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It will be another few weeks before the playoff contenders in the NFL are narrowed down, but for most fantasy football leagues the pursuit of postseason glory begins after this week’s round of games.
Often fantasy sports are not a breeding ground for parity, but in my league this year, which has only four playoff spots, three are still up for grabs heading into the final week of the season. Seven of the 12 teams still remain in contention. This is the most competitive fantasy league I have ever been a part of, and while some might say fantasy sports cheapen the real product, it has really improved it for me — especially this year. Outside of the New England Patriots, I really have no reason to have a vested interest in the fortunes of other teams or other players without my own competitive stake in the action. As long as players have no grandeur delusions about their role in the sports world and don’t lose sight of the games that really matter — the ones played on the gridiron and not on ESPN.com — then I think fantasy sports are healthy.
It gets more people involved, makes for more educated fans and can make a totally uninteresting game the fantasy Super Bowl. If not for my fantasy team, I know that this year’s Thanksgiving football schedule, which featured perennial pushovers Detroit and Oakland, would have taken a back seat to “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” if I didn’t have Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant and Miles Austin playing for me.
If not for fantasy football, I would have been forced to banter with my mom and sister about health care reform in a tryptophan and boxed wine-induced semi-stupor while “Jesus Christ Superstar” serenaded us in the background. Instead, I was allowed to kick back in a recliner, continue drinking boxed wine and frighten my family as I scream obscenities at the television. In performing the miracle of creating relevance for the hapless Lions and the depressing Raiders organizations and saving my Thanksgiving from painstaking post-dinner table talk, fantasy football has cemented itself as a pillar of American society.
In celebration of this monumental honor, I have taken it upon my league and indeed the fantasy football world to orchestrate a momentous comeback from a 0-3 start to take home my league championship. My competition in the regular season finale is Adam Clark, The Maine Campus Sports Editor and current league leader at 9-3. The winner of the matchup will not only secure a playoff berth but also the Sports Editor position and the pink slip to the loser’s car.
There is a lot on the line, and since I am currently unemployed and drive a Chevy Prism that is on its last legs, I have a decided mental advantage over the well-to-do taxpayer.
I also find myself in a personnel advantage since Clark, after beginning the season 7-0, decided he no longer needed running backs and traded away Steve Slaton and Reggie Bush for the underperforming Roddy White. Because of this oversight, Clark will be forced to start Felix Jones against the Giants’ tough front line while I roll out Joseph Addai and Ryan Grant — boring, but consistent. And because I drafted receivers Andre and Calvin Johnson in the first two rounds of our draft, I have a decided advantage at receiver as well now that Calvin Johnson is finally healthy. According to ESPN projections, I am slated to put the boots to Clark to the tune of 122 to 95 so I am being cautiously arrogant.
Don’t be surprised if you see me roll up to The Maine Campus office next week driving a maroon Grand Am and leading a marching band to fantasy postseason glory.
