If you’re still in the playoff race, congratulations. But if you’re barely in the playoff race, you have some thinking to do. Your guys have gotten you this far, but it isn’t quite far enough. They haven’t sunk your ship, but it’s taking on water. So you have to decide, this week, whether you’re going to let it ride or shake things up. I say you go down swinging.

I’m pretty sure I’m using a baseball analogy, and I think I’m using it correctly (sorry, not really my sport). If you’re at bat, is it better to get called out on strikes looking, or swing and miss? In general, you’re there to hit the ball, so it makes sense that you should try and do that. At least you’re trying to connect and make something happen. It might be the same result, but it seems better than a passive response.

I think the same thing applies here. If you need wins (and maybe some help), why rely on the guys who haven’t really gotten it done so far? Why play it safe when you might have a guy on the bench who has a big game once a month? Maybe this is his week, and those points get you into the playoffs.

Let’s say you normally start Jalen Hurts, and last weekend you mixed it up with Mac Jones instead. Or you gave Dontrell Hilliard a chance. Or you threw in Van Jefferson instead of a regular starter. Those moves could have given you enough points to stay afloat in the playoff race.

Now let’s be clear (and you know this already): There are many, many other scenarios where your “mixing it up” costs you points, and maybe even costs you a game. I kind of cherry-picked some moves to illustrate my point, but I could have said Cam Newton or Allen Lazard or any number of people and it would have totally backfired.

But here’s the thing: You don’t get to select safe and easy choices when you’re on the verge of getting eliminated. I mean, you could, but if safe and easy hasn’t worked so far, why rely on it now? Better to go down swinging and looking for great production than accept the same mediocre production you’ve already been getting.

Maybe Taysom Hill is the answer. Or Jamaal Williams. A number of injuries have opened up several possibilities for a starting lineup that’s desperate for a win. I don’t think Alexander Mattson would be sitting on the waiver wire, but there might be freshly-minted starters who deserve some attention, or untapped potential on your bench.

Or you could stick with what you have. A lot of it depends on your schedule. Are you playing a bottom-feeder team where your typical performances might be good enough? Or are you facing the league bully and need to stellar performance to keep up? Was your opponent relying on Packers and Browns, and you’re catching them on the right bye week? Or maybe you’re playing a team that’s suffered some of these devastating injuries, and their record no longer matches their talent level? Maybe judge the opponent before you decide what to do.

But either way, you have to decide. Are you going to ride it out and hope for the best, or make moves designed to squeeze out a few more points, and maybe a few more wins? Whatever you choose, be prepared to live with it, because it’s a long off-season for teams who fall short of the fantasy playoffs. I hope you’re not one of them. Good luck this week.

Are you making any major changes to shake things up? Do you feel like your existing starters give you the best chance to win? Does replacing starters tend to help or hurt you? Share your thoughts below. .