The regular season may be over, but that doesn't mean you don't have a fantasy option! Even if some games have been played by the time you read this, it's not too late! (I've even done it with a friend for the Super Bowl game alone.) My Playoff Fantasy Football format is easy to draft, easy to manage, and can be fun for everyone. It can also provide ladies with a reason to cuddle up to their significant other for the next few weekends.

The format outlined below is one that I have used with some local friends and family for over 15 years. (I must admit that I did not create the format, but my good friend that did would have no problem with me sharing it.)

We have divisions composed of 6 teams per division. This year, we have 4 divisions of 6. Six is the magic number because with the roster format, each starting quarterback and kicker in the playoffs will be selected.

The roster format:

2 Quarterbacks

2 Running Backs

3 Wide Receivers (or Tight Ends, or a combination of both)

2 Kickers

There are no trades or waiver wires. You are stuck with the team that you draft.

If you draft after the first week of games, you will need to adjust your division size accordingly, i.e., after the first week, 8 teams will be left, so you could do a 4-person division.

Scoring:

You can make it as simple or complicated as you want. We use our standard scoring format:

•  1 point for every 10 yards rushing

•  1 point for every 10 yards received

•  1 point for each reception (see above)

•  6 points for each touchdown run or reception

•  3-4 points for each touchdown pass

•  1 point for every 20 yards passing

•  3 points for each field goal

•  1 point for each extra point

Points are simply accumulated by team throughout the playoffs.

Strategy:

Strategies vary, but I will share with you what has worked for me on a pretty consistent basis. Many are tempted to select as many players as possible from the team favored to win the Super Bowl. That's fine, but you need to keep in mind that most of those teams tend to have a bye in the first week of the playoffs. That means that the highest number of games that those players will play is 3. With that, I usually try to find a team that plays in the first week of the playoffs that I think can make it to the Conference Championship game, and possibly the Super Bowl. With that strategy, my players will also play 3 games, with the possibility of playing in 4.

Another drawback to selecting players from the overall favorite is that there is a good chance that when it comes back to you in the draft, many of those players will have been selected.

When your first group of players has been taken, consider taking players that have an excellent performance history, but that may not be on the best team. One great game out of Peyton Manning might equal 2 games from Kerry Collins. The key is to accumulate points and games played, preferably a combination of both.

When doing my preparation, I start out by plotting the playoff games, indicating who I believe will win in each match-up. By doing that, I can estimate how many games each player will play. But, preparation and plotting are not necessary for this informal format. Grab a cheetsheet and start drafting! Since there are always surprises in the playoffs, you could find yourself a winner!

Cheatsheets are readily available on the internet. I have enclosed a link to one such source:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=NFL&columnid=157&articleid=31991

The Draft:

Serpentine style with the first pick starting and then going down to six. The person with the six pick selects twice as you work your way back to the first pick. They then have two picks, and so on. With such small rosters, the entire process can be done in less than 30 minutes.

If you are in need of a quick primer on fantasy football again, check out my early archived articles.

Until next year.may all of your fantasy dreams come true!