You did it! You made the playoffs!
You drafted with the knowledge of an expert. You pulled off a trade not even an NFL General Manager could make. You fought your way through the regular season, and emerged as a favorite to win the league.
And last week your team blew it.
Your star player suffered a minor injury.
You left a player on the bench that had a career day.
Your last minute waiver wire pickup busted.
You finished the week with less points than your opponent.
It's all over right? Wrong!
In the playoffs, there IS such a thing as a second chance.
In ESPN standard leagues, the playoff matchups last two weeks each. This allows teams that had one bad week the chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are worthy of making it to the next round of the playoffs.
In my only ESPN league that I made the playoffs in, this two-week playoff is my saving grace. I was outscored 111-125 due to poor weeks by Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon and Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. I also made a questionable call to play Arizona running back Marion Grice, who didn't nab a single point in the Cardinals' win over Kansas City.
But I'm only 14 points down! I have a chance to redeem myself this week.
If you're the lucky manager who is leading this week, now is NOT the time to get cocky. My first-ever fantasy football playoffs were ruined in the second week of a semi-final matchup by thinking I couldn't lose.
I was up 40 points going into the second week of the playoffs, and I didn't really bother to weigh my options with my lineup because I thought it didn't matter.
My opponent went on to have an awesome week while my team was much less-than-impressive. I lost, but could have won if I had actually set my lineup.
Point being, you spend the whole year trying to put forth your optimal lineup. Don't let the playoffs be the time you feel you don't have to.
Unfortunately, not all leagues are set the same way.
My 14-team Green Bay Packers fan league has one-week playoffs with the top eight teams making the second season.
The one week Colt's quarterback Andrew Luck had the worst fantasy game of his season (the league has settings based on completions which make them different than a standard league), and the week Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas says he's going to play, but doesn't see the field is the week I take on a team that goes on to score the most points in the league this week.
Not even Julio Jones, who put in a herculean effort with 11 catches, 259 yards and a touchdown could pull me back into contention.
So that leaves me with half of my leagues still alive to hoist the fantasy championship trophy this year.
Have a bad first week? Need roster advice? Email me at [email protected]. I'd love to have a "mailbag" section of this column.
Nick's Waiver Wire Picks of the Week:
1) Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers running back
FINALLY the Panthers realize Stewart's talents. After playing second fiddle to D'Angelo Williams for a good portion of the last few years, Stewart is finally starting to see the bulk of carries. And he's been doing great things with them. Over the last two weeks, Stewart has over 200 yards plus a touchdown. With Cam Newton's status uncertain after a car crash early on Tuesday, the offense will likely lean on Stewart even more. He's still available in 47 percent of ESPN leagues, so you still might be able to catch him while he's hot.
2) Johnny "Johnny Football" Manziel, Cleveland Browns quarterback
Why not? He's available in 90 percent of leagues and was just named the starter for the Browns this week. I'm not saying play him, but if you're in a keeper league, he might be what you want for next year (or later). Plus he might actually do well over the next few weeks. I'm not saying start him (unless you're seriously desperate), but hey, he might not be the worst pickup you make this year.
3)Kerwynn Williams, Arizona cardinals running back
Ask how, ask now. Ask Kerywnn Williams. Awful puns aside, Williams looks like he's the guy to replace Andre Ellington who is out for the year. Williams crossed the century mark against the Chiefs last week, vastly out-producing the other options at the position. While Cardinals' Head Coach Bruce Arians has said that Stepfan Taylor is "the guy" going forward, it's hard to imagine Williams not getting the ball after a solid performance. He's owned in .2 percent of ESPN leagues. That's point-two percent. You should have no problem picking him up if you're desperate for a running back.
Good luck fantasy experts! And may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.
You drafted with the knowledge of an expert. You pulled off a trade not even an NFL General Manager could make. You fought your way through the regular season, and emerged as a favorite to win the league.
And last week your team blew it.
Your star player suffered a minor injury.
You left a player on the bench that had a career day.
Your last minute waiver wire pickup busted.
You finished the week with less points than your opponent.
It's all over right? Wrong!
In the playoffs, there IS such a thing as a second chance.
In ESPN standard leagues, the playoff matchups last two weeks each. This allows teams that had one bad week the chance to redeem themselves and prove that they are worthy of making it to the next round of the playoffs.
In my only ESPN league that I made the playoffs in, this two-week playoff is my saving grace. I was outscored 111-125 due to poor weeks by Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon and Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. I also made a questionable call to play Arizona running back Marion Grice, who didn't nab a single point in the Cardinals' win over Kansas City.
But I'm only 14 points down! I have a chance to redeem myself this week.
If you're the lucky manager who is leading this week, now is NOT the time to get cocky. My first-ever fantasy football playoffs were ruined in the second week of a semi-final matchup by thinking I couldn't lose.
I was up 40 points going into the second week of the playoffs, and I didn't really bother to weigh my options with my lineup because I thought it didn't matter.
My opponent went on to have an awesome week while my team was much less-than-impressive. I lost, but could have won if I had actually set my lineup.
Point being, you spend the whole year trying to put forth your optimal lineup. Don't let the playoffs be the time you feel you don't have to.
Unfortunately, not all leagues are set the same way.
My 14-team Green Bay Packers fan league has one-week playoffs with the top eight teams making the second season.
The one week Colt's quarterback Andrew Luck had the worst fantasy game of his season (the league has settings based on completions which make them different than a standard league), and the week Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas says he's going to play, but doesn't see the field is the week I take on a team that goes on to score the most points in the league this week.
Not even Julio Jones, who put in a herculean effort with 11 catches, 259 yards and a touchdown could pull me back into contention.
So that leaves me with half of my leagues still alive to hoist the fantasy championship trophy this year.
Have a bad first week? Need roster advice? Email me at [email protected]. I'd love to have a "mailbag" section of this column.
Nick's Waiver Wire Picks of the Week:
1) Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers running back
FINALLY the Panthers realize Stewart's talents. After playing second fiddle to D'Angelo Williams for a good portion of the last few years, Stewart is finally starting to see the bulk of carries. And he's been doing great things with them. Over the last two weeks, Stewart has over 200 yards plus a touchdown. With Cam Newton's status uncertain after a car crash early on Tuesday, the offense will likely lean on Stewart even more. He's still available in 47 percent of ESPN leagues, so you still might be able to catch him while he's hot.
2) Johnny "Johnny Football" Manziel, Cleveland Browns quarterback
Why not? He's available in 90 percent of leagues and was just named the starter for the Browns this week. I'm not saying play him, but if you're in a keeper league, he might be what you want for next year (or later). Plus he might actually do well over the next few weeks. I'm not saying start him (unless you're seriously desperate), but hey, he might not be the worst pickup you make this year.
3)Kerwynn Williams, Arizona cardinals running back
Ask how, ask now. Ask Kerywnn Williams. Awful puns aside, Williams looks like he's the guy to replace Andre Ellington who is out for the year. Williams crossed the century mark against the Chiefs last week, vastly out-producing the other options at the position. While Cardinals' Head Coach Bruce Arians has said that Stepfan Taylor is "the guy" going forward, it's hard to imagine Williams not getting the ball after a solid performance. He's owned in .2 percent of ESPN leagues. That's point-two percent. You should have no problem picking him up if you're desperate for a running back.
Good luck fantasy experts! And may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.