HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Brock Osweiler #17 of the Houston Texans celebrates as he walks off of the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on October 16, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

It’s playoff time for fantasy football, but that doesn’t mean you should stop the search for sleepers in trying to gain an edge over your opponent, or stash a decent player during your first-round bye as you make a run for glory in your league.

With bye weeks now in the rearview mirror, there are plenty of options to choose from in the deepest talent pool since Week 4 for owners to scour for a potential impact contributor when it matters most. This week’s column once again looks at five players still available in many leagues that owners need to consider for their playoff matchups this Sunday.

Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans

If you have a tough Week 14 matchup with your usual starting quarterback, there are luckily a few options on the waiver wire who could present better upside than some of the household names. Brock Osweiler is one of those quarterbacks who can be had off the wire with the right set of circumstances to see a considerable uptick in production.

Osweiler’s first season with the Texans has yet to have a true offensive explosion from the former Broncos passer, but the Indianapolis Colts did concede 269 yards along with two touchdowns in their first meeting in Week 6. With 202 yards and two touchdowns in winter conditions during a loss on the road to the Packers last week, there is a lot to like with Osweiler in a rematch against a suspect Colts secondary, playing in a dome. If you prefer to avoid tough matchups and weather concerns in the fantasy playoffs, Osweiler is a safe waiver wire option that should be the best available name this week.

Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos

If you can’t land Osweiler for some reason and still need a quarterback off the wire, his replacement in Denver is the next best sleeper option. Siemian’s similarly favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans secondary will provide a second quarterback for owners to ponder if they feel the need to make the switch before Sunday’s play begins.

Siemian sat out last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an injury after his career-best 368 yards and three touchdowns on against the stingy Kansas City Chiefs secondary. If he returns as expected to take on the Titans on the road, it is very tempting to gamble on Siemian replicating his performance from Week 12 before he was injured.

Due to Siemian’s questionable status, it is best to wait until Sunday before you pull the trigger. However, if healthy enough to start, he should have another successful outing to continue his streak of four straight starts with at least 250 passing yards. Siemian also has thrown seven touchdowns during that span, which should make owners feel safer in taking a chance on a passer who had a shaky start to his first season under center with the Broncos.

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

About Chase Ruttig

Chase Ruttig is a Canadian sportswriter who covers North American sports for various outlets.