How to Make Your Fantasy Football Team a Success

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By jebraun
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Have you fielded the best team possible?

Your team was drafted months ago and now the season is halfway done, but the players who seemed like gods in August aren't producing now. How do you gain any leverage?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Internet Access
A love of football
A fantasy football team

Step 1

Don't remain married to your players just because you thought they were going to be great at the draft. In August, the fantasy football world was singing the praises of Matt Forte and saying Cedric who? If you're benching Cedric Benson in favor of Matt Forte, you haven't been paying attention.
Step 2

Pay attention. There's nothing worse than knowing that the guy you're trying to beat out for first place is playing against a team that started a player or two on their bye week. While that may be the extreme (though it DOES happen), failing to pay attention right up to game time can leave you with a goose-egg because a guy got hurt during warm-ups or was surprisingly deactivated.
Step 3

Use the internet. You're not just bound to what the clowns (and I say that lovingly) on the Fox Pre-game show are saying. The internet has a wealth of options. Sunday morning injury reports and deactivation notifications are invaluable.
Step 4

Watch the games and do your research. Reading one article a week isn't going to give you the best chance of winning. Watch the games and see what a couple of different sources have to say. Start 'Em and Sit 'Em articles are great, but only use their suggestions when you're debating between players. Don't make the mistake of starting Mark Sanchez over Tom Brady just because an article says he's going to have a good week. Most of these articles don't even mention the marquis players because they figure you're smart enough to know you start them no matter what. You ARE smart enough, aren't you?
Step 5

Know the schedule. Don't forget that starting 11/12 this year, NFL games are played on Thursday nights. And, after college football is over, there are usually Saturday games. Pay attention and make sure you get your lineup in order ahead of time, otherwise you might be locked into a player you didn't want to start, or miss a player you wanted to start.
Step 6

Make waiver wire moves. Pay attention to guys who have potential and try to get them before they make a big impact, otherwise, you might not be able to get them. For instance, I grabbed Jamaal Charles of KC weeks ago, in case Larry Johnson got hurt and now, after Johnson's Twitter debacle, I have a viable fantasy starter this week with Adrian Peterson on bye.
Step 7

As the Boy Scouts say, Be Prepared. If you gambled everything on a marquis player like Adrian Peterson and his backup is good - as Chester Taylor is - grab his backup even if it eats up a space on your roster. If your star goes down, you're going to want that backup. Conversely, don't bother with this if the backup isn't very good. That roster space can be used for somebody else.
Step 8

Defenses and kickers. Play the matchups with your defenses. Unlike a star like Peterson who I'd advise playing no matter who he matches up against, if you have a good option on Defense to start while your star defense plays New Orleans, go for it. As for kickers, don't fret. The overall point total over the course of a season between the number 1 kicker and the number 10 kicker is minimal. It's not worth worrying about roster spots and transaction fees, but if your moves are free, hey, knock yourself out.
Step 9

Talk smack and have plenty of beer in the fridge. You have to have fun while you do this or it's just sad.

Comments

caspita said

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on 11/11/2009 You guys crack me up!! I have to admit that I did not understand what it all meant but your article on How to Make Your Fantasy Football Team a Success was awesome.

whoodo said

on 11/7/2009 Although I am primarily a college basketball fan, I had heard about fantasy football and wanted to see what it is. Your very informative and well written piece was a plus.