Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Strategy: Creating a Playoff League

December 14, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Kenneth Humphrey
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Right now, on the cusp of Week 15, there are two basic classes of fantasy owner.

Those who are still alive in the championship hunt, and those who are now on the outside looking in, secretly seething over the lack of any more games.

Wait, we must add one more: those who had a victory zipped up all nice and tight, until New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees stepped onto the field against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. The other owner decided to start him despite Dallas' defensive reputation, and now he/she looks like a genius.

Of course that didn't happen to anyone you know, right? Yeah, not here either.

So now what? Is there nothing more until the 2007 NFL season unfolds? Surely there has to be some way to wring just a little more fun and fantasy from this season.

Well, fear not friends, this is where a playoff league comes in handy. The concept is simple. It's really nothing more than a standard league, compressed into the four weeks of NFL post-season and limited to the 12 teams that make the dance. While the setup can be as common as any league, or esoteric beyond measure, there are a few undeniable differences that make it interesting.

In this report, we'll take a look at setting up a playoff league and highlight some strategic points.

TEAM MAKEUP

No, the above paragraph heading does not refer to face paint, but rather the player distribution for your teams. Let's say you run with a standard team of one quarterback, two running backs, four receivers, a tight end, kicker and one defensive team or player. And further, let's assume all twelve owners from your current league decide to join. You're looking at a draft of 120 players. But remember, there are only twelve teams to draw from in a playoff league. Now suddenly player research takes precedent, because the chances are you'll be dipping fairly deep into some team rosters. On the other hand, if you only have four owners participating, the pressure is not so great.

Another tweak on normal fantasy practice that shows up in playoff leagues: bench players, or lack thereof. Sometimes the league commissioner will expand team rosters with the caveat that owners can start everyone they own, rather than having a bench and starting roster. It's just a thought; apply as you see fit.

INCENTIVE CLAUSES

So why would owners that have spent the last 14 weeks - and more when you factor in draft day research - agonizing over every little player move, sweating injury reports and matchups, why would they jump right back into the pool? Especially the big dog who took home the kitty?

Simple: Pride. In many cases also, money.

Here's the thing. Pride is a powerful motivator. The owners who missed out on the trophy want a chance to prove themselves, to redeem their lost season. The regular season grand champion will be motivated to pull a sweep of both seasons. Additionally, if he fails to join, you other owners can ride him mercilessly, calling his championship a fluke of luck. He'll have to join, if only to maintain his pride and shut everyone else up. Peer pressure will be your friend here.

The number of regular season leagues that charge an entrance fee to fund a championship pot can also use the same model to run a playoff league. If a chance at prize money is what gets other owners to join, so be it.

DRAFT STRATEGY

The single biggest change from a regular season league to a playoff one is the elimination aspect. If the team of your stud running back loses, your playoff roster is suddenly one player lighter. This is where the strategy piece really becomes important. Not only must you identify the right players to draft, you must determine which teams will last the longest, preferably all the way to the Super Bowl. Owners who gambled on the Indianapolis Colts making a charge last year and drafted deeply from that team were likely left standing by the curb when conference championships rolled around seeing as they only had a few players left.

There will be cases where passing up a regular season stud for a lesser player on a better team will pay dividends. After all, two or three games' worth of moderate points is better than just one game of great points.

DRAFT DAY

If you're anything like the average fantasy owner, draft day is usually one of the best parts of the season. You get together with your buddies, relive past glories, failures, trash talk and perhaps even partake of some liquid refreshment. Why not extend that component of fantasy football? Hold a draft day before the playoffs start. Invite everyone over. Draft away.

Or, in the event not everyone can get together, some leagues allow the same player to exist on multiple rosters. Owners complete a pre-determined roster and submit it to the commissioner. This still requires accurate estimation of playoff teams; however, it may also lead to rosters that are very similar.

SCORING

Since it's darn near impossible to find an online playoff league, scoring must be done manually. Below is a comprehensive breakdown for scoring the positions, as a guide for you. This is a scoring format more generous and more penalizing than many online leagues.

Offensive Players

10 yards receiving or rushing = 1 point
20 yards passing = 1 point
Each reception = 1 point
Each completion = 1 point
Run, pass or receiving touchdown = 6 points (bonus for yardage, 1 point for every 10 yards.) Many leagues will stick with their in-season scoring to avoid confusion (four points per passing touchdown, six for all others, etc.) This is at the discretion of the league, of course, and no scoring format can be considered "wrong."
Interception = -1 point
Fumble = -1 point

All yardage and scoring will totaled on a weekly basis instead of over the course of the playoff season

Defensive Teams/Players

Sack = 1 point
Fumble recovery/interception = 2 points
Safety = 4 points
Defensive touchdown via fumble recovery, interception or special team score = 6 points (the same yardage bonuses can apply)
Shutout = 10 points
Tackle = 1 point (individual defensive players only - sacks can become worth two points if this applies in your league)
The following scoring models would obviously be used only for defensive teams and not individual defensive players
Allowing 1-15 opponent points = 5 points
Allowing 16-20 opponent points = 3 points
Allowing 21-24 opponent points = 1 point
Allowing 24-29 opponent points = -1 point
Allowing 30-34 opponent points = -3 points
Allowing 35-plus opponent points = -5 points

Place Kickers

Extra point made = 1 point
Field goal made from 0-39 yards = 3 points
Field goal made from 40-49 yards = 4 points
Field goal made from 50-62 yards = 5 points
Field goal made from 63-plus yards = 15 points and a gold crown for you for selecting such an awesome kicker
Missed extra point = -2 points
Missed field goal attempt from 0-39 yards = -3 points

** Make sure to realize all of the above scoring formats are simply parameters - some not the normal - and can be modified as you please. Everyone has to start somewhere.

The above information is designed to assist you in extending the fantasy season. After all, some people can't get enough of a good thing, right? So start paying attention to playoff teams; try to identify this year's Pittsburgh Steelers. Drum up interest among your fellow owners. Most importantly, enjoy earning some redemption for the bashing that Brees put on your championship hopes last week. You will probably have some good company there.