslaught with Diggs. All in. This is an amazing slate for receivers and Diggs is at the top of the bunch.
Tyreek Hill: I think this slate massively favors the receivers over the runners, so I’m rolling with two of them in my FLEX spots. I’m saving Mahomes and Kelce for one of the next two rounds since I love Allen this week and am rolling with Austin Hooper at tight end since the Browns are likely to get bounced, so I felt like I needed to get Chiefs exposure somewhere. And Hill is a great way to get some.
Michael Thomas: I’m following the chalk and rolling Thomas here. If the Saints lose, I don’t want to not use either Thomas or Kamara this week. With the Bucs’ dominant front-seven slowing down rushing attacks, I’m giving the slight edge to Thomas as the better play. Thomas got hurt in Week 1 against the Bucs and actually came off of I.R. in Week 9 against them, too. But, he dropped 11/182/2 and 8/114/1 in this matchup last year against Todd Bowles’ unit and might have to do it again if this game shoots out.
Chris Godwin: With Mike Evans dealing with Marshon Lattimore out wide, I think this sets up for a Godwin game. He’s seen 28 targets over his last three games as his chemistry with Tom Brady looks like it’s finally in form after an shortened offseason and injury-riddled regular season.
Also considered: Jarvis Landry
Previously used: Allen Robinson, A.J. Brown
Tight End (1)
Austin Hooper: This was my only consideration at tight end his week. I used Mark Andrews last week and am definitely saving Travis Kelce for the stretch run, so this is simple. The spot is too good to pass up. Hooper has seen a whopping 37 targets over his last four games while the Chiefs have allowed eighth-most receptions and fifth-most yards per game to tight ends.
Also considered: No one
Previously used: Mark Andrews
Defense/Special Teams (1)
Chiefs D/ST: I didn’t want to use the Packers D/ST against Cam Akers and I wasn’t going to use either defense in Bills-Ravens because I’m hoping that game shoots out. So, Chiefs D/ST it is. They’re huge favorites and Baker Mayfield should have to throw a ton, which will give Kansas City plenty of opportunities for sacks / turnovers.
Also considered: Saints D/ST
Previously used: Rams D/ST
Place Kicker (1)
Ryan Succop: He’s in a dome and I want to save some of the elite kickers for the later rounds. Simple.
Also considered: No one
Previously used: Will Lutz
Tom Simons
4th place out of 24; 145.16 points (8.4 out of first)
Quarterback (1)
Tom Brady: This is the critical round of the playoffs. If you are not careful here, you could expire most of the talent you need to rely on in the final two rounds. Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are solid choices, but I believe they will square off against each other in the Super Bowl. This choice came down to Brady, Drew Brees or Josh Allen (Bayer Mayfield and the Browns are likely going to see their luck run out against the Chiefs). Brady lost twice to the Saints and had a horrible game the last time he faced them in Week 9. Yet, Brady has thrown for two or more TDs in eight straight games. Brees won both contests against the Bucs and had decent outings in both, although he only threw for a combined 380 in the two games. Still, no picks and six touchdowns caught my eye. Allen has two or more pass/rush touchdowns in nine straight games. A tough decision here as I believe I need three TDs from my QB to stay in the hunt for the top spot. I could be swapping out my QB right up until kickoff on Saturday. Yet at the moment, it is hard for me to think Brady will lose a third time to a team in the same season and certainly not post another 0 TD and 3 INT performance like he did the last time he faced the Saints in Week 9.
Previously used: Lamar Jackson (Bal)
Running Backs (3)
Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt, and Cam Akers: The Chiefs running backs will be needed in the next two rounds and two of them are slightly banged up. Alvin Kamara is a stud. Yes, he is facing one of, if not THE best run defense in the NFL. Still, he recorded three touchdowns in two games against the Bucs this year. Hunt is stealing the goal line carries and has produced 13 touchdowns in 13 career games at Arrowhead Stadium. The Packers ranked 13th in rushing yards and points allowed during the regular season. Being that the Rams likely lose this round, now is the time to ride Akers before I lose him.
Previously used: Derrick Henry (Ten), J.K. Dobbins (Bal), Nick Chubb (Cle)
Wide Receivers (3)
Stefon Diggs, Mike Evans, and Michael Thomas: I considered Jarvis Landry as well, but opted to go with a third RB, especially since I think Cleveland runs out of gas at Kansas City. Diggs went into Wildcard weekend banged up. Yet, he posted six catches for 128 yards and a TD and Ravens top CB Marcus Peters (back-questionable) is banged up. Evans had health issues going into last weekend as well. He went into the Wildcard round injured but produced six catches for 199 yards. Thomas got hurt on opening day against Tampa Bay. He combined for eight catches for 68 yards in the two games against the Bus. His first TD of the season came last week in the Wildcard round. Thomas has good vibes surrounding him in the Divisional round.
Previously used: A.J. Brown (Ten), Chris Godwin (TB), Cooper Kupp (LA)
Tight End (1)
Jared Cook: I almost went with Cook last week, but opted for Mark Andrews instead. Cook is banged up and thus questionable for Sunday’s matchup. I might make a change this weekend should more negative news surrounding Cook surface. In his home game against the Bucs back on opening day, Cook had five catches for 80 yards. He didn’t do much against them in Week 9 on the road but that was a blowout victory and he wasn’t needed in the passing game.
Previously used: Mark Andrews (Bal)
Defense/Special Teams (1)
Green Bay Packers: The under/over (45 or 46) is the lowest among the four Divisional playoff games. The Rams could struggle if Jared Goff has any issues with his throwing hand thumb in the cold. Again, my choice is limited as I plan ahead for the next two rounds.
Previously used: New Orleans Saints (NO)
Place Kicker (1)
Tyler Bass: The highest scoring place kicker in the Divisional round will most likely be Harrison Butker. I like Butker in the AFC Championship game or the Super Bowl. So my next available PK is Bass. He has converted on multiple field goals in a game seven times in his last nine outings. The Ravens defense will give the Bills fits and Bass could be in line for two or three opportunities this week.
Previously used: Ryan Succop (TB)
