I'd love to be writing a column about last-ditch efforts to make the playoffs, with the idea that everyone still has a shot. I believe strongly that it's not over until it's over.
Well, for most teams, it's over. The playoffs are a mathematical impossibility. Eventually teams with bad rosters, bad management or bad luck go by the wayside. It happens to everyone at some point over the years. If you own one of those teams, you have my condolences. I know you didn't want this week to be your last one.
But you don't have permission to fold up your tent and hit the road until next July. Not yet, anyway. In many leagues there's still one game left on the schedule, and you're obligated to play it. You didn't take on a team for as long as you're in contention. You're supposed to be there the whole year. That includes games that don't matter to you.
Please note that I wrote "games that don't matter to you." Because some of those games do matter to your opponent. Right now there are owners who need a win this weekend, and they're relieved to see an eliminated team on the schedule. Odds are that owner has turned tail and run away, leaving a cupcake instead of an opponent. It's an easy win, right?
You tell me: Is it going to be an easy win? Or will you play spoiler and send them packing? You have no reason to use the waiver wire and take valuable players away from contenders -- but that's exactly why you should do it. How great would it be to keep a buddy out of the playoffs? To take a player from the waiver wire that your co-worker really needs? You can even use that same player to bounce them out of contention, making the victory even sweeter. And you can trash talk them for the entire off season because of it. That's the reward for a spoiler. Not a bad prize for a struggling fantasy team.
Believe me, I understand the frustration of not having a playoff-bound roster. I know the temptation of cutting all ties and trying again next season. But if there's one game left, play it. Start a guy you always wanted to play but never quite made it into your lineup. Start a good player from your favorite team. Start a guy from your alma mater. Try to win, and have some fun doing it. There's no pressure and no expectations. There's a fantasy game on the schedule, and that itself is a great thing. Win the game and end another owner's playoff dreams. Put in a strong lineup and become someone's nightmare. Get your team over .500, or avoid a losing record, or just take out your frustrations on that last team on your schedule. But don't walk away before the season is over.
Okay, we know that you're not going to win a title in that league. But maybe you can still do the next best thing: Keep someone else from winning it, too. A fantasy victory is always a good thing, even if it won't save your season. You wait too long for the rest of the year to abandon your season early. If you have a shot at an extra win -- and another satisfying Sunday because of it -- you're cheating yourself if you don't try for it. Plus, you're making it easy for another team to make the playoffs. Make them earn it. Be a spoiler. Do your best, finish the season strong and knock a buddy out of contention if you can. Believe me, they'd do the same to you if they could. Good luck this week.
Have you ever knocked a buddy out of the playoff race? Were you the victim of an owner who played the spoiler role to perfection? Share your stories below.