The fantasy playoffs are closer than you think. Your opponents are not giving them any thought right now which is exactly why you should be.
You are in one of three positions about now. Dominating and cruising for the playoffs, on the bubble and fighting hard to make the playoffs or done and out.
If you are in the last category I suggest you bone up on earlier posts and join more leagues next year.
If you are fighting for your life, read through this briefly and see if you have a glaring liability that you can fix without affecting by even a point your strategy over the next few weeks as that is what you need to be focusing on.
If you are in the dominating and cruising category then its time to get to work. A classic fantasy mistake is when an owner dominates the regular season and fills the league boards up with a bunch of smack talk. Next thing you know they loose as the top seed in the first round of the playoffs because Manning sat after the first quarter and Pittsburgh’s second string defense gives up 35 because their second string offense can’t keep them off the field very long.
Don’t make this mistake. You are in the driver seat and you should use it to your advantage. Its time to look at the playoff weeks to find weaknesses and plug them up. It varies by league but we will say the playoffs are weeks 14-17.
Lets first identify games that could spell trouble:
WEEK 14
Oak @ GB: If I were Favre’s coach and was able to maintain a 2 game lead in the division, I’m fighting for home field advantage but as soon as I get a decent lead I’m protecting my QB and honing my running game.
Ind @ Bal: Lets face it, things may change in the next few weeks but 10 points looks like an unsurmountable lead against Baltimore right now. Manning may be hitting the showers early
WEEK 15
GB @ StL: Ditto wk 14 for Favre
NYJ @ NE: This could be over in the first quarter.
Ind @ Oak: The one saving grace is that Manning may need to work on timing with Harrison but more likely these guys will be back in sync after 1 quarter rather than a couple games
WEEK 16
Pit @ StL: It’s a Thursday game and starters like Roethlisberger and Parker may get some rest early for the short week.
Dal @ Car: This may be over early and I can’t even tell you who Dallas’ backup QB is. Maybe they need some snaps?
Miami @ NE: The big question mark, will NE still be undefeated. If so then look for NE to score 100 after Shula’s remarks about spygate. If they have a loss then be nervous about owning Brady or Moss. I am.
WEEK 17
NE @ NYG: It all comes down to the Pats record before this game starts.
Pit @ Bal: The Steelers already have their revenge statement game, this could be a second stringer bowl.
Ok you identified some week spots and potential liabilities. Strike now before the trade deadline to get a guy or two who will win you the championship.
The Opportunities: These are people you can actually get right now that may have a decent week when you need them to.
WEEK 14
Car @ Jac: The Jags will be in the wild card hunt and Garrard should be healthy. Jones Drew is probably already to valuable to pick up.
Mia @ Buf: Marshawn Lynch or maybe even LP Losman will be a good bet this week but you could probably just pick up Buffalo’s defense
NO @ Atl: The Saints are hit or miss but I’d look for them to hit on this week
WEEK 15
Bal @ Mia: Someone has to do well in this game. Either Defense could have a big game as could Kyle Boller….Thats right, I’m a gambler with a crystal ball.
Buf @ Cle: No news flash here but Cleveland’s offense is good and they are going to be fighting for a wildcard from here in. I think this is the most dangerous second tier team in the AFC. Trade for who you can get
Sea @ Car: I have a feeling that this will be a must win for the Seahawks. If they keep throwing, look for Alexander to get on track about here. Mr Alexander can probably be gotten pretty cheaply right now.
WEEK 16
Oak @ Jac: the Jags will be fighting for wildcard home field and JaMarcus Russell will be in there by then. A good day to own a Jag.
Bal @ Sea: The Hawks are huge at home and will need this win. Lots of running the ball after an early lead. I may try to trade for Alexander after I’m done writing here.
NYJ @ Ten: Titans will be in the wild card hunt and the Jets will have a young QB on the road against a tough defense.
TB @ SF: Writing this the day after watching the Niners get spanked on Monday night I have to say that lack of offensive talent is not the primary problem here, coaching is. I have not seen them play a lot this year but the game last night was one of the worst coached games I’ve witnessed in a long time. Given that and the fact that the Bucs will be in the hunt, pick up some Bucs.
WEEK 17
Car @ TB: I feel for Carolina but they have issues right now. Despite Vinny coming home look for big things from the guys in red. Thats right Vinny red, not orange.
Cin @ Mia: Could this be the week that Cincinnati explodes. You probably can’t get any of their offense but if you could.
SD @ Oak: The Chargers will probably need this win. Despite this I would not go after Rivers as I personally believe he has career backup written all over him.
KC @ NYJ: If you can’t find any other QB worth a damn, pick up Brodie Croyle for Herm Edwards’ return to the big apple.
Good luck and starting clearing a place for your trophy.
-Chris
