Just because most of you in the adult league are long out of school doesn’t mean you don’t have to study anymore.  Sunday marked the end of the adult regular season and that means it’s time to start preparing for playoffs.  After the bye week and all-star games, playoffs will take place on Sunday, May 15th.  

Just “showing up” is not going to cut it in playoffs.  Everyone is coming ready to play, ready to give it their all, which means your team has to go the extra mile if they are really serious about winning.  Going the extra mile requires practicing in the upcoming weeks and studying, studying, studying stats.

So here’s some tips on what to look for when studying your opponent’s stats:

• See how the team likes to put points on the board.  Rushing? Passing? Adjust your defense accordingly.
• Does the team have a QB with a great arm?  Stay back and take away his targets.  Weak at QB?  Rush and put the pressure to him.
• Examine the stats of the receivers.  Who’s the QB’s go-to guy?  That’s who you’ll have to put your best cornerback on and plan to help on that side.

• Record doesn’t mean everything!  Look at individual game scores.  A team could have a not-so-great record, but have lost a couple close games or played some really good teams.
• Check for how the team plays.  Offensive-strong first half, but trails off in the second?  How many points are they giving up each half on the defensive side?

These are questions you need to be able to answer about your opponent.  Another key: don’t just study your first opponent.  With playoffs being played all in one day, there is no time to study up and prepare for your next opponent – you have to do that ahead of time.  

So, when the brackets are released, look at all your potential opponents.  Teams that not only come ready to play but prepared to play are the ones that will make the deepest runs in the playoffs.