As you know, I try to be pretty optimistic in this column. You always have to keep fighting through injuries, losing streaks, bad beats or whatever else comes your way. There are too many comeback stories to give up on your team. As long as there's a mathematical chance at making the playoffs, no matter how remote, you have to give it your all.
But math always has the final say. For some owners, the playoffs are now an impossibility. What happens to those teams?
First of all, if you have a team that has been eliminated, you might have a couple others that are still in the hunt. So there might still be a postseason in your future. And there's going to be a strong desire to focus on those teams instead, and give them the attention you might have given to your 2019 loser. I understand that feeling, but it's not in anyone's best interest. Not even your own.
For teams with three or four wins, the numbers probably aren't there anymore to earn a spot. Even five-win teams could be eliminated. When that happens, you'll have to accept that the season will end in about three weeks. So you can either fold up your tent and ponder what could have been, or you can go out with a bang. And after being in this situation several times, I can attest that the latter is much more fun.
Your remaining schedule might have playoff contenders who absolutely need to defeat you in order to advance, and they'd like nothing better than to see you give up early and make it easy for them. Is that how you're going to go out? As a doormat for a buddy who can't wait to brag about their success?
Playing spoiler sounds like something you do if you have no other choice, and you just try to make the best of it. But defeating a friend and denying them a playoff spot is pretty fun in its own right. You can trash talk them before, during and after the game. If you don't come out ahead, no big deal. You didn't really lose anything. But if you win, that's a sore spot for them all offseason. And you might have a few teams left on the schedule who can't afford a loss. Have some fun and wreck their plans at the end of the year.
Besides, it's kind of your job. When you sign up for a league, you're supposed to be an active owner. Not active until you're out of contention, and not active until you don't feel like it. Active for as long as you have an opponent in front of you. You owe it to the league to do your best the entire season.
And if you tank, you might change the playoff participants. Imagine how frustrating it would be to need another team to lose, but they're playing an opponent that stopped trying. A lot of drama goes out the window, because an apathetic owner gifted a team an easy win. And if you believe in fantasy karma, you'll eventually be the team needing another team to lose, and watching helplessly as they face an opponent that isn't trying. Don't be the team that gave up.
Sure, some leagues offer weekly prizes for the highest score, so there might be other incentives to stay active. But even if your league doesn't have that in place, you owe your best to the league, and to yourself. After all, you paid to join, right? You didn't pay for 11 weeks, did you? No, you paid for a full regular season. Don't cheat yourself out of the experience.
Besides, trying is always more fun than quitting. And beating a friend is forever, if you never let them forget it. Good luck this week.
How does your league keep owners interested if they're out of the playoff picture. Do you stay active no matter your record? Ever keep a friend out of the playoffs? Share your stories below.