LINE: Do Not Panic -1
Mathematically speaking, both of these teams are still in the playoff hunt. But one thing is for certain: the loser of this contest will be reduced to the role of "spoiler" for the remainder of the season. In their last meeting, Do Not Panic defeated Badazz Bri in a, surprisingly, high-scoring affair; 129-120. Since that matchup, Panic has won only one game while averaging 86.4 pts/gm while Bri has won three games behind an average score of 89.4 pts/gm. Offensive juggernauts these two are not, which explains the low over/under here. If their offenses were suspect already, they're even more so when you consider that each is dealing with injuries to key starters. Do Not Panic's struggling running attack is dealing with a pair of "questionable" designations as is Bri's receiving corps. If Hopkins is able to take the field for Bri this week, they might stand a chance. Otherwise, I expect Panic will walk away with the victory and put the final nail in the coffin housing Bri's playoff hopes.
COMMISH'S PICK: Do Not Panic
LINE: Los Perros Locos -12
In the fifth week of the season, the Thundabuddies put one down on a Perros team that didn't bother showing up to their own home game. This time around, however, the Buddies will be without Aaron Jones, Cooper Kupp, and Kyle Pitts, who they traded away. That's the only reason I can think of to justify the dogs being a double-digit favorite. Over the past three weeks, the Perros are one of the worst teams in the league with zero wins and an average score of only 79 pts/gm. Conversely, the Buddies have won two of their last three and they're the second highest scoring team during that span, scoring 115.7 pts/gm. Oh, and did I mention that there's no other team that the Perros struggle against more often than the Thundabuddies? The Buddies have won eight of ten against Los Perros Locos and they've never lost at Flash Gordon Field. But, here's the rub; a loss in this matchup would almost certainly eliminate Perros from playoff consideration. If that's not even to motivate your squad, I'm not sure what is.
COMMISH'S PICK: Los Perros Locos
LINE: Golden Tate Warriors -12
Back in week 5, Golden Tate defeated McMingle by 6 points in one of the highest scoring games of the season. That alone might explain why this matchup features the highest over/under of the week. Both teams have solid lineups this week, but with five starters ranked in the top 10 at their position, you can understand why the Tate is favored. However, you'd be wise to remember that McMingle tagged Tate for 153 points without McCaffrey and with Miles Gaskin's 23-points sitting on the bench in that last meeting - a mistake they're not making this time around. At home this season, the Warriors are only allowing 98.7 pts/gm but considering their visitors have a combined record of 12-18, that's to be expected. In the end, I agree that this will be another big day for both offenses, but I'm sticking with McMingle to come out on top.
COMMISH'S PICK: Christian McMingle
LINE: NH Bounty Hunters -9
Credit to Baby Got Dak for being able to manage a 6-4 record, and a share of 1st place, throughout all of their personnel struggles this season. The loss of Robert Woods last week was just another hurdle they'll have to work around. But all of those missing pieces are compounded this week when they'll take to the field without Stafford. Just about the only silver lining I can find for Dak in this game is that they're playing at Sans Prescott stadium where they're 3-1 on the season. The bad news is that they're hosting a Bounty Hunters team that scored 172 points against them in their previous matchup. Coming off back-to-back games over 125 points, the Hunters are on a roll lately and they're looking to avoid playoff elimination. Take the Hunters, give the points, and move along.
COMMISH'S PICK: NH Bounty Hunters
LINE: Jergoff Passout -2
Neither team can afford to lose focus on this game. Tied for second place in the Sagebrush division, they'll need to concentrate on their opponent and not worry about whether or not McMingle can upset Golden Tate. If you were to look over the last five weeks to find a clue about who will win, you'd find that they're both 3-2 with Passout averaging just 1.6 pts/gm more than the Balls. And over the past three weeks, they've each won two games with the Balls scoring 4.3 pts/gm more than Passout. They're neck-and-neck in just about every category. But two things stand out to me. First, in their last meeting, the Balls bagged Passout by 40 points, 159-119. And secondly, Passout is full of "questionable" designations and difficult matchups this week. With a banged up roster, I can't see Passout keeping pace with the Balls if this game turns into an offensive shootout. And with an over/under north of 200, it's clear the bettors believe it will be.
COMMISH'S PICK: Chief Sticky Balls
LINE: Pork Chop Express -2
The winner of this matchup will, at the very least, maintain a share of first place in the Cactus division. And, depending on the outcome of the other two games in the Cactus division, they could potentially be sitting alone at the top. Historically, these two matchup very well with each team having won 7 of their 14 total meetings. At How Are Me stadium, You has won four of seven against the Chops with an average margin of victory under 2 points. On the season, Who Is You has outscored the Chops 114.0 pts/gm to 107.5 pts/gm. But, if you look over the last five weeks, Pork Chop Express has been the better team, averaging 112.6 pts/gm to You's 105.6 pts/gm. A poor outing last week cost the Pork Chops their 5-game winning streak, but I'm sure that box score has been bulletin board material in their clubhouse all week. If Nick Chubb is able to suit up for the Chops, they should have no problem handling Who Is You. But, if not...
COMMISH'S PICK: Pork Chop Express
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