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 Championship 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
22nd place out of 24; 219.8 points (44.9 points out of first)
Quarterback (1)
I’m playing Patrick Mahomes. I have both NFC QBs still available, which means I’ll be able to use one in the Super Bowl.
Also considered: None.
Previously used: Lamar Jackson (Bal), Josh Allen (Buf)
Running Backs (3)
The running back pool is perilously thin right now even though I’ve used exactly zero players from teams still alive. Ronald Jones isn’t 100%, so I’m going to use Leonard Fournette. I’ll use both “starters” in the AFC game, Darrel Williams and Devin Singletary. If Kansas City advances to the Super Bowl, I’ll at least be able to throw Clyde Edwards-Helaire in there. I’m taking a calculated risk and leaving Aaron Jones for the Super Bowl.
Also considered: Aaron Jones (GB), Ronald Jones (TB)
Previously used: Derrick Henry (Ten), JD McKissic (Was), Jonathan Taylor (Ind), David Montgomery (Chi), Alvin Kamara (NO), Nick Chubb (Cle), Cam Akers (LAR)
Wide Receivers (3)
I am tempted to try to go all-in for the Super Bowl and save all the big names, but I had to play someone here — I’m playing from behind and it ain’t pretty. I need points. So I’m using Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and Chris Godwin. My thinking is this: if Green Bay/Kansas City advance, I’ll at least have someone like Allen Lazard who is coming on hot, while KC has someone like Mecole Hardman available. Meanwhile, if Tampa Bay advances, I’ll have saved Mike Evans for the Super Bowl. If Buffalo advances, I have John Brown and Gabriel Davis left (I used Stefon Diggs last week).
Also considered: Cole Beasley (Buf), John Brown (Buf), Mecole Hardman (KC)
Previously used: Antonio Brown (TB), Tyler Lockett (Sea), Michael Thomas (NO), Stefon Diggs (Buf), Jarvis Landry (Cle)
Tight End (1)
Here’s where I’m taking my calculated gamble and leaving Travis Kelce on the bench. If Kansas City advances, I’ll be able to use two good tight ends in two weeks, because I’ll have Kelce and either Robert Tonyan or Rob Gronkowski. I need that, since I’m burning high-powered WRs this week. I’m using Cameron Brate, who has come alive in the postseason and could be a critical piece to keeping the Packers — who play a ton of dime — off balance.
Also considered: Rob Gronkowski (TB)
Previously used: Logan Thomas (Was), Mark Andrews (Bal)
Defense/Special Teams (1)
I’m using the Bucs. That will give me an AFC team to use in the Super Bowl.
Also considered: None
Previously used: Green Bay, Seattle
Place Kicker (1)
I have all four kickers left. Ryan Succop is the healthier of the two kickers in the NFC title game.
Also considered: None
Previously used: Rodrigo Blankenship (Ind), Wil Lutz (NO)
Tom Brolley
17th place out of 24; 226.8 points (37.9 points out of first)
Quarterback (1)
I’m hoping Patrick Mahomes will go a little lesser owned this week since he comes in with a couple of issues after suffering a concussion and injuring his foot last week. He posted 255/1 passing and 14/1 rushing in 37 minutes last week before suffering his concussion.
Also considered: None.
Previously used: Lamar Jackson (Bal), Josh Allen (Buf)
Running Backs (2)
I’m going with running backs from the NFC this week, which will leave me the AFC backfields in the Super Bowl. Aaron Jones has 15 or fewer touches in his last three games since A.J. Dillon emerged late in the year, but Jones is averaging a healthy 7.3 yards per touch in that span. He posted 113/1 scrimmage against a nasty Rams defense last week, which was powered by a 60-yard run. I’m using Leonard Fournette for my other running back spot. He treated me well in DFS last week with 107/1 scrimmage against a stout Saints run defense last week.
Also considered: Ronald Jones (TB)
Previously used: Cam Akers (LAR), J.K. Dobbins (Bal), Nick Chubb (Cle), Derrick Henry (Ten), David Montgomery (Chi), Jonathan Taylor (Ind)
Wide Receivers (4)
I’m going hard on my Chiefs stack this weekend in case Kansas City’s passing game goes wild this week. That means I’m using Tyreek Hill in a matchup that he hasn’t a ton of success in. Hill posted a season-low 5.5 FP against the Bills in Week 6 and he has just 10/61 receiving on 14 targets in two career games against Buffalo. On the bright side, Andy Reid is cooking up ways to get him involved as he gave Hill a season-high three carries last week.
I was stuck between Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman for my second WR spot from the Chiefs. I’m going with Watkins this week to potentially save Hardman for the Super Bowl. I would have to use the Chiefs defense in the big game and I’ll use Hardman, as well, to try to double-dip if he would happen to score a return touchdown.
I’ll go with a little game stack with my next pick by using John Brown. Gabriel Davis is trending in the wrong direction and Cole Beasley is at less than 100% right now. Brown posted a goose egg the last time these teams met but he was playing through an injury so I’m expecting a better showing this time around.
I’m going with an all-or-nothing option with my last pick since I have some major work to do to catch Tom Simons at the top. I’m going with Marquez Valdes-Scantling as my final WR, and I’m fully prepared for MVS to pull a Michael Thomas on me this week (thanks, Mike!). The Bucs have been vulnerable to the deep ball this year, and I’m hoping MVS can shake free for a long score.
Also considered: Mecole Hardman (KC), Cole Beasley (Buf), Allen Lazard (GB)
Previously used: Stefon Diggs (Buf), Chris Godwin (TB), Jarvis Landry (Cle), Michael Thomas (NO), A.J. Brown (Ten), Allen Robins (Chi)
Tight End (1)
I’m using my Travis Kelce bullet this week since I’m also using Mahomes at quarterback. He’s posted 8+ catches in eight of his last nine games and 7+ catches in every game in that span. Kelce has also scored in five straight games and I expect him to be active in the middle of the field again this week.
Also considered: None.
Previously used: Austin Hooper (Cle), Mark Andrews (Bal)
Defense/Special Teams (1)
I’ve done an absolutely horrific job picking defense so far in the playoffs. I’m mostly using offensive players from the AFC Championship Game this week, and I have all of my defenses still available. Half of our pool used the Green Bay Packers last weekend against the Rams so they shouldn’t be heavily owned this week
Also considered: Buccaneers
Previously used: Saints, Steelers
Place Kicker (1)
I’m saving my AFC kicker for the Super Bowl so I’ll be using Mason Crosby this week since I already used Ryan Succop in the Wild Card Round.
Also considered: None.
Previously used: Will Lutz (NO), Ryan Succop (TB)
Ben Kukainis
9th place out of 24; 242.22 points (22.48 points out of first)
Quarterback (1)
Aaron Rodgers (GB): It’s always difficult to trust players coming off of a concussion, even if that player is Patrick Mahomes. Additionally, Josh Allen had his lowest completion % last week since Week 14 and had his 3rd-lowest rushing total of the season. I love both of these QBs still, which is why I’m holding off, knowing that one will make a SB appearance. I have Rodgers over 283.5 passing yards in my same-game parlay, so I’m doubling down here in the hopes and high likelihood he goes 300/3 against an abysmal TB secondary.
Previously used: Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield
Running Backs (3)
Aaron Jones (GB): No time to get cute. I’m within striking distance of 1st place and as badly as I want to save Aaron Jones for the Super Bowl, I want those points on the board. I had considered AJ Dillon, who came on late in the year, but at the end of the day, it’s an Aaron Jones backfield and that’s where the points are at for RB.
Leonard Fournette (TB): The Bucs backfield is nearly impossible to predict on a weekly basis, but last week Fournette played on 49 snaps compared to Ronald Jones’ 21 and should again be the 1A, if not the 1.
Devin Singletary (Buf): Probably as gross of a pick at RB as there is, but I’m going with a trio at RB to save a WR spot for the Super Bowl. Singletary should be in the market for 15 touches with Zack Moss out.
Disclaimer: No matter what, my running backs are going to be grossssss for the Super Bowl. Risking a Dillon/RoJo and CEH lineup, but so be it.
Previously used: Cam Akers, Nick Chubb, JD McKissic, Latavius Murray, Kareem Hunt, JK Dobbins
Wide Receivers (3)
Allen Lazard (GB): I’m constructing my Super Bowl lineup in my head right now, and that involves Davante Adams. Out of the trio of Lazard, MVS, and St. Brown, I like Lazard the most. He’s coming off an 8-target game against the Rams, and played 54 snaps compared to MVS’ 36 and St. Brown’s 32.
Mike Evans (TB): The Buccaneers are a fantastic team for one-and-done contests because of their depth. I believe Green Bay takes this, in a game in which the Bucs will need solid production at the WR spot, but I can also pocket Chris Godwin for a SB spot if Tampa Bay does win.
Stefon Diggs (Buf): I see a path for a Bills W this week, in which case I’d likely play John Brown in the Super Bowl. The more probable scenario however is a Chiefs win, so I’m getting my Diggs points in before it’s too late.
Previously used: Allen Robinson, Marquise Brown, Jarvis Landry, Robert Woods, Michael Thomas
Tight End (1)
Travis Kelce (KC): Part of me wanted to go full-on Packers stack and use Robert Tonyan here, but with Kansas City looking more mortal than most weeks, I have a legitimate fear of missing out on Kelce in this contest if the Chiefs lose. I’m okay with missing out on Mahomes production, as the alternatives at QB are still basically QB1 plays, whereas the gap between Kelce and the rest of the TE options is astronomical. As noted in my Aaron Jones blurb, no time to get cute.
Previously used: Logan Thomas, Mark Andrews, Austin Hooper
Defense/Special Teams (1)
Kansas City DST: Similar to my pick of Mason Crosby as kicker, this is a strategic play to guarantee DST production for the Super Bowl. Any other remaining option leaves the door open for zilch; I’ve already used the Bills DST, so if Buffalo beats Kansas City and I choose the wrong NFC DST, I’m left with nothing. For what it’s worth, the Chiefs DST has been a fairly reliable option throughout the season, and while I give the Bills a real shot at the upset, I don’t expect offensive fireworks in the realm of 500 total yards and 4 TDs. The Chiefs should be serviceable here for 8-10 FP.
Previously used: Pittsburgh, Buffalo
Place Kicker (1)
Mason Crosby (GB): This is simply a strategic play to guarantee one more kicker in two weeks. I’ve already used Ryan Succop, and using either Harrison Butker or Tyler Bass this week sets up a scenario of taking a zero next week (choose winning AFC kicker + Packers loss means no options left for the Super Bowl).
Previously used: Ryan Succop, Wil Lutz
Graham Barfield
3rd place out of 24; 251.8 points (12.9 points out of first)
Quarterback (1)
Patrick Mahomes: I’m swinging for the fences since I’m only a few points from first place. Let’s hope Mahomes is close to 100% because this game should be incredible if he is healthy. By using Mahomes now, I’m saving the NFC champion quarterback for the Super Bowl.
Also considered: None
Previously used: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen
Running Backs (2)
Aaron Jones: With Jamaal Williams (ankle) and A.J. Dillon (quad) both a little bit banged up, we could see Jones get a slightly bigger role than usual. I imagine Jones will be chalk in our contest this week.
Leonard Fournette: RoJo is still gimpy, so I’m expecting that Fournette will see a similar role against the Packers that we saw last week where he out-snapped Jones 49 to 21. Here’s hoping that the Chiefs win so I have some RB options in the Super Bowl.
Also considered: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Previously used: Nick Chubb, Jonathan Taylor, David Montgomery, J.D. McKissic, Cam Akers, Devin Singletary
Wide Receivers (4)
Mike Evans: Easy call. Antonio Brown is out and I used Chris Godwin last week, so this is a no brainer.
John Brown: After dropping that goose egg in the Wild Card round, Brown bounced back last week for 8/62 and tied Stefon Diggs for a team-high 11 targets. Gabriel Davis is dealing with an ankle injury, too, and that could funnel a few more looks Brown’s way.
Scott Miller: With AB out, we’ll see Miller slide back into the Bucs’ 3-wide sets with Evans out wide and Godwin in the slot. Before the team added AB in Week 9, Miller was a near full-time player and had four spiked weeks with 11 or more fantasy points in eight starts.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: I’m hoping MVS is sneaky this week after he saw eight targets against the Rams, which tied a season-high. Allen Lazard is battling through back and wrist injuries, so we might see Rodgers rely on MVS a bit more against the Buccaneers. By using MVS here, I’m trying to save Davante Adams for the Super Bowl in the hopes of stacking him with Rodgers.
Also considered: Mecole Hardman
Previously used: Allen Robinson, A.J. Brown, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Michael Thomas, Chris Godwin
Tight End (1)
Travis Kelce: No brainer. He’s caught eight or more balls in an absurd 9-straight games and now gets a Bills secondary that gave up the most receptions per game to tight ends during the regular season. I’ll use Kelce now and use the NFC Championship winner at TE in the Super Bowl.
Also considered: No one
Previously used: Mark Andrews, Austin Hooper
Defense/Special Teams (1)
Bills D/ST: I still have the Packers and Bucs’ D/ST available too, so I’m going to save them so I have a defense for the Super Bowl.
Also considered: No one
Previously used: Rams D/ST, Chiefs D/ST
Place Kicker (1)
Mason Crosby: I still have Tyler Bass and Harrison Butker available, so I’ll save either one for the Super Bowl.
Also considered: No one
Previously used: Will Lutz, Ryan Succop
Tom Simons
1st place out of 24; 264.70 points
Quarterback (1)
Patrick Mahomes: I struggled with my choice last week. I changed my pick from Drew Brees to Tom Brady and to Josh Allen six times before settling on Allen. I wanted three touchdowns and thought Brady could achieve that, and he did. Yet, I chose Allen because of his legs and so that I could grab Mahomes this round and have either Brady or Rodgers for the Super Bowl. Mahomes injury last week has put a crimp in my plan but I have to roll with it.
Previously used: Josh Allen (Buf) and Lamar Jackson (Bal)
Running Backs (2)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Devin Singletary: CEH had a monster game against the Bills back in Week 6. He had 26 carries for 161 yards and added four receptions for eight yards. He sat out last week but has been practicing thus far. If he has a set back before the game, I will likely go with Darrel Williams. Singletary struggled against the Chiefs in the same game posting just 32 yards rushing and 13 yards receiving on one catch. Still, these choices leave me either Tampa Bay or Green Bay starting running backs in the Super Bowl.
Previously used: Alvin Kamara (NO), Kareem Hunt (Cle), Can Akers (LA), Derrick Henry (Ten), J.K. Dobbins (Bal), Nick Chubb (Cle)
Wide Receivers (4)
Mike Evans, Allen Lazard, John Brown, and Cole Beasley: I need a top WR who will be targeted plenty. I also would like to gamble and save Davonte Adams and Tyreek Hill until the Super Bowl. Thus, Evans fits the bill here. I also chose Lazard as the chemistry between him and Aaron Rodgers seems to be hitting stride, but Lazard is dealing with multiple injuries. Thus, I could shift to Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the last minute. I am gambling on the Bills falling behind and throwing 40-50 times. Beasley did well against the Chiefs back in Week 6 posting four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, but he is dealing with a knee issue. So, Isaiah McKenzie or Demarcus Robinson could be the choice if Beasley is out. Brown was targeted four times without a catch in the same game. No matter who wins these games, I will have options to choose from in the Super Bowl as long as injuries don’t kill me this week.
Previously used: Stefon Diggs (Buf), Antonio Brown (TB), Michael Thomas (NO), A.J. Brown (Ten), Chris Godwin (TB), Cooper Kupp (LA)
Tight End (1)
Rob Gronkowski: This choice still leaves me Robert Tonyan or Cameron Brate as options in the Super Bowl. Back in Week 6, Gronk posted five receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Packers while targeted eight times. I expect Green Bay to handle Gronkowski differently in this game, thus I might switch my pick to Dawson Knox on Sunday.
Previously used: Jared Cook (NO) and Mark Andrews (Bal)
Defense/Special Teams (1)
Tampa Bay: By choosing the Buccaneers, I guarantee either Buffalo or Kansas City as my choice in the Super Bowl. Buffalo has allowed the most sacks this season at 31 (includes playoffs). Green Bay has allowed the fewest at 20. Tampa Bay has thrown the most INTs at 12 with Green Bay the fewest at 5. Choosing Tampa Bay goes against the grain, but guarantees me a defense in the Super Bowl.
Previously used: Green Bay Packers (GB) and New Orleans Saints (NO)
Place Kicker (1)
Mason Crosby: This is the riskiest position for me. I only have Crosby and Harrison Butker as options for the next two weeks. So, the place kicker I don’t choose here has to win for me to have a PK in the Super Bowl. I still believe Kansas City and Green Bay will face off in the Super Bowl. Back in Week 6, Tampa Bay did hand the Packers a nasty 38-17 loss back while the Chiefs won in Buffalo 26-17. I am currently leaning towards Crosby, but this is going to be my flip-flop position going into Sunday as I could switch between these two PKs a number of times before finally picking one.
Previously used: Tyler Bass (Buf) and Ryan Succop (TB)
