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| Daniel Brown - USA Today Sports |
Author: Will Kay
Tips for Fantasy
Football Playoff Success
If your vast football knowledge has paid off and taken you
into the championship bracket of your fantasy league the time for trying
something new or taking a chance on a certain player is over. It’s time to
buckle down, go with what works and keep your eyes on the prize, be it bragging
rights, cash or both. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips to
successfully bring it home over the next two to three weeks.
Pay Attention to the
Exception of the Above Rule
Yes, directly above this point, I told you to go with the
guys who got you to the playoffs, but there is an exception, defense. At this
time of year, this should be a strictly match-up based play. Just because
Minnesota or Denver got you to the playoffs, that doesn’t mean you need to
start them (although the Vikings do play the Jaguars in week 14) With turnovers
and touchdowns being the key ways for your defense to score points, look for
defenses playing the Browns, Bears or Chargers. These are some of the league
leading teams in turnovers. Case in point, despite not having a great defense,
the Bengals have the second-ranked fantasy defense in week 14
because they play the Browns.
Dance With Who
Brought You
When you look at your roster, even if you like a certain
match-up, maybe Mike Evans looks tempting against the Saints
defense, it is important to stick with the guys who have brought you the
victories thus far. It’s tempting to play a match-up game here, but as the real
life players help their teams battle for playoff positions, they are likely to
be your fantasy studs too. You obviously would never sit Mike Evans under any
healthy circumstances, but you get the point - play your top guys.
Pay Attention to
Injury Updates
While it was ok to roll with a guy who had a “questionable”
designation and assume he would play during the regular season, this isn’t a
trend to continue for the playoffs. For instance, if you have LeSean McCoy or
Jordan Reed, you need to make sure they are going to play before you commit to
them in your lineup. It is also important to pay attention to your opponent’s potential
injury issues. If one of his top players could be out, see who the handcuff is
and pick him up before your opponent can. Even if you don’t start him, you’ll
keep your opponent from doing so. You should have plenty of room on your bench
to do this because you have certain players you know won’t crack the lineup now
and you can cut them.
Pay Attention to Your
League Schedule
Most playoffs will
wrap up over the next 2-3 weeks, but if your league goes into week 17, your
strategies could change. Here are some good tips if your league is one of the
few that plays into week 17.
In addition to these tips, here are some good waiver wire pickups (and players to
avoid) as the playoffs get underway. Following these tips and others, will
hopefully leave you in good position to claim your league’s championship and
months-worth of bragging rights. However, if you are looking for that little
extra edge, you could always try the sixth tip suggested here. While there is
no scientific basis for it, it has worked for some people.
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