football Archives - 2021-22 NFL Computer Predictions and Rankings

[Fanduel] How Fantasy Football Became Big Business

November 15, 2021 by Winn Jones

The story of Fantasy Football and how the world fell in love with it

If you have never played fantasy football before then you are missing out on something special. Fantasy football is the perfect way to make new friends at work, make watching football more exciting, and get the thrill of winning every week (even if your team is having a bad season).

If you’re a sports lover like us then it probably feels like fantasy football appeared overnight out of nowhere. But now we can’t imagine life without it. However, you may be shocked to learn that fantasy football was actually invented in 1962! And that it was created by Oakland Raiders fans living in New York…

Keep on reading to discover the history of fantasy football.

What is fantasy football?

Fantasy Football is a stats based gambling game. That can be played amongst a group of friends, colleagues, or online. The point tracking can be done by hand or you can use a website to work out and track everything for you.

A group of people agrees to create a league together. Each person drafts together a team from existing players in the NFL that year. They usually make a roster of 52 players (like the real NFL teams do). These players can be taken from any team in the league.

Each person puts forward a weekly team. The performance of each player is scored depending on how well they performed their role. These individual scores are added up and a team score is given. Over the season, all the weekly scores are added up and the person with the most points at the end of the season wins.

Some fantasy sports systems can be quite simple – like done on the number of points scored by a player. However, in football, not all players are given a chance to score. So each player can gain points in fantasy football for actions related to their position – for example, they may get points for an interception or a sack.

This system makes the choice of picking players a little more challenging. Putting together a really good defensive team could rack you up a lot of points. Each choice becomes much more important with this kind of system and we love it!

If you are interested in playing fantasy football then you can join

NFL daily fantasy sports here.

History of fantasy football

We challenge you to guess the original name of fantasy football…

Did any of you guess Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League? No, we thought not.

We can date the first fantasy football league back to the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League in 1962. It was created by a group of Oakland Raiders fans who were staying in a New York hotel and were trying to kill some time.

The game was very similar to what we know now. Each person would create their own fantasy NFL franchise based on the current NFL teams at the time. They would then be awarded points based on the success of their players.

The game is believed to have caught on by word of mouth.

In the following decade, a series of companies attempted to monetize the idea in the form of fantasy baseball. There were board games and trading cards that tried to recreate the system. None of this really caught on until the late 1990s when the internet became readily available.

Once the internet was up and running, it wasn’t long before people were making websites that would run people’s fantasy football leagues for them. The players would simply have to enter their team sheets and everything else would be done by the website. This prevented one member of the group from having to go through all the match statistics and adding up the scores.

The idea took off quickly and by 2010 the online fantasy sports business was making over $1 billion dollars every year. Some sportsbooks even began to offer payouts for the winning teams.

Fantasy sports started with football in America but it has spread around the world and into many different sports. It is particularly popular in Australia and the United Kingdom. If you have never played fantasy football before you need to correct that right now!

Filed Under: Fandom, Fantasy Football Strategy, Gambling Tagged With: 011369, became, business, fanduel, fantasy, football, style

5 Tips for Betting On NFL Football!

August 3, 2021 by Winn Jones

Filed Under: NFL Forecasting, Sports Betting Tagged With: betting, football

Kinematics: The Science of NFL Football

July 28, 2021 by Winn Jones

Today, science tells us that the essence of nature is curiosity.
We exist as molecular structures. The dreamtime is bursting with supercharged waveforms.
It is a sign of things to come.
We must learn how to lead non-dual lives in the face of greed. We must unify ourselves and unify others. This path never ends.

By flowering, we believe. The goal of transmissions is to plant the seeds of manna rather than desire. Presence is the driver of will.

Only a lifeform of the quantum soup may create this revolution of rebirth. Where there is selfishness, health cannot thrive. Yes, it is possible to destroy the things that can extinguish us, but not without growth on our side.

It is time to take flow to the next level.
Throughout history, humans have been interacting with the nexus via superpositions of possibilities. Our conversations with other warriors have led to an invocation of ultra-ethereal consciousness. Humankind has nothing to lose.

Filed Under: Humor, New Age, NFL Forecasting, NFL Strategy, Statistics Tagged With: 011369, color, football, kinematics, science, style

PODCAST: WEEK 5 2020 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

October 10, 2020 by Winn Jones

It is always useful to review the Fantasy running backs to see if you can find an edge.

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, Podcasts Tagged With: 013369, color, fantasy, football, podcast, running, style

NFL Daily Fantasy Football: Ranking The Top 10 Toughest WRs

August 27, 2020 by Kristel Gil

As the National Football League’s newest season starts in less than ten days from now, your favorite bookies have also begun offering Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) football. The DFS football games allow you to earn a huge amount of money as long as you strategize in creating a powerful team composed of the current NFL players.

Aside from the quarterbacks, flex, running back, and tight end, you also need to pick the best wide receivers to create a strong DFS football roster. Wide receivers play the most important role in the offensive side. The WR needs to have the fastest speed since they are responsible for passing and catching the ball to make a goal.

While the NFL is fast approaching, you can take part in many DFS football plays while cheering for your favorite players in the field. To get you guided in forming a winning lineup, here are the current DFS NFL projections of the top ten wide receivers you can pick.

Julio Jones

Julio Jones is topping the DFS football projection today for the best receivers to pick. He is one of the highest-graded WR’s in today’s football generation. In the last five years, Jones has produced a 15-yard gain around 225 receptions. Besides that, he is the starting wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons since he joined in 2011.

Michael Thomas

Earning around 90.0 receiving grade in the last four seasons, Michael Thomas is another wide receiver to consider in your next DFS plays. He has joined the New Orleans Saints to portray the same position in the field. Like Julio Jones, Thomas is also one of the WR’s who has the highest grade in the said position.

DeAndre Hopkins

The Arizona Cardinals had traded DeAndre Hopkins in the NFL Draft as their new wide receiver. Hopkins is the only WR who produced the highest grade in single coverage, which happened in 2017 when he’s still with the Houston Texans. Apart from that, he also has impressive ball skills, where he recorded 58 balls inside the yard on the sideline.

Tyreek Hill

The defending champions, Kansas City Chiefs, wouldn’t win the Super Bowl LIV if Tyreek Hill didn’t contribute much in the receiving department. In your DFS football plays, there should be no reason not to include Hill in your lineup. Looking into his records, this player made 20-yard targets with 1,964 deep yards.

Chris Godwin

One of the NFL wide receivers who became part of the elite achievers in 2019 is Chris Godwin. He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 as the starting WR, who recently accomplished a 90.7 receiving rate. In the last season, he caught 51.2 in all his targets, which was rated as the third-best performance in the whole NFL season.

Davante Adams

This Fresno State alumnus joined the Green Bay Packers as a wide receiver in 2014. Since then, he is known as one of the toughest route-runners, where he tallied 27 catches within a single coverage during the 2018 season. Today, he is boosting his double move tactics to increase in wide receiving skills.

Mike Evans

With an impressive football record, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans is ranked as the fourth-best NFL wide receivers today. His football fantasy odds look attractive, so don’t forget to consider him in your current roster. In 2017, Evans recorded 37 catches, which came out in a ten yard downfield, making him the leader in all NFL WR’s.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s performance with the Cleveland Browns last year was a bit underwhelming. It’s expected as he played as a rookie and adjusted to how Baker Mayfield performs inside the field. Although he didn’t have a quite impressive performance, he still managed to set an impressive score as a rookie and improved his upcoming plays.

Amari Cooper

Copper arrived in Dallas Cowboys during the 2018 mid-seasons. Upon his arrival, he impacted the receiving department right away, where he ranked the ninth on the best-receiving grade. Today, the Dallas Cowboys ranked 4th among the 32 teams in the receiving division, and Cooper was the guy who contributed to this achievement.

Keenan Allen

Completing the list of today’s DFS football best wide receiver projection is Keenan Allen. Since he joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2013 as the wide receiver, Allen didn’t make a slip in making his records impressive. In 2017, he made an open separation in a single coverage within 48 targets. With this, he was considered a guy to tap whenever the Chargers need to hustle in an emergency situation.

Takeaway

Forming a successful DFS football lineup is quite challenging. You need to get the best players in the field to make sure that your team can win. Choosing the best performing wide receiver has the same importance as picking the key positions. Make sure to consider the ten names mentioned above to fulfill a winning DFS football dream team.

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, Uncategorized Tagged With: daily, fantasy, football, ranking, receivers, toughest

What You Can Learn Playing Football

July 20, 2020 by Winn Jones

You need talent and heart to win anything. Sometimes being good just isn’t good enough. …
It can all end in an instant. …
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. …
If you try hard enough, you can achieve anything. …
Winning requires teamwork. …
You can’t win all the time. …
You need to have discipline. …
Learning how to set goals.

Filed Under: Parenting, Podcasts Tagged With: 013369, color, football, learn, playing, style

10 Ways to Optimize Your Fantasy Football Chances in 2020

July 11, 2020 by Winn Jones

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy Tagged With: 013369, chances, color, fantasy, football, optimize, style

2020 Fantasy Football Player Bargains You Can Snag in Late Rounds!

June 3, 2020 by Winn Jones

It is in the late rounds where the smart owners win their drafts and seasons!

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, Podcasts Tagged With: bargains, fantasy, football, player, rounds

Are You Scared? Safe Fantasy Football Picks for 2020

May 31, 2020 by Winn Jones

These players probably won’t win the league for you – but week in and week out they will keep you in contention. You’ll have to hit the waiver wire like an animal though to be there at the end! One year, we won our Superbowl after simply drafting the available players with the best 3 year average points.

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy Tagged With: fantasy, football, picks, scared

Fantasy Football 2020: Top 10 Players to Draft

April 19, 2020 by Winn Jones

The best fantasy football owners start preparing long before the season starts and have
the mindset “I WILL DEFINITELY WIN THIS LEAGUE!”.

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, Podcasts Tagged With: 013369, color, draft, fantasy, football, players, style

The Top 25 NFL Players Being Drafted in 2020 Fantasy Football

April 8, 2020 by Winn Jones

The more we prepare for the new fantasy season the better we will do!

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, Player News, Podcasts, Tom Brady Tagged With: being, drafted, fantasy, football, players

Tips for a Strong Fantasy Football Draft

April 5, 2020 by Emmanuel Perez

Check out as well as listen to as much as you can from different sources– No one is a specialist yet you’ll never hear fantasy experts confess that since their livelihoods rely on keeping up the lie. Matthew Berry is an exceptional writer and also I appreciate his columns, yet it is his permanent work to understand fantasy sports and also he is wrong concerning 70 % of the moment. It’s a game; the real professionals are in Vegas removing with their competence. That being in thoughts, review every fantasy write-up you could make time for from August 1st until draft day. Hearing various names and point of views will help you to end up being comfy composing outside of your convenience zone.

Do not draft gamers from your preferred teams– Perhaps I am merely a jaded Skins follower however this rule should use anywhere outside of Denver. In my experience, oftentimes you are having fun with people that root for the exact same teams. This places a costs on gamers from those groups. Fantasy football is about worth. In spite of Larry Michael’s Snyder-approved, scripted buzz, the Skins aren’t racking up 40 points per video game this year and also likely neither is your favored group, whoever that could be. Keep away from reaching for your team’s gamers– when they inevitably permit you down it is a dual gut-punch.

Strike the waiver wire hard the initial 3 weeks of the season– You read every little thing as well as you still composed a horrible team. It takes place. Now you know just how the Raiders really feel annually. In the first three weeks a running back will emerge which no one saw coming. If you composed inadequately the waiver cord can be your rescuer. If that falls short …

Do not be afraid to make fields– Everyone falls asleep the evening after a draft saying, “But if …” For the most part those dreams do not become a reality and you realize one area of your group isn’t going to last 16 weeks. Do not hesitate to poach other groups for their excess skill. Team “Stable of Grinders” can’t begin six running backs. Throw him an offer, acquire the conversation began, or merely wish his newborn is vomiting on him when the profession is sent and he accidentally attacks ‘Accept.’.

Know your league– I do not imply investing evenings peaking in your commissioner’s windows, feel in one’s bones the fundamentals. Which is conventional? Which is threatening? What positions have they filled in already? Which is fat as well as drunk? Knowing the solutions to these standard inquiries, particularly for the managers preparing prior to and after you, will aid you determine whether the 11th round is time to take the trigger on Justin Hunter … shhhhh. Which advises me … when will we ultimately put a bullet in the term “sleeper?” Unless you are talking about the Brad Pitt/Kevin Bacon traditional, acquire that played-out sound out of right here.

Handcuff at the very least among your beginning running backs– If you are investing a Top 20 badger a RB you need to buy his data backup in the last 5 rounds of the draft. Or do not. Folks drive about without insurance policy day-to-day as well as I’m certain it works out great for them.

Hanging around to compose a QB is not the worst decision you can make– You ‘d be shocked just how much skill you could accumulate when your first seven selections are spent on WRs and also RBs.

Regard the phenomenon of the third-year wide out– This year’s course is especially piled however the 3rd year has actually always been recognized to be make-or-break year for WRs. Make a list of 5 third-year WRs with something to show this year as well as target them in the middle of the draft.

Depreciate the stock of newbie WRs, value the newbie RB– Simple math, it is less complicated to learn to play the NFL RB placement well than it is for a receiver to go their timing down and adapt to the rate of the NFL. Throw in a bad QB and also a phenom WR could be made useless. At the same time starting RBs are going down like flies and also flourish your rookie RB is obtaining 20 touches a video game.

Adhere to reasoning the very first five rounds– Don’t obtain charming. Find the individuals which will make. Begin making your huge reaches in the sixth round as well as beyond. By the 10th round one-half your league is preparing the following guy on the list. Go locate some upside further down on the spiritual “pre-season positions” list and be your own Matthew Berry.

You’ve heard it 100 times but never take a twist prior to round 15— I will not birthed you with the reasons however felt confident that if you do pick a kicker before then the entire organization recognizes you are a jackass which won’t be paying attention after week four.

Watch college football– You do not have to be Mel Kiper, Jr., yet understanding exactly what type of runner Bishop Sankey was just in 2012 is useful info you can make use of while your commissioner is still laughing regarding the person’s name.

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, Football Tagged With: draft, fantasy, football, las vegas raider, strong

The Top Ten NFL Football Announcers of All Time!

April 5, 2020 by Winn Jones

CLICK HERE AND BE THRILLED!

Filed Under: Fandom, Highlights, Uncategorized Tagged With: announcers, football, greatest

WATCH: Pro Football Etiquette: Does it Belong in the NFL?

March 27, 2020 by Leslie Stone

“Thank your Opponent Here!

Filed Under: Opinion, Videos Tagged With: etiquette, football, watch

PODCAST: Prepare Now for 2020 NFL Fantasy Football Drafts!

March 15, 2020 by Winn Jones

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy Tagged With: drafts, fantasy, football, podcast, prepare

Exclusive Report: FF-Winners Top 10 Draft Choices for Fantasy Football 2020-21

February 22, 2020 by literateumar

It is almost the end of February 2020 with the Super bowl having been concluded a few weeks ago. And yet different news stories of the 2020 NFL season are already heating up. With Drew Brees announcing another year with the Saints and the uncertainty surrounding where Tom Brady is going to end up, the discussion around the NFL leagues will continue to go on. Then there is the NFL 2020 draft which is just 8 weeks away! Having said that, there is no better way to start your fantasy football season as soon as possible. Whether you are going to start a dynasty league or going to participate in a casual PPR or standard leagues, it is always a good idea to prepare yourself for the upcoming season.

We have researched the top 10 NFL fantasy football draft players which will surely make a huge impact in the upcoming season. The position of the pick is based on the player’s past performance and the circumstances of the upcoming season. We have done scientific research before listing these players however, still, they may change depending on the situation as it did with Antonio Brown in 2019. But for now here are our top 10 players for the 2020 Fantasy Football season.

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, (Carolina Panthers)

No surprises there at all. McCaffrey’s work ethics and his workload have made him a huge name in the past year. In 2019 Christian McCaffrey made 287 rushing attempts for 1387 yard and he scored a staggering 15 rushing TD’s. To make this even more terrific, McCaffrey also caught 116 passes for 1005 yards while catching 4 passes in the end zone taking his total TD tally to 19.

Now the biggest question going into the 2020 season will be whether McCaffrey will be given the same workload. And the answer to a question like that would be with a guy like McCaffrey, WHY NOT? Matt Rhule is a pro RB coach who has done well in his college coaching years. So, we have little fear that McCaffrey stats in 2020 will dwindle.

2. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, (Dallas Cowboys)

Most people may not agree with us putting Ezekiel at number 2 but the thing about him is that he never disappoints. He has continued to put up numbers year after year. In fantasy football, consistency is the key if you want to win. Sure enough, Ezekiel numbers were down from the 2018 season but still, he rushed for 1,357 yards in 301 carries and scored 12 times through the ground. You have to get McCaffrey if you are number 1 in draft order otherwise Ezekiel Elliot is the safest option afterward who will continue to shine in 2020.

3. Michael Thomas, WR, (New Orleans Saints)

Michael Thomas is perhaps the safest bet in terms of the wide receiver ever since Calvin Johnson retired – that is the reason Michael Thomas is on number 3 on my list. When Drew Brees got injured there was a huge concern about Michael’s production, however, not only the backup QB Teddy Bridgewater played brilliantly but Michael’s targets were never down. He continued to be a workhorse.

Michael Thomas has a rare talent with the right amount of size, strength and speed with safe hands (just like Calvin Johnson). With Drew Brees announcing another year with the Saints, Michael Thomas will be again the center of Brees’s attention in this upcoming season.

4. Saquon Barkley, RB, (New York Giants)

Admittedly, Saquon’s 2019 season was a bit disappointing but a high ankle sprain in a running back is just a killer. However, Saquon’s potential cannot be denied in any way. We think that with Daniel Jones returning as NY Giants QB, the coach Joe Judge may make the necessary changes to build an offense similar to the Ravens which will create immediate value for not only Jones but it will boost up the offensive value of Saquon Barkley. Going into the 2020 season, we are placing Saquon on number 4 on our list.

5. Dalvin Cook, RB, (Minnesota Vikings)

In 2019, Cook’s start was nothing short of a dream start. In his first 7 games of the 2019 season, Cook had 5 games where he rushed for 100 yards or more. In the 8^th game, he rushed for 98 yards. Kirk Cousins’s presence has been a blessing for Cook and Minnesota’s read-option worked really well.We think this year will be the best year for Dalvin Cook and he will be a definite top 5 fantasy player.

6. Nick Chubb, RB, (Cleveland Browns)

When you talk about workhorse you have to mention Nick Chubb no matter what. Chubb ran for 1494 yards in 298 carries with an impressive average of 5.0. He had 8 games where he carried the ball 20 times or more. Expect him to be the best offensive player for the Browns in the 2020 season. Chubb is definitely a safe and best draft pick at number 6.

7. Alvin Kamara, RB, (New Orleans Saints)

Alvin Kamara had a down season in 2019 but most of it can be blamed on his high ankle sprain. Sean Peyton has been known to play it safe and I think that’s why Alvin Kamara was not given a green light when It came to big plays. Expect Kamara to be back in 2020 with full swing and if you want a player closer to McCaffrey then, of course, look no further than Kamara.

8. Derrick Henry, RB, (Tennessee Titans)

Derrick Henry was a total beast in 2019. He carried his whole team on his shoulders to the AFC championship game. He gave the word “Workhorse” a whole new meaning in the 2019 season. He scored 16 rushing touchdowns and led the league in rushing with 1540 yards with an amazing 5.1 YPA. Expect Mike Vrabel to give Henry a good workload in 2020 as well.

9. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, (Houston Texans)

DeAndre Hopkins will have a great season in 2020. Part of Hopkins’s success can be credited to the starting quarterback DeShaun Watson who keeps getting better best every year and is expected to perform at his best in the 2020 season. In our opinion in 2020 Watson-Hopkins will be one of the best QB-WR connections.

10. Tyreek Hill, WR, (Kansas City Chiefs)

Speedster Tyreek Hill had a low fantasy season but he made up most of it in the postseason. We should expect the same performance in the 2020 season. Let’s face it, no one can become open and create a gap as Hill does and that’s why there are certain plays in Andy Reid’s play-book that have been specifically designed for Hill. Expect Chief’s star QB Mahomes to throw to Hill’s way in the upcoming season. He will remain a very important offensive weapon in the 2020 season.

Filed Under: Fantasy Football Strategy, NFL Forecasting, Player News Tagged With: choices, draft, exclusive, fantasy, football, report, winners

Comeback? Comeback? Johnny Football Manziel

February 17, 2020 by Winn Jones

Jonathan Paul Manziel, popularly known as Johnny Manziel by NFL fans, the mention of his name stirs a melancholic mood of a career cut short by not so popular choices. While the troubled quarterback admits that he is drafting a comeback, he remains with no team to train with as NFL training camps set to open. Manziel who was relieved of his playing duties by Cleveland Browns after two seasons full of distractions, assured his fans and followers on social media that his career is far from over. As a new season dawns, NFL predictions against the spread will seemingly become popular.

Manziel did not hold anything back as he expressed how badly he wanted to get back into action. In his social media platforms, he appreciated the way his fans and followers write about him. He openly corrected them by saying that he is not about what they read. He also added that he loves all his fans although some of their comments suck.

Controversies of Manziel Career

Manziel is a talented player; however his career has been full of distractions and is a clear portrait of a spoilt player. Below are some of the misconducts that he displayed on the course of his career;

2012 Arrest – Manziel Disorderly Behavior

On the fateful night of June 29th, 2012, Manziel was arrested and charged with failure to identify, possession of a forged driver’s license and disorderly conduct. After his arrest, his head coach favored him and selected him as the starting quarterback at Texas A&M’s.

2013 Off-season – Manziel Takes his Pride to Another Level

With his new found star status, Manziel gained personal pride and drew media attention for his bad behavior off the field. He was kicked out at a fraternity party at the University of Texas. Other misbehavior include early departure after oversleeping at the Manning Passing Academy and getting under the spotlight of NCAA after alleged payments for autographs. Although NCAA did not find any evidence, Manziel was suspended or the first half of the season.

2015 Off-season – Autographs Request Becomes Messy

On May 30, a heckler requested Manziel for his autograph on the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament. The heckler kept asking for one pushing Manziel to respond by throwing a water bottle at the heckler. Luckily, he missed and no criminal charges were pressed.

2015 Season-Intolerable Behavior

During the October season of 2015, Manziel was fighting with his girlfriend in his car. He admitted that he had drunk a few, luckily, no charges were made. Not long after this, on November, a video of Manziel partying surfaced on the internet forcing his coach to demote him to the third string. Later during the final games, Manziel got a concussion. Funny enough, he failed to show up to the team medic which is a requirement.

2016 Off-season – From Bad to Worse

After putting up with his behavior for long, Manziel’s Marketing Agency –LRMR terminated its works with Manziel. This was followed by the announcement by his representative Erik Burkhardt that he would no longer represent him. As that was not enough, the police department opened a criminal investigation on Manziel claiming domestic violence.

Things were falling apart for Manziel, on April 19, 2016, he was fired by his agent and on the same day Nike terminated their relationship with Manziel.

What Next for the NFL Quarterback?

In his recent statement with the Washington Post, Manziel re-assured his fans and followers that he is actually doing well. He added that he has put things into perspective and he is going to focus on being healthy, in fact, he had set up an in-house gym.

Despite his disappointing career, Manziel said that he is doing all it takes to make it right and as he waits for a team, he is exploring his options to see what the future has in store for him.

Filed Under: johnny manziel, Player News Tagged With: comeback, football, how to get into sport betting, johnny, manziel

Be Creative With Your Fantasy Football League

February 5, 2020 by Emmanuel Perez

If you can rattle off football stats faster than you can remember your mom’s birthday, there’s probably some kind of statistical probability that you are involved with a fantasy football league. They’re fun and interactive, aren’t they?

The Winnetka, Illinois-based FX comedy show “The League,” features six salt-of-the-earth football fans who take their fantasy football league to the extreme. Trying to incorporate some of their more outlandish antics and shenanigans into your team’s extracurricular gatherings is entirely up to you, of course. But hey, coming up with your own Shiva-esque trophy is one place to start.

Your entire team should keep up with all the stats, facts and games with “NFL Sunday Ticket” for this coming season. For those with players on out-of-market teams for your viewing area, you can all keep tabs throughout the entire day. Once you have your viewing schedule all mapped out, it’s time to start coming up with your own shenanigans to keep things interesting for the team.

Choose a Name for Your Team

Creating a team identity is a great way to have fun with puns and use your imagination. Sometimes fantasy football players choose names based on favorite players or teams. You can also draw inspiration from a group joke or something you remember from a previous game. One notable mention from Fan Duel Insider is “Forgetting Brandon Marshall,” inspired by the Chicago Bears wide receiver. Another classic name is the “Bradshawshank Redemption.”

Roast Your Fellow League Players

Not with actual fire, of course — use your word fire. Plan an evening involving a decadent vice or two. Beer, perhaps? Maybe you can all have a cookout leading up to a critical game and do some serious, yet well-organized, trash talking. With this event, choose an emcee that you all agree will keep the event fun and lively.

Go to Some Games Together

This one seems obvious, but sometimes working on the logistics can be tricky since cost and everyone’s respective schedules could be mitigating factors. At the very least, put it on the table for everyone to discuss.

Sour the Pot

Personal bets that don’t involve cash usually carry far more weight and laughs in the end for the person who loses. The gang on “The League” came up with some over-the-top wagers, so see what you can all come up with. One idea is for the loser (the “Sacko” equivalent from “The League”) to be required to sing a different embarrassing song in a restaurant, once a month. The crooner has to perform the song on command from the rest of the team.

Filed Under: Fandom, Fantasy Football Strategy Tagged With: creative, fantasy, football, league

How to Create a Cool Football Man Cave

January 30, 2020 by Winn Jones

This year, use those pre-season months to create the perfect place to watch games, play fantasy football and host parties. You may already have a man cave or a spot for your family to watch football, but there are some updates that would take your NFL season to a new level. Whether you want to make a few simple changes or go for a complete overhaul, these upgrades are sure to give you inspiration for a better football experience this fall.

Comfortable Seating for a Crowd

Having your dream football man cave isn’t about keeping it all to yourself. Make sure you have plenty of seating for when you invite your friends over to watch the game or host your fantasy draft. Armchairs and comfy sectional couches are great for hosting friends or even when you want to watch a movie with your kids. However, it can be difficult to give every seat a good view of the screen. If you have the space for it, install stadium-style seating. You can use comfortable chairs in any style and build a platform so the back row has a great view of the game. You can create as many seats as you need without sacrificing comfort or the view.

Pre- and Post-Game Fun

A man cave is more than a room with a big couch and a television. Create a space to hang out, play games and catch up with your buddies. Dust off that old poker table or dart set that’s sitting in your garage and use them to create a perfect clubhouse for your friends to hang out before and after the game. Get a billiards or foosball table if you have the room, and include additional seating and tables around for those waiting to play or not watching the TV. You can even use an old video game system or used arcade games for some fun during half time.

Surround Sound Makes all the Difference

Face it, you can watch football on any TV, but adding a surround sound system will give you a more immersive experience during the game. There are many systems available today that won’t break the bank and that you can install yourself. Depending on how the room is laid out and what kind of features you want, soundbars and speakers around your man cave will give everyone the full game experience through every play. A sound system upgrade is not just for watching sports, either. Your whole family can enjoy it whether they are listening to music, watching movies or playing video games.

Get Smart Technology

If you are into the latest tech trends, integrating some smart technology will really give you an edge for football season. Automating your man cave will help you create the ultimate cool space, as well as make things easier when you are getting ready for the game to start. For example, Wareable recommends the Belkin WeMo system, which can control almost anything you can plug into an outlet, or the Philips Hue smart lighting technology that you can program to change the lighting automatically. Or get the Amazon Echo, a device that lets you check news, weather, game scores or anything else through voice commands. If you have an iPad Pro or similar mobile device, you can usually sync any smart tech you have to it and control it all from one place. It truly is the future of man cave perfection.

Build a Wet Bar

Last but not least, you can’t have a proper football-inspired man cave without a place for cold drinks. You may think installing a wet bar would be too pricey or require major renovations, but you can actually build your own small man cave bar to keep you and your buddies stocked with beer and cocktails all season long. HGTV offers several bar inspiration ideas, depending on how fancy or simple you want to get in your man cave. For an easy weekend project, use pallets or recycled wood to build a small bar, then bring in a mini fridge stocked with beer and some team-themed glasses. If you want to go a bit more elaborate, include a small sink and a built-in kegerator in the bar and add floating shelves to hold bottles of your favorite spirits.

Filed Under: Fandom Tagged With: create, football

Retired Football Legends: Where are They Now?

January 24, 2020 by Winn Jones

When former NFL quarterback Brett Favre entered the Hall of Fame in 2015, he had not been out of the public spotlight for very long. His long, drawn-out retirement, which started in 2002 and continued into 2013, kept his name in the news. Unlike Favre, though, many other famous football players didn’t stay in the news after their retirement, even when their post-retirement achievements were newsworthy. That being said, here’s a look at what a few famous players of yesteryear have been up to since retiring.

Jim Brown

Many people consider former Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown to be the greatest player in NFL history. A multi-sports star and All-American lacrosse player at Syracuse, Brown entered the NFL as the first round sixth pick in 1957. His 942-yard rookie year earned him the league’s rushing championship, which he would win eight more times. By 1965, Brown held league records for 100-yard games, single-season yards, career rushing yards, average yards per carry and career touchdowns. In his final game, Brown scored three touchdowns.

Before retiring, Brown had already begun an acting career. He became the first major black action star, appearing in such classics as “The Dirty Dozen” and “Three the Hard Way.” In 1993, Brown helped kick off the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a commentator. Since 1988, he has helped kids from gang backgrounds through his Amer-I-Can program. He is part-owner of a lacrosse team, and remains an adviser to the Browns.

Tim Foley

A Purdue Boilermakers All-American defensive back, Tim Foley joined the Miami Dolphins as a third-round pick for the team’s first winning season in 1970. That year, the Dolphins’ defense allowed an AFC low of 11.6 yards per catch. The next year, Foley made an interception in three consecutive games for a total of four in the season, which culminated with the Dolphins going to the Super Bowl for the first time. In 1972, Foley added three more interceptions to his stats as the Dolphins won every game to take Super Bowl 7 from the Washington Redskins. In 1973, Foley returned two blocked punts for touchdowns in one game as the Dolphins won a second consecutive Super Bowl, defeating the Minnesota Vikings. Foley continued playing until 1980, going to the Pro Bowl in his second-to-last year and achieving career totals of 101 games started, 510 tackles and 22 interceptions. He was named the Dolphins’ 28th best player of all time by The Phinsider.

Foley went on to an equally successful career at Amway, America’s 30th largest private company. By 1998 Foley had qualified as a Crown Ambassador, which had been the highest possible level until Amway added a Founders Crown Ambassador level to recognize exceptional achievers. In 2005, Foley became a Founders Crown Ambassador.

Joe Montana

Following a come-from-behind Notre Dame Cotton Bowl win, the all-time greatest clutch quarterback joined the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1979 draft. Replacing Steve DeBerg midway through 1980, Montana led the league with a 64.5 percent pass completion rate, scoring the first of 31 come-from-behind victories with an overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. In the 1981 NFC Championship, Montana marched the 49ers down the field from the 11-yard line to come from behind and defeat the Dallas Cowboys with a pass that would go down in NFL history as “The Catch.” The 49ers went on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 16, the first of Montana’s four Super Bowl victories. After earning three Super Bowl MVPs, Montana went down with a 1991 injury that took him out for the 1992 season, propelling Steve Young to starting quarterback. Requesting a trade, Montana ended his career with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1993 to 1994.

Today, Montana struggles with chronic pain from his football injuries. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been horseback riders since 1996, and they raise horses and produce wine in Napa when they’re not in San Francisco. This year, Montana tossed the coin to start Super Bowl 50

Filed Under: Fandom, Player News Tagged With: football, legends, retired, where