The playoffs have arrived for most of us. Winning each week from here on out becomes more imperative as the stakes climb with every passing Sunday throughout December. Whether you’re embarking on your postseason journey or you’re in the final week of your league’s regular season, there are still some playoff stashes and immediately viable options out there for the taking. Our featured experts know which largely unowned athletes and defenses have the highest chance of giving you a win at this most critical juncture in the season. Read on to see who they recommend.

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Featured Experts:
Mike Tagliere – FantasyPros
Elisha Twerski – FantasyPros
Bill Enright – FFChamps
Bobby Sylvester – FantasyPros

View These Expert’s Waiver Rankings
Mike Tagliere
Elisha Twerski
Bill Enright
Bobby Sylvester

Q1. How much are you willing to spend (FAAB %) on your favorite waiver wire target (or two) and why do you like him?

Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN) | Auden Tate (WR – CIN) | Zach Pascal (WR – IND) 
“If someone dropped Mattison in your league, he’d be a top-tier option and one you should be willing to spend your entire budget on. While Dalvin Cook is apparently not going to miss this week’s game, they’re going to lighten his workload, which opens the door for the fresh Mattison against a Lions run defense that’s allowed the third-most fantasy points to the position this week.

If you’re looking for receivers, Tate and Pascal are two receivers who can help if you have injuries at the wide receiver position. Tate is likely the one I’d prefer, as he’s offered stability while getting six-plus targets in all but one game as a starter. Pascal isn’t a bad backup plan, though, as he’s now locked into targets with injuries to Eric Ebron, T.Y. Hilton, and Chester Rogers. If Hilton can’t return, Pascal will have low-end WR3 appeal against the Bucs in Week 14. This is the time of the year where you don’t hold back FAAB. If you need a receiver, be willing to spend it.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Anthony Miller (WR – CHI) 
“As the playoffs begin, most fantasy owners should be looking for one-week plays on the waiver wire. In comes Miller, who has averaged 11 targets over his last three games. Against the Lions on Thanksgiving, Miller garnered a whopping 13 targets and turned those into nine receptions for 140 yards. In the fantasy playoffs, Miller will go up against the Cowboys, Packers, and Chiefs — three teams that can be stingy to outside receivers, yet have had their struggles against effective slot guys. Miller has a chance to be a difference-maker in your flex spot, especially in PPR formats. If you’re in need of an immediate starter for the playoffs, spend 80-90% of what you have left on Miller. What else are you saving it for?”
– Elisha Twerski (FantasyPros)

Darwin Thompson (RB – KC) 
“It’s USE it or LOSE it time when it comes to FAAB. The fantasy playoffs are here and it’s win or go home. The position your fantasy team needs the most help at obviously dictates where to spend your remaining budget, but with emerging players like Darwin Thompson, Raheem Mostert, and James Washington, there are some viable options to help add points to your starting lineup. With Darrel Williams likely out and no sign of Damien Williams, Thompson will likely be the most popular pickup of the week and should net around 35-40% of your remaining budget, even with a tough matchup against the Patriots. Thompson proved to head coach Andy Reid that he’s capable of handling a good-sized workload (11 carries) while maintaining a healthy 4.4 yards per carry average. If both Darrel and Damien are out, Thompson is a must-start flex player, especially in PPR formats.”
– Bill Enright (FFChamps)

Raheem Mostert (RB – SF) 
“I’d understand streaming someone like Zach Pascal or A.J. Brown if you need a wide receiver, but we essentially have the No. 1 running back for a top-five running offense in football available this week, so Mostert is at the top of my list. Granted, this 49ers running back timeshare is volatile and frustrating so there is some risk. The matchup versus New Orleans this week is a rough one, but so was the Week 13 matchup against the Ravens, and he went off for 154 yards on 21 touches. Mostert is an easy RB2 this week and likely the final two as well. I’d spend all of my remaining FAAB to add him.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Q2. For owners renting a D/ST in Week 14, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target and why?

“When looking for a low-owned streamer, the best options are those that have shown the capability of posting high-ceiling performances facing teams that have had the propensity to surrender them. Believe it or not, the matchup that best fits that bill is the Atlanta Falcons’ D/ST facing the Carolina Panthers. Prior to their Week 9 bye, Atlanta’s D/ST had scored a TOTAL of nine points. However, after head coach Dan Quinn surrendered defensive play-calling duties during the bye, the unit totaled 41 points in their following three games. 26 of those points came against these very same Panthers. Carolina has allowed at least 11 points to a D/ST in three of their last six games, including at least five points in each of those six. Unless there are higher-owned options available with better matchups, go with Atlanta.”
– Elisha Twerski (FantasyPros)

“The Packers will be the defense everyone is rushing to get off the wire. What more could you want? They’re a massive home favorite going against Dwayne Haskins, who’s been a gift for opposing defenses. The Redskins’ offensive line is not good, as they’ve allowed at least three sacks in nine of their last 10 games, including four-plus sacks in six of them. During that 10-game stretch, they also turned the ball over 17 times. The only defenses that didn’t finish as a top-12 DST option were the helpless Dolphins and the Panthers (last week). The Packers themselves have generated three-plus sacks in five of their games, so we know they’ll bring the pressure to the young quarterback.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“I’m all in on the Colts’ D/ST this week as my top streamer. It is essentially a free spot with Jameis Winston opposing them, so you can be sure you are getting multiple turnovers. Not only that, but Indianapolis has racked up 32 sacks on the season and hasn’t allowed more than 25 points once since Week 1. They will easily be within my top five D/STs this week.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

“The Titans’ defense is coming off a three-turnover, three-sack performance against the Colts and now takes on a Raiders defense that scored a combined 12 points in their last two outings. Fire up Tennessee as they look to stay in the AFC Wild Card race and push the Texans for a division title.”
– Bill Enright (FFChamps)

Thank you to the experts for naming their top waiver targets. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.

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