"Garbage time" is a beloved phrase in fantasy football, much like "full practice," or "where should I send your winnings?" It's like watching a compressed football game. You get the stats you need in just a few minutes. When the game itself has become meaningless, you sometimes get the most meaningful results of the day.
I got some of those results on Sunday. I made some poor lineup decisions and I ran into some excellent performances from my opponent. But I also had Danny Woodhead, so I went from uncomfortably behind Sunday afternoon to comfortably ahead Sunday evening. And it all happened at the end of a game where the Chargers were losing 37-6 after three quarters.
On San Diego's last drive, Woodhead had seven receptions and a touchdown. Add in his previous touchdown at the end of the last drive, and that's 20 points in a PPR league, not counting yardage. Again, forget the yardage. It was catch after catch when none of it really mattered, except to fantasy teams across the country.
As a result, I won the game. Am I a genius? A shrewd player who predicted and feasted on garbage-time points? No chance. With injuries to Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates, plus a reduced role on the horizon for Melvin Gordon, I figured Woodhead might catch a couple extra balls. So I benched Jarvis Landry for him in a flex spot, and almost looked like an idiot. I got very, very lucky at the end of the game.
But who cares, right? It doesn't matter if the points come on the opening drive, or in the third quarter or at the very end of the game. Points are points.
Well, kinda. Be careful when it comes to garbage time. It's a beautiful bonus and can bail you out in a close game. But the fact remains that Woodhead was a dud through the first 54 minutes. A few bounces here and there and he doesn't even get a chance at those garbage points. He's just another role player on a losing team.
Even when the stars align, it doesn't always happen. Down 41-0 at the half, the Houston Texans decided to keep their starters in for the rest of the game. Could there be a better situation for DeAndre Hopkins? An entire half of garbage time!
Well, it turned out to be actual garbage: Just three catches for 21 yards after the break. Arian Foster got in a lot of work, though. Hopefully it was a nice farewell for his owners. While you're always happy to accept those points, recognize that it's actually a sign of weakness, not strength. Those opportunities don't always happen, and players don't always take advantage when they do. It would be like starting a goal-line specialist every Sunday. Even if it works out sometimes, the odds are against you week to week.
It's fun, it's part of the game, and it's also a big red flag. If you have a lineup full of garbage-time stars, your record will eventually stink and your season will be tossed on the trash heap. It doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but players who perform well throughout a game tend to be better for your team, your football enjoyment and maybe even your blood pressure. If you don't like how you're scoring your points, look to improve your roster before it's too late. Yes, even if you're winning games at the very end. Or just keep hoping for that perfect storm every Sunday, including the playoffs. It might happen.
I like having Woodhead on my team (especially now, because I also had Foster). But I'd also like a little more production in the first three quarters, and I hope it doesn't burn me later. Good luck this week.
Have you been rescued in garbage time? Been burned by it? Share your thoughts below.
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