TOFFG Playoff Tips

You're in the playoffs (or you're not, and want to read this for fun). Congratulations! Now, here's my tips for winning your league's championship.

Now, take everything I say below in the context of your own team. You got here because you did something right. In the end, it’s your fantasy team. So go do what you’re good at. Good luck.

Grab Your Handcuffs

You’ve been working with a full bench all year, plugging in players for bye-weeks and trucking along based on matchups. By this point, you know who your weekly starters are. There are no more byes – only playoffs. Therefore, the only players on your roster should be 1) Players you will start during the playoffs, and 2) the handcuffs to your studs. Depth is always useful, but you should only keep that extra WR because he’s the best non-starter you have, or because he has a rockin’ matchup in Week 16. This means saying goodbye to players like Trent Richardson and Reuben Randle (if you haven’t already). You will not start them if you want to win. If you have Jamaal Charles, drop Trent and grab Knile Davis. If you have Matt Forte, drop Randle and grab Ka’Deem Carey. Here’s a handy-dandy handcuff list:

Jamaal Charlesà	Knile Davis
Matt Forteà	Ka’Deem Carey
Frank Goreà	Carlos Hyde
Eddie Lacyà	James Starks
Marshawn Lynchà	Robert Turbin
DeMarco Murrayà	Joseph Randle

Start Your Studs

Someone asked me this week – “Should I start Russell Wilson over Andrew Luck?” I gave them a blank stare, and responded “Are you kidding me? Of course not. This is the fantasy playoffs, and you rode Andrew Luck to this point. Don’t get cute.” Sure, Wilson’s matchup against Philly may look nice on paper (calling an upset there, by the way. Philly’s eyes are on the prize) but it’s Andrew Luck.

You start your Le’Veon Bells, Calvin Johnsons, and Jimmy Grahams, no matter the matchup. You may get burned. But at least you won’t look like an idiot for it.

Don't Overreact

If a scrub has a huge day, remember: he’s a scrub. We all ran to waivers to grab Jonas Gray two weeks ago. Guess what? He’s had one single touch since then. ONE. Doug Martin had a good day this past week. News flash: You’re not starting Doug Martin in your fantasy playoffs if you want to win. The takeaway here is that some unknown players will explode during these weeks. That doesn’t mean that they’re legit, nor does it mean they’ll be consistent. You know which players got you here, and there’s a reason you start them.

Side note: Why did so many people rush out and grab Ray Rice? He’s not even signed to a team yet. Assuming he is signed and active this Sunday (LONG SHOT), you’re not starting him in his first game back. And if he does well, you’re not starting him in his second game back (he has to prove he’s consistent). So, the earliest you start him is in Week 16 or 17… and do you want your championship riding on the back of a player who hasn’t played a snap since last year? NO. THE ANSWER IS NO.

Look Ahead

If you have the roster space (and you will – see the first tip) you can look ahead for good defense and kicker matchups. Yes, people normally say “Kickers? Defenses? We don’t draft them till the last rounds! They’re useless!” Tell that to someone who got 20 points from his defense and 15 from his kicker… and beat you because of it. Look ahead, folks.