If you only have one or two losses at this point, you’re simply just fine tuning the roster for the gold. But if you’re at the bottom of the standings looking up, your probably more interested in what David Beckham and Posh Spice’s next move is after winning the MLS CUP this past Sunday than you are in this Weeks 12 games.
Then… there’s the rest of us! Fantasy owners whose teams sit in the middle of the pack. Our playoff hopes on the cusp the next few weeks. The difference being maybe an extra digit in the big grand prize verses getting your money back or that fantasy football trophy that gets past around among friends every season.
So now till the beginning of Week 14 on Dec. 7, the reality is it’s time for the players to separate themselves from the wannabees, shift gears from the week-to-week waiver wire grind into full playoff-prep mode. Some of us are trying to hold onto a playoff seed, while others sit on the fringe looking for that final postseason push. Whatever your situation, there are several steps you need to take now.
PLAN EVERY WEEK’S LINEUP NOW
Sounds hardcore, right? Well it is! We’re trying to give yourself the best opportunity to extend your season – have a shot at the big prize come the end of December! And not sitting with the family at the table talking about crazy uncle Bobs latest adventures sipping eggnog. Starting with this Week 12 and working through Week 16 – when most leagues’ championship games occur – create a rough draft of your fantasy lineup for each week. Include matchups, injuries and weather in your initial plan. I want to know, for example, if Janikowski will be braving the elements and swirling winds in Buffalo or playing “Words With Friends” till its time to kick a field goal inside the dome in New Orleans. Or if that Josh Freeman will be throwing in sunny Florida at home or Philip Rivers will be freezing Sunday night in Green Bay. Every hundredth of a point can mean the difference at this point.
RID YOUR ROSTER OF DEAD WEIGHT
Everyone has done this. Held on to your stud because they haven’t been placed on injured reserve (IR) and hope that there would still a chance they could return late in the season? Now is the time to do your research and know which players are acceptable to waive and which could still help you in the next few weeks to the promise land!
Taking the previous step of planning every week’s roster will help if you’re forced to decide between waiving one of two players who both are injured and could return in later weeks. At this point you will know which players have the most favorable schedules. Sometimes you need to keep the player who will help you get into the playoffs first, even if the other player can give you better numbers in the playoffs – in other words, prioritize the short-term over the long term.
On the other hand, a player like Matt Hasselbeck (if he’s not ruled out) may need to stay on your roster for what he might be able to do for you in the long-term. With favorable match ups, Home game versus New Orleans wk 14 and @ Indianapolis Wk 15 and then back home Wk 16 against Jacksonville.
SELL HIGH
Trade deadlines are approaching in most leagues. Now is the time to pinpoint whether any of the players on your team who have average-to-high value but difficult remaining schedules would be better served as bargaining chips. Example, Bolts wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Hit and Miss kinda player just had a great game! Brings up his value in trade for me to fill in my other positions. Since I have depth in the WR position and his match ups in my Playoff weeks 15(Baltimore)/16(Detroit) are less than favorable for my championship run. I now have him on my trading block and the guy that is looking for short term in the WR slot could make out and hopefully I meet him in either weeks 15 or 16 when he did not plan a head. *insert evil laugh*
SNAG FREE AGENTS ON THE RISE WITH GREAT FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCH UPS
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati (42%)
It’s tough to draw a conclusion from Dalton’s performance against Baltimore on Sunday. Going for 350+ yards without his best receiver but three INTs. Still, Dalton now has multiple TDs in six of his last seven games.
His short-term schedule isn’t great with Cleveland coming to town with this state battle and Cleveland isn’t as bad as you may think against the pass. Pittsburgh, and Houston in the next three weeks, but fantasy playoff match ups against St. Louis and Arizona make him worth stashing.
Matt Moore , Miami (8%)
The Dolphins no longer going for Luck Lottery, and Moore is a big reason why. After tossing a few touchdowns passes on Sunday, he now has a handful of TDs during Miami’s three-game winning streak. While going over 70 percent of his passes over that span, full of confidence heading into a Turkey Day match up with Dallas. The Cowboys have been tough against opposing QBs at home, but Moore plays a friendly Oakland defense in Week 13 and has favorable match ups with Buffalo and New England during the fantasy playoffs.
MAKE SURE YOUR OPPONENTS HEAR YOUR FOOTSTEPS
Trash Talk and do lots of it! Fantasy smack talk, trash-talk…whatever you call it, when you play fantasy football for as long as I have you’ll realize that trash talk skills are directly related to fantasy football skills. Smack also adds to the fun!
Send him/her a YouTube clip of their kicker or stud choking in the clutch. Forward screenshots from your fantasy championship last season to remind foes of your previous triumphs. My favorite, Propose ridiculous trades all week to the owners you’re chasing, yes they will turn down every trade they’ll have your team and playoff motivations in the back of their mind, along with every email notification sent to their smartphone every hour!
And.. Never say you’re sorry! It doesn’t happen that often, but when I get a negative reaction I just remind myself that the forum is for talking trash. Sometimes you cross the line. But hey!..Stuff happens, they will get over it.
Have a great playoff run!
