One of my favorite things about the NFL around this time is looking at playoff scenarios. ESPN has a "Playoff Predictor" feature that allows anyone to predict the rest of the NFL season and see what teams would make the playoffs if what you predicted played out.
I LOVE the Playoff Predictor. Last season, when the Jacksonville Jaguars started 1-9, but won three straight games in a week AFC, there was still a solid chance that the team could make the playoffs. The list was rather long, but it was entirely possible for it to happen. The Jags went on to lose their last three games, but it was still an entertaining thought while it was still possible.
For me, the same love for predicting the playoffs in the actual NFL carries over to fantasy football.
Also for me, many of my playoff hopes and dreams rely on some of these precarious situations that need to play out for me to make the playoffs.
I went 5-1 last week. It was a good week in which I was desperate for wins.
In standard leagues, the top four teams make the playoffs. Luckily for me, I'm currently in two leagues where the top six or top eight teams will advance.
In those leagues, a win will get me in where a loss will likely send me home. One of those leagues will see me taking on one of the worst teams in the league. Unfortunately, the other league will have me playing against the second-best team. I'm feeling confident about those two leagues, but with my luck, I'll probably lose at least one of those games.
I've locked up a spot in my family league, despite benching Rodgers two weeks ago in that brutal loss.
I've been eliminated in the league I was fortunate enough to draft Adrian Peterson with my number two overall pick. Honestly I'm surprised I managed a 5-7 record with no first-round pick after week two.
Now is where things get interesting.
In my 12-team standard league, I am 7-5 after starting 5-2. Even with this recent slump, if I win this week, and another team loses, I will make the playoffs. If I lose or the other team wins, I'll be on the outside looking in.
The biggest stretch for me to get into the playoffs is in my money league. I'm currently 6-6 and in sixth place. This week, I play the team that's in fifth place. I hold the tiebreaker over the team in fourth place. In order to lock up a playoff spot, I need to win AND the team in fourth needs to lose. Unfortunately, the team in fourth is playing a two-win team that I don't think has updated his team since week three.
It's going to take an absolute miracle on par with the miracle needed to get the Jaguars into the playoffs last year.
We'll see how it all plays out over the next few weeks, but I think it's safe to say that I'll likely miss out on the playoffs in around half of my six leagues.
Are you on the fringe of the playoffs? Have you locked up your spot? Out indefinitely? Let me hear about it! Email me at 14tange14@gmail.com! I promise a response!
Nick's Waiver Wire Picks of the Week:
1) LeGarrette Blount, New England Running Back
Man things change quickly when Bill Belichick is in charge. One minute, Jonas Gray is running for four touchdowns against the Colts, the next moment, Gray doesn't get a single touch against the Lions. Apparently, Gray was five minutes late to a team meeting earlier in the week. Enter LeGarrette Blount. Blount was released from the Steelers two weeks ago after becoming angry with the Steelers organization for not giving him touches. The Patriots gave him plenty: 12 rushes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in his first game with the team. Available in 80 percent of leagues, Blount looks like he will be the feature back in the Patriots running game going forward.
2) Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars Tight End
I know in a lot of my leagues, tight end is a thin position. Marcedes Lewis could be a good fill-in. Lewis was on short-term injured reserve, and missed ten weeks. Lewis was back last week and had a less-than-exciting performance against the Colts. However, with a favorable schedule coming up, Lewis might be in line to see more targets and reception. If you're desperate, he's available in 83 percent of leagues.
3) Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders Running Back
Murray exploded onto the scene with two touchdowns and 112 yards in Oakland's first victory of the season. While he did sustain a concussion, if he returns, it's hard to believe the Raiders won't give Murray the opportunity to improve upon such a dominating performance. He's around 90 percent of leagues so pick him up if you need a running back.
Good luck fantasy experts! and may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.
And Happy Thanksgiving! Remember that there are three great games, so remember to set your lineups early!
I LOVE the Playoff Predictor. Last season, when the Jacksonville Jaguars started 1-9, but won three straight games in a week AFC, there was still a solid chance that the team could make the playoffs. The list was rather long, but it was entirely possible for it to happen. The Jags went on to lose their last three games, but it was still an entertaining thought while it was still possible.
For me, the same love for predicting the playoffs in the actual NFL carries over to fantasy football.
Also for me, many of my playoff hopes and dreams rely on some of these precarious situations that need to play out for me to make the playoffs.
I went 5-1 last week. It was a good week in which I was desperate for wins.
In standard leagues, the top four teams make the playoffs. Luckily for me, I'm currently in two leagues where the top six or top eight teams will advance.
In those leagues, a win will get me in where a loss will likely send me home. One of those leagues will see me taking on one of the worst teams in the league. Unfortunately, the other league will have me playing against the second-best team. I'm feeling confident about those two leagues, but with my luck, I'll probably lose at least one of those games.
I've locked up a spot in my family league, despite benching Rodgers two weeks ago in that brutal loss.
I've been eliminated in the league I was fortunate enough to draft Adrian Peterson with my number two overall pick. Honestly I'm surprised I managed a 5-7 record with no first-round pick after week two.
Now is where things get interesting.
In my 12-team standard league, I am 7-5 after starting 5-2. Even with this recent slump, if I win this week, and another team loses, I will make the playoffs. If I lose or the other team wins, I'll be on the outside looking in.
The biggest stretch for me to get into the playoffs is in my money league. I'm currently 6-6 and in sixth place. This week, I play the team that's in fifth place. I hold the tiebreaker over the team in fourth place. In order to lock up a playoff spot, I need to win AND the team in fourth needs to lose. Unfortunately, the team in fourth is playing a two-win team that I don't think has updated his team since week three.
It's going to take an absolute miracle on par with the miracle needed to get the Jaguars into the playoffs last year.
We'll see how it all plays out over the next few weeks, but I think it's safe to say that I'll likely miss out on the playoffs in around half of my six leagues.
Are you on the fringe of the playoffs? Have you locked up your spot? Out indefinitely? Let me hear about it! Email me at 14tange14@gmail.com! I promise a response!
Nick's Waiver Wire Picks of the Week:
1) LeGarrette Blount, New England Running Back
Man things change quickly when Bill Belichick is in charge. One minute, Jonas Gray is running for four touchdowns against the Colts, the next moment, Gray doesn't get a single touch against the Lions. Apparently, Gray was five minutes late to a team meeting earlier in the week. Enter LeGarrette Blount. Blount was released from the Steelers two weeks ago after becoming angry with the Steelers organization for not giving him touches. The Patriots gave him plenty: 12 rushes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in his first game with the team. Available in 80 percent of leagues, Blount looks like he will be the feature back in the Patriots running game going forward.
2) Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars Tight End
I know in a lot of my leagues, tight end is a thin position. Marcedes Lewis could be a good fill-in. Lewis was on short-term injured reserve, and missed ten weeks. Lewis was back last week and had a less-than-exciting performance against the Colts. However, with a favorable schedule coming up, Lewis might be in line to see more targets and reception. If you're desperate, he's available in 83 percent of leagues.
3) Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders Running Back
Murray exploded onto the scene with two touchdowns and 112 yards in Oakland's first victory of the season. While he did sustain a concussion, if he returns, it's hard to believe the Raiders won't give Murray the opportunity to improve upon such a dominating performance. He's around 90 percent of leagues so pick him up if you need a running back.
Good luck fantasy experts! and may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.
And Happy Thanksgiving! Remember that there are three great games, so remember to set your lineups early!
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