How can I improve my chances of winning fantasy football playoffs?
The best way to increase your odds in the playoffs is to load up on depth, start thinking about the last few weeks now, and target players that have job security and/or favorable schedules. Save waiver claims, stay updated on injuries and starting lineups, and don't put all of your eggs in one potentially brittle basket. Each week, balance safe production with upside, and have multiple lineups in mind.
Plan ahead for the fantasy playoffs. Look at the last few weeks of each team's schedule to see if there are any teams that might present interesting options. Don't trade away a great player or a set role because he has a good schedule though. Strength of defense, injury situations, coaching changes, and game projections can change quickly.
Build enough depth
Injuries and late-season changes in playing time can affect playoff teams. If your starter has missed games already or is part of a crowded rotation, keep a solid backup at key positions. It might be better to have a bench player who's seen his minutes increase rather than a player who is not going to get much more playing time.
Use trades before the deadline
Try to fix your weak spots with trades before your league's deadline arrives. It's usually better to have a more balanced team than a team that relies on only one star player, or even one NFL offense. When considering a trade, ask yourself two questions: Does this improve my starting lineup? Do I still have sufficient depth after the trade?
Follow the news
The closer we get to the playoffs, the more you need to pay attention to practice participation, playing time, the weather, motivation, and roster moves. A team may have already clinched a playoff spot and will sit its players for the remainder of the regular season, or another team may alter its game plan as it competes for a playoff berth. These are tough things to predict, so have a backup plan when possible.
Look beyond the matchup
Don't grade a player solely on their playoff schedule. A great matchup doesn't fix a risky role. Look at expected playing time, injury risk, offensive opportunity, and a player's floor first.
Set your lineup for the situation
Before each week of the playoffs, weigh your team against the opposing team. If you're the favorite, stable guys could be preferable over super high upside guys. If you're likely to be the underdog, you want players with actual upside via TDs, big plays, or great volume. Scrutinize your lineups right up until kickoff, and make sure you have backups ready in case of emergencies.