So you lost in the first round of the playoffs.
It's ok. You can't win them all.
But just because you aren't playing for a title anymore doesn't mean you can't play for pride.
Third place is better than making the playoffs and losing out. Plus, in a lot of money leagues, third place could mean your season ends with (at the very least) your money back.
So there's still a lot of incentive to play in your third place game if you've failed to make your championship game.
Then there's games that keep you out of the league's cellar.
One of the most devilish trends in fantasy football is punishing the league's loser for finishing in last place. Some of the punishments range from slight indignity, to complete and utter humiliation. I've seen a league that required the loser to get an embarrassing tattoo on their upper thighs. I've seen a league that required the loser to recreate a music video (they picked Sia's Chandelier this year if you haven't seen it yet).
So while winning might give you some pride, not losing might save you from a good deal of shame/heckling from the other members of the league.
Finally, most importantly, there's the big one. The championship game. If your team made it this far, congrats! Now you have to clear the final hurdle standing in your way to fantasy glory.
As for me, with no teams winning in the playoffs, I was left solely playing for pride, with mixed results.
I finished in third place in my family league thanks to big days by Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill and San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.
I also look like I will avoid finishing in last place in the Rambler Sports Locker league, thanks to a big comeback from San Diego Chargers' quarterback Phillip Rivers.
Unfortunately, that's where the luck runs out.
I lost a game by a point and a half in a PPR league, to finish eighth and dead last among playoff teams.
I also followed up my .16 point loss with a five point loss in the same league. Bengals' wide receiver A.J. Green was injured on the second series of the game and netted zero points for my team.
I'm trailing in my other two leagues by 12 and 20 points, respectively.
While I may have finished in the playoffs in four leagues, it looks like my ceiling for this year is a disappointing third place. Oh well.
In the championships and need last minute advice? Finish with a disappointing season? I want to hear about it! Email me at 14tange14@gmail.com!
Nick's Waiver Wire picks of the Week:
Note: Many fantasy championships are already over, but if you're playing in week 17, these players could help put you over the top. Only play them if you're desperate, however.
1) Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver
Johnson has looked like fellow receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was supposed to be this year. Since receiving regular playing time since the Vikings' week 10 bye, Johnson has caught 23 passes for just under 400 yards and two touchdowns. This week, the Vikings take on the Chicago Bears. A team who has been both hurt and ineffective all over the defensive side of the ball this year. He's available in 83 percent of ESPN leagues, so you should be able to grab him.
2) Andre Williams, New York Giants Running Back
Williams has exploded over the last few weeks running the ball 68 times for 285 yards and a touchdown. While his reception numbers aren't as impressive, Williams will likely do well against a Philadelphia Eagles team that let the Seattle Seahawks gash them on the ground a few weeks ago. And the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. And the Washington Redskins last week. Notice a pattern? Williams will have a big day. He's available in just over 50 percent of EPSN leagues, so do what you can to get him.
3) Colts D/ST
Yes, they were just embarrassed by the Dallas Cowboys last week. Yes, they have five games this season where they have scored negative points. However, those games were not against the Tennessee Titans, the opponent the Colts will take on this week. The Titans are hopeless, helpless, and have completely fallen apart. They pose little threat to the playoff-bound Colts. The Colts Defense is available in 80 percent of leagues, so if you're desperate for a defense, this is the one to grab.
Good Luck, fantasy experts. And may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.
Merry Christmas to all! Hopefully Santa brings you a fantasy trophy this year!
It's ok. You can't win them all.
But just because you aren't playing for a title anymore doesn't mean you can't play for pride.
Third place is better than making the playoffs and losing out. Plus, in a lot of money leagues, third place could mean your season ends with (at the very least) your money back.
So there's still a lot of incentive to play in your third place game if you've failed to make your championship game.
Then there's games that keep you out of the league's cellar.
One of the most devilish trends in fantasy football is punishing the league's loser for finishing in last place. Some of the punishments range from slight indignity, to complete and utter humiliation. I've seen a league that required the loser to get an embarrassing tattoo on their upper thighs. I've seen a league that required the loser to recreate a music video (they picked Sia's Chandelier this year if you haven't seen it yet).
So while winning might give you some pride, not losing might save you from a good deal of shame/heckling from the other members of the league.
Finally, most importantly, there's the big one. The championship game. If your team made it this far, congrats! Now you have to clear the final hurdle standing in your way to fantasy glory.
As for me, with no teams winning in the playoffs, I was left solely playing for pride, with mixed results.
I finished in third place in my family league thanks to big days by Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill and San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.
I also look like I will avoid finishing in last place in the Rambler Sports Locker league, thanks to a big comeback from San Diego Chargers' quarterback Phillip Rivers.
Unfortunately, that's where the luck runs out.
I lost a game by a point and a half in a PPR league, to finish eighth and dead last among playoff teams.
I also followed up my .16 point loss with a five point loss in the same league. Bengals' wide receiver A.J. Green was injured on the second series of the game and netted zero points for my team.
I'm trailing in my other two leagues by 12 and 20 points, respectively.
While I may have finished in the playoffs in four leagues, it looks like my ceiling for this year is a disappointing third place. Oh well.
In the championships and need last minute advice? Finish with a disappointing season? I want to hear about it! Email me at 14tange14@gmail.com!
Nick's Waiver Wire picks of the Week:
Note: Many fantasy championships are already over, but if you're playing in week 17, these players could help put you over the top. Only play them if you're desperate, however.
1) Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver
Johnson has looked like fellow receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was supposed to be this year. Since receiving regular playing time since the Vikings' week 10 bye, Johnson has caught 23 passes for just under 400 yards and two touchdowns. This week, the Vikings take on the Chicago Bears. A team who has been both hurt and ineffective all over the defensive side of the ball this year. He's available in 83 percent of ESPN leagues, so you should be able to grab him.
2) Andre Williams, New York Giants Running Back
Williams has exploded over the last few weeks running the ball 68 times for 285 yards and a touchdown. While his reception numbers aren't as impressive, Williams will likely do well against a Philadelphia Eagles team that let the Seattle Seahawks gash them on the ground a few weeks ago. And the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. And the Washington Redskins last week. Notice a pattern? Williams will have a big day. He's available in just over 50 percent of EPSN leagues, so do what you can to get him.
3) Colts D/ST
Yes, they were just embarrassed by the Dallas Cowboys last week. Yes, they have five games this season where they have scored negative points. However, those games were not against the Tennessee Titans, the opponent the Colts will take on this week. The Titans are hopeless, helpless, and have completely fallen apart. They pose little threat to the playoff-bound Colts. The Colts Defense is available in 80 percent of leagues, so if you're desperate for a defense, this is the one to grab.
Good Luck, fantasy experts. And may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.
Merry Christmas to all! Hopefully Santa brings you a fantasy trophy this year!
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