Girls Night Out Edition #2: Fantasy Football, Flirty Jabs, and Betting Smarts

By Tracy Granzyk | Sandman Sports

So, your guy is buried in draft rankings, obsessing over sleeper picks, and talking smack with his fantasy league bros like it’s a full-time job. Again.

But this year? You’re coming off the bench, and you’ve got the lingo, some sass, the knowledge and a strategy. Whether you’re drafting your own fantasy lineup, betting props, or sharpening your Sunday funday banter, this is one playbook he will grow to love.

First Down: What Is Fantasy Football (And Why You Should Care)?

Fantasy football is like assembling your dream team of NFL players. Real guys, real stats, and you make up your own quippy, killer team name. You draft a lineup, rack up points based on how your players perform in real games, and compete against other teams in your league. Think of it like fantasy shopping… only instead of shoes, you’re grabbing wide receivers before the other gal gets to wear them first.

In most leagues, your team will consist of:

• 1 QB (Quarterback): This is an offensive position, the guy who takes the snap and starts the play. He’s athletic, nimble, can pass, run, and dance like Benson Boone.
• 2 RBs (Running Backs): Another offensive position. Think power and finesse. Think Denzel Washington or Ryan Gosling.
• 2 WRs (Wide Receivers): Think flash, sticky hands, and quick feet. These are the guys you might see doing back flips in the end zone after an acrobatic catch.
• 1 TE (Tight End): Your multi-tasking offensive receiver, blocker, tank who can score.
• 1 FLEX (RB, WR, or TE): This is your opportunity to fill your game day roster with any hot hand on your roster.
• 1 Kicker: You get it. He kicks extra points and field goals and can certainly add to your total points, but you never want to draft one of these early.
• 1 Defense/Special Teams: They try to stop the offense from scoring, don’t have possession of the football, try to sack the QB… yadda yadda yadda.

Each week, your lineup competes head-to-head against another league member’s fantasy team. The better your players perform on the field, the more fantasy points you earn. And no, you don’t have to watch every game if you don’t want to. Your app tracks your points for you.

Draft Strategy: Steal His Sleepers, Stack Your Sugar

Your guy may be going to a fantasy draft party with the guys, but you can invite the ladies over for a boozy brunch fantasy draft too. Here’s how to roll like a boss:

• Know the League Format: Is it PPR (Point Per Reception)? Standard? Superflex? Each changes how you value players and decision-making at draft time. Standard scoring awards points for touchdowns, rushing and receiving yards gained, and often field goals (kicker value) and defensive or special teams scores. This is why your guy loses it when his D sacks the QB. More points, and now you too will be whooping it up. PPR leagues add points for any reception by RB, WR, or TE. Flex leagues give you the option to put hot players in alternate positions to boost your numbers.
• Don’t Draft a QB Too Early: This should be our number one tip and my own rookie mistake. Yes, big names like Allen and Mahomes are dreamy and seem like a reliable pick. But value and points come from those RBs and WRs drafted early on. Let the boys chase QBs. You chase scoring gods and bank.
• Stack Smart: Pairing a QB with their top WR (like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase) gives you double points when they connect. It’s called stacking, and it’s hotter than pre-season hype.
• Handcuff Like a Queen: Draft the backup to your star RB (for example, Tyler Allgeier behind Bijan Robinson). If your starter goes down, you’ve got the insurance. This is girl math and girl power.

Fantasy Draft Darlings for 2025 to 2026

More than hot bods in tight pants, these boys will push you to the top of any league. And if you’re still looking for a player to be named later on your roster, check out ESPN’s Fantasy Football Draft Kit.

Quarterbacks

• Josh Allen (Buffalo): Number one QB pick on ESPN. He’s always a good bet, but like a fine wine he’s also aging.
• Jalen Hurts (Eagles): Explosive. In a good way, not like the ex you dumped in college.
• Lamar Jackson (Ravens): He’s the spicy margarita. Charged and a little dangerous in a good way.
• Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs): Like a little black dress, never a bad choice. But also know newer trends are emerging.
• Joe Burrow (Cincinnati): This is the guy you take home to meet the parents. Old reliable, but may not deliver the pop you’re looking for, ladies.

Running Backs

• Bijan Robinson (Falcons): Versatile, explosive, and under a new offensive coordinator who actually knows how to use him.
• Saquon Barkley (Eagles): With a cool name, he’s just fun to have on the roster. Not to mention he’ll score points.
• Christian McCaffrey (49ers): The fantasy gold standard. Still elite. Get him quick before I do.
• Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions): PPR beast mode unlocked. Grab him if you can.

Wide Receivers

• Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati): Ranked number one pick overall by ESPN picker consensus. I missed him last time and will not make the same mistake twice. It’s like taking an ex back. Only need to do it once to know better.
• Justin Jefferson (Vikings): Route god. Pretty much the Beyoncé of wideouts. A great pick, and you’ll regret not seeing the show.
• CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys): Dak’s go-to target monster. He’ll deliver even if the boys are struggling. Your oldest child.
• Puka Nacua (Rams): Quickly climbing the fantasy rankings. Powerful, still not a household name. Kinda like the workout tip on TikTok en route to going viral.

Tight Ends

• Brock Bowers (Las Vegas): Rookie red zone monster. He’s the mystery man everyone is curious about.
• Trey McBride (Cardinals): Steady. Like the friend who immediately texts back and brings snacks you didn’t know you needed.
• George Kittle (Giants): Flashy, a little volatile. Might be like dating a PBR star.
• Sam LaPorta (Lions): Emerging star in a high-powered offense.
• Bubble Pick (for entertainment only): Travis Kelce (Chiefs): He’s dropped to number 86 on ESPN picks. He’s distracted living the rockstar life, building a podcast and brand, and now acting?

Best Defenses to Draft (or Bet Props On)

• Texans: Young and talented, built by an aggressive front office. Sit back, sip and enjoy the show and the sack points.
• Eagles: Quarterbacks beware. Eagles D is coming for you. Triple threat with secondary and linebackers adding pressure.
• Broncos: Coming in hot at high altitude, Denver’s D is solid all-around. This is your guy during the early dating days.
• Baltimore: Still a threat. Aggressive, blitzing, coming at you. Not the guy you marry, but definitely want him at the party.

Betting Edge: Fantasy and Sportsbook Equals Love and Money

Here’s where the fun begins to multiply. The knowledge you’re stacking can also inform game day bets, doubling winning opportunities. For example:

• If your starting fantasy QB is Allen and your fantasy app says he’s projected for 275 passing yards and the sportsbook sets the over under at 258.5, bet the over, sister. You might know better.
• Looking at a prop bet for QB rushing yards? Consider betting the over on Lamar Jackson and may the odds forever be in your favor.
• Parlay your fantasy studs. Draft them, get to know them, and bet them together. Think of it as Love Island meets Billions. Manifestation meets monetization.

Trash Talk That Scores

• You’re taking Mahomes in Round One? Old school. How sweet. What do you think about J. J. McCarthy? Too soon?
• You focus on touchdowns. I’ll focus on cashing in.
• I didn’t come to play fantasy. I came to win reality.

Final Whistle: Don’t Just Watch. Win.

This season, bring more to game day than pigs in a blanket and a smile. Bring some heat. Bring the trash talk that sounds sweet until ka-ching, it cashes in. Your fantasy lineup isn’t just cute, it’s cash in a blanket.

Your guy’s fantasy team might be stacked. But your combo of sharp betting picks, fantasy fire and live-game trash talk? That’s what makes a power couple.

So go ahead, join the league, roll the knowledge into betting the parlay, and keep making your own sugar.

Next Week: “Sidelined Snacks and Bankroll Bites: Girl Math for Game Day Gains”

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