Viva Murillo!
When Ben Roethlisberger threw a somewhat-controversial touchdown to Santonio Holmes (reversing the ruling on the field) toward the end of the Sunday's game against the Ravens, it changed the outcome of several fantasy seasons. When Matt Leinart threw a meaningless pass with one second left on the clock (a situation where many teams just run the ball), Larry Fitzgerald logged an extra reception and crossed the 50-yard threshold receiving for the day. That also changed the participants in upcoming fantasy Super Bowls across the country.
The Giants get a gift safety when the Cowboys lose track of their own snap count. With two minutes left in the game and down by one point, the Titans go for fourth down instead of attempting a 49-yard field goal -- even though kicker Rob Bironas has already drilled a 51-yarder and was four-for-four that afternoon. Windy or not, it was a costly decision for fantasy teams. In the last five minutes of the game, Philip Rivers compiles an extra 150 yards and two touchdowns (plus 11 rushing yards, accounting for 100 percent of the team's offense in that span) because the Chiefs forgot how to play defense -- or remembered that they don't know how -- and couldn't handle an onsides kick. Like every week, a few plays and coaching decisions determine both the real games and our imaginary ones.
The stakes were different in week 15, though. The winners have trophies and paydays in their sights and the losers have a long off-season to think about how close they were to victory. It's a time for reflection and maybe taping up battered remotes, but it shouldn't be a time for sour grapes. Sure, it can be tough to fall short when you were so close to a title, but losing doesn't mean you have to act like a loser. Don't be the owner scouring the web for an arbitrary site with the anomaly statistic that could turn your loss into a win. Don't hound the administrators of your league's website like a jilted lover begging for a second chance. Don't try to play the role of ambulance-chasing fantasy attorney looking for a loophole that could net you a victory. Of course, if there's a legitimate scoring discrepancy, you should pursue it. But those aren't too common when we need one, so in most cases you'll be stuck with the same totals you've seen 20 times already. They're not changing. Just accept it and move on.
Actually, you should accept it, congratulate the winner and move on. But before I sound like some self-actualized fantasy player, I'll mention that I've lost very close Super Bowls. I've lost total points leagues by a margin of about one percent of the season scoring. Tough losses can sting. But if you play long enough, it will happen. That doesn't make it fun, and I'm not saying I was singing in the streets with joy in my heart when it happened, but I accepted it. I just try to remember that I've also won titles and had success thanks to other people's misfortunes as well.
And so have you. How many people made the playoffs by one game because DeAngelo Williams scored four one-yard touchdowns against the Packers in week 13? Did some of those owners face Steve Smith owners who saw their guy go down at the one-yard-line -- twice -- leading to short Williams runs? How did that 24-point swing strike them? There are always plays like that during the season. You might not remember them all, but you've been on the good side of quite a few. And every time they've helped you, they hurt someone else.
I know it's easier to remember the tough losses. But if you lost a close one this week, try to remember your close wins as well. And remember to act like an adult, and avoid being that owner -- the one we've all seen before who embarrasses themselves after the game worse than any lineup decision or bad beat could embarrass them during it.
Youtube Clip of the Week: I still don't know what to think about this play. I guess it's right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNXFLIG13DI
You can reach Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@gmail.com.
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