I have played A LOT of public leagues the past 5 years, and regardless of whether you choose "casual", "competitive", or a "winners league" (where everyone has won a fantasy title in that sport before), it is THE time of the year for the quitters to disappear.  I don't know if it's because a lot of high school and college kids play and now they are out of school and not paying attention; OR if they aren't doing good enough so they forget about it; OR if fantasy football just takes too much preparation time on their part; OR a combination of all three and other reasons, BUT….

…this is where you see about half your league disappear.  So all YOU have to do to make the PLAYOFFS is…….PAY ATTENTION.  I'm serious; you could be on the rock bottom of the standings and still get in if you attend to your team.  Make sure your injured guys are on the DL, or you jettison them for someone who can contribute;  make sure your starting pitchers are in the line-up when it's their turn;  scour the waiver wire for guys who are on fire the past 14 or 30 days;  if you have time during the day, make sure your hitters are actually in the line-up;  and finally, as the week is coming to a close, look for ways to win a category over the weekend with a smart add for a particular category.  

If you do the above, you should be able to climb above those who aren't paying attention.  Just last week I had a great battle with the first place team, and lost 6-7 (I would of won if M. Rivera hadn't blown a save and given the win to F. Rodriguez of the Mets…that cost me 2 categories!!!).  It was my first losing week in ten.  But the band-aid comes this week, as I play a quitter.  He has 3 hitters in the starting line-up who are on the DL.  All I have to do is make sure my guys are in.  So far, I am up 10-2, and the week will probably end near that.  Meanwhile the first place guy is in another battle, and I'm gonna inch real close to him.

More importantly there is one owner left who is out of the playoffs right now but is still playing.  Sure enough, he has the same situation as me, and at the moment, would be only 2 games out of a playoff spot if scores hold.  All he has to do though is keep playing, and he'll get in.  And then, anything can happen!  I've won leagues sneaking into that last playoff spot on the last day….you can to if you attend to your team.