There are just one or two weeks left in the fantasy regular season, but for some teams it's already over. They've been eliminated from playoff contention, and nothing they can do will get them into the postseason. It just didn't work out this year.
But those teams aren't finished just yet. They still have work to do, especially if they're facing an opponent that needs a win to secure their own playoff spot. If you can't get into the playoffs, the next best thing is to keep another team out of them.
We know that all teams should try their best regardless of playoff status. But really, we all know it's tough to find motivation when you're playing out the string. Fortunately, if you're playing a friend, family member, or league rival, that motivation should be already there. Beating someone you know isn't as good as making the playoffs, but it's a nice consolation prize.
Let me give you an example: I live in Florida. The Florida State Seminoles are having a disastrous year in college football, sitting at 2-9 before this past weekend's game. It's been a nightmare for their fans. Their in-state rival, the Florida Gators, were 6-5 headed into the weekend. They're probably better than expected, but nothing special and certainly not anywhere near a playoff team. At best they'll get a middling bowl game with a funny name that nobody will watch on ESPN Whatever. So the rivalry game was kind of unimportant this year.
Except it wasn't. Fans on both sides really wanted that victory. I had Seminoles alumni tell me that a 3-9 season would look much sweeter if it included a win over the Gators. And for UF fans, beating the Seminoles in their own stadium isn't too far off from winning a playoff game. It meant something to them.
Spoiler alert: The Gators won to finish the season at 7-5, and the Seminoles closed out a forgettable 2-10 year. Now, does it matter? It sure did on social media. Beating a rival is always sweet, whether they're having a down year, you're having a down year, or you're both out of contention. And there's no reason you can't have the same attitude for a fantasy rival. Beating them is always nice, no matter how it affects the playoffs. If you've got a game to play against them, an offseason of trash talk is on the line. Don't be a punching bag for someone you know.
And if your opponent needs a win to make the playoffs? A victory would be even sweeter. Misery loves company, right? Well, make room for the team who really needs a win, and let them sit with you on the sidelines after destroying their playoff hopes. You have the trash-talk advantage as well, because you had nothing to lose, and they just lost everything. How great is that? Are you going to forfeit that kind of fun because your season is almost over?
By the way, I realize that for every league in which you’ve been eliminated, you probably have another where your team is doing better and poised for a playoff spot. Please don’t ignore the losing teams and focus only on the winners. You owe it to each league to remain competitive until the very end. That means trying your very best, regardless of record. Mind the byes and injuries (looking at you, Christian McCaffrey) and even work the waiver wire to improve your lineup.
And I know some people don't like out-of-contention teams using the waiver wire, but I disagree. Suppose two teams are playing, and one needs to win to make the playoffs. Now suppose a third team needs them to lose for their own postseason chances. Shouldn’t all teams improve their lineups to provide the best competition for the playoff hopefuls? Why should a team get to play a weaker opponent because they aren’t allowed to select new talent? If we want teams to remain competitive, let’s not take away their ability to compete.
I know that we all wanted to be the hero of the fantasy season, basking in the sunshine of a league championship, but it didn’t work out that way. So be the villain instead: Scheming and plotting to ruin everyone else’s day. Bring some rain clouds into their schedule, deny them a chance at glory and brag about it all offseason. Be the spoiler your league needs. Good luck this week.
Do you stay active regardless of record? Does your league have managers who bail when things go south for them, and how can you get them to stay involved? Share your thoughts below.