Introducing PFF Grades Pick'em

We miss fantasy football around here. Heck, at this point, we even miss the silly DFS Pro Bowl/Super Bowl slate. At this point, there’s nothing left to do except research, and prepare, and …

What’s that now?

Hey, here’s a game.

Here at PFF, we pride ourselves on grading every player on every play of every game. You’ve seen that in our player grades. Now, we’re using those grades to create PFF Grades Pick’em, a game for the Super Bowl based on PFF’s grading.

(Want to play? Want to win a year of All Access? Click here.)

It’s simple. Falcons and Patriots players are sorted into six groups, based on their grades from the Conference Championship games. It breaks down to offense and defense, and then grades of 80+, 70-80, or 70 and below. Pick one player from each group. Highest combined grade of the six players wins. First prize gets a year of PFF All Access membership (existing members will get one year added to their current subscription).

It’s an interesting setup. You’ll notice, for example, that there are very few defensive players in the top tier. That makes sense, considering the high scores of the Conference Championship games. So what’s the best strategy? Do you bet on Chris Hogan to stay hot, or on Julio Jones to stay consistent? Will Vic Beasley bounce back from a low-graded game? If you think New England will win, do you pick all Patriots, or do you hedge in case of a close game where both sides play well?

Honestly, I don’t know. This is new. We played it once in office for the Conference Championships, and I finished in the dead center of everyone who played. The strategy is an unknown beast right now. And that’s cool.

Below is a chart detailing each group of players, sorted by their grade in the Conference Championships. Along with that, you’ll see their average game grade from the season, along with their average grade in wins and in losses, so that you can judge according to your game projections.

Think you know player quality, and not just yards, touchdowns and fantasy stats? This is your chance to prove it. If you want to play, click here to make your entry. The winner will be announced after the grades are finalized early next week. In the case of a tie, the highest single grade rostered will win (for example, a 95.0 and a 90.0 would beat out two grades of 92.5). In the case of a tie with identical rosters and/or identical grades, winner will be decided by coin flip. Responses must be in by Sunday morning.