Losers!..Losers…I will win, I am confident of it. Mostly because of my superior intellect (and Michael Vick). C’mon Michael! You proved you can kill dogs…now go do it on the field. (I cannot stand the fact that he did that to dogs, but he has paid his debt to society).
But just because it's your last matchup of the season doesn't mean it's time to rest. Chances are you didn't breeze your way to the finals with your feet up and your finger off the mouse (like I did). In fact, being that this is the last game of the season win or lose several players on your roster doesn’t hold the same appeal as before. And unlike the previous weeks, knowing which players you're going up against before your game is important, and it could impact how you maneuver your lineup.
First things first: Set your lineup in advance. That determines who you'll likely start -- and subsequently determines who on your roster is expendable. Do you have two DSTs when you only need one? Been carrying an injured player hoping to get him back in time for this game? Got a dud wasting space on your bench? Anyone who you know you're not starting, and more importantly, don't think will help your opponent, is not worth owning. For instance, if you own Drew Brees and David Garrard, and your title-game rival this week has Michael Vick, then Garrard is a dead spot in your lineup. You don't need him, so drop him. Remember; don't cut anyone your fellow owner would consider picking up and starting himself.
Or just kiss your ass goodbye now…because I have Vick.
What do you do with this newfound space? If it were any week but this week, you'd claim the hottest players off of waivers. But this week it's not a bad idea to steal players your opponent might consider starting. For instance, let's say your Week 16 nemesis limped into the title game with Adrian Peterson on his or her team. Peterson was a surprise inactive in Week 15 and could easily find himself ruled out again on Sunday night. If your opponent doesn't have Toby Gerhart, he'd be a guy to target as well as any other good rushers on waivers. I'd recommend doing the same thing if you're going up against Arian Foster this week (which I am unfortunately) -- he was dinged last week and the Texans aren't playing for anything. Perhaps Derrick Ward will pick up a start against the Broncos in place of Foster. That’s why I grabbed Ward this morning off waivers.
What if your opponent is loaded and doesn't need to make a roster move? In that case it's all about maximizing your roster with good talent and eliminating the waste. You might even speculate on a second option for a starter who you're not 100 percent sure on. Let's say you've been disappointed with Dwayne Bowe's stats lately and while you'll probably start him in Week 16 vs. Tennessee, maybe you want to have another option. In that case you could pick up a receiver and drop that second DST or kicker. There's always room for improvement.
Something that's been bothering me all season: How come everyone on the bus in Atlanta bops their head to the rhythm of the music except Arthur Blank in that commercial? Blank has certainly seen things from the dark side. Just three years ago, the franchise was in shambles. Star quarterback Michael Vick headed off to prison for running a dogfighting ring (did I mention I don't care right now?)... Coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team for the University of Arkansas after just 13 games.
The Falcons started over — new quarterback, new coach, new general manager — but those who thought it would take years to bounce back were way off the mark. The Falcons (11-2) have already gotten a third consecutive winning mark out of the way, setting their sights on much loftier goals. (Oh, did I mention I have Michael Turner as well?). It pays to be brilliant.
Just remember, it's go-for-broke week. You worked hard to get to this point, so don't stop fighting now.
Or…hand me the trophy now before you get whipped….see ya in the winner's circle. Cue the violins!
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