Fantasy Football 101:
Setting Your Starting Lineup

Okay, so you've selected your players, analyzed your strengths, grabbed a couple free agents, pulled a trade or two and now you're ready to set your starting lineup. You glance down at your roster and try to decide which players will start and which will sit this one out. Here are a few tips on how to ensure that your team has the winning edge. Remember: knowledge is the key to victory.


The single most important piece of information when determining your lineup is to know your deadlines.

All the research and breaking news in the world won't mean much if it's too late to change your lineup. It is critical that you know when your starting lineup is frozen.

It may sound silly to state this as the most important rule, but you'd be surprised at how often it is missed. During the course of the regular season, undoubtedly, someone will forget that there's a Thursday game, or that his stud RB is off that week. By the time he realizes his mistake, it'll be too late, and he'll start someone who is on a bye or injured and sit someone who should be starting.

On Wednesday of each week, grab the schedule and glance at it for a few minutes. Make note of any Thursday or Saturday games that may be scheduled that week. Also note which teams are off that week. Compare these teams with your roster players and make your changes early. As the deadline approaches, adjust your lineup as necessary. This may seem simple, but let's just put it out there because it is essential.


This is another simple rule that is sometimes overlooked. Identify and start your studs.

If you've got the #4 RB in the league, but he is facing the #1 run defense in the league, do you bench him for someone else? No way! Not unless you're lucky enough to have three stud runners on your roster. Your stud players are the guys who will be there week in and week out for you. These guys always find a way to contribute, so write them into your lineup in permanent marker. These stud players might not chip in 200 yards and 4 touchdowns every week, but even against the stingiest defenses, these guys can have an impact. Never sit your studs unless they are injured. Period.


To win in fantasy football, you must determine which players on your roster will score the most points in any given week.

If you can correctly determine your highest scoring player at every position you'll win most of your games. It sounds simple, but it's really not. After every loss, you will probably be able to look back on your roster and see a guy who would have won the game for you, if only you had started him.

The key to putting the best team on the field is to look at the opponents of all your players. Is your backup RB playing a team with a weak run defense? If so, you might slip him in as your #2. Is your backup QB playing a team with a banged up secondary? You might want to start him this week. Is your starting kicker playing outside in the rain or snow? You might want to start your backup instead. Knowing who your players are matched up against can really help maximize your scoring each week.

I've already mentioned this, but it's worth repeating. NEVER bench your stud players because your backups have an easier opponent. It is a VERY BAD idea. Don't do it. Always start your stud players. This can't be stressed enough.


Know your intangibles: here are a few other things to consider when rounding out your lineup.

*If one of your players is on a hot streak, take a chance and move him into the starting lineup, unless you have studs filling the position. (A hot streak constitutes when a player has had at least two strong fantasy weeks in a row).

*If everything else is equal between 2 players, start the one who is not listed on the injury report. Some points are better than none.

*As the deadline for your lineup approaches, check for breaking news about injured players. Was your starter downgraded on the injury report? Was a player injured at practice earlier in the week? A last minute change in the injury status of a player can leave you with a guaranteed zero from one of your starters. Avoid this if you can. (Note that some teams make this harder than others *cough* Broncos *cough*).

Follow these simple rules, and you will find that your team will be competitive week after week. Pulling out one or two close victories during the season can boost your squad into the playoffs, and even give you the edge to hoist your league's championship trophy when all is said and done.