Sportz Ballz

Do I start Eli Manning or Andrew Luck?

Such are the questions that plague fantasy football leagues around the U.S. during the fall season. For those of you who don't know, Eli Manning is the quarterback for the New York Giants and Andrew Luck is the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. If none of that means anything to you, then this may be you during football season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdwchohlMjI. 

But really though... Manning or Luck? You may think "Oh, choose Luck, he's the highest paid quarterback in NFL history, he must be good." But, my fancy little ESPN Fantasy Football app says that Manning is projected to score more points. So, do you see my dilemma? 

Now, there's probably nothing more infuriating than fantasy football. I've played in a league with my family for three years now, and in my experience, projections and stats and what analysts say have little affect on how well you actually do. Some expert will say that CJ Anderson is going to go off this week so be sure to start him, and then I find out that Anderson only gets my 3 points. I can't tell you how frustrating that is. But such is life. 

I have a fun story to tell you. 

Some people, like my mother, prepare for the fantasy football draft weeks before football season even starts. And boy does she go to town. I’m talking lists on lists on lists with notes on each player about what the expert analysts have said. Now, you would think that she would win our league, but I think she ended up like fourth or fifth last season. Sorry if I got that wrong, mom.

Last year, my wife felt a little left out because my family would talk every week about the frustrations and miracles that occurred in our fantasy league. She wanted to be a part of that. Now, she likes sports ‘n stuff, but mostly for the social aspect. We added her to our league and geared up for the draft. Besides what her brother and I told her about certain players during the draft, she didn’t know anything about any player. She just took the top player that was available at each position and went on her merry way.

Fast-forward three weeks into our current season. Guess who has absolutely obliterated her last three opponents? You guessed it. How is that possible?!?! She has won her last three games with a combined score of 345 – 250. She is putting those who studied and prepared for the season to shame. I’ll give her credit, she asks me whom I think she should start or sit every week (so maybe I’m the real winner here, or at least that’s what I’ll keep telling myself), but other than that she does nothing. But can anyone else see how frustrating it is for a newbie to just show up unprepared and then just destroy everyone? Fantasy football sucks.

Anyway, there’s my little rant about the most frustrating thing in the world. But you better believe I’ll be back next season, ready for more disappointment.

But really, Eli Manning or Andrew Luck?