Do you remember way, way back in November 2023 when the Texans were a playoff lock, the Bills were hopelessly lost, and Kansas City was a shoo-in for another home-field playoff run? It doesn't look like that now, does it? In a matter of weeks (or days) a team's fortunes can change. And as you head into the fantasy playoffs, that's good news for the underdogs.
Turns out, the Browns and Bengals aren't doomed because they lost their starting quarterbacks, and the Vikings don't have all the answers at the position. The Eagles aren't going to win every game by a razor-thin margin. The 49ers' slump isn't a season-long thing. And Courtland Sutton isn't going to somehow catch a touchdown almost every game.
Well, maybe that last one is true. How does such an anemic offense produce an every-week scorer, on two or three catches a game? Weird.
Anyway, the point is that change happens so quickly, it almost seems like the old narrative was absurd and the new one is here to stay. At least, until it's replaced by a newer narrative. While it makes for a chaotic regular season, it's pretty good news if you're not the favorite to win your league.
Sometimes we feel like the fantasy playoffs are a time when you simply let your starters play, and hope they perform for you. Instead, I encourage you to make sure your bench is as strong as possible. Even if you think you'll never use those guys, it's important to make sure they're on your team, for two important reasons.
First, you might actually need them. You can go from starting a great quarterback and two strong receivers to having none of them in just a couple games. Ask Houston. You don't want to get to the end of the season and not even have the option of choosing between different players. You might not use all of them, but your bench is there for contingencies. We're long past the point of keeping fliers and lottery tickets on your roster for later in the year. It's later in the year, right now. Give yourself the best options for the next couple of weeks, just in case.
Second, even if you never use them, your opponent this week might. or the one next week. You plan on still being around next week, right? Why leave talent on the waiver wire to bail out someone who wants to use them to beat you? Remember, points on your bench can't score for your opponent. Take away all their options, or as many as you possibly can.
I know it might seem silly to focus on your bench at this time of the year. But it doesn't take much for those bench guys to become viable starters. You didn't come all this way to come up short because you didn't have the depth you need. But it would be especially fun to watch your opponent settle for a waiver wire scrub because you nabbed a guy you didn't even need. You can start to beat them before you even play!
Okay, but what if you never use those guys, and your opponent doesn't need them, and it was all just a waste of time. Well, so what? You were doing your job as a fantasy manager. You were prepared. There's so much we can't control in this game, so it would be a shame to neglect the things you can control. Besides, preparation is good practice. If you make a habit of being ready for any contingency, odds are you'll be in good shape when something does happen, and you need your depth.
Hopefully you won't need anybody but your regular starters. But if you do, I hope you have the proper depth, and your opponent doesn't. Unless I'm the opponent, of course. Hopefully, they're not reading this column. Good luck this week.
How strong is your depth? Can you replace important starters if necessary? Did you lose a big piece of your championship puzzle right as the playoffs are starting? If so, what's your plan? Share your thoughts below.
