There's no doubt in my mind there are a few broken hearts floating around our leagues this morning. You fought hard all season but came up short when it mattered. I get it, it sucks.
If you're the NH Bounty Hunters, you're flummoxed at the fact that your team was averaging 140.3 pts/gm over the past 4 weeks, but scored just 97 points with an opportunity to reach the title game on the line. And digesting that tough loss probably isn't made easier when you consider the Pork Chops scored 130 points against you - their 2nd highest point total of the season. In the 3 weeks leading up to the Cactus Division Championship, the Chops were averaging just 84.7 pts/gm. Credit to the Chops who showed up when it mattered.
And if you're Jalenhouse Rock, you're probably still scratching your head at the fact that you scored 144 points in a losing effort. After all, if you've followed the Segundo League this season, you already know Rock was 4-0 when scoring 140+ during the regular season. In fact, as a league, Segundo teams were 20-0 this season when scoring 140 points or more.
But Jalenhouse Rock wasn't the first team to lose when scoring that many points. That honor belongs to the Ohio State Gunkeyes who scored 141 points in the first round of the playoffs and lost to...the Gotham Rogues. Seems you're not safe unless you score 150 or more against the Rogues.
In their last 5 games of the season, the Tallaassee Tator Tots scored over 130 points 4 times, averaging 126.8 pts/gm heading into the postseason. And though their scoring fell slightly to 119 points in the first round, that was more than enough to take care of MaxxCasualties. And so, the thought was, if they showed up like they had been recently they'd surely be able to take care of a TJONES35 team that hadn't scored more than 100 points in the 3 weeks before the playoffs began, right?!
Nope.
Unfortunately, the Tots had no defensive plan to contain Amari Cooper and he finished the day with 265 rec yds and 2 TDs on his way to scoring 52 points - nearly double his previous season-high of 24 points back in week 3.
To go along with Cooper's outstanding day on the field, CeeDee Lamb and D'Andre Swift pitched in another 43 points, leading TJONES35 to finish the game with their 2nd highest score of the season, 153 points. Coincidentally, as I mentioned just a minute ago, that may be what they'll need to score this week if they want to claim the crown.
Sitting here writing this article and listening to Everybody Hurts by REM - I kid you not, it just came on the radio - I can't help but think there's not a team in either league feeling more heartache and torment than Digg-A-Watts right now.
In my Commish's Pick, I highlighted the fact that Watts' defense had played well against the Golden Tate Warriors in their previous meetings this season, surrendering only 89 and 87 points. What seemed clear to me was Watts' defensive coordinators had found the secret recipe to stopping the Warriors and I was certain they could do so again.
And I was right. Digg-A-Watts' defense held the Golden Tate Warriors to just 69 points in the Sagebrush Division Championship Game - the lowest score of the season for the Warriors. But defense wasn't the problem for Watts this week. It was their offense that let them down.
Fresh off their best performance of the season, 132 points in a 1st round victory over Jergoff Passout, it was a shock to many to see their offense score just 66 points, 1 more than their lowest score of the season. Talk about highs and lows.
However, bizarre as it was, they were actually very close to earning a trip to the Championship Game in their first season despite their terrible offensive showing.
Entering the Monday Night Football game, the Warriors needed 35 points from Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Aiyuk. Though what seemed like a guarantee was anything but as the 49ers game against the Ravens unfolded.
The 49ers offense looked surprisingly inept against the Ravens. So much so, that late into that game, Watts continued to lead the Warriors when Purdy was removed from the game. With only a hope and a prayer left to save the Warriors season, Sam Darnold - yes, that Sam Darnold - found Brandon Aiyuk coming across the middle of the field, on 3rd and 1 with just over 3 minutes remaining, for a 24 yard reception that would put the Warriors on top, 69 to 66.
Though the score doesn't reflect it, it was actually one of the more exciting finishes that I can recall in fantasy playoff history. It was also probably the happiest we've ever seen the Golden Tate Warriors after a 49ers loss.
To those fortunate enough to find themselves with a ticket to the Championship Game this week - the Warriors, Pork Chops, Rogues, and TJONES - congratulations. You've played well this season and we're all excited to see some quality competition again this week.
For the rest of you, the season isn't over yet. Beside the 3rd place and consolation prizes, there are still opportunities for each of you to win some prizes! Johnny, tell them what we have in store for them!
Championship Game Squares
A few days ago, I posted about this contest. It's super easy and it's a fun way to enjoy the Championship Game if you're not playing in it. This contest is open to anyone in our league not named Golden Tate Warriors or Pork Chop Express. But, somehow, I think they're going to be OK with missing it.
Sagebrush Cactus League Pro Bowl
This is a new contest that I wrote about at the end of last season. Once the championship games are over, the winner from each league will prepare to face each other in week 18.
The two league champions will have a live draft - everyone's invited - to select their Pro Bowl team. Once they make their selections, the Sagebrush Cactus League will battle the Segundo League in a single week 18 contest to decide which league is better.
In addition to bragging rights, the winner will also earn an extra $20 for every player in their league. Yes - you may not have lost as much money as you thought you did this season!
I'll be sure to send out more information about this contest later...stay tuned.
NFL Fantasy Playoff Challenge
This contest may or may not happen. The NFL's website doesn't offer any information about whether they're doing it again this year. If the NFL offers it again, we'll create a league and, unlike all of our other challenges, this contest is open to anyone and everyone...the more, the better.
So get ready for the final two weeks of our fantasy season. Though it may feel like your season is over, we're not done yet.
Good luck!
Commish
GOLDEN TICKET CHALLENGE
If I were betting on it, it looks like Baby Got Dak will take the top honors in the Golden Ticket Challenge this season. They still lead the field by more than 100 points, leaving NH Bounty Hunters looking like the runner-up.
PIGSKIN PICK'EM CONTEST
Unless Jalenhouse Rock is so severely depressed from not making it into the Segundo Championship Game that they forget to make their picks this week, they'll likely win the top prize. Second place, however, is still up for grabs between Badazz Bri, Pork Chop Express and Baby Got Dak.
COMMISH'S PICKS
The Sagebrush Cactus League was not kind to me last week. Though I split the pair of playoff games, you guys threw me for a loop in all of the other meaningless contests, leaving me with a 1-5 record.
The Segundo League, however, is slowly becoming my favorite league as they were much kinder, offering me a 4-2 record in my picks.
POWER RANKINGS
Meh, we already know who the top 2 teams are in each league. But if you want to see what the Ranking Committee thinks, just click the link below.
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