Making the right lineup decisions can be the difference between winning and losing in fantasy football. But with so many players to choose from, it can be tough to know who to start.
That's where we come in. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to make the best lineup decisions possible. We'll also provide a weekly list of players who we think are good starts for the upcoming week.
So, without further ado, let's get started!
who should i start in fantasy football
Consider these important points to make informed lineup decisions:
- Check player injuries
- Monitor team news
- Analyze matchups
- Trust your gut
- Don't chase points
- Stay flexible
Remember, making the right lineup decisions is a crucial aspect of winning in fantasy football. By following these tips, you can improve your chances of success.
Check player injuries
Injuries are a major factor to consider when making lineup decisions in fantasy football. A player who is injured or playing through an injury is more likely to miss games or be less productive than a healthy player.
There are a few different ways to check player injuries. One way is to check the injury reports that are released by the NFL and fantasy football websites. These reports will list the players who are injured, the extent of their injuries, and their expected timetable for return.
Another way to check player injuries is to follow beat writers and fantasy football analysts on social media. These experts often have access to inside information about player injuries and can provide valuable insights.
Finally, you can also check the practice reports that are released by NFL teams. These reports will list the players who participated in practice and whether or not they were limited or full participants. This information can be helpful in determining the severity of a player's injury and their chances of playing in the upcoming game.
By staying up-to-date on player injuries, you can make informed lineup decisions and avoid starting players who are likely to miss games or be limited in their production.
Monitor team news
In addition to checking player injuries, it's also important to monitor team news when making lineup decisions in fantasy football.
- Bye weeks: Every NFL team has a bye week during the season. This means that all of the players on that team will not play in that week's games. It's important to be aware of bye weeks when setting your lineup so that you don't accidentally start players who are on bye.
- Weather: The weather can also have a significant impact on player performance. For example, running backs tend to do better in dry weather conditions, while wide receivers tend to do better in dome stadiums or in good weather conditions. If you're expecting bad weather in a particular game, you may want to consider starting players who are less likely to be affected by the weather.
- Game script: The game script can also affect player performance. For example, if a team is trailing late in the game, they may be more likely to pass the ball more often, which could benefit wide receivers and quarterbacks. If a team is winning late in the game, they may be more likely to run the ball more often, which could benefit running backs.
- Coaching changes: Coaching changes can also have a significant impact on player performance. When a new coach is hired, they may implement a new offensive or defensive scheme, which could benefit or hurt certain players. It's important to be aware of coaching changes when making lineup decisions.
By monitoring team news, you can stay up-to-date on all of the factors that could affect player performance and make more informed lineup decisions.
Analyze matchups
One of the most important factors to consider when making lineup decisions in fantasy football is the matchup. Some players perform better against certain teams or defenses than they do against others. For example, a running back who is good at breaking tackles may be more likely to have a good game against a team with a weak run defense. A wide receiver who is good at getting open deep may be more likely to have a good game against a team with a weak secondary.
There are a few different ways to analyze matchups. One way is to look at the statistics of the opposing team's defense. You can find these statistics on fantasy football websites and in newspapers. Another way to analyze matchups is to watch film of the opposing team's defense. This can help you to see how the defense plays against different types of offenses and players.
Finally, you can also use matchup analysis tools to help you make lineup decisions. These tools take into account a variety of factors, such as the opposing team's defense, the weather, and the game script, to help you identify players who are likely to have good games.
By analyzing matchups, you can increase your chances of starting players who are likely to perform well and score points for your team.
Here are some additional tips for analyzing matchups:
- Look for players who are facing teams that are ranked in the bottom half of the league in terms of points allowed to their position.
- Consider the opposing team's injuries. If a team is missing key defensive players, it may be more likely to give up points to the opposing offense.
- Pay attention to the weather forecast. If bad weather is expected, it may be better to start players who are less likely to be affected by the weather, such as running backs and tight ends.
Trust your gut
Sometimes, the best way to make a lineup decision is to trust your gut. This is especially true if you're torn between two players who are evenly matched in terms of their stats and matchups. If you have a gut feeling that one player is going to have a good game, then go with that player.
There are a few reasons why you might trust your gut when making lineup decisions. First, you may have a better understanding of the players and their situations than the experts do. You may be more familiar with a player's injury history or their relationship with their coach. Second, you may be able to pick up on things that the experts don't see. For example, you may notice that a player is playing with more confidence or that they have a good rapport with their quarterback.
Of course, you shouldn't always trust your gut. If you're making a lineup decision based on a hunch, it's important to weigh that hunch against the facts. Look at the player's stats, their matchup, and the weather forecast. If the facts don't support your hunch, then you may want to reconsider your decision.
But if you have a strong gut feeling about a player, don't be afraid to go with it. Sometimes, your gut is the best predictor of who will have a good game.
Here are some tips for trusting your gut when making lineup decisions:
- Pay attention to your instincts. If you have a gut feeling about a player, don't ignore it.
- Be willing to go against the experts. If you think a player is going to have a good game, even if the experts don't agree with you, go with your gut.
- Don't overthink it. Sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that you make quickly and without overthinking them.
Don't chase points
One of the biggest mistakes that fantasy football players make is chasing points. This means starting players who are likely to score a lot of points, even if they have a bad matchup or are injured. This is a risky strategy because it can lead to you starting players who end up scoring very few points or even getting injured.
- Start players with good matchups. Even if a player is a star, they're not going to score a lot of points if they have a bad matchup. When setting your lineup, focus on players who have good matchups against their opponents.
- Don't start injured players. Injured players are always a risk. Even if they're expected to play, they may not be 100% healthy and may not be able to perform at their best. Avoid starting injured players whenever possible.
- Don't overvalue players who had a big game the previous week. Players who had a big game the previous week are often overvalued by fantasy football players. This can lead to you starting players who are due for a regression. Instead, focus on players who have been consistently productive throughout the season.
- Be patient. Don't get discouraged if your players don't score a lot of points in the first few weeks of the season. Fantasy football is a long season and there will be plenty of opportunities for your players to score points. Be patient and stick with your plan.
By following these tips, you can avoid chasing points and make more informed lineup decisions.
Stay flexible
Things change quickly in fantasy football. Players get injured, teams change their offensive schemes, and new players emerge as stars. This is why it's important to stay flexible and be willing to make changes to your lineup throughout the season.
Here are a few tips for staying flexible in fantasy football:
- Monitor the waiver wire. The waiver wire is a great place to find players who are performing well and who are available to be added to your team. Be sure to check the waiver wire regularly and add any players who you think can help your team.
- Be willing to trade players. Trading players is another good way to improve your team. If you have a player who is underperforming, you may be able to trade them for a player who is performing better. You can also trade players to fill holes in your lineup or to acquire players who have good matchups in upcoming weeks.
- Don't be afraid to bench players. If you have a player who is not performing well, don't be afraid to bench them. It's better to start a player who is performing well, even if they have a bad matchup, than to start a player who is not performing well and has a good matchup.
By staying flexible and being willing to make changes to your lineup, you can improve your chances of winning your fantasy football league.
Here are some additional tips for staying flexible in fantasy football:
- Pay attention to the news and rumors. This can help you to stay up-to-date on player injuries, team changes, and other news that could affect your lineup.
- Be prepared to make lineup changes at the last minute. Sometimes, players get injured or benched at the last minute. This is why it's important to be prepared to make lineup changes at the last minute.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're not sure who to start or who to trade, don't be afraid to ask for help from your friends, family, or other fantasy football experts.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about who to start in fantasy football:
Question 1: How do I know who to start in fantasy football?
Answer 1: There are a few factors to consider when deciding who to start in fantasy football, including player injuries, team news, matchups, and your own gut feeling.
Question 2: Where can I find information about player injuries?
Answer 2: You can find information about player injuries on fantasy football websites, in newspapers, and on social media.
Question 3: How do I analyze matchups?
Answer 3: You can analyze matchups by looking at the statistics of the opposing team's defense, watching film of the opposing team's defense, and using matchup analysis tools.
Question 4: Should I trust my gut when making lineup decisions?
Answer 4: Yes, you should trust your gut when making lineup decisions. Sometimes, your gut is the best predictor of who will have a good game.
Question 5: How do I avoid chasing points?
Answer 5: You can avoid chasing points by starting players with good matchups, avoiding injured players, and not overvaluing players who had a big game the previous week.
Question 6: How do I stay flexible in fantasy football?
Answer 6: You can stay flexible in fantasy football by monitoring the waiver wire, being willing to trade players, and not being afraid to bench players who are not performing well.
Question 7: Where can I get help with my fantasy football lineup?
Answer 7: You can get help with your fantasy football lineup from your friends, family, other fantasy football experts, or by using fantasy football analysis tools.
Closing Paragraph: I hope this FAQ has been helpful. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game.
Now that you know who to start in fantasy football, here are some additional tips to help you win your league:
Tips
Here are some practical tips to help you make the best lineup decisions possible:
Tip 1: Do your research.
The more you know about the players and teams in your league, the better equipped you'll be to make informed lineup decisions. This means staying up-to-date on player injuries, team news, and matchups.
Tip 2: Trust your gut.
Sometimes, your gut is the best predictor of who will have a good game. If you have a strong feeling about a player, don't be afraid to go with it, even if the experts don't agree with you.
Tip 3: Be flexible.
Things change quickly in fantasy football. Players get injured, teams change their offensive schemes, and new players emerge as stars. Be prepared to make changes to your lineup throughout the season based on these changes.
Tip 4: Don't overthink it.
Sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that you make quickly and without overthinking them. If you're stuck between two players, just go with the one that you think will have the better game.
Closing Paragraph: I hope these tips have been helpful. Remember, fantasy football is a game of chance and there is no one right way to play it. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game.
Now that you know who to start in fantasy football and have some tips to help you make the best lineup decisions, you're well on your way to winning your league.
Conclusion
In this article, we've discussed the importance of making informed lineup decisions in fantasy football. We've also provided some tips to help you make the best decisions possible, including:
- Doing your research
- Trusting your gut
- Being flexible
- Not overthinking it
By following these tips, you can improve your chances of winning your fantasy football league. But remember, fantasy football is a game of chance and there is no one right way to play it. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game.
Closing Message: I hope this article has been helpful. Good luck with your fantasy football season!