WEEK 12: THE PLAYOFF PUSH IS REAL — FOUR LEAGUES, FOUR PATHS, ONE MISSION
It’s Monday of Week 12, and even though Monday Night Football hasn’t kicked off yet, we
now have enough clarity to evaluate where each of my fantasy teams stand. With the season
winding down, playoff positioning becomes everything. As fantasy analyst Matthew Berry
said this week, “Late November is where attention beats reputation.”
Influencers League — 6–6 and Climbing
This week brought a much-needed and decisive victory. With this win, I move to 6–6,
holding onto 4th place, the final playoff spot with two games left.
Key notes from the week:
– The waiver pickup of Emanuel Wilson continues to look like one of the best depth adds of
the season.
– All my Chargers were on bye: Justin Herbert, Gadsden Jr., and Quentin Johnston.
– Jacoby Brissett filled in for Herbert and did so admirably, exactly what I needed at QB in a
tough bye week.
– Rome Odunze finished with 3 receptions for 53 yards — not ideal, but manageable.
– I had Travis Etienne on my bench, and in hindsight should’ve started him, but that’s
fantasy. You learn, correct, and move forward.
Fantasy analyst Jake Ciely says it best: “Every week resets — last week’s mistakes are next
week’s opportunities.”
Couldn’t be more true.
League of Old Friends — Another Crucial Win (6–6)
Another important victory brings me to 6–6, tying me for 4th place and just a few points
behind the tiebreaker leader. Two weeks left. Everything still in reach.
This is the time of year when the true fantasy heavy hitters separate themselves — Puka
Nacua, CeeDee Lamb, Saquon Barkley, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen,
Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, Davante Adams, Jameer Gibbs — the defining forces of
2024.
But playoff races are shaped not only by the stars, but by the timing of our decisions and the
discipline of our weekly management.
Two more matchups. One playoff ticket on the line.
Father–Son League — The One That Matters Most
This league always hits different, and unfortunately Week 12 didn’t go fully my way. As it
stands, it looks like I’m headed for a loss — unless Rico Dowdle somehow outscores
Christian McCaffrey and my opponent’s kicker tonight.
Is it likely? No.
Is it possible? Absolutely. Fantasy football has delivered stranger Monday Night miracles.
Regardless:
– I’m 7–4.
– I remain in 4th place.
– And with only one regular-season game left, I’m still in strong position for the playoffs.
If tonight doesn’t swing my way, next week’s showdown vs. the first-place team becomes an
early playoff game. As Field Yates puts it: “The only goal is making the playoffs. Once you’re
in, chaos takes over.”
We’re still in command of our destiny here.
Big Money League — The Hard Road, But Still Alive
This league has been the biggest grind of the year.
Ever since trading away Christian McCaffrey for Lamar Jackson, who wasn’t fully healthy at
the time, the return hasn’t produced the week-to-week power I needed. Lamar has flashed,
but not at the level CMC was delivering before the trade — and the move hasn’t fully paid
off.
But there’s real hope:
– Emanuel Wilson was a fantastic addition here as well.
– Chimere Dike delivered a breakout performance for the Titans — strong yardage, five
receptions, and a touchdown. Easily the best game of his season.
– Joe Burrow is returning next week, and in a 2-QB league a Burrow–Lamar pairing could be
the difference in these final weeks.
Right now I’m in 7th place — one spot outside the six-team playoff bracket — with two
games remaining. One game back. One run away from sneaking in.
As I said in my Week 5 article: “Just give me a ticket to the dance.”
That ticket is still within reach.
The Final Stretch — Where Fantasy Titles Are Won
These last two weeks are where most fantasy managers start to coast — and where
disciplined managers make their move.
Fantasy analysts preach the same truths every season:
• Don’t play the names — play the numbers.
• Weather matters.
• Home field matters.
• Hot streaks matter more than talent.
• Waiver wire aggression wins championships.
The top players — Nacua, Lamb, Barkley, St. Brown, McCaffrey, Mahomes, Allen, Hall,
Adams, Gibbs — are locked in for greatness.
But the league winners come from the bold moves made right now.
The Road Ahead
Four leagues.
Four playoff chases.
Four chances to finish this season strong.
If we stay sharp — make the right pickups, start the right matchups, pay attention to
defenses, kickers, weather, and volume — we can push every single team into the
postseason.
Fantasy guru Evan Silva said it best:
“Championships aren’t won early. They’re won when everyone else stops paying attention.”
We’re not stopping.
We’re locked in.
And the climb continues.
