As long as you are in
For the majority of Fantasy Leagues there are only 3 games left until the Playoffs. With the kind of injury filled, high scoring rookies, and unpredictable Quarterback play we’ve had this season. There’s a very good chance that a record of 7-6 can get you into the playoffs of your league. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you had an average Season either. I expect there to be some powerhouse Fantasy teams at 7-6. Once you are in the Playoffs, winning is more about selecting the correct Players each week. Sounds obvious but it isn’t.
The hard choices
During the Regular Season you’ll hear Fantasy analysts constantly tell you to roll with your high draft pick Players. I’d tell you to avoid overthinking things. Keep it simple. If Todd Gurley is on your Fantasy Team just play him. Well things can be very different in the Playoffs. What if Todd Gurley is against the division rival Seattle Seahawks? The Seahawks excel at stopping the run. If you also have Adrian Peterson on your bench, and he’s facing the San Francisco 49ers. A team he scorched for over 100 yards earlier in the Season. The choice should be Adrian Peterson. His potential ceiling is much higher that week.
Don’t ignore your Defence
Quite a few Fantasy Managers will draft a strong Defence in the 11th or 12th Round, and just roll with them all Season. Well that’s a fine Strategy during the Regular Season. In the Playoffs though, things get a little different. For Managers that already stream Defences you know what I’m talking about. You want the best possible Defence against the worst possible Offence each week. I’ll try to hold on to a high waiver position entering the Playoffs so I can grab that Defence that’s playing against a troubled Offence. This year the teams I’m hoping to take advantage of are the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Green Bay Packers. The Giants Offence is totally hindered by injuries. The other three teams have serious issues at Quarterback. Find the right Defence against any of those teams, and they could end up as one of your top 3 scoring Players on your Fantasy Team that week.
Winter is not your friend
Something that I have noticed over the years that so many Fantasy Managers ignore during the Playoffs is the effects of weather on your Fantasy Players. A little snow can ruin your quick cut Running Back’s day. Your Quarterback that creates plays by escaping the pocket could be in big trouble if the field is slick. Their are top tier Wide Receivers that are known to have issues catching balls in the cold. You need to be aware of these situations. I know we rarely think about our Kicker’s impact. Trust me, you will when your Kicker finishes with negative points because you started him against Buffalo during a snow storm. During the Playoffs I try to start Players who are scheduled to play in a dome, or somewhere down south. I don’t have to worry about a sudden storm, or temperature drop that reduces the chances of having a decent game to below zero.
Add depth
Nobody in the NFL likes to admit this, but there can be some intentionally vicious play in the final few weeks of the NFL Season. During the Fantasy Playoffs NFL teams will face off that have the potential to face each other again in the upcoming Playoffs. Statistically the greatest number of injuries happen during the first three weeks of the NFL Season. The second largest number of injuries happen during the last three weeks of the Regular Season. The NFL will sugar-coat it by saying that the grueling regular season takes it’s toll, and Players just break down. Watch the key matchups with Playoff implications, and pay close attention to the late hits, head hunting, and low tackles. One leg injury, or key Player knocked into concussion protocol could mean the difference between playing for a division Championship, or ending up as a wild card team. Take a good look at your roster, and figure out which skill position would handicap you the most if a Player went down. Do yourself a favour, and either pick up a serviceable Player as a backup, or make a trade right now for a potential Starter in case your guy gets injured. Don’t wait for an injury to happen. Cause when it does, your Competitors will be far less likely to make a deal.
Good luck in the Playoffs!
