Issue #240: They Have It All Wrong

By Derrick Ernst

January 04, 2026

Mic Drop

I am coming out swinging today with my hottest take yet:

The fantasy community has it all wrong.

Fantasy football isn’t about making projections, claiming to know the future, and having a strong enough opinion to have the ability to decide this player should be started over that player.

Fantasy football is about besting your opponent and putting forth a lineup that gives you the ability to combat what they throw at you, even if that means your lineup goes against what the “experts” are telling you what you should do.

Remember how I’ve said that fantasy is a selfish game? Not only do you want players on your team to have selfish tendencies on the field, but you should be selfish as a manager. No one should be telling you what to do because frankly, everyone’s situation is different. In any given week, the chance two fantasy matchups are identical is slim to none. This is the key to why fantasy is in so much need to be flipped onto its head.

You’ve probably seen that experts who are the “loudest” get their voices heard the most. They also have the largest followings and claim to have the magic recipe and crystal ball to convince you that their opinion is enough to will your team to victory, even though their knowledge of your situation is minimal. The voice you should be listening to is your own. Why? Because:

• You have the most information at your disposal specific to your circumstances.

• You have the exact same ability to predict the future as the person you’re watching on TV does. Seriously.

• Your matchup is yours for a reason, no one else will experience it but you.

• You’re the ultimate decision maker. You and only you get to decide who gets to start on your team and who doesn’t.

I could go on, but you get the point. We’re all led to believe that we don’t know anything so where always looking for a reason to lean into the advice of an “expert.” I’m no expert, just as much as the mainstreamers aren’t either. They’ve just positioned themselves to convince others and those that follow their platform that they are. The truth is, you’re your own expert and the information you use to your advantage is your choice.

News flash, you don’t play fantasy football to be bossed around. So why do so many choose to listen to others who effectively do just that? Let’s face it, we’re all victims. Even if you aren’t anymore, you were at some point. I’ve certainly been. The good news is you don’t need to stay stuck. You just need to have the confidence in yourself to know you have the answers. The decisions asked of you are yours, don’t let anyone tell you different.

Shoveling

Source: ESPN

What’s your time worth? I asked my wife if this would be enough to get her off the couch. The short answer was no. She said she needed tickets to today’s game or in the very least a steep discount. I don’t disagree. I get the economics don’t work with giving away tickets and it would be a nightmare keeping track of it all, but shoveling seats = my seat, even if that means I don’t get the cash. You know the whole idea of getting “a different kind” of satisfaction out the physical work you do. Well this is one of those times and a ticket earned is a lot sweeter than a ticket bought. At least it is for my wife and I. What’s it for you?