How to Use Statistical Analysis in Fantasy Football

Research statistics from the previous three seasons of professional football. Most of the top fantasy football websites offer individual player and team statistics, both previous and current. As a fantasy football owner, seeking out players with consistent achievements in the statistical categories pertinent to your league's scoring system helps to determine which players will be successful in the upcoming season.

Divide players into tiers, or groups, based upon statistical analysis. Tiers should be based upon the player's position, level of performance and ability to score for the fantasy football team based upon the league's scoring system. Tiers are intended to clearly define how valuable certain players are for quick selection during the drafting process.

For example, average pass attempts per game is an excellent statistic in determining whether a quarterback will have the opportunity to compile statistics and, therefore, score points for your fantasy team. Based upon the NFL's 2010 regular season statistics, only two quarterbacks averaged more than 40 passing attempts per game. Using those statistics, those two quarterbacks would go into the top tier as the most sought after. The second tier would be made up of quarterbacks with a slightly lower passing attempts average, for example 35 to 39 passing attempts per game.

Understand how the league's roster requirements could affect your statistical analysis. Knowing the positions that need to be filled to meet league requirements and understanding the scoring value of each position will determine what draft pick to use in selecting a particular player. Statistics such as total points scored and average yardage are a good indicator of positional value.

Prioritize player selection based on your tier. If there is an excess of quality candidates at a player's position, and a shortage of quality candidates at another position, use higher draft picks to select players from positions that have the smaller group of desirable players. Find baselines, or minimum statistical requirements, for players you consider as "starters" and use them to dictate positional supply and demand.

Use statistical match-ups to determine which players to start each week. During the season, active players should be determined based upon their opponent. The best tight end on your team may not be the best option for the week if he faces a challenging defense. Many of the top fantasy football websites offer charts and advice on the best and worst player match-ups for the upcoming week.

Track the statistics of players on opposing teams in the league to give yourself a greater opportunity to conduct trades with others and to make the best decisions when approached with trade opportunities. Look for players that have high totals in "opportunity" statistics, such as pass attempts, rushing attempts and passing targets. Also look for players who have favorable match-ups against defenses who give up high numbers of yards and touchdowns.