Now that we're heading into week 13 of the season, you can probably imagine the amount of work I have to do to prepare for the playoffs. Can you believe they're just a couple of weeks away? It's even crazier if you consider we'd be heading into the final week if this was last season.
There weren't a lot of surprises around the league last week. The teams that should've lost probably did, and vice versa. The biggest news for most around the league was the loss of several top players - some for the rest of the season.
Last week saw Los Perros Locos become the latest team to find their playoff dreams crushed. But, considering the trades they were making just before the deadline last week, it appears they were already expecting that outcome.
Elsewhere, a pair of teams that were on life-support last week, took significant steps towards reviving their seasons. The NH Bounty Hunters and Christian McMingle each won crucial contests and received significant help from their league counterparts where they needed it.
The NH Bounty Hunters needed Baby Got Dak and Who Is You to lose two of their final three games. With both teams taking a loss last week, the Hunters are now 50% of the way there. Now, they just need each of them to lose one of their final two games. And wouldn't you know it? Dak and Who will play each other this week.
As for Baby Got Dak and Who Is You, it almost seems as though neither of them really want to make the playoffs. Because of their losses last week, they're each in the unenviable position of needing to win their remaining games to avoid settling this thing via tie-breaker with the NH Bounty Hunters.
Regarding Christian McMingle, not only did they need to win last week, but they also needed Jergoff Passout to lose. Check and check.
This sets up an interesting scenario over the final two weeks. It is possible for McMingle to draw even with Jergoff Passout if they win their matchup this week against...Jergoff Passout. If that were to happen, McMingle could capture the 3rd playoff seed if they win in week 14 against a lowly Do Not Panic team and Passout loses. So, who is Jergoff Passout's week 14 opponent? The top-seeded Golden Tate Warriors, who will surely be fighting off Chief Sticky Balls for the #1 see and a 1st round bye.
But all of that could be a tall ask considering McMingle just lost their best player, Christian McCaffrey, for the season. Again. Something to consider: Christian McMingle is 2-4 without McCaffrey in their lineup this season.
So where does that leave the rest of the crowd?
In the Cactus division, Thundabuddies and Pork Chop Express are still battling each other for the #1 seed in the playoffs. Oh, and did I mention that they play each other this week? It's highly likely that the winner of that contest will secure the top spot.
On the Sagebrush side, the Golden Tate Warriors are holding onto the best record in the league which has helped them fight off a Chief Sticky Balls team that has won four straight. But, there's little room for error over the final two weeks. With Golden Tate holding the tie-breaker advantage by only 9 points, they'll need to win their final two games to hold onto the #1 seed.
Why? Because the final two opponents for Chief Sticky Balls have a combined record of 7-17 this season with an average weekly score of 80.8 pts/gm over the last three weeks.
And last, but not least, that leaves us with a Jergoff Passout team that needs wake from their post-coital nap. And, they need to do it quickly. At the moment, they're clinging to the #3 seed in the Sagebrush division by a single game but they could lock down their postseason invite if they're able to win this week. In the words of Big Tom Callahan, "Quit playing with your dingy..."
DEFEAT THE COMMISH
For three weeks, I've asked for feedback about this contest. To date, I have three responses. I'll ask everyone one more time: please, with a cherry on top, click the link below and let me know your thoughts and ideas about this contest.
SURVIVOR CHALLENGE
Congratulations to Pork Chop Express who won this year's Survivor Challenge after outscoring Who Is You in two consecutive weeks. Well done.
PIGSKIN PICK'EM
There wasn't a lot of movement at the top of the standings this week. Who Is You fell to 3rd place and Chief Sticky Balls picked up a game on the leader. This contest remains close with Christian McMingle holding onto a slight lead over Badazz Bri. At this point in the season, if you're sitting outside of the top 5 entries, it's pretty difficult to find a path back into the mix. However, don't give up yet! Even if you don't see yourself winning the contest, you can still win $110 with a perfect week.
COMMISH'S PICKS
After a rough season with my picks, I'm OK with a 4-2 record this week. For the most part, I've been moderately successful at picking the outcomes for most teams. I've correctly picked 50% of the games, or better, for nine teams in our league. The three problem children are Thundabuddies, Los Perros Locos, and Do Not Panic. Among those three teams, my record is 8-28 for an accuracy score of only 22%. Not sure what their problem is, but I'm about ready to turn the car around.
Good luck in week 13!
-- Commish
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