It’s
Thanksgiving weekend across the pond, and already many of the games
have taken a turn in one direction or the other in three of the
highest scoring turkey games that we can ever remember. But whilst
our pioneering cousins have already paid thanks to their forefathers
with a yam and a warm thank you ma’am what, or who, do the twelve
Carlton coaches have to be thankful for.
Super
Swedes – Coach Peter gives thanks that Matt Stafford’s early
season form has been consigned to the history books and the fact that
his squad looks extremely strong running down the home stretch
Pauls
Polarbears – Thanks his lucky stars that his 5&0 start to the
season hasn’t been completely wasted after dropping 4 of the past 6
and was thankful that the red rifle was still on the waiver wire
after Manning Jnrs season IV meltdown.
Tim
Riggins Bench Warmers – Thankful for the advent of mobile devices
and also the ability to be able to say ‘I was right’ after he
picked Spiller in round 3 in his rookie draft all those years ago.
Autopick
Warriors – Is thankful that 56 points is enough to win a game after
last week and that his nemesis Coach Cullen is having as miserable
season as himself and that he is still just about in the playoff
picture despite having a losing record.
It’s
A Lottery – carves his turkey and says a prayer that he got his
contractual obligation 4 wins before both Mojo & Shady went down
with injury and that Dr Crippen found an eco friendly alternative to
iridium to aid Peyton’s recuperation.
Bone
Rocks – Thanks his players for ignoring the pre season hype about
every other team being better than them and the condescending media
reports that Coach Lars has lost it, to lead the charge to the
playoffs in the Central.
Ttttaylor
– Thanks the fact that the season is almost over and he can look
forward to the number 1 pick next year.
West
Coast Mafia – Thanks CJ2K for remembering that he is actually one
of the best players in the League and for the last minute score by
Josh Freeman that gave him his first Guinness Bowl victory
Hairy
Frog Disco – Coach Calum thanks Coach Martin for offering the trade
that took RGIII to the Swamp in a season that had barely any bright
spots, and gives thanks that he has still got a chance to protect his
consecutive winning season record.
Fear
Factory – Thanks the NFL for exposing bounty gate and forcing Drew
Brees into game situations where he has to throw for 400 yards each
week to give the Saints a chance of victory
French
Leader – Praises the Wembley organisers for the Pats blowout
victory and all eleven other Coaches for passing (and in some cases
twice) on concensus future Hall of famer Adrian Peterson in the 2012
draft.
Seventy
Nine FC – Thanks heavens that the Champions Curse is just one
season long and that Coach Belichick is still a genius after all
these years.
And
to cap it off I am sure that all the Coaches would like to pass on
their thanks to Commissioner Gordon for running probably the greatest
Fantasy NFL league in the whole dang world.
GAME
OF THE WEEK
BENCHWARMERS (6-5) v SUPER SWEDES (7-4)
 |
| Matt Stafford. |
All
time series record : Swedes lead 3-2
Last
time out : Riggins 92 – 118 Swedes
With
only three games to go this week witnesses the return of the fixtures
from the opening week, and all but two teams can still make it
through to the playoffs, albeit some need more luck than others. Two
teams that hold their fate in their own hands are the Bench Warmers
and the Swedes who both won last week to set up a do or die
divisional showdown. In week 1 the Swedes got the upper hand but as
we know from recent performances both teams have the capability of
posting massive scores.
Rodgers
is still on course for another MVP season and his matchup against the
current Superbowl Champs the Giants is a mouthwatering affair, he
should be good for another big score if the line can keep JPP from
hunting down the Packer play caller. Stafford has blown hot and cold
all season but in the early turkey game on Thursday he was as hot as
a freshly baked apple pie as he torched the Texans secondary for 35
points. No matter how well Rodgers plays it will be difficult to post
numbers to beat that total.
EDGE : SWEDES
Riggins
running backs have been a feast or famine situation all year. Bush
started the season well but has become a bit part player for the
ailing Fins, Turner is sometimes effective and Spillers productivity
relies on the health of Freddie Jackson. Spiller’s matchup looks
the best of the three but it is difficult to recommend any of these
backs as heavy scorers. The Swedes have ridden Beast Mode Marshawn
all year long and he has delivered when it has mattered. Facing a
Dolphins defence that has fallen away after a good start, Lynch looks
like a good bet for another 20 point haul. The injury to Willis
McGahee would have been a massive loss if Law Firm had not begun to
produce again for the Bungles who look as if they could be a dark
horse for a wild card berth this year. EDGE
: SWEDES
Riggins
have always come up trumps when it comes to picking up receivers.
After a slow start and that circus catch that almost was, Dez Bryant
has put up monster numbers in recent weeks and brought home 28 points
after the Cowboys turkey day loss to the Redskins. Victor Cruz has
been hit by Manning’s ineptitude but could be in line for a
comeback performance against the Packers secondary and Floyd has been
solid but has a tough assignment this week against the Ravens. 11
points from the 3rd
receiver is a welcome boon for the Swedes as Moss has rediscovered
his form after nearly being cut in pre season camp this year. Reggie
Wayne will continue his impressive production against a porous Bills
defence in what is expected to be a shootout and Thomas has a great
matchup against the Chiefs but could suffer when the Broncos get
ahead and use Hillman.
EDGE : RIGGINS
After
Redskin Davis went down, Coach Richard tried Coby Fleener in the hope
that his chemistry with Luck proved profitable. Alas for the rookie
it didn’t but instead he has engineered the pick up of draft day
sleeper Jermaine Gresham who has done the CNFLE rounds this year. Now
that Dalton’s aim is becoming more keen the longer the season goes,
the more Gresham has become a factor and against Oakland his recent
upturn in form should continue. How can Coach Peter replace the #1
tight end in the game? The answer is, he can’t and with Gronk’s
possible season ending injury creating a big hole in the Swedes squad
in comes Green Bay’s much vaunted Finley who was a top tier tight
end on draft day but has disappointed thus far. Finley made a timely
return to form last week but he may be required to block the Giants
pass rush more than catch passes.
EDGE : RIGGINS
In
a startling move Coach Richard has benched his highly productive
Packers posse for the Panthers who face the Eagles offence who
struggled badly last week with back up Nick Foles under centre.
Whilst the Eagles are expected to struggle again this change could be
the defining decision of this match. Will Coach Richard propel
himself into the genius bracket with this call? Coach Peter is
leaning on the Bengals defence for the run in and their matchup
against the Raiders could prove to be profitable. With no running
game to speak of the Raiders will be forced to pass and although the
Bengals could give up points they will be good for turnovers and
sacks. Tucker has the edge on Succop in the kicking game EDGE
: SWEDES
With
the score at 45-28 to the Swedes after the early games but with
Riggins holding an extra player advantage this game is intriguingly
poised. Riggins need the win to keep alive their playoff dream but
they will fall agonizingly short in a classic high scoring matchup
when the Eagles beat the Panthers and Richards claims to coaching
immortality lay in tatters.
VERDICT
: SWEDES BY 3
WARRIORS (5-6) v PAULS POLARBEARS (7-4)
 |
| Andrew Luck. |
All
time series record : Warriors lead 4-1
Last
time out : Warriors 94 – 105 Bears
This
match is the fingernail bowl. After last weeks victory the Autopicks
are hanging on by theirs to the dream of making their first playoffs.
On the other side of the field, after another disappointing loss, the
Bears are desperately trying to cling to the memory of their early
season form where every win was cheered with the clarion call,
‘playoffs here we come’.
A
last ditch trade by Coach Conor means that he now has Luck on his
side instead of crying with Rivers, however Professor Fitzpatrick has
a sumptuous looking matchup against the Colts themselves so it may
not be this week that the Colts prodigy makes his bow for the
Warriors. Despite being hamstrung by the lack of a credible passer,
cards wideout Fitz maintains his spot in the Autopick lineup possibly
on name alone. Rice has an excellent opportunity to produce big
numbers against a Chargers team that is slumping towards the off
season and AJ Green will certainly add to his TD streak against a
hapless Raiders defence. Good looking week for the Warriors.
The
Polarbears are limping and as we all know from our outwards bounds
training, it’s best to keep your distance from a wounded bear in
the woods. Foster has already signaled Coach Paul’s intent to go
down fighting with an outstanding Thanksgiving performance against
‘Detroit sucks’. Dalton will be hoping to keep his hot hand on
the Cincinatti trigger and should perform well against the Raiders.
Rumours in Green Bay suggest that the play calling will be aiming to
get the ball in Cobb’s hands any way they can and use the third
year man much like Harvin in the Twin Cities.
With
a healthy advantage of 32 points after the Thursday games the
momentum is with the Bears. The Autopicks need to win this one or
else it’s the end of the road and they should get close.
Unfortunately the lack of form from Fitz will cost Conor dear.
VERDICT
: BEARS BY 7
THE
BONE ROCKS (6-5) v IT’S A LOTTERY (4-7)
 |
| The playoff bound Bones. |
All
time series record : Rocks lead 4-1
Last
time out : Rocks 116 – 90 Lottery
After
week 8, the Lottery sat on top of the Central with a .500 record
whilst the Bones had lost their early season form and dropped to 3-5.
Fast forward to week 12 and the two teams fortunes in the intervening
period could not have been more different as the Bones ride a 3 game
winning streak and now lead the division but the Lottery enter the
fray after their third straight reverse. The week 11 loss was
especially hard to swallow coming against their bitter rivals from
deep in the Swamp.
Finally
Andre Johnson has decided to come to the party and his refound
connection with Shaub is not only rescuing the Texans cause but Coach
Lars season as well. Doc Martin is odds on for the rookie of the
season award after his recent performances and faces a sketchy
Falcons run defence. Gore is also in line for a big haul against the
Saints provided Brees doesn’t fire the Bayou boys ahead early and
force the 49ers away from the run. James Jones has done an excellent
job filling in for Jennings and has yet to register an official drop.
It’s
almost as if once the Lottery got their fourth win the season had
somehow ended as they promptly reverted back to type and now prop up
the Central. It took 11 weeks, but finally the Lottery 1st
round pick went the way of so many previous and entered the treatment
room to join the #2 pick MJD watching from the sidelines. In come the
Brown brothers and whilst they may not have the rep of the two
previous Lottery backs they do have good matchups. Manning will
continue his great season against the Chiefs and new signing Gonzo
will try to end the Lottery’s tight end woes. Good matchups but
question marks about personnel.
A
win here and the Bones have one foot in the playoffs and it would be
a sweet return for Coach Lars who was listed as the rank outsider
after the draft. A loss for the Lottery and it’s all over for
another season and all that’s left will be to ensure that they are
not picking 4th
in the 2013 draft. The Bones have scored 140+ in two of the past
three weeks and this week could be number 3.
VERDICT
: BONES BY 17
TTTTAYLOR
(2-9) v WEST COAST MAFIA (5-6)
 |
| Romo. The worst 40pt return you'll ever see. |
All
time series record : Rocks lead 2-0
Last
time out : Factory 88 – 113 Rocks
The
Ttttaylor loss last week against the Autopicks was the lowest scoring
match in the history of the CNFLE. Ever. This season just cannot end
quickly enough for last years Champs. Ttttaylor versus Dnickman was a
matchup last year that set mouths watering in anticipation and whilst
the Mafia are still in with a shout of the playoffs, another loss
last week has silenced the potty mouthed pixie after a noisy few
weeks when they regained their form and their hopes of keeping their
playoff record at 100%
The
tandem of Ryan and Jones has not lived up to expectations. Let’s
face it nothing Ttttaylors team has done actually has, however if
ever there was a week that the two could get back on the same page
this could be it as they face a Bucs D that averages over 300+
passing to offenses this season. The injury to Blaine Gabbert last
week has suddenly made the Jags receivers a viable proposition with
Henne under centre, so much so that Ttttaylor has decided to start
two of them! The Rams could contribute a decent defensive output
against Coach Tttt’s beloved Cards. Charles will find it tough
against a stout Broncos run D.
‘When
they are good they are very, very good, but when they are bad they
are horrid’ could have been written solely for the Mafia this year
and Tony Romo in particular. Even when Romo is horrid though he still
throws 60+ times and racked up another 40 point performance to put
the Mafia well in control. Elsewhere both CJ2K and Matt Forte should
have productive days, especially the Titan former running back champ
against the Jags. The receivers have been an enigma so far, both
Nelson and Jackson are capable of posting big numbers but have only
done it rarely so far this year.
The
54 points recorded by Ttttaylor last week was the 4th worst score of
all time and means that the Champ is the owner of the two worst
weekly scores of the season thus far, and is also currently in danger
of posting the worst season win loss record in Carlton history. A win
for the Mafia and the dream still lives on, a defeat and they could
be two behind with two to play.
VERDICT
: MAFIA BY 20
SEVENTY
NINE FC (6-5) v FEAR FACTORY (7-4)
 |
| Heartbreak for the Factory? |
All
time series record : Niners leads 3-2
Last
time out : Niners 120 – 103 Factory
Now
this is indeed a big, big game. The Niners slipped up last week
despite the efforts of Tom Terrific losing a close one to the Swedes
and falling a game behind in the South. After winning five straight
the Factory were brought crashing back to earth when they posted
their lowest score of the season to fall to the resurgent Rocks.
With
the New England scores already in from Thursdays games we have a fair
idea of how the Niners will perform and wow, will you look at that
stat line. Brady 40pts, Ridley 15 and the D 28, in addition to a few
from Lloyd and an Albert Morris 20 point tally the Niners have
already racked up 107 from 6 players. Roberts is unlikely to add much
but Graham could get a few against the 49ers. Looks like a big week
for Coach Martin.
Once
Coach Botond has recovered from the shock of the Niners return he
will be pleased to realize that his two returns, Garcon &
Leshoure have performed ok. So it’s not quite the inter galactic
scoring on the other side but it’s a start. The return of zero from
Austin however is the killer though as he was ignored in the Romo –
Bryant show. Brees will need to have the game of his life to match
Brady against the 49ers, but Fred Jackson looks to be back and should
be productive against the Colts. Gates and Marshall have big play
potential but it’s a big ask to recoup the 80+ points they need for
victory this week.
Coach
Martin cannot afford to lose this one and when you need a clutch
performance you can rely on Tom. Botond will hope that his mid season
form returns soon or else it could be more playoff heartbreak for the
Factory.
VERDICT
: NINERS BY 24
HAIRY
FROG DISCO (4-7) v FRENCH LEADER (7-4)
 |
| A Disco win? |
All
time series record : Disco lead 4-1
Last
time out : Disco 93 – 100 Leader
If
anyone thought that the hapless Disco were going to lie down and take
their kicking then they haven’t read their history books. With the
opportunity to keep their record of never having a losing season
intact they were never going to give up easy. The French are now the
#1 ranked team in the CNFLE IV, they were the pre season favourites
and they are hitting form at exactly the right time.
Still
without their #1 & #2 draft picks, the Disco have been forced to
plunder the waiver wire for weekly replacements and seem to have
found a selection that can now contribute more than just 4 or 5
points each. Ballard looks like he is the future in Indy and Stewart
has a great opportunity to show he is the main man in Carolina.
Johnson and Nicks could both score well this week now they are 100%
and Myers has been a revelation at tight end since signing up. RGIII
put up 40 points again which made up for the implosion of the Texans
D.
Some
say that if Coach Laurent hadn’t lost focus last year then the
Leader could have won the South. Well Coach Laurent went away again
this year but seems learnt from his experience last time and kept
tabs on his team this. With Big Ben still hearing bells after his
ringing a couple of weeks ago, Carson palmer comes in to steer the
Leaders ship and should have a good game against the Bungles.
Peterson has been magnificent so far this season but may find it
tougher against a swarming Bears defence. Colston will struggle
against the 49ers and Jackson needs to improve. The Seahawks should
provide a positive return against the Dolphins.
Both
teams have seven men left to play, the Disco have bookended their
lineup with 45 points from RGIII and the D and the Leader have also
had a bumper output from their superstar Megatron who contributed 23
points. If Palmer can get his aim then the Leader should take this
one, however what’s that we hear? It’s the UPSET ALERT for the
first time this season and the Hairies will take the role of playoff
spoiler in week 12.
VERDICT
: HAIRIES BY 1
So
then, wins for the Swedes, Bears, Rocks, Mafia, Niners and Hairies
make it a two way affair in the North and the Central but a three way
tie in the ultra competitive south
Don’t
shoot the messenger.
Just
the facts ma’am.
Latest
odds supplied by Vasco De Gama
Super
Swedes 4-7
Bone
Rocks 10-11
Pauls
Polarbears Evens
Fear
Factory 6-4
French
Leader 6-4
Seventy
Nine Fc 6-4
West
Coast Mafia 3-1
Tim
Riggins Bench Warmers 25-1
