I started Calvin Johnson and Alshon Jeffery on Thanksgiving Day, and I just sat back and watched the points roll in. My opponent was down 54-0 before he even sat down to his turkey. It didn't get any better for him a few days later, and I won easily.
There was just one problem. I needed those points for week 14, not week 13.
It's frustrating when your players do great on your bench, but it's almost equally frustrating when they perform right before or after you needed them. If you were eliminated from the playoffs in week 12, what good is a huge day in week 13? If your playoffs start in week 14 and you can't improve your position, it's almost cruel to see your guys do the right thing at the wrong time.
But that was just one league, you say. It all evens out, right? I guess, but if that's the case there's going to be a lot of evening out in my future. In another league I was in the same situation, and I scored the most points I have all year. For nothing.
On the other hand, in another league I needed a win to secure a bye, and just about every player I had took the week off. Bye bye, bye. In my final league I needed a win to secure a playoff spot, and I scored the fewest points in the league. Teams that haven't changed their lineup since week 9 would have beaten me. Now all I need to qualify in week 14 is a victory, a couple of ties in other games, my kicker to score 40 points and a meteor to crash into my opponent's house, knocking out his Internet. Feeling good about it.
But Michael, you say, you're in the playoffs in three leagues. Why are you complaining? Well, here's the problem: Like all owners, I know what kind of teams I have. I'm not the best team in any league, nor the second-best team. I have the kinds of teams that got lucky, secured a couple of close wins, and qualified ahead of better (but unlucky) teams. My best hope is for my players to somehow put it together and score a bunch of unexpected points.
And they did that. One week too early.
But for other owners, it was one week too late. The team they thought they drafted finally showed up, took a bow and trotted off into the sunset. Where were those performances all year? Now those owners are left with a strong-looking team and a weak-looking record. Unless they were able to play spoiler (worthwhile), or cash in on some weekly payout (nice holiday bonus), last weekend was all for nothing.
So what can you do? If you're eliminated from playoff contention, at least take solace in the knowledge that your instincts were right. You built a team that was capable of dominating an opponent. They just didn't do it enough, or when you really needed it. But it's not like you have a team of losers. Let's call them tardy. A little late to the post-season party. But you put together a good team. You know what you're doing, and it will pay off eventually. Hopefully next year.
And if you're in the playoffs and hoping for a great game when it really counts, it could still happen. DeAndre Hopkins could post another 9-238-2 stat line. Realistically, he might not do it next week, or again this year, or even in his career. But he technically could, you know? He's a talented player.
But whatever you do, don't compare this coming week's numbers with last week's stats. It will only frustrate you. So don't so it, no matter what. Just don't. I probably will, but you shouldn't. It just adds insult to injury.
Did I say injury? Let's not jinx anyone. If your players did well last week, they might achieve solid numbers this week. Maybe they need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, or they're battling a hated division rival or they're facing a team that's given up. Maybe they won't match last week's numbers, but they'll do well enough to put your fantasy team over the top. All you can do is put the best players in the lineup and hope that week 13 wasn't their high point of the season.
Except Ryan Fitzpatrick, of course. That was his high point. That's a given. Good luck this week.
Did your players give you a meaningless win, or show up a week too late? Share your stories below.