You don’t see me discuss Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games very often. Maybe once or twice as a passing reference over the years. It’s not something I play often, because it feels more like gambling than actual fantasy football. There’s no camaraderie, no long-term league, and money is the only payoff. I respect that other people like it, but it’s not really a focus for me. Until the playoffs start, that is. I think it’s a great way to keep playing a game while keeping your attention on the games that matter.

I know that many leagues run a playoff contest, and that’s great. But really, it’s a way to earn a little money since nobody brags much if they win. The pride and bragging rights of winning your league’s fantasy season just isn’t there. It’s mostly just something to do.

DFS games, on the other hand, are self-contained games each week. They’re not designed to have bragging rights, or anything but a payout. You’re still picking players and tracking your stats, and you still have a shot to win something. But there’s no real league, so you can’t get caught up in the competitive aspect of it. The focus is on the actual games, as it should be.

And many leagues don’t do anything as far as playoffs go, so the fantasy season is over for everyone involved. Maybe you don’t want to jump into a playoff league where you won’t have the feel of a normal fantasy season, but you don’t want to say goodbye just yet. A DFS game lets you play to the extent you want, and keeps a little fantasy-style participation during the playoffs. If you don’t play anything currently, it might be something that works for you.

I don’t have any ulterior motive to suggest these games. I play so rarely, it always takes some time to remember my password and actually log in. But as fantasy football has gained in popularity, and different options become available, I feel like old-school players have more opportunities to enjoy the game. Instead of grumbling about how things have changed, I try to accommodate them when possible. These games don’t do much for me during the regular season, but they serve some purpose during the playoffs. To me, that’s a positive.

The playoffs always have interesting stories, and I don’t want to lose sight of them. Half of the teams playing weren’t in the postseason last year. Guys like Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert are in it for the first time, while Tom Brady is there for the 500th time (give or take). Don’t you want to see how Brock Purdy handles a playoff atmosphere? Are Buffalo and Kansas City destined to meet on a neutral site, or is Cincinnati a legitimate candidate for a repeat trip to the Super Bowl? I don’t really need fantasy football for these games to keep my interest.

Then again, I like rooting for players to rack up impressive stats and it’s fun to feel like you gain something when they have outstanding performances. During the season, I’m very interested in how my team does, and I don’t always get to appreciate a great performance because of it. It’s hard to marvel at a player’s stats and watch him single-handedly hand me a loss. But with a DFS game, that’s not the case. I have some rooting interest, but the drama of the actual contest takes center stage. And the Fantasy Index playoff updates rank players for their upcoming games, so there’s some guidance and analysis as well. You get to play without it overwhelming the actual playoffs. I think that’s a good balance for the next month.

If you already have a way you enjoy playing playoff fantasy football, keep doing it. If you’re ready for a break and just want to watch the games, that’s fine. But if you want to have a casual fantasy stake in what’s happening while you watch, a DFS game might be a good solution. You can play for very low stakes and still field a fantasy team. And if it doesn’t work out, you can create a new one the next week. Just keep your focus on the real games, because there are some compelling matchups. And if you’re still playing, however you’re playing, good luck this week.

How do you play fantasy football during the NFL playoffs? Does your league have a good system? Are you a regular DFS player? Are the matchups interesting enough for you without a fantasy game? Share your thoughts below.