| For the precious few of you out there who still have a team
playing this week, first, I’d like to commend you for being so darn lucky. Secondly,
I’d like to offer you a few thoughts on how to maximize your roster’s potential
for the big game.
Odds are you have a few big guns on your roster who have gotten you to this point. I
would never theorize benching those players for almost any reason. But watch the injury
reports carefully. Also listen to the coach speak during the week.
1) Focus your attention on which teams your players play for outside of the fantasy
world. If a playoff-bound team has little to gain from a win in terms of the playoff race,
consider the possibility that your big gun might be given some time off to rest him for
the playoffs. Odds are no back on a team with a playoff berth in hand is going to pound
the featured back 35 times in a meaningless game. Secondary backs play a much larger role
down the stretch for the top teams.
On the flip side, teams that are fighting for a playoff berth will do just the
opposite. With a playoff berth on the line, phasing in the rookies is no longer an option.
What has worked will continue to be the focus.
Mind you, this doesn’t affect the playing of studs like Marvin Harrison or Fred
Taylor. But that thought process could come in handy when picking a third wideout.
2) Check that injury report every day. Reports get a little sketchy this time of year,
especially after the Denver Broncos’ problems with reporting injuries a few years
ago. Now everyone and his uncle are put on the injury report if they have a sore pinky
toe.
That often leads to mass confusion when trying to pick who won’t play and who
will. If you have access to each team’s local newspaper on-line, check there. They
will have much more insight as to who will play and who won’t than the league’s
injury report.
I have a dilemma myself with Washington’s Stephen Davis. The reports ranged from
as serious as a chipped bone to as insignificant as a deep bruise. I know I’ll be
looking around anywhere I can to see if Davis should be benched this week as much as it
would pain me to do it.
On the other hand, there is nothing more disheartening than having a guy play who you
thought wouldn’t and then watch him rack up points that could have easily been yours
in your quest for the title.
3) Play the hot hand. Last year I had Green Bay TE Tyrone Davis. I didn’t really
believe in him and had more established players whom I could have played instead, but I
went with Davis anyway because of a recent hot streak. Davis scored twice, and I won my
playoff game.
This season, guys like Baltimore’s Priest Holmes, Chicago’s Marcus Robinson,
Carolina’s Pat Jeffers and Atlanta’s Jammi German have gone on scoring sprees
over the last few weeks. If you have access to any of these guys, you might want to
consider playing them in place of a stalwart who simply isn’t producing. You might be
pleasantly surprised.
4) Make sure your rosters are as packed as they can be. If you can make cuts, pick up
anybody you can who might score and help you out in case of one of those troublesome ties.
Best of luck with the big game. |
