Five Rules for Being a Fantasy Football League Champion

Let me first say that I assume truth in the following equation: winning = happiness. Your objective is to win games, and it makes you happy to win games.

That assumption will make more sense in a bit. I'm providing these five rules not because I have always dominated fantasy football leagues, but because, when I don't follow them, I get burned.

So, sometimes you learn more from losing than winning. In that case, I've learned a lot. These are my five top rules, but in no way am I saying they are the only five. What are some of your rules?

Rule No. 1: "He kicked butt for me last year"—Don't draft just because you had them last year

Did I say "last year"? We build emotional attachments to these guys and, for some reason, are attracted to the studs of yesteryear. This is wrong in so many ways—you end up holding onto someone longer (like an old girlfriend) and waiting for that breakout game. Yeah, you may think you know them so well and you might even be connected, but he's not thinking of you one bit.

Rule No. 2: "They're my favorite team"—Don't draft out of loyalty to a team

Sure, a bunch of people showed off this skill with New England last year, but this year would have been a total bust. If you have to draft from your favorite team because you can't handle rooting against them, then expect to lose most often or just quit playing FFL.

Now, it may bring you amazing happiness to draft a player you like then see them play well, but—newsflash—you'll always like a player that does well for you. Let them earn your love first.

Rule No. 3: "I love him this week"—Think a couple games ahead

I'm the one whom people constantly ask "why the hell did you pick them up, they are on bye?" Well, because Carolina is playing Oakland, then Detroit in the next two games. You aren't an athlete, you can, in fact look, beyond your current opponent, and you should.

How set up are you for a week or two in advance? There are often players available that have fantastic matchups. And the FFL Guru advice you always read will say "pickups for the week"—well, everyone knows them, and you only end up in waiver-wire battles, but what about pickups in two weeks? They are around for the cherry-picking.

Rule No. 4: "But my team was so awesome in the regular season"—Think about the playoffs

Yes, you need to get in the playoffs, but nothing hurts more than losing in the first round (guilty a number of times). In many leagues, the playoffs might come down to the second-to-last game of the season. If they do, top teams typically rest players. How many people had Peyton Manning in a playoff game and he only played for a half when they needed him most?

This is the time you'll need to look at the bad teams who are playing for pride. It's the games that are between two teams with nothing at stake that you sometimes see unbelievable stats. Of course, mid-tier teams playing to get into the playoffs or establish home field advantage will play their hearts out.

Rule No. 5: "I would have won, but I have injuries"—Injuries are the rule, not the exception

Get over your sad injury stories. Your season isn't sealed by the draft alone. Steven Jackson, Willie Parker, Tom Brady, blah blah blah—stop whining and get active. Consider yourself to have rare luck if your running backs don't miss some games.

Out of injuries, though, come many opportunities. Keep an eye out for backups and even put them on your bench—they always get a chance to shine and you could be sitting on fresh gold.

I know this is particularly hard in bye weeks, and nothing hurts more than seeing a player you dropped put up large points. Mewelde Moore paid huge dividends for me this year, but of course I dropped him only a few days before hearing that Parker is out again with a bad shoulder. Whoever gets Moore should have gold going up against one of the worst run defenses and best pass defenses (Indy).

Those are my five...any suggestions?