We are heading into week 11 of the fantasy season with playoffs on the horizon. This article will go into detail of different scenarios you may be in as we inch closer to the playoffs.
If you are out of playoff contention: Don’t give up. The pure enjoyment of knocking out a fellow owner from making the playoffs is something you can smack talk all offseason.
If you are in the playoff already:
- Handcuffs are our best friends: This is the time of year where you need to protect yourself. The worst thing that could happen is that your studs get hurt before the playoffs begin. To add to that already pain, you’re fighting with other owners to obtain those new starters. Save yourself the headaches and go grab those players now. Also, it could be in your benefit to grab handcuffs of studs that aren’t yours too. There is nothing better than going after a possible back up studs to put at the end of your bench and then injuries happen.
- Look into playoff matchups: This is especially for defense because the best thing to do is to grab defenses who play the worst offenses from weeks 14 to 16. Usually having two defenses isn’t the best strategy for the season but during the playoffs, it’s a very smart one to do. This can be a benefit for non-defenses too. Take a look at another article we have at Belly up sports about the best playoff matchups for every position.
- Don’t be scared to look into some trades: If you are locked in for the playoffs then don’t be afraid to look into some trades too. Just because your current team got you into the playoff doesn’t mean you have to stick with them. Yes, usually being this the position are in means you have some great players already but feel out your league. If other owners are struggling to make that playoff push and trade could help benefit both parties then why not make it especially if yours is the better side. Also, situations do change all the time as injuries do happen. Say your stud receiver loses their quarterback or your running back has a brutal schedule. You always have to do what is right for your team.
- .Master the waivers before playoffs happen: Depending on how your league is made you could be in an FAAB or a waiver priority system. There are many ways to play the game as for FAAB. You could save your money for a stud to emerge or use it and block someone else from getting player that could help them. The same can go for top waiver priority as well. You might think this is a douche move but it isn’t. You’re playing a smart game so that if those teams are trying to make it to the playoffs then you won’t have to face against those players.
If you are outside and looking to get in:
- Look to make a splash: You could be “technically” in the playoffs or on the outside looking to make it in. Basically you may not have your best team to make that run in the playoffs. That’s okay because now is the time to make a splash. If you are stacked at one position but weak at another then go talk to some owners and get a deal done. You don’t have time now to brag about you have great depth if you can’t win with your starting lineup. Go do a two for one and improve your starting lineup for now and for a playoff run.
- Pay close attention to waivers: The main reason to pay attention to waivers is that you need to find the right matchups. Say your lineup for your upcoming week is all set well now it’s time to get ready for the following week too. You have to stay ahead of the curve and not be forced to have to fight it out during waivers. If you know that players have a great matchup next week then snag them right now and throw them on your bench. You have to be prepared for multiple weeks because everyone is trying to get into the playoff too. Take a look at players who may not be trending or show up at the top of their position this week because they very well could be there next week.
- It’s okay to bench your big-name players: In fantasy, sometimes you have to be able to take some risk. If big-name players aren’t performing aka Ju Ju Smith-Schuster or Odell Beckham Jr. then you have to bench them sometimes. This decision is based on who you are playing for the rest of the season. If you have a matchup where you are sure to lose then take shots and don’t play it safe. If you have a matchup where you are going to win then play it safer. It’s important to look at matchups because it might be beneficial to play an average player with good matchup then a struggling stud who had a bad one.
Whichever position you are currently in then take the advice above and use it with your own strategies and hopefully lead you to a championship. For more like this check out all the fantasy football articles with Belly Up Sports.
