IT COULD BE YOU

THE WEEK 11 PREVIEW

Week 10 witnessed the return of the Divisional games and marked the beginning of the run in towards the playoffs, and for all but two teams the candle of hope still burns bright.

How teams fare in these return divisional matchups will decide whether they will join Ttttaylor and the Disco in the doldrums or whether they can dream of Carltonbowl glory.

Or does it? Over the past two years just how have the teams that made the playoffs fared in the divisional matchups?

In Season II, Tim Riggins Bench Warmers dropped 2 out of the 3 divisional games and that form continued into the playoffs as they were routed in the elimination round. As were the now defunct Yoda from Wales who also dropped two of their three remaining divisional games. Ttttaylor however won two of the three and squeaked into the playoffs with the only loss against the Bone Roacks coming in the middle of a seven game stretch which included 6 wins and carried them to the Carltonbowl. Eventual season II winners Seventy Nine FC lost their opening match in the divisional return series but then won the next two and continued that run, winning the next three to claim glory.

Season III saw the Super Swedes win all three divisional return games in the return but fail to make an impact in their first attempt at the playoffs. Dnickman finished with an overall divisional record of 4-2 and lost one in both halves of the season, however when it mattered most they lost out to divisional rival, ttttaylor in the elimination round. Losing Carltonbowl finalists the Disco eked out a pair of divisional wins during the run in en route to their second losing final and Season III winner Ttttaylor dropped only one divisional game throughout the whole season III and it came on the last weekend against Dnickman. It consigned Ttttaylor to a wildcard but revenge was swift and sweet as Dnickman was vanquished in the elimination round.

It is clear that without the 5&1 divisional record, Ttttaylor would never even have made the S3 playoffs let alone win the trophy, after all against the rest of the League they were 4-4.

So far this year, the Bears remain unbeaten in the North with 4 wins, the Swedes improved to 2-2 whilst the Warriors & Riggins now return a 1 & 3 record. The Bones now have three wins from the initial sparring in the Central as do French Leader , Current Southern trail blazer, Fear factory interestingly only has two wins to their name.

With only four games now left and with still nothing settled so far, it is clear that the teams who reap the most benefit from the two remaining divisional battles will more than likely cement their place in the post season. A return of two wins from four games may not seem like much but if they happen to all be divisional victories then the value of that win count for doubles that of an inter conference victory at this stage of the season.

The run to the playoffs starts last weekend and ten will become just four in just five weeks time. Will it be you?

GAME OF THE WEEK

IT’S A LOTTERY (4-6) v HAIRY FROG DISCO (3-7)

Coach Andy.  1992 PGA Tour Golf National Champion.

All time series record : Frogs lead 3-0 CNFLE (6-2 Overall)

Last time out : Lottery 130 – 92 Disco

Ok so perhaps this game doesn’t have the quality on parade of previous years, and perhaps if Ttttaylor hadn’t been so unlucky in previous weeks this would have been a real contender for a toilet bowl game 2012, but what this matchup has is history, and lots of it. Stretching back to gameplan and Sega baseball, Madden 92 & PGA Tour a game between Coach Elliott and Wilson is always the one marked with a circle on the calendar. Form goes out of the window. This one is a dogfight.

Lottery made an inspired choice when they picked up a recovering Manning after his season long injury in 2011. No-one really knew how the veteran gunslinger was going to react after such a long layoff but its certainly been a case of business as usual for the future hall of famer. This week Manning will torch a Chargers secondary that has been leaking multiple passing TD’s nearly every game so far this year. Manning threw 3 against the Bolts earlier in the season. RGIII has been the lone brights spot for the Hairies this year, brought in as part of the trade of the season, Griffin contributed 25-30 points on a regular basis until his concussion. Since his early season heroics his running duties have been reduced on safety grounds and the redskin receivers have been consistent in their ability to drop the ball. RG star is on the wane, but against an Eagles D that is struggling he could recapture some of his early season pizzazz. EDGE : LOTTERY

Both teams took running backs with the first two picks, both teams took minor risks with those selections, both teams have been hit with injuries and now both teams are struggling for a viable running game. The Lottery are slightly better off as Shady McCoy is still running hard and his matchup against the redskins looks to be a doozy, MCoy has averaged 15 points from his last 3 outings against their divisional rivals. With Mojo still out, Donald Brown fills the second spot, he is carry a knee injury and is losing carries to promising rookie Vic Ballard who lines up for the Hairies. Both Colts running backs are limited by the other and there is nothing to choose between the pair. The rest of the Hairies backfield is a mess. With 6 backs on the roster, McFadden & Murray still lame, Ingram in a messy Saints situatin, Stewart not pouncing on the Panthers #1 spot and Richardson still not able to oust wantaway Jackson in St Louis there is nothing to like for the Hairies. Perm one from five shocking options. EDGE : LOTTERY

On paper you would be hard pressed to find a better collection of receivers in any game across the course of the season. Trouble is that the game is not played on paper, its played on a screen. Welker and Decker have been expceptional on occasion, however its been a case of feast or famine with the pair and the same could be said of Wallace who it seems has been dropped to the bench. In comes Rams Amendola who will look to carry on where he left off before his injury. Jackson, Johnson, Nicks all have exceptional pedigree, however niggling injuries have limited Johnson, lingering injury has hampered Nicks and Jacksons speed is rarely given the opportunity to benefit the Eagles as Vick is usually sacked before D-Jax can get the separation. Nicks is on a bye so Browns Gordon comes in but the Browns wideout has a tough matchup against a Cowboys secondary that has been a shut down unit. EDGE : LOTTERY

Both teams have shed their drafted tight ends, the Lottery put their faith in Denvers Tamme but have settled on Steelers Miller who has been steadily productive. A matchup with Baltimore is never an easy proposition moreso with Big Ben set to miss out this week. The Disco tight end troubles are well documented, every year it seems to be the same. This year Gresham has been and gone, Rudolph ground to a halt and Pettigrew stunk the place out. This week they turn to Brandon Myers of the Raiders in the vain hope that they might accrue a bumper 5 point return. EDGE : LOTTERY

Over the course of the season there have been many positives for the Lottery, including the acquisition of the Blair Witch in Minnesota who could be in for a very long and successful career kicking in the Dome if his first season success is anything to go by. The same cannot be said for Coach Elliotts selection of a defence. Flip flopping between the Steelers, Chargers and Vikes they are forced to field an underwhelming three rivers outfit who have a potential bust against the Ravens who have kept opponents scores to under 10 in eight of the previous ten games. If Coach Wilson knows anything its how to pick a defence and the selection of the Texans unit has been second only to the Bears. Against the Jags this week, we could witness fantasy history as a multi TD, turnover riddled shut out is expected. Hanson is a good bet to doo wopp the packers for field goals in what is expected to be a high scoring affair. EDGE : DISCO

Over the course of this historic rivalry, Coach Wilson has tended to have the upper hand, that is until it really matters and then after taking a beating Elliott raises his game under pressure to take the crown. There is nothing on this game, but given the fact that the Disco have been atrocious all season its difficult to see the Hairies continuing their 5 game winning streak against their oldest rivals.

VERDICT : LOTTERY BY 17

FRENCH LEADER (6-4) v PAULS POLARBEARS (7-3)

Game Of The Week.  Honest.

  

All time series record : Leader leads 2-0

Last time out : Leader 120 – 90 Baptists

Ok so this is really the game of the week, both teams come into this game after winning last week. Coach Laurent scoring the highest weekly total even before the Monday night contribution from Big Ben. The Bears took advantage of a lack luster Bench Warmers last week to post a decent 106 point victory to improve to .700 and retain top spot in the North.

Oh dear, just as the French renaissance was gaining some new impetus, the irrepressible AP and the Seahawks D drops to the bench on byes and Big Ben is knocked out of action after the Steelers Monday night struggle against the Chiefs. In come the favourite bye week target Carson palmer however who is sure to put up a decent total, and the Bills D who contributed an excellent 26 points after the Thursday night game. Both Jackson and Jones are expected to have big games this week as the Leader backs and Megatron looks to be getting back to his best and is the pick of an impressive receiving corps.

With Manning jnr on a bye, the Red Rifle gets another opportunity to take aim for the Bears and cement his place as the #1 gunslinger in the Arctic. Foster should rack up both yards and scores against the Jags and the only doubt will be whether the Texans rest the leagues best rusher. Reece comes off the bench to take advantage of the Raiders backfield issues and the Saints poor run defence and could post a score of double figures. Cobb has become one of Rodgers favourite targets in Green bay and we like his line against the Lions. The Falcons will do well to post the same numbers as the Bills but still have a shot against a leaderless Cards who are slumping.

Both teams are on form and both teams have players who have great matchups. If Foster can produce then the Bears have a shot, but the Leaders receivers look to have a clear edge this week and the 26 points in the bag is a solid platform from which to build a decent week 11 score and edge out the Baptists.

VERDICT : LEADER BY 3

SEVENTY NINE FC (6-4) v SUPER SWEDES (6-4)

Hartline failed to produce.

All time series record : Series tied 1-1

Last time out : Niners 92 – 90 Swedes

Ok then, so surely this game will be the game of the week with both teams sitting well in their division with 6-4 records, both needing to win to ensure that the necessary momentum is created for the final run in? No? Well anyway, the winner from this game will harbor real playoff aspirations. Niners need a bounceback performance after losing their #1 ranking after losing to the Leader and Peter needs to take care of business close to hand before he can look ahead to his week 13 matchup with the Bears!

This week Coach Martin turns to rookie sensations Richardson and Morris to keep the Seventy Nine playoff charge alive, Richardson will see a lot of work against Dallas who are likely to shut down the pass, whilst Morris looks a sure thing to get a 20 point haul against an Eagles D that has already mailed it in. Brady will go up against his historic foe Indy in a battle of Young versus old against Luck which has the makings of a shootout. Coach martins early season lament about the paucity at wideout rings even truer this week as Brown is out, Lloyd is questionable and Young is banged up.

Will Peter stick up for Stafford or will he favour Flacco? Both performed admirably last week, Flacco in particular had a monster game against a hapless Raiders outfit, so far it appears that Stafford gets the nod, maybe due to the previous Flacco road flops. The big news though is that Beast Mode Lynch is on a bye which will be a big loss for the Swedes as Law Firm has been a disappointment so far this year, although if he cant get it done against KC then he may as well give up the ghost. Hartline failed to produce on Thursday leaving Wayne & Thomas to make up the load and both have the quality and the matchup to produce.

Despite the poor return from Thursday, the Swedes still have all their big guns to come and the uncertainty at wideout for the Niners plus their over reliance on Tom terrific mean that the Swedes should just shade this one to increase the heat on the arctic rivals

VERDICT : SWEDES BY 7

FEAR FACTORY (7-3) v BONE ROCKS (5-5)

Miles Austin.

All time series record : Rocks lead 2-0

Last time out : Factory 88 – 113 Rocks

The factory have won five straight and are hitting their straps week after week, last week doing enough to see off a disappointing Disco well before the final scores were in. Despite being ranked at the foot of the table, Coach Lars is still grinding out results and the win last week against the mafia blew the Central wide open… again!

With Freddie Jackson back on the treatment table, Coach Botond turns to his back ups thin as they may be in Green and Leshoure, both of whome face of in the big NFC Central battle between the packers and lions. Both will do well if they reach double digits. Brees return to form has been the catalyst for factory success and his good run should continue against the raiders who allowed Flacco to torch them last week. Marshall is up against the Texans so expectations should be tempered, but Austin will be bionic against the Browns this week as Dallas return to form.

Hat, Genius? Fool? We have given up trying to understand what makes this Bone Rocks team tick, however the selection of Bucs Martin could prove to be the difference maker come the run in as his rise to elite status is well deserved and will be further confirmed with another gut busting performance against the Panthers this week. Jones has been an excellent pick up in place of the injured Jennings in the Packers receiving corps, but Johnson could suffer if Houston get up early and use Foster the battering ram to bludgeon them into submission.

Is this the week the Factory are floored? Is this the week that the assembled press start to take the Rocks seriously? We say yes to both as the Rocks run out comfortable winners to take control of the Central.

VERDICT : ROCKS BY 17

WEST COAST MAFIA (5-5) v  BENCH WARMERS (5-5)

Coach Richard needs to focus.

All time series record : Mafia leads 1-0

Last time out : Dnickman 109 – 96 Riggins

If you had believed the hype the Mafia would have been home and dry after winning last week, but alas for Coach Cullen its been that kind of season and they dropped the game to a resurgent Rocks. Focus is the key word for Coach Richard, still no sign of using the #1 waiver pick, he has admitted that the Thursday matches are proving problematic and leaving spiler on the bench this week only serves to prove that Riggins aren’t really at the races.

The Mafia have some minor bye week issues with the reborn CJ2K sitting out as well as Seattles Rice and Vikes Rudoplh. Romo wins his place back after some great recent performances and should torch the Browns. Forte will find it tough against the 49ers and Thomas is in a backfield that resembles the M25 on a Friday rush hour. The receivers have been sketchy at best but Jackson looks the pick this week.

The demise of the Riggins challenge has been coincident with the decision to spell both Spiller and Bush in their respective backfields, both have been losing carries to the backfield buddies. Rodgers will lead the charge, but Turner will have it tough against the Cards, With Cruz on a bye the receivers on this side of the field also look thin but Bryant and Floyd could be in line for big number this week and Henderson is always viable if they decide to throw it his way.

Reggies derisory return of 3 points already provides us with a clue to the outcome in this one. Coach Richard needs to make the changes and remove the Colts from his line up or else this one will be out of sight before you can blink.

VERDICT : MAFIA BY 10

TTTTAYLOR (2-8) v AUTOPICK WARRIORS (4-6)

Heyward.

All time series record : Ttttaylor leads 2-0

Last time out : Ttttaylor 118 – 94 Royale

Its been a disappointing season for both these teams who sit bottom of their respective divisions. Whilst the Champions curse can be cited for ttttaylors downfall, Autopick seemed to have all the component parts for a successful season but it just hasn’t happened. A win for ttttaylor last week gives them hope of avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.

Ttttaylor are missing the Giants running backs who are on a bye this week. In came Thomas who was touted for more carries this week but only posted a 3 point return. The Jones – Ryan combo has been good in parts but not as often as Ttttaylor would hope. With Jones gimpy and facing the Cards this week don’t expect fireworks. Celek will be the safety valve for eagles QB Foles this week as he finds his way with the offence in Philly.

The Autopick dream is over and Coach Conor can clearly point to the fateful day in August as the catalyst for his woe. If he had only been able to pick Brees then thing may have been oh so different but rivers ended up being the #1 play caller but his form was so patchy that this week Harvard's finest Ryan Fitzpatrick was draft in to return 8 points which as Coach Conor has comments represents a success. Rice will be a threat against the Steelers but Mathews is banged up (again). The receivers have been strengthened by the addition of Raiders speedster Heyward Bey

Despite Ttttaylors good result last week against a static lottery we expect normal service to be resumed this week as the bye week absentees will prove to be too much to bear. The receivers will win it again for the Warriors.

VERDICT : WARRIORS BY 9

So then, wins for the Lottery, Leader, Swedes, Rocks, Mafia & Warriors means that it’s all tied in the North, Central and South with only three weeks to go.

Don’t shoot the messenger.

Just the facts ma’am.

Latest odds supplied by Vasco De Gama

Pauls Polarbears Evens

Super Swedes Evens

Fear Factory Evens

West Coast Mafia Evens

French Leader Evens

Bone Rocks Evens

Seventy Nine Fc 2-1

It’s a Lottery 3-1

Autopick Warriors 5-1

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers 8-1