You know that old saying, "Dance with the one that brung ya," or something similar? The idea is that you should stick with what you have rather than make a change late in the game. Aside from being an incredibly-awkward phrase, it's also bad advice when it comes to the fantasy football playoffs.
If you're one of the last teams standing, congratulations. There are several other owners who would like to be in your position. But now it's win or go home, so every decision is bigger and can cost you a trophy, a title, some accolades and maybe some real money. It can also win you those things, so you want to get it right.
So what does "getting it right" mean? It means starting what you think is the very best lineup for week 15 and beyond. Not the guys with the biggest names, not the guys who have been on a hot streak and not the guys who are ranked higher on a list. The guys you think are best-equipped to get the job done. If that's a guy who's normally in your lineup, great. If it's someone else, make the change. It's your team and it's your job to run it.
Now, I'm not telling you to make a crazy lineup decision because of a bad weather, or a bad match up or a hunch. You can do that, but you don't have to do it. But by the same token, nobody on your team owns a place in the starting lineup. Everybody has to justify their spot, and you can do that by clearing the decks and starting from scratch.
That means pulling everyone out of the starting lineup and going over the positions one by one. You going to start Peyton Manning? Yeah, I think you probably will. But look over the quarterback spot anyway and make sure you feel comfortable with whoever it is. Running backs, too. I know LeSean McCoy was your first-round pick. That doesn't make him an automatic starter in week 15. Maybe you have someone better. Maybe you don't. But look it over and make sure he's the best guy for the job. Same with receivers, tight end, flex spots, kicker and defense.
By doing that, you'll recognize how you really feel about your team. You might feel better about the starters, knowing they're the best you have. But maybe you feel like someone else would be a better play. In that case, give it some thought during the week. If you feel like a different player gives you a better chance to win, bench the one who brung ya and go with a new guy.
Does that mean you'll win? I have no idea. But it does mean you'll have an easier time accepting the outcome. If you start a guy you think will do poorly simply because you feel like you "have" to start them, and it costs you a win, how will you feel? Who can you blame but yourself? You went against your gut and it cost you. And you'll have a whole off-season to think it over.
On the other hand, if your decisions cost you the victory, at least you went with your game plan. You controlled your team. If you were wrong, you were wrong. But you made the decision. You might not like it, but it's better than feeling like you lost because you couldn't even take control of your own fantasy team. Win or lose, it was your call and you made it. There's something to be said for that.
You need every point you can get in week 15. Do what you think is right to get them, and however it goes, you'll be okay with the result. Good luck this week.
Are you contemplating any lineup switches, or sticking with your starters? Share your thoughts below.