As I sit here scrolling through my fantasy football lineup, I can't help but think about what separates championship teams from the also-rans. I've been playing fantasy football for over a decade now, and I've won my league three times - not by accident, but through deliberate strategy and what I call "energy management." That phrase might sound strange in a fantasy context, but hear me out. When I read that quote from Long about being "proud of the group we put out today" and how "all the subs that came on the bench really had good energy," it struck me how perfectly this applies to fantasy football success. The best fantasy managers don't just set their lineups on Sunday morning - they cultivate energy and depth throughout their entire roster, just like NFL coaches do with their 53-man squads.
Let me share something I learned the hard way during my 2017 season. I had what looked like a championship-caliber starting lineup on paper, but my bench was filled with lottery tickets and handcuffs who never saw the field. When bye weeks hit and injuries piled up, my team collapsed down the stretch. Since then, I've completely changed how I approach roster construction. I now dedicate at least 30% of my bench spots to players who can actually contribute immediately if needed. Last season alone, this strategy helped me overcome injuries to three starters and still finish with a 12-2 record. The key is treating your bench not as storage for future assets, but as active contributors to your team's overall energy and flexibility.
When we talk about dominating your fantasy league, it starts with the draft but continues through every waiver wire move and trade decision. I'm personally a big believer in the "zero RB" strategy in PPR leagues - I've found that loading up on elite wide receivers in the first three rounds gives me a significant advantage. Last year, 68% of championship teams in ESPN leagues had at least two top-12 wide receivers, compared to just 42% who had top-12 running backs. But here's where most managers go wrong - they get too attached to their draft picks. The willingness to make bold moves separates good managers from great ones. I've traded away second-round picks after just three weeks when the matchup data suggested they were due for regression, and more often than not, those moves paid off handsomely.
The in-season management is where championships are truly won. I maintain what I call a "start-sit dashboard" that tracks defensive matchups, weather conditions, and recent target trends. For example, did you know that wide receivers facing the Lions last season averaged 18.3 fantasy points per game, while those facing the Patriots averaged just 9.1? That's a massive swing that many casual players completely ignore. I also pay close attention to practice reports throughout the week - if a player is limited on Wednesday and Thursday, even if they're "expected to play" on Sunday, I'm probably looking for alternatives. Too many times I've started players who were technically active but clearly not at 100%, and it cost me crucial matchups.
Let's talk about something most fantasy articles ignore - the psychological aspect of managing your team. There's a certain energy, as Long mentioned, that comes from having confidence in your entire roster. When you know your bench players could step in and produce if needed, it changes how you approach start-sit decisions. You're not desperately clinging to underperforming stars because you have viable alternatives. This season, I made a point to roster at least two "set-it-and-forget-it" players at each position, which allowed me to be more aggressive with streaming defenses and tight ends based on matchups. The result? My team scored over 125 points in 11 out of 14 regular season games.
Waiver wire management is another area where championship teams separate themselves. I allocate about 65% of my FAAB budget for the first six weeks of the season, because that's when breakout players typically emerge. Last year, I spent 45% of my budget on James Robinson after Week 1, and he became my RB1 for the entire season. But here's my controversial take - I almost never use waiver claims on backup running backs when a starter gets injured. Too many managers chase the "next man up" without considering the offensive line quality or the team's overall offensive philosophy. I'd rather spend FAAB on players in good offenses who are seeing increased opportunity due to performance, not just circumstance.
The final piece of the championship puzzle is something I call "playoff preparation." Starting around Week 10, I begin looking at playoff schedules and adjusting my roster accordingly. Last season, I traded for Derrick Henry specifically because he had championship week matchups against the Lions and Packers, two of the worst run defenses in the league. That move single-handedly won me the championship when he put up 47 points in Week 16. I also make sure to roster at least one high-upside quarterback for the playoffs, even if I have an established starter. Weather becomes a major factor in December games, and having the flexibility to pivot to a dome quarterback can be the difference between winning and losing.
At the end of the day, fantasy football success comes down to treating your team like a real NFL organization. It's about building depth, managing energy, and making calculated decisions based on data rather than emotion. The managers who consistently compete for championships aren't just lucky - they're prepared, adaptable, and understand that every player on their roster, from their WR1 to their last bench spot, contributes to the team's overall success. As Long's quote reminds us, it's about being proud of the entire group you put out there, not just your star players. That mentality, combined with strategic roster construction and in-season management, is what will separate your team from the pack and lead you to that championship trophy you've been chasing.