Proof that FF is more about luck than anything else (1 Viewer)

[King of the Wolfies]

One of the teams is running away with our league by combining by far the highest offense with the 2nd lowest scored against. He always seems to have one of the easiest schedules so I thought I'd see how the 3 worst teams (3-9, 4-8, 5-7) would have faired against the schedule he played. Those teams ended up 6-6, 7-5, and 8-3-1. Instead of being out of the playoffs, all three would be be seeds 4-6.

I'm curious to see how common this is. So if you have a few free minutes, compare your worst teams to the best teams schedule and let us know how much, if any, things would be different.

 

[Raider Nation]

Nothing really groundbreaking here.

There were years when every week I would have the 2nd-highest score, but naturally I played against the team who had the highest score. Then other years I snuck into the playoffs with subpar teams, mainly because I always played against teams having below-average weeks. So yes, schedule does of course matter.

 

[Lauryn]

One of the teams is running away with our league by combining by far the highest offense with the 2nd lowest scored against. He always seems to have one of the easiest schedules so I thought I'd see how the 3 worst teams (3-9, 4-8, 5-7) would have faired against the schedule he played. Those teams ended up 6-6, 7-5, and 8-3-1. Instead of being out of the playoffs, all three would be be seeds 4-6.

you must be one of the bottom-feeders.

 

[delusional]

2nd place team in my division is 8-4 with the lowest points FOR and 4th highest points against...

meanwhile i am at 5-7, in last, and the 5th most points scored ( 10 team league ) and 3rd highest points against

so i have more points against then him, most points scored then him by basically a week of play & he is 8-4 while i am 5-7 and out the playoffs.

his team isn't even that good :(

 

[diesel7982]

This isnt news.

This also is why I find it mindblowing that people pay money to play in H2H leagues.

 

[CalBear]

This isnt news.This also is why I find it mindblowing that people pay money to play in H2H leagues.

There's this concept called "fun." Most people look for it in their hobbies. Total points leagues don't have it.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

2xHTH.

 

[lions327]

One of the teams is running away with our league by combining by far the highest offense with the 2nd lowest scored against. He always seems to have one of the easiest schedules so I thought I'd see how the 3 worst teams (3-9, 4-8, 5-7) would have faired against the schedule he played. Those teams ended up 6-6, 7-5, and 8-3-1. Instead of being out of the playoffs, all three would be be seeds 4-6.I'm curious to see how common this is. So if you have a few free minutes, compare your worst teams to the best teams schedule and let us know how much, if any, things would be different.

In my leagues, there are always a couple of teams out of place, but for the most part the highest scoring teams wind up near the top and the lowest wind up near the bottom. It usually evens out.I know head to head isn't perfect, but like someone else said, the fun of it can't be ignored, so I will deal with the results. I never worry about getting "screwed" by the schedule; it's all part of the game.

 

[WisWolvrns]

the hth schedule determines everything. once it is set, the championship team is set. change the schedule and probably a different team wins. because the schedule determines W/L records, which then sets the seedings of the playoffs, thus determining who wins in the playoffs.

the only control an owner has in trying to draft players who score more points than others using best guess analysis. so over time, some owners can gain alittle more skill than others in guessing better (similar to how some brokers are better than others in the stock market for instance). so some teams will score more consistantly and have a better chance at beating more teams each week than the next guy. but if pitted against a very unlucky schedule, they could still lose enough to miss the playoffs.

we have instituted a points wildcard (12 teams, 3 divisions, 6 teams make the playoffs. 3 division winners, next 2 record wildcards, and the last spot is a points wildcard). so if a team scores well all year, but always plays the top scoring opponents each week due to the schedule, they will still make the playoffs. it also keeps owners trying to score as many points as possible all year long, since the points wildcard team typically is a close race all the way down to the final week.

 

[Please See Mine]

One of the teams is running away with our league . . . [with] . . . by far the highest offense

shocking

 

[ooofffaaa]

Losing teams always bring up the luck factor when they realize their hopes & dreams of making the playoffs are gone.

 

[notoriousbob]

I did what you asked and found the following:

The teams that suck, suck regardless of schedule. The team in last would be 1 win better. The second to last team would be the same. Schedule does matter, but building a good team matters more. Its just like any sport, the best team doesn't always win.

 

[Crusaderfan]

In my big money league, the 1st place team 11-1 has had 235 pts less scored on him than anybody else in the league. Even though he has been the top scorer by a few points - that's incredible luck - IMHO

Willie

 

[Ilov80s]

I am 12-0. Highest scorer and least points against. Got to love it.

 

[Biabreakable]

Of course schedule matters.

I have a couple teams using the same scoring and rules. One team is 10-2 the other team is 6-6.

The 6-6 team has actualy outscored the 10-2 team and is the leagues points leader. My 10-2 team is 3rd in scoring for the league. 6-6 team lost 3 of those 6 games by 2 points or less. ####e happens.

 

[inca911]

Don't whine, change the rules. If you feel that total points is very important, then change the structure. For example, could have money for best record and for most points. Could set playoff spots based on top two records, and then top two total points scored. There are lots of ways to reduce the impact of H2H without giving up entirely on the benefits of the format (i.e., getting to beat your friends).

 

[Pip's Invitation]

In one of my leagues, half the prize money goes to the top 3 in HTH, and the other half goes to the top 3 in total points. HTH is what everyone pays attention to, though. In most years, the HTH champ and the total points champ have been the same. I expect that will be the case this year too, as one team has LT, Brees, Gore, Chad, and Wayne.

 

[mcjc4]

Teams with winning records usaully have a lower scored against total, that is correct. It appears after years of tireless studies i have concluded it is because they drafted the players who score all the points. This would then result in the losing teams having the players that score less points,in turn lowering the average scored againt points for the winniing teams. For a real world perspective on this see

Cardinals

Lions

Browns

For some unexplainable reason, these 3 teams continue to score less points than there opponents almost 80% of the time! This would put them in a position to lose almost 80% of their games. i bet these 3 teams would prefer to go away from the head to head format as well.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

This isnt news.This also is why I find it mindblowing that people pay money to play in H2H leagues.

I like to be in leagues where you pay out both. You have your division winners and a wild card team and then play out your SB winner. That person gets paid.But then you have your regular season total points winner, and that person also gets paid. Sometimes it's the same person, most of the time it's not.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

In the leagues I play in annually most of the other teams usually gear up to try to beat me. They pull trades before they play me, stretch on the pickups for the good matchup my week, etc. I guess I must be a challenge.

So annually I tend to be Top 3 in Scoring and Top 3 in scored against. If you draft well scored against shouldn't really matter that much. Even when you have a target on your chest you just need your team to produce.

And nothing says dominance like having teams point to your matchup with them and then still squash them. Like Napalm in the morning............

 

[NCPanthersFan]

This isnt news.This also is why I find it mindblowing that people pay money to play in H2H leagues.

There's this concept called "fun." Most people look for it in their hobbies. Total points leagues don't have it.

Don't whine, change the rules. If you feel that total points is very important, then change the structure. For example, could have money for best record and for most points. Could set playoff spots based on top two records, and then top two total points scored. There are lots of ways to reduce the impact of H2H without giving up entirely on the benefits of the format (i.e., getting to beat your friends).

 

[stbugs]

In my big money league, the 1st place team 11-1 has had 235 pts less scored on him than anybody else in the league. Even though he has been the top scorer by a few points - that's incredible luck - IMHOWillie

If anyone here understands a lick of math, I have a quick question.If you averaged every FFL in the world, which team would you expect to have the least points scored against them, the highest scoring team or the lowest scoring team?By the way, here is a hint: Teams can't play themselves.

 

[Ears]

If you averaged every FFL in the world, which team would you expect to have the least points scored against them, the highest scoring team or the lowest scoring team?By the way, here is a hint: Teams can't play themselves.

ding ding ding ding ding...we have a winner!

 

[my man otis]

Total points leagues aren't that fun for the majority of people IMO. It's like roto scoring baseball - by the all-star break 1/2 the teams realistically don't have ANY chance of winning. Total points would be the same way IMO, where if you're so far in the hole by week 8 it's not going to matter.

FF is for fun, regardless of the $ involved, so personally I love HTH leagues. In particular those with 12 teams where 6 make the playoffs. Every year 8-9 teams are in it until the last week.

BTW, over the long-haul the schedule factor evens out. In most of my leagues the best owners tend to be in the playoffs year in and year out over a 5-10 year period.

Bottom line...ALL sports are played HTH, so FF should as well. Teams play against others with injured players, coming off a short rest or a long plane flight. Same stuff.

ETA that the good teams will have lower points against and the worst teams will have the higher against because they have one less common opponent (their own team)

 

[stbugs]

Teams with winning records usaully have a lower scored against total, that is correct. It appears after years of tireless studies i have concluded it is because they drafted the players who score all the points. This would then result in the losing teams having the players that score less points,in turn lowering the average scored againt points for the winniing teams. For a real world perspective on this seeCardinalsLionsBrownsFor some unexplainable reason, these 3 teams continue to score less points than there opponents almost 80% of the time! This would put them in a position to lose almost 80% of their games. i bet these 3 teams would prefer to go away from the head to head format as well.

Nice! Kind of puts the delusional comments of the guy above who thinks that teams in his league "gun" for him every week. He must be like the Colts, starting out with a nice undefeated streak every year and wins 80% of his games because he outscores his opponents 80% of the time.

 

[stbugs]

Total points leagues aren't that fun for the majority of people IMO. It's like roto scoring baseball - by the all-star break 1/2 the teams realistically don't have ANY chance of winning. Total points would be the same way IMO, where if you're so far in the hole by week 8 it's not going to matter.FF is for fun, regardless of the $ involved, so personally I love HTH leagues. In particular those with 12 teams where 6 make the playoffs. Every year 8-9 teams are in it until the last week.BTW, over the long-haul the schedule factor evens out. In most of my leagues the best owners tend to be in the playoffs year in and year out over a 5-10 year period.Bottom line...ALL sports are played HTH, so FF should as well. Teams play against others with injured players, coming off a short rest or a long plane flight. Same stuff.

We switched this year to splitting the pool. Most of the $$$ goes to the top 3 (which is OK since I have a comfortable lead in 3rd) and the rest goes to the playoff winner and runner-up. I like the split because 8 of 10 teams make the playoffs so only 2 teams are pretty much out of the real $$$ chance. Technically I think all 10 teams are still mathematically in it.I just like the HTH a bit better because the two teams that are way ahead have been way ahead for most of the season (mainly due to LT and great keepers). It has been a fight for 3rd, but for weeks 11-14 it is has been pretty close to over.I almost wish we split the pool more evenly, i.e. 50% to the top 3 or 4 total points and 50% to the top 3 or 4 in the playoffs. Chances are the same teams will get the money, but I think it lessens the juggernaut getting no $$$ because of one bad playoff game and increases the chances of one of the bad teams actually getting some $$$. I enjoy playing FF, but it is a low $$$ league, so making it competitive is the main goal.

 

[AcerFC]

As a commish, I have been toying with a lot of different ideas to get rid of the dreaded "luck factor". There have been multiple threads on this board that suggest different things to do.

One of the ideas was to have two wins and two losses per week. One win or loss would come from the H2H game and the other would come from being in the top or bottom of points scored (top 6 get a W and bottom 6 get a L). I spent two hours last night figuring out the records of our teams in our league using this formula. Not one thing changed in terms of playoff seeding. The 6 teams that would have been in with the new system are the 6 teams that are in with the regular H2H system we have. Now, some might say what if you score 2nd high points and play High points every week. Obviously this format will help but it shows that what a lot of people are saying in this thread is right. Those that score high will win and those that do it every week will be successful and their record will indicate that.

The next thing I looked at was the Breakdown record. We actually pay out our breakdown champion. (For those that dont know, Breakdown is your record playing every team, every week). Not surprisingly, the 6 teams in the playoffs right now, are the 6 teams that have the best breakdown record.

With stats like that, its hard to tinker with the system of H2H even if you want to get rid of luck. I still might change a few things for next year but these experiments prove that drafting a strong team, trumps anything else.

The one thing I do not like is the Playoff structure. A 12-3 team can get a bye and then lose in the semis and what has that proved? That the lower seeded team had one better week. I dont like that as a determining factor in the playoffs. Any ideas on that

 

[Ozymandias]

Proof that the NFL is more about luck than anything else...

Houston beat Miami? luck

Washington beat Jax? luck

Det beat Buf? luck

TB beat Cin? luck

Houston beat Jax? luck

TB beat Philly? luck

Atlanta beat Pitt? luck

Oakland beat Pitt? luck

Wash beat Dal? luck

NYJ beat NE? luck

Pitt beat NO? luck

etc.etc.etc.

That's why they play the games. They are not completely predictable.

In FF, H to H is inherently more interesting than total points. Is there some luck involved? Of course. The best games have a mixture of luck and skill.

If you want skill only, watch chess. REALLY exciting.

 

[BusMan]

Personally, I prefer to use tools like schedule analysis and the lineup dominator to tweak my team based on the unique factors of the HTH system. Say you're going up against a juggernaut, you play high risk/reward. If you're going against the dregs, you play it safe and consistent. Plus, the 'ol lineup dominator helps me determine my down weeks in advance so I can try to improve them.

HTH allows for a unique spin on the general FF adage of trying to obtain the highest scoring team. I have no problems with the luck factor.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

Teams with winning records usaully have a lower scored against total, that is correct. It appears after years of tireless studies i have concluded it is because they drafted the players who score all the points. This would then result in the losing teams having the players that score less points,in turn lowering the average scored againt points for the winniing teams. For a real world perspective on this seeCardinalsLionsBrownsFor some unexplainable reason, these 3 teams continue to score less points than there opponents almost 80% of the time! This would put them in a position to lose almost 80% of their games. i bet these 3 teams would prefer to go away from the head to head format as well.

Nice! Kind of puts the delusional comments of the guy above who thinks that teams in his league "gun" for him every week. He must be like the Colts, starting out with a nice undefeated streak every year and wins 80% of his games because he outscores his opponents 80% of the time.

A, Yes - I do usually start well.B. I'm only getting gunned for because I have won for a few years in a row now in one league and last year in another. That and all the owners are close freinds, so there has been some offseason ribbing I'm paying for. C. Honestly, the other people in the leagues are much, MUCH more informed than I am as far as real pro football goes, so they tend to get a little competitive when a stat guy like me beats them in FF. But, as we all should know, Real Football does not = Fantasy Football.They still have a tough time with that.You seem a little on edge stbugs.......too much coffee this morning?

 

[Synthesizer]

This thread does not equal "proof".

 

[AB in DC]

Don't whine, change the rules. If you feel that total points is very important, then change the structure. For example, could have money for best record and for most points. Could set playoff spots based on top two records, and then top two total points scored. There are lots of ways to reduce the impact of H2H without giving up entirely on the benefits of the format (i.e., getting to beat your friends).

In one of my leagues, half the prize money goes to the top 3 in HTH, and the other half goes to the top 3 in total points.

 

[Sputnikv8]

What proof? I didn't know there was a debate. I think we all agree that there is luck involved. ???

Anyway, the starters of these thread usually are on the "wrong side" of luck for the year. Its rare that when we win we start threads like this. As such, I will just view this thread as a venting thread. Not much will come of it anyway.

 

[lions327]

There may be luck involved, but the fact is good teams put themselves in a position to win, and bad teams will be bad no matter how you do it.

 

[2112]

Proof that the NFL is more about luck than anything else...Houston beat Miami? luckWashington beat Jax? luckDet beat Buf? luckTB beat Cin? luckHouston beat Jax? luckTB beat Philly? luckAtlanta beat Pitt? luckOakland beat Pitt? luckWash beat Dal? luckNYJ beat NE? luckPitt beat NO? lucketc.etc.etc.That's why they play the games. They are not completely predictable. In FF, H to H is inherently more interesting than total points. Is there some luck involved? Of course. The best games have a mixture of luck and skill. If you want skill only, watch chess. REALLY exciting.

quality!

 

[The Jacket]

Obviously.

I have the third-best record in my league. I've scored the most points (and have the second-most bench points), but the two teams above me -- both at 9-2-1 with me at 9-3-0 -- have had 766 and 911 points scored against them. Me? 980.

I've come up against just about every huge performance imaginable, from Torry Holt's 3-touchdown explosion to Chad Johnson's breakout game. I'm only surprised that I didn't face Addai or Romo last week.

 

[stbugs]

Teams with winning records usaully have a lower scored against total, that is correct. It appears after years of tireless studies i have concluded it is because they drafted the players who score all the points. This would then result in the losing teams having the players that score less points,in turn lowering the average scored againt points for the winniing teams. For a real world perspective on this seeCardinalsLionsBrownsFor some unexplainable reason, these 3 teams continue to score less points than there opponents almost 80% of the time! This would put them in a position to lose almost 80% of their games. i bet these 3 teams would prefer to go away from the head to head format as well.

Nice! Kind of puts the delusional comments of the guy above who thinks that teams in his league "gun" for him every week. He must be like the Colts, starting out with a nice undefeated streak every year and wins 80% of his games because he outscores his opponents 80% of the time.

A, Yes - I do usually start well.B. I'm only getting gunned for because I have won for a few years in a row now in one league and last year in another. That and all the owners are close freinds, so there has been some offseason ribbing I'm paying for. C. Honestly, the other people in the leagues are much, MUCH more informed than I am as far as real pro football goes, so they tend to get a little competitive when a stat guy like me beats them in FF. But, as we all should know, Real Football does not = Fantasy Football.They still have a tough time with that.You seem a little on edge stbugs.......too much coffee this morning?

Nope, actually don't like coffee. Just having fun with someone that wants to tell us how dominant he is in his own league that other owners trade and do waiver wire pickups only when they play you. It must be easy to win in a league when all the other owners are apathetic about their lineups in the other 14 or so weeks. I am a pretty nice guy, so I just ribbed you in a different post. I am not one of those board police that would basically say "Wonderful, don't really care about how your team or the mark of the FF hunted on your chest." I am a bit more optimistic about your abilities to weed out the ribbing in my post. It was the "gun" thing that gave it away, huh?

 

[Frank Black]

I agree that FF is more about luck than skill, but the human ego has a hard time coming to grips with that.

 

[Eraser]

Highest scoring team in my League!

Must win to limp into playoffs (currently 6-6)

 

[Rocco]

16 years of running a league, and we figured this out in year two. Answer? don't change a thing. Still head to head.

Its just fun, and over time, these things even out. We had years of 2nd highest scoring had thrid worst record.

One team even had a perfect season - and while they were the highest scoring, you better believe they were NOT the highest scoring every week, so schedule helped that.

Last year, in a 12 team league we had over half the league less than 100 points difference in total scoring over 14 weeks. Now that is competitive, and all the fun.

 

[shakeybarn]

This isnt news.This also is why I find it mindblowing that people pay money to play in H2H leagues.

Concur.More on luck... how many ppl look back and think about the players they wanted, but were snatched a pick or two before them... and turned out to be busts... and whom they were "left with" turned to be breakouts. Course again... it's mindblowing that ppl pay money to play in SNAKE DRAFT leagues.Regarding auctions... I personally can recall picks I've been saved from as I was outbid and decided to back down. "Careful who you wish for... you just might get him"

 

[freeannyong]

Don't you guys have some sort of Breakdown to look at? The guy in my 16 team league is 3rd or something in points and 16th in points against but he is 1st in breakdown. So his team would be good regardless of schedule.

However, there are plenty of teams that aren't like that, including some crappy teams that will make the playoffs and some good teams that won't (me).

Some teams to make the playoffs are 8-12th in the breakdown and points, but just have good schedules. Mine is 4th in points and 5th in breakdown and I'm 4-8 which is good for about 13th place.

This stuff happens every year and if you don't like it then just don't play H2H. Otherwise, just laugh it off like I do.

 

[J R]

Personally, I prefer to use tools like schedule analysis and the lineup dominator to tweak my team based on the unique factors of the HTH system. Say you're going up against a juggernaut, you play high risk/reward. If you're going against the dregs, you play it safe and consistent. Plus, the 'ol lineup dominator helps me determine my down weeks in advance so I can try to improve them. HTH allows for a unique spin on the general FF adage of trying to obtain the highest scoring team. I have no problems with the luck factor.

I like this part of the game.

 

[Ozymandias]

This isnt news.This also is why I find it mindblowing that people pay money to play in H2H leagues.

Concur.More on luck... how many ppl look back and think about the players they wanted, but were snatched a pick or two before them... and turned out to be busts... and whom they were "left with" turned to be breakouts. Course again... it's mindblowing that ppl pay money to play in SNAKE DRAFT leagues.Regarding auctions... I personally can recall picks I've been saved from as I was outbid and decided to back down. "Careful who you wish for... you just might get him"

I presume you would also find it mind-blowing that people would bet on cards, or roulette, or the NFL point spread, or any game of chance.

 

[johnnyfb]

Proof that the NFL is more about luck than anything else...Houston beat Miami? luckWashington beat Jax? luckDet beat Buf? luckTB beat Cin? luckHouston beat Jax? luckTB beat Philly? luckAtlanta beat Pitt? luckOakland beat Pitt? luckWash beat Dal? luckNYJ beat NE? luckPitt beat NO? lucketc.etc.etc.That's why they play the games. They are not completely predictable. In FF, H to H is inherently more interesting than total points. Is there some luck involved? Of course. The best games have a mixture of luck and skill. If you want skill only, watch chess. REALLY exciting.

quality!

My favorite was Miami beating Chicago in Chicago... freaking Bernard Berrian broke his ribs without being hit in that game and sunk my fantasy season...

 

[Trey]

In my TD Only league (Yes those still exist),

it seems like total points are what should really be considered lucky... Top 2 records in each division make the playoffs and then the 2 high scorers of the rest in each division make it...

My team has been abysmal for most of the year... I'm currently sitting on a 3-9 record. I am however 13 points up in the race for the 3rd playoff spot. Reason: Carson Palmer's recent tear and Joseph Addai becoming a machine..

So I guess total points could alway be considered "luck" to some degree as well. Some team can get really hot towards the end of the year and make a run. And that should not always be rewarded. Look at the Miami Dolphins. They could finish out the season going 8-1 or something ridiculous. Their poor start is probably going to cost them a chance at the playoffs. Do they deserve it? Absolutely.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

In my big money league, the 1st place team 11-1 has had 235 pts less scored on him than anybody else in the league. Even though he has been the top scorer by a few points - that's incredible luck - IMHOWillie

If anyone here understands a lick of math, I have a quick question.If you averaged every FFL in the world, which team would you expect to have the least points scored against them, the highest scoring team or the lowest scoring team?By the way, here is a hint: Teams can't play themselves.

That's kind of an interesting question. Or, it leads to an interesting observtion, anyway. There would be no difference in points-against, based on top scoring/bottom scoring, etc. However, there would be a very linear pattern with regard to ranking by record. The average of all 1st place teams would be lower than that of all 2nd place teams, which would be lower than the average of 3rd place teams, etc. It would be VERY slim, but unless I am thinking about it wrong, it would be there with a large enough sample.

 

[Ozymandias]

In my big money league, the 1st place team 11-1 has had 235 pts less scored on him than anybody else in the league. Even though he has been the top scorer by a few points - that's incredible luck - IMHO

Willie

If anyone here understands a lick of math, I have a quick question.If you averaged every FFL in the world, which team would you expect to have the least points scored against them, the highest scoring team or the lowest scoring team?

By the way, here is a hint: Teams can't play themselves.

No, but they can play with themselves.And that is better than getting on this thread and whining because they have higher points and a worst W-L record.

 

[shredhead]

One of the teams is running away with our league by combining by far the highest offense with the 2nd lowest scored against. He always seems to have one of the easiest schedules so I thought I'd see how the 3 worst teams (3-9, 4-8, 5-7) would have faired against the schedule he played. Those teams ended up 6-6, 7-5, and 8-3-1. Instead of being out of the playoffs, all three would be be seeds 4-6.I'm curious to see how common this is. So if you have a few free minutes, compare your worst teams to the best teams schedule and let us know how much, if any, things would be different.

OK, thanks for wasting my time! I'm in second place at 7-4-1 Last place team is 3-8-1 I switched schedules and guess what? If I played his schedule, instead of being 7-4-1, I'd be 7-4-1 (our ties were against each other) Instead of being 3-8-1, he'd be 3-7-2Wow what a difference that would have made! Can I have those minutes of my life back now.OK, I gotta admit, I didn't think the results would be that close. It did make me laugh so you're forgiven.

 

[Family Matters]

One of the teams is running away with our league by combining by far the highest offense with the 2nd lowest scored against. He always seems to have one of the easiest schedules so I thought I'd see how the 3 worst teams (3-9, 4-8, 5-7) would have faired against the schedule he played. Those teams ended up 6-6, 7-5, and 8-3-1. Instead of being out of the playoffs, all three would be be seeds 4-6.I'm curious to see how common this is. So if you have a few free minutes, compare your worst teams to the best teams schedule and let us know how much, if any, things would be different.

I think there is always an exception that one can point to but this hardly the norm from my experience. Just the same it does happen. Let me offer a possible solution that has worked well for me:I'm in a few leagues whereby we utilize H2H and total points. Each week we play H2H and the standings are set accordingly. Division winners are in the playoffs and usually seeded at the top. Wildcards are based on the best remaining records and teams with the most points scored. Some leagues will seed based on record and others based on total points.The point being here is that if you have a great team and a bad record you can still make the playoffs. Therefore you are not out of luck. You are still rewarded for having a good team.Good luck!