When the NFL season rolls around, fans are excited for multiple reasons: To watch their favorite team play, and see the crazy throws, catches, runs, and tackles. But many anticipate the fantasy football season more than anything else.
However, in light of recent events surrounding the NFL right now, many team managers have struggled through the first seven weeks of the season. Factors such as bad drafting, trades that aged horribly, or the scariest part, injuries, have contributed to struggling lineups weekly.
Multiple fantasy football studies indicate that approximately 50 percent of 10-12 man PPR (Points Per Reception) leagues have losing records as of Week seven. And 8 percent of fantasy leagues also hold rosters with 0-7 records.
Whittier High School student Evann Beevers, holding a record of 2-5 in his current fantasy league, has struggled with his players.
“I thought my team was going to be pretty good, but players such as AJ Brown, who I thought were going to be a stud for me, ended up playing pretty terribly and underperforming consistently for me.” Said Beevers. “I also feel my matchups have been difficult, with the first 6 weeks I have played the top 5 contenders in rankings right now”. Beevers was 0-5 and in 12th place at the time of our interview . He has since moved up one spot in the rankings to 11th place and is on a two-game winning streak.
Triton Regional High School student Cullen Kohan blames injuries for his current record.
“Simply, my team is a hospital; some of my main guys are stuck on my bench because they’re hurt. There’s nothing more to it apart from so many of my guys are hurt, and that I pretty much relied on to help me win these first 7 weeks.” Said Kohan.
Kohan started the year off strong going 2-0. After the loss of his starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, due to a turf toe injury, he now stands at 3-4, tied with 5 other teams for 5th place.
Fantasy football is not an easy game, and it requires a significant amount of football knowledge and strategy to assemble a strong team that performs well week after week. Although you may know a lot about the game and think you are going to have a successful season, bad luck is also a very real part of the game. The NFL season is nowhere near over, so struggling fantasy teams still have plenty of time to turn their seasons around.
