The late, great Al Davis (former Oakland Raiders owner) had a saying: “Just win, baby.”
This mentality can, in many cases, be applied to fantasy football.
On Sunday, I got a text from my girlfriend saying she couldn’t believe she benched Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton (284 passing yards, two TDs, 107 rushing yards, rushing TD) for Eli Manning (151 passing yards, no touchdowns).
But she did play Green Bay Packers’ receiver Jordy Nelson (nine catches, 107 yards, TD), Baltimore Ravens’ receiver Steve Smith (five catches, 110 yards, TD) and Arizona Cardinals’ receiver Larry Fitzgerald (six catches, 96 yards, TD) and was winning against her opponent.
I told her, “a win is still a win.”
In my two-flex player league, my four wide receivers combined for a grand total of 17 points.
But it doesn’t matter: I still won.
And a win is a win.
In my Rambler Sports Locker league, Buffalo Bills’ running back C.J. Spiller finished the day with negative points due to a costly fumble.
But it doesn’t matter: I still won.
And a win is a win.
In another league I played my beloved New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz, who was carted off the field with a torn patellar tendon on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles. I was also forced to bench Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson (considered one of the best in football) due to an injury.
But it doesn’t matter: I still won.
And a win is oh, you get the picture.
Yes. You aren’t always going to make the best decisions. You’re going to play players who do absolutely nothing while benching players who have career days.
Yes. You’re going to play players who are going to get hurt.
Yes. You’re going to make gambles that just won’t pay off.
Yes. You might be going up against people who stopped caring about the league and aren’t filling out their teams.
I used to think winning against owners who stopped caring was a hollow victory. It doesn’t have the same feeling as a win against someone who was really trying like you were. But you know what? You’ll have plenty of those kinds of matchups throughout the season and throughout the playoffs (if you’re fortunate enough to make it).
Now I look at these matchups against idle owners as kind of a mini-bye week. Just about anything can happen, and still my team will come out with a win.
It wasn’t all good in my leagues this week; I finished 4-2.
The running back pairing of Eagles’ speedster Darren Sproles and Tennessee Titans’ running back Bishop Sankey proved to be ineffective (save for Sproles’ touchdown), and the strong performances from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Houston Texans’ running back Arian Foster for my opponent pounded the final nails into the coffin.
Do you have an example of winning ugly that you want to share? Need some advice on players? Email me at [email protected]. I’m anxiously awaiting your emails.
Nick’s Waiver wire picks of the week:
1) Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota running back
This one’s a bit of a deeper sleeper, but if you’re in a PPR league and are desperate for a running back, he’s the one I’m targeting. Over the last two weeks, he’s out-played starter Matt Asiata, and might be in line for more carries. His pass-catching ability alone makes him more valuable. Owned in just 5.1 percent of ESPN leagues, you should have no trouble locking him up.
2) Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati wide receiver
With starter A.J. Green out, Sanu stepped up big against the Panthers, catching 10 passes for 120 yards. Even with Green returning, Sanu should still be a big factor in the offense, if he can score a touchdown. He’s scored in three of the last four games, so it’s safe to assume he’ll get looks in the red zone, just like Green. He’s currently taken in only 38.9 percent of leagues, but that number will likely dwindle soon.
3) Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots wide receiver
No, I’m not joking. I know LaFell has been my consummate joke pick over the last few years, but the winds of change are blowing in New England. Devoid of veteran receivers (outside of Rob Gronkowski), Tom Brady has given LaFell numerous looks over the last few weeks. Next week we see the Patriots going against the Bears. If you do the math, he’s likely going to continue this production. Add in the fact he’s only owned in less than 3 percent of ESPN leagues and you could have a winning formula on your hands.
Good luck, fantasy experts, and may my teams lose, so yours don’t have to.
This mentality can, in many cases, be applied to fantasy football.
On Sunday, I got a text from my girlfriend saying she couldn’t believe she benched Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton (284 passing yards, two TDs, 107 rushing yards, rushing TD) for Eli Manning (151 passing yards, no touchdowns).
But she did play Green Bay Packers’ receiver Jordy Nelson (nine catches, 107 yards, TD), Baltimore Ravens’ receiver Steve Smith (five catches, 110 yards, TD) and Arizona Cardinals’ receiver Larry Fitzgerald (six catches, 96 yards, TD) and was winning against her opponent.
I told her, “a win is still a win.”
In my two-flex player league, my four wide receivers combined for a grand total of 17 points.
But it doesn’t matter: I still won.
And a win is a win.
In my Rambler Sports Locker league, Buffalo Bills’ running back C.J. Spiller finished the day with negative points due to a costly fumble.
But it doesn’t matter: I still won.
And a win is a win.
In another league I played my beloved New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz, who was carted off the field with a torn patellar tendon on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles. I was also forced to bench Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson (considered one of the best in football) due to an injury.
But it doesn’t matter: I still won.
And a win is oh, you get the picture.
Yes. You aren’t always going to make the best decisions. You’re going to play players who do absolutely nothing while benching players who have career days.
Yes. You’re going to play players who are going to get hurt.
Yes. You’re going to make gambles that just won’t pay off.
Yes. You might be going up against people who stopped caring about the league and aren’t filling out their teams.
I used to think winning against owners who stopped caring was a hollow victory. It doesn’t have the same feeling as a win against someone who was really trying like you were. But you know what? You’ll have plenty of those kinds of matchups throughout the season and throughout the playoffs (if you’re fortunate enough to make it).
Now I look at these matchups against idle owners as kind of a mini-bye week. Just about anything can happen, and still my team will come out with a win.
It wasn’t all good in my leagues this week; I finished 4-2.
The running back pairing of Eagles’ speedster Darren Sproles and Tennessee Titans’ running back Bishop Sankey proved to be ineffective (save for Sproles’ touchdown), and the strong performances from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Houston Texans’ running back Arian Foster for my opponent pounded the final nails into the coffin.
Do you have an example of winning ugly that you want to share? Need some advice on players? Email me at [email protected]. I’m anxiously awaiting your emails.
Nick’s Waiver wire picks of the week:
1) Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota running back
This one’s a bit of a deeper sleeper, but if you’re in a PPR league and are desperate for a running back, he’s the one I’m targeting. Over the last two weeks, he’s out-played starter Matt Asiata, and might be in line for more carries. His pass-catching ability alone makes him more valuable. Owned in just 5.1 percent of ESPN leagues, you should have no trouble locking him up.
2) Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati wide receiver
With starter A.J. Green out, Sanu stepped up big against the Panthers, catching 10 passes for 120 yards. Even with Green returning, Sanu should still be a big factor in the offense, if he can score a touchdown. He’s scored in three of the last four games, so it’s safe to assume he’ll get looks in the red zone, just like Green. He’s currently taken in only 38.9 percent of leagues, but that number will likely dwindle soon.
3) Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots wide receiver
No, I’m not joking. I know LaFell has been my consummate joke pick over the last few years, but the winds of change are blowing in New England. Devoid of veteran receivers (outside of Rob Gronkowski), Tom Brady has given LaFell numerous looks over the last few weeks. Next week we see the Patriots going against the Bears. If you do the math, he’s likely going to continue this production. Add in the fact he’s only owned in less than 3 percent of ESPN leagues and you could have a winning formula on your hands.
Good luck, fantasy experts, and may my teams lose, so yours don’t have to.