How to Play Not a Playoff Team

Think you can spot the pretenders before the playoffs begin? Here’s how it works.

🎯 The Basics

• Create a handle before you play — each entry needs a handle, and it can’t be changed once created.
• Pick one team each week that you believe will not make the playoffs.
• No repeats. Once you pick a team, it’s off your board for good.
• Deadlines matter. Picks lock at kickoff of the first game each week. Miss it and you’re out.
• Multiple entries welcome. Want to hedge your bets? Create more than one entry.

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❌ How You Get Eliminated

Your entry ends if:

• You miss a weekly deadline.
• A team you picked clinches a playoff spot.
• A playoff-locked team you picked is later eliminated.
• You box yourself in with no mathematical path forward.

🕒 Late Joiners

• You can still join after the season starts.
• You’ll begin with a live entry but don’t get “make-up” picks for past weeks.
• The longer you wait, the fewer safe teams remain.

🔑 Key Terms

• Playoff-Locked Team → A team that must make the playoffs (by clinch, division, or conference rules). Once locked, they’re no longer safe picks.
• Safe Teams → Teams still available: not playoff-locked, not eliminated, and not already picked by you.

🛠 Behind the Scenes

• All scenarios follow official NFL standings.
• Clinches, eliminations, and locks are updated weekly.
• Final rulings rest with the game admins.