NUMBERS

Its all in the numbers.

With the season almost at its close, the North division still lays claim to having the two best teams in the league. This of course is a new phenomenon, for after the Divisional restructuring at the beginning of Season 2, the north has traditionally been the weakest of the three.

But which division can actually lay claim to being the strongest overall division in season IV? Well, the North has racked up 27 wins so far this year, the Central a paltry 19 and the South, 26. With the week 13 matchups being divisional each division will gain two more to the totals above leaving the winners of the best division of the year award to come down to the final weeks games! The Central certainly can’t win it but could still affect the outcome as each combination of divisional rivalries has a pair of matchups each on the final weekend of the 2012 regular CNFLE IV regular season.

But what of previous seasons? Well before their resurgence occurred this year, the North could only manage 21 wins all season (out of a maximum possible total of 44) in 2011, the Central claimed the season III honours with 33 out of 44, whilst the South came in a close runner up with 30.

Now those Coaches with a mathematical mind may notice that 21, 33 & 30 add up to more than the 44 maximum wins quoted and you would be correct. However, given than 12 wins from each division come against each other it’s just not possible for a division to win 4 games in those 6 divisional matchup weeks, which therefore produces the totals outlined above.

In Season II, The North managed a creditable 29 wins, bolstered by the 11 provided by the single season record holder, Tim Riggins Bench Warmers, whilst the Central racked up 28 and the South managed a paltry 27. Success then for the men from the North in what was an incredibly even handed season!

‘But what of the overall tally?’ I hear you cry. Well, through the 3 seasons of CNFLE play so far, since the documentation of records began, the current standings for the title of Strongest Division of all time are as follows:

North 77 wins to date

Central 80 wins to date

South 83 wins to date

So, it’s closer than you may have thought but the facts seem to bear out that despite never having taken the single season crown to date, the South division is in fact the winningest, toughest and best division in the whole dang CNFLE.

It’s a fact!

GAME OF THE WEEK #1

PAULS POLARBEARS v SUPER SWEDES

Coach Paul has been having a wobble.

The Swedes have got hot just at the right time and are riding the back of a three game winning streak. The Bears straightened their recent wobble with a win last week but have lost their stranglehold on the North. The winner of this game will not only have the inside track on the division but also have one hand on a playoff place, depending on how results go elsewhere they could clinch a place this very weekend.

The Bears had an early opportunity to establish a lead but White failed in the Thursday night game. The head to head matchups are even all over the park and both teams look to be equally matched with quality options everywhere. The keys will be whether Lynch or Bush can run the ball better in the Bears – Seahawks matchup and whether Dalton or the Law Firm put the Chargers to the sword.

VERDICT : SWEDES BY 4

GAME OF THE WEEK #2

FEAR FACTORY v FRENCH LEADER

Kaepernick.  A multi threat option.

With the South in a three way tie at seven wins a piece, a divisional matchup between two of the three with only two games to go will almost certainly sound the death knell for the loser. French Leader suffered a shock defeat at the hapless Hairies last week and missed an opportunity to gain sole control of the division whilst the Factory appear to have lost all their mid season momentum to drop a second consecutive reverse to fellow playoff hopeful Seventy Nine Fc who kept their own playoff chances alive!

Both teams have eight left to play, but the big news is that Brees failed to hit double figures for the Factory which leaves Botond in a bind. The Leader has picked up Kaepernick from the waiver wire in a last ditch attempt to rejuvenate their playoff push and it could be a masterful play for our Gallic general as the 49ers signal caller is a multi threat option. Austin’s no show last week for the Factory will also add worry lines to the brow of the Factory foreman. The Leader line-up looks stronger in every department this week.

VERDICT : LEADER BY 14

AUTOPICK DISAPPOINTMENTS v  BENCH WARMERS

Coach Richard needs a rabbit.

In an astonishing turn of events, the end of season branding of the once mighty Royal with TD’s franchise sums up their fate for the 2012 season. Their loss last week consigned them to the status of also rans and the release of pressure seems to have been welcomed by Coach Conor. Believe it or not, a win today and a freak set of results next week can earn the 6 & 6 Bench warmers a spot in the 2012 playoffs. It would be the comeback of all time but could the rookie pull the rabbit from the hat?

Turner’s return of 13 points for the Riggins boys is a solid platform from which to work and with Rodgers set for a big return against the Vikes as are the pack D it looks like another bumper score for Coach Richard. The real eye opener in this match however is the line-up on the Autopick bench! Luck, Mendenhall, Jennings, Fitz & Bowe all ride the pine, a year or two ago that lot could have won a match on their own. How times have changed!

VERDICT : RIGGINS BY 10

THE BONE ROCKS v TTTTAYLOR

First ever divisional title for the Bones?

The Bones victory last week against the Lottery combined with the surprise loss by the Mafia have all but cemented Coach Lars first ever berth in the playoffs. A victory against a Ttttaylor that has won two of the last three will guarantee it. No-one gave the Rocks a cat in hells chance of success this year but great waiver selections coupled with shrewd weekly selections has ensured Coach Lars is a major contender for Coach of the year. A win this week for Ttttaylor and their hold on the #1 pick in the 2013 darft will actually be in jeopardy. However if recent form is anything to go by this could be one of the down weeks in what has been an up and down season.

After Thursdays game the scores are more or less even, which given that Ttttaylor has seen his #1 reciever and QB tandem play could be a worrying sign for the outgoing Champ. The Bones turn to SuperCam as his matchup against the Chiefs (if it goes ahead) seems ripe for a big return for the Bones #1 pick. Shorts & Blackmon could have big days again for Ttttaylor and this matchup will be closer than the projections suggest. The Bones should still win however and claim their first Central division title.

VERDICT : BONES BY 7

WEST COAST MAFIA v IT’S A LOTTERY

Not the breakout season the Lottery had hoped for.

After all the noise and rattling of cages, the 2012 season is in its death throes for the Mafia who now need a win from his 2011 nemesis Ttttaylor against the Bones and a victory against the free falling Lottery to keep the life support turned on. The Lottery have dropped four straight and are now in real danger of finishing what promised to be a breakout season in dead last.

Amazingly after last weeks injury, Forte looks set to return to action, however both he and CJ2K have tough matchups this week against stout run defenses. Romo looks to have a great opportunity to throw for a single game record 70 attempts this week against an Eagles team that is shorn of confidence and heart. The trade for Gonzo seems to have arrested the Lottery tight end traumas, however with a running back corps consisting of a an untried rookie and an underused timeshare component in a Luck driven offense its hard to recommend a victory for Coach Andy’s charges.

VERDICT : MAFIA BY 7

SEVENTY NINE FC v THE HAIRY FROG DISCO

It's all about them Patriots.

Both teams won last week, but the win for the Niners against the factory was essential to keep Coach Martin in the hunt for his second Carltonbowl in three years. A victory for the Niners this week is also a must to keep pace with the winner of the Factory / Leader game. The Hairies seem to be reveling in their role as spoiler, as last weeks single point upset victory against the Leader showed.

Matt Bryant has returned an excellent 13 point haul for a kicker but golden Graham’s return of 6 is a bit disappointing and leaves this match still in the balance. As usual the Niners hopes all rest on how Terrific Tom does and this week the Fins are the latest defence to be placed on the Patriots platter. Last time these two teams met the Patriot players accounted for 92 points from a total of 129. The Hairies hope to welcome back Murray to their backfield but with touchdowns proving hard to come by all year a score around the League average winning score is to be expected. It all depends on whether the Pats demolish the Dolphins

VERDICT : NINERS BY 10

So then, wins for the Swedes, Riggins, Rocks, Mafia, Leader and Niners give the Swedes the inside track on the North, the Rocks victory in the Central and the Niners and Leader the chance to fight for Southern glory next week.

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

French Leader 6-4

Seventy Nine Fc 6-4

Pauls Polarbears 6-4

Fear factory 10-1

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers 10-1