Sometimes It Just Comes Down to Luck

One thing about fantasy football is that however well you draft, however great you trade and work the waivers, however many points you score, it often just comes down to plain old dumb luck! In my case it is often bad luck!

I am in a league with my brothers and friends. It is a keeper league and this is the 8th year of it. A few years ago I was the highest scoring team in the league and did not make the play-offs. Four teams of the twelve go to the play-offs and even though no team scored more points overall than my team did, I had the fifth best record. Bad teams happened to have their best weeks against me.

The next year, I had the third highest scoring team. Again, I did not make the play-offs.

This year I am in four leagues all together. Three in ESPN and one in CBS. In the CBS league, 6 teams make the play-offs. My team was the third highest scoring team and did not make the play-offs. In an ESPN free public league, I am the 2nd highest scoring team and I need to win this week while two other teams lose for my team to make the play-offs. In the league with my brothers and friends, the opposite might happen. Due to some bad luck, I am the 7th highest scoring team of the 12. Yet if one team loses and I win this week, I will make the play-offs.

My last league is a new and 2nd league that my brothers and different friends created just this year. It is the first year of a keeper league. My team is the highest scoring team and in 1st place with a 10-2 record.

So of my four teams, three of them are in the leaders of scoring points and only one of those are a lock to make the play-offs. The one team that had a bad year has the best chance (outside of the 1st place team) to make the play-offs.

However good your team is, plain old dumb luck still takes a factor. Your one bad week may come against a team you need to beat. The worst teams in the league may have their one great week when they play your team. There is never a guarantee that your team will make the play-offs. All you can do is prepare as much as you can, draft as good as you can, work the waivers as well as you can and then just pray you have half way decent luck.

Injury Report Updated 11/29/2009

The NFL injury report has been updated as of 11/29/2009 - 11:32 AM

Injury Update - Lions

DETROIT LIONS

It has been officially announced that both, quarterback Matthew Stafford and Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson are playing.

Injury Report - Giants vs Broncos - Week-12

NEW YORK GIANTS

RB - Ahmad Bradshaw - Ankles - Out
QB - Eli Manning - Foot - Probable


DENVER BRONCOS

QB - Kyle Orton - Ankle - Probable
RB - LaMont Jordan - Back - Out


NFG - If you have Brandon Jacobs, this is a week you need to start him. With Bradshaw out for this week, he will not be eating into Jacobs carries. More carries could help Jacobs get into a rhythm.

Injury Report - Raiders vs Cowboys - Week-12

OAKLAND RAIDERS

WR - Javon Walker - Hamstring - Questionable


DALLAS COWBOYS

TE - Jason Witten - Foot - Questionable
QB - Tony Romo - Back - Probable
RB - Marion Barber - Thumb - Probable


NFG - Though it is very possible that Romo could have a big day against Oakland, it is not something I would want to bet on. Barber and Witten have been nothing more than average players this season in fantasy football.

If you are using anyone from the Raiders to start on your fantasy team? Take my advice and consider fantasy golf or something. Though it is always possible for any starter to have a good week, to bet on a Raider this season is fantasy suicide.

Injury Report - Lions vs Packer - Week-12

DETROIT LIONS

QB - Mathew Stafford - Shoulder - Doubtful
WR - Calvin Johnson - Hand - Questionable
WR - Derrick Williams - Hip - Unknown


GREEN BAY PACKERS

RB - Ryan Grant - Neck - Probable
RB - Ahman Green - Groin - Doubtful


NFG - If you are high on Stafford after his rookie record game last week, pull in the reigns. He had his five touchdowns against a very bad Cleveland team. There is a big chance he will not play today, only four days after dislocating his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Even if he feels like he can do it, the Lions brass will have to make a decision on what is more important, today's game on Thanksgiving or Stafford's health. This season is already shot for the Lions and playing Stafford without letting his shoulder heal completely would be stupid.

If youhave Aaron Rodgers on your fantasy team, congradulations! He is up against the worst passing defense I have ever seen. Keep in mind that the Lions are the ONLY team that the Browns have completed a touchdown pass to a wide receiver against this season. The Browns accomplished that three times in the first quarter. Ryan Grant should have a decent day but dont expect too much. Running backs have had decent days against the Lions but they have not had huge games.

Injury Report Updated 11/22/2009

The NFL injury report has now been updated as of 11/22/2009 - 10:10 PM, from the ESPN latest report.