With only a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is about as clear as it was in week 2. Just when you begin to think things are taking shape, a week's worth of games throws the whole thing into disarray again. Some teams look like they're getting pumped up and into shape for the postseason. Others still have some heavy-lifting to do if they want an invite to the dance.
But, first, let's take a quick look at what happened this week.
In keeping with tradition, Badazz Bri made sure that Los Perros Locos was the highest scoring team in the league this week, though it was close. With scoring throughout the league seemingly low this week, Los Perros Locos posted 125 to beat out Chief Sticky Balls' 122 points for the honor.
Next week, Sticky Balls will have another go at Bri and I wouldn't be surprised if, since the Balls are the highest scoring team in the league, we see some scoring records threatened. Chief Sticky Balls put up 167 on Badazz Bri in week 2 and they're one of the hottest teams lately. It's also worth noting that they have scored more than 100 pts in 10 of 11 weeks this season. No other team in the league comes close to their consistency.
On the other side of the aisle might be the hottest team in the league at the moment; the aforementioned Los Perros Locos. Locos flexed their muscles and notched their 4th straight victory this week to get their record above .500 for the first time this season. They've averaged 144.8 pts/gm over that span and they now find themselves in the playoff race - something even they probably didn't expect a few weeks ago.
Leading Perros in the Cactus division is Pork Chop Express and Who Is You. Despite a 25-point game here or there, You now owns the best record in the league at 8-3. In week 11, You narrowly held off a RamRod team that was on a 3-game winning streak and averaging 118 pts/gm. And while that game was close until the end, the anticipation of Mahomes versus Watson was a huge let down.
The forecasts for Mahomes and Watson led most, including myself, to expect some serious fireworks. Heading into the RamRod and You matchup, the two quarterbacks were projected to light up the scoreboards with at least 48 points between the two of them. So it came as a shock to all when they combined for only 18 points.
Regardless, keep your eye on the Who Is You versus Los Perros Locos matchup next week.
As for Pork Chops, they're looking pretty good with their victory this week. Unless the wheels fall completely off, I don't see any reason they won't make it to the playoffs. Plus, if they win and Perros manages to beat Who Is You this week, that would put them in a tie for first place. And, as luck would have it, they'll play that team in week 13.
Rounding out the division is the NH Bounty Hunters who are hanging on by a thread. They came away from week 11 with a much needed win, but over the past 5 weeks, their average score is only 81 points with a high of 103. Given the fact they're the lowest scoring team in the Cactus division, they're basically 2 games out of a playoff spot because of the tie-breaker.
The playoff picture over in the Sagebrush division is about as clear as mud partly as a result of Hein!!!'s 4-game losing streak. What looked like a guaranteed #1 seed just a few weeks ago has now been downgraded to a maybe-they'll-make-it-maybe-they-won't situation. And, oddly enough, this all seemed to begin shortly after they reinvented their lineup in a series of trades. I guess that's what they mean when they say: "If it's not broken...".
Fortunately, for Hein!!!, their 7-0 start to the season leaves them in a position where they can lock down a playoff spot with a win this week. At the moment, though, that seems like a big "if".
Just behind Hein!!! is Sticky Balls and Flash Dem TD's - two teams that could easily overtake them in the coming weeks. TD's will get the most direct shot this week when they square off with Hein!!! while Chief Sticky Balls will need to lean on their divisional mates to help them if they're to have any chance at claiming the #1 seed.
The final playoff contender in the Sagebrush division is a team that has surprised me the most this season, and not in a good way: Blue Ribbon. On paper, Blue Ribbon appears to have one of the best rosters around the league. They have a pair of top receivers to go with Kamara, Diggs, Kittle and Russell Wilson, yet week after week, they're putting up scores of 75, 83, 95, and this week's season-low of 65 points. For a team with so much strength, Blue Ribbon has looked pretty puny lately. I'm not counting them out yet, but I'm thinking this might be the first year they miss the playoffs.
If you haven't already looked ahead to this week's set of matchups, you should. There is really only one game that doesn't have serious playoff implications: Baby Got Dak versus Thundabuddies. Other than that, every matchup will help us determine who gets in and who doesn't. Although, with the parity in the league this year, I'm not sure anything will be worked out for certain until the final whistle of week 13.
Lastly, I'll tip my hat to the Cactus division for winning the inter-league bragging rights after finishing with a 20-16 regular season record against the Sagebrush division. If you recall, the Sagebrush division looked like they were doomed after a dreadful week 4 against the Cactus teams. However, they bounced back over the next few weeks of inter-league play and kept it respectable.
I'm looking forward to the final inter-league matchup in the SCL Championship Game.
My streak of 5-1 ended this week, but I'd say 4-2 is still pretty respectable. That brings my season record to 40-26. The two teams giving me the fits are Who Is You and Chief Sticky Balls.
With 125 points being the highest score in the league this week, I had no problem beating everyone with my Waiver Wire Team.
Good luck in week 12!
-- Commish
Comments