If you’re new to DraftKings, or maybe even just new to the Best Ball format, this is one of the most unique ways to get in on the action during the NFL Playoffs. Unlike standard fantasy football, where you draft a team that you can manage throughout the entire season, DraftKings NFL Playoff Best Ball is all about the draft. Once your team of 12 players has been selected, that’s it. In this NFL Playoff Best Ball guide, we’ll help you better understand scoring, roster strategy and beginner mistakes to avoid.
Along with this guide, visit DraftKings Network for daily advice for fantasy and sports betting.
What is NFL Playoff Best Ball?
Before we get into what specifically NFL Playoff Best Ball is on DraftKings, we need to make sure everyone understands what Best Ball is in general. In Best Ball contests, participants select a lineup via a live snake draft and contests last multiple weeks. After the draft there are no trades or roster management. Instead, each week your highest scoring players are automatically your starting lineup and count toward your team’s overall fantasy point total.
The biggest difference between Best Ball in the NFL’s regular season and in the playoffs is roster size. For NFL Playoff Best Ball, lineups consist of 12 players and must include players from at least two different NFL teams. Each week you will have six starting players and six bench players. Your optimum lineup will include one quarterback, one running back, two wide receivers, one tight end and one FLEX player that is the highest-scoring RB, WR or TE left on your bench.
DraftKings NFL Playoff Best Ball Scoring
| Offense | Points |
|---|---|
| Passing TD | +4 Pts |
| 25 Passing Yards | +1 Pt (0.04 Pts/Yard) |
| 300+ Yard Passing Game | +3 Pts |
| Interception | -1 Pts |
| Rushing TD | +6 Pts |
| 10 Rushing Yards | +1 Pt (0.1 Pts/Yard) |
| 100+ Receiving Yard Game | +3 Pts |
| Reception | +1 Pt |
| Receiving TD | +6 Pts |
| Offense | Points |
|---|---|
| 10 Receiving Yards | +1 Pt (0.1 Pts/Yard) |
| 100+ Yard Receiving Game | +3 Pts |
| Punt/Kickoff/Field Goal Return TD | +6 Pts |
| Fumble Lost | -1 Pt |
| 2 Pt Conversion (Run, Pass, or Catch) | +2 Pts |
| Offensive Fumble Recovery TD | +6 Pts |
NFL Playoff Best Ball Tournament Schedule
| Round | |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | NFL Wild Card Playoff Games |
| Round 2 | NFL Divisional Round Playoff Games |
| Round 3 | NFL Conference Championship Playoff Games |
| Round 4 | Super Bowl |
At the end of each round, a specified number of entrants from each contest advances based on their placement in the contest standings. Each tournament will have specified contest sizes for each round, number of advancing entries per contest for each round, and maximum number of Round 1 contests you can enter.
Advancing entries are randomly matched up against other advancing entries in Round 2 through Round 4. If you have multiple entries advancing in a Tournament, we will avoid matching you up against yourself, whenever possible.
Advancing entries keep the same lineup they drafted during Round 1. There is no redrafting between any rounds.
Beginner NFL Playoff Best Ball Strategy
If you want to draft better lineups, these DraftKings NFL Playoff Best Ball tips can help:
- Stacking – Stacking is always crucial in DFS, but it’s of even greater importance in NFL Playoff Best Ball, where the player pool changes each week as teams are eliminated from the postseason. More than anything else, NFL Playoff Best Ball is about survival. Stacking multiple players from one team is obviously a risk, but if that team makes it all the way to the Super Bowl, you’ll be happy you did.
- Correlated Drafting – As mentioned above, NFL Playoff Best Ball is a unique challenge in that teams are being eliminated from contention during the span of the multi-week contest. As such, you’ll have to draft with wins and losses in mind. For example, it wouldn’t make much sense to select a bunch of players from two teams facing-off with each other in the Wild Card round, as one of those teams has to lose — ensuring your roster will shrink. In the same vein, drafting a roster entirely made up of players from a single conference would also lessen the likelihood of being able to produce a full-lineup in Round 4 of Best Ball tournaments. Make your own playoff predictions and draft according to that narrative.
- Shoot For Upside – NFL Playoff Best Ball is not a time to be timid. Drafting a “safe” roster that represents many different teams might get you through Round 1, but it won’t leave you with enough players to have a serious chance of competing in Round 3 or Round 4. If you’re drafting around the idea that the Bills are finally going to make it to the Super Bowl, take Josh Allen and don’t waste any other picks on a QB. Take swings.
Teams in the NFL Playoff Best Ball Player Pool
- New England Patriots
- Buffalo Bills
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Houston Texans
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Seattle Seahawks
- San Francisco 49ers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Carolina Panthers
How to Get Started with DraftKings NFL Playoff Best Ball
- Sign up on DraftKings – New users often get a deposit bonus.
- Draft Your Lineup – Use player projections, matchup research and advice from DraftKings Network.
- Enter & Watch – Follow your lineup live and enjoy the thrill of daily fantasy.
Useful DraftKings Resources to Help Your Lineup Building
- DraftKings Network – DFS, Sports Betting and daily news information and advice, specifically tailored for DraftKings.
- DraftKings Stats Hub – Updated betting trends, matchups, stats, and much, much more for every game of the NFL postseason.
