Playoffs are coming up quickly as most are probably starting in Week 15. With how hectic the 2021 season has been, nothing is more useful than having a plan for how you’re going to attack the playoffs.

Whether you’re competing for the championship or just hoping to avoid last place, this advice can help anyone competing in fantasy football leagues during this time of year. With that short introduction behind us, here are 5 tips that will either help you secure that fantasy football crown or keep you from your dreaded last place punishment. 

1. Secure your handcuffs

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, handcuffs can be incredibly important to fantasy lineups. From what managers have seen in the past, the late portion of the season can be rough on star running backs as they’ve been used heavily for most of the season. That has led to players who have carried rosters for most of the season missing time when managers really can’t afford it.

Nothing in fantasy can derail a season quicker than losing a star running back. Most trade deadlines have already passed so that is most likely out of the question but, if the backup to one of your important running backs is still sitting on waivers, go pick them up as soon as you can. 

2. Get a nice defensive schedule ready

It might look dumb now, but hoarding defenses can be one of the more useful strategies for the playoffs in fantasy football. If you are in a nice spot and just preparing for playoff matchups at this point, shed some players that aren’t helping you too much and set up a nice schedule for defenses in the weeks that you have playoffs. Nothing can be more annoying during the playoffs than getting dragged down by a bad defense.

Lock up your options now before you’re scrambling during the late season. Some options I would recommend include Eagles D/ST, Seahawks D/ST, or Jaguars D/ST if you are extremely desperate for their Week 15 and 16 matchups against the Texans and Jets. 

3. Don’t be fooled by defensive rankings

Defensive rankings might look good on paper with the nice green number next to your fantasy player who will surely take advantage of their matchup. Keep in mind that the rankings aren’t as simple as that. Defenses can improve drastically as the season progresses and we’re seeing that from defenses like the Dolphins, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Washington.

A team that looked horrible on defense early in the season can improve and become one of the more feared units in football by the season’s end. The rankings are a season-long process so, as a fantasy manager, you need to look further into a defense’s recent run of performances to determine if they are actually a nice offensive matchup. 

4. Cut ties with depth pieces

Depth is always a luxury during the fantasy season and it can carry you through frustrating bye weeks in the middle of the season. Where that depth doesn’t help you at all is in the playoffs. Teams aren’t on bye during the fantasy playoffs so what are you doing holding onto a player that can’t help your starting lineup.

From what was mentioned before, cutting depth pieces that aren’t direct handcuffs for good defenses can help you in creating an exact plan for your lineup during the playoffs. Ridding yourself of useless depth and having a plan going into each matchup can ease your mind while keeping you from making impulsive lineup changes that will hurt your team in the end.

5. Field your best possible lineup

Trades most likely aren’t available for your league right now so roster improvement shouldn’t be much of an option. But, one thing that will save you from headaches and keep you confident in your team during the playoffs is just fielding the best lineup possible. Try to avoid playing games and looking for the next breakout performance and stick to the lineup that got you to the playoffs originally.

If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. That’s fantasy football for you. Putting the best set of players out there every week will give you the best chance at winning and will keep you from regretting dumb decisions if you’re eliminated. Trust me, I’ve been there. Nothing stinks worse than wondering what if you stuck to your guns and left the best player in your lineup.