1. A Pelican victory in Week 13 would give them the #1 spot and knock TTM to #3
2. The Ferries 5 point lead over the Raiders, could evaporate and switch the teams' 5 and 6 seeds respectively.
3. An upset by the Dangles over BDT could knock them out of the 4 seed to 5 or 6.
AEthernauts - last year's upstart darling has become this year's favorite, running off nine straight wins after dropping their first two. They were picked first in the preseason PRs (and for a reason) and they've showed their incredible balance in draft strategy. They've eclipsed triple digits in 75% of their contests and top out at 142. That starts with their keepers Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, clearly the best receiver in the league, and Adrian "All Day" Peterson. Going into the playoffs the Nauts will look for Peterson to get healthy, and the bye gives them precious time there. By week 15 AP should be ready to rock against a terrible New Orleans run defense. Filling out their ground game are Blount and Benson, both solid RB2s. Dwawyne Bowe is a WR2 this year, but if Orton can get up to speed in KC his upside should show through. Gambles are at QB and Flex with fantasy quagmire Eli Manning having a great season out of his brother's shadow, but his end of season schedule is brutal. At Flex Jordy Nelson plays thePackers roulette wheel. When those two pan out the Nauts are truly l33t, when they fall flat the Nauts will find the AEther high and dry.Outlook: 3.5/5 Daniels - Calm Before the Storm - The Nauts are steady sailing and they've got the #2 bye . They'll await the winner of the #3 vs. #6 in Week 15. Presuming AP is healthy by then, they should only have minor wire work to do.
.5Tusken Raiders - Last year's consolation winner is a
powerhouse again this year. Breaking 100 59% of the time, they have significant upside with a ceiling of 151. The consolation victory allowed the Lucas Arts franchise to keep three of their players. And though Run DMC's absence has significantly dinged their full potential, there's hope that he may be back in time for the 2nd round of the playoffs if not the first. Until then, the Raiders' hopes will be pinned primarily on QB Tom Brady and a resurgent CJ2k. Although, with Lynch M0B and Darren Sproles they're not hurting for depth in the run/flex department. Aerial attacks are a different story led by WR1 in a terrible offense Brandon Marshal, WR3 Steve Breaston and double titration TE Hernandez, who has been merely average as the Gronk has taken over fantasy land. The Tuskens' fondest hope has to be that CJ2k finishes out the year in high gear - he has plus match-ups the first two weeks of the playoffs and tough ones the last two.Outlook: 2.5/5 Daniels. - Cute, But Needs a Change -
The Tuskens are a power house for sure, but they've been erratic this season, allowing the AEthernauts to run away and hide in the Milesian. Their fate in the first round will probably depend on their making the right picks among their talented RBs. Long-term, their IDP need an upgrade to maximize b34st-m0d3.
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San Francisco Ferries - The Boatmen are clearly the scrappiest team in the mix. Dropping a top 5 QB keeper before the season didn't stop them. They went right out and picked up the likely offensive ROY on the week 1 wire. Topping triple digits 66% of the time, they topped out at 158 during the Cam-dy man's early season dominance. In order to compete they need their remaining keeper and WR1 Andre Johnson at full health in the worst way. He's probably in for a downgrade with Schaub gone, but his talent makes him impossible to sit. Cruz's evolution toward a WR2 with serious upside has floated the Ferries for several games now. On the ground, the Ferries still have their sea legs with time-share Pierre Thomas & Green-Ellis taking the lead and the interminable Hillis/Smith riding the pine with injury uncertainty. Gronk's fantasy b34st covers for some mediocrity, if it shows up. If either of those backs can get/stay healthy, then the Boatmen could be in for a serious Flex upgrade.Outlook: 2/5 Daniels - Smiling, But Smells like Gas -
The Ferries are the clear outsiders after playing their way in. But they're in no way outclassed by their opponents. They play a gambling 3 DB IDP strategy anchored by added-value punt return king Patrick Peterson. A health upgrade would be a serious boost, but game to game they'll look to Newton's dual threat to keep them on par with the other l33t QBs.
BuildingDwellingThinking - The Heidigerrians are the wheeler-dealers of this season, and sport the team that least resembles the one they drafted. Gone are Benson, Turner (keeper), Stafford & Lloyd. Arrived are Rice, Wallace, Harvin & Murray/Robinson (wire). They've broken 100 83% of the time (that's only two misses and both in the 90s!) and topped out at 167. The core of their team is Cowboys - and riding Romo's recent improvement, Robinson's reliability and Murray's ROY run, they've won three straight and their place in the playoffs. If Wallace and Rice start dominating, they'll be legitimately the highest ceiling in the league. BDT is carrying three scary D/ST and a well-rounded machine at IDP. If there's one weakness, it has to be Romo - he looks close to QB1 now, but we've seen that change in the final games before. If Tony starts to tank he could drag the entire Cowboy's triple titration down with him.Outlook: 4/5 Daniels - Boob in Mouth -
There are not many weaknesses to BDT's attack running into the playoffs. On paper it's hard to see them exiting in the first round, and if they get by that they're an even shot for the title game. Only the luck of the tie keeps them out of a bye, so if they lose in week 14 then the King will truly have his revenge.
The Pelican Brief - Grisham's warriors have played a remarkable season, and check into the playoffs for the third straight year. PB has broken triple digits 100%, every week! topping out at 162. That's consistency that's unmatched in the league. 41% of those 100+ however are less than 110, so take that for what you will. The secret to their success is the Rodgers/Welker axis - the former has broken 20 points every week, and the latter has failed to break 10 only four times all season, the same number of times he's broken 20. On the ground they'll pin their hopes on Turner overdrive being able to keep his numbers up in the late season. RB2s Stewart and Stark will attempt to fill out the rest of the ground game. IDP talent and week to week fantasy acumen have kept PB a winner, but talent depth puts all the pressure on the big names in this offense.Outlook: (with a loss in Week 13) 3.5/5 Daniels - Straining to Poop -
A loss against their rival TTM will send the Brief to the trap game against the Raiders. The Brief put up 115 and lost to the Tusken club in week 1. With Rodgers against a tough Oakland front and Welker in Washington, it's clearly a week the Brief would love to avoid. Still they'd be favorites...
.5Outlook: (with a victory in Week 13) 4/5 Daniels - Swaddled & Sleeping -
A victory against the Mountain would propel the Brief to the #1 seed and the inside track to the 2011 championship. Week 15 would find Rodgers on a much more felicitous match-up with KC, though Welker will likely draw Champ Bailey in Denver. Still keeping out of the trap game will allow PB one more game to add wire talent, and with teams eliminated every week, their lack of PRN will be less of a hindrance.
TakingTigerMountain - The league's hot starter at 4-0 stumbled midseason but ran another four game streak and still has a chance to surmount the regular season peak. The Tigers broke 100 75% of the time, currently lead the league in scoring and topped out at 160 just last week. The Tigers are powered by the Brees/Graham circuit. In games where Graham catches a TD the Tigers are 5-1. The Tigers also rely on a heavy Ravens D Titration, carrying them and two IDP. Beyond those the Tigers have two unreliable WR1 and 5 RB2s who have already over-performed expectations. When/If Run DMC gets back on the field, the Tigers will likely be in for a signifcant downgrade on the ground, since free wire pick-up Bush has been a rock the second half of the season. Mostly the Tigers are all questions - can cow-bell backs like Jackson/Wells finish strong/healthy? could wild card W1ll1s be a playoff starter in Denver's run-option? can unlikely heroes like Bush/Helu play a part?Outlook (with a loss in week 13) 3/5 Daniels - Indeterminate Baby Angst -
A loss against rival Pelican will send the Mountain into fantasy purgatory - the likely trap game against Tusken FC. Week 14 is the hardest remaining for the Saints titration when they travel to Tennessee's stout secondary. An additional nightmare scenario could put Run DMC in the Raider's backfield at Bush's expense, a 30 point swing. Even if Tuskens aren't the opponent, it's a game best avoided.
Outlook (with a win in week 13) 3.5/5 Daniels - Hiccups -
A win against their Eleatic rivals would mean excellent execution for the Tigers, a season well played. But it's not significantly less dangerous for their championship hopes. The Saints will end the season with plus division match-ups at home against the Falcons and Panthers. But huge question marks remain with the run game and receivers. TTM has so many moving parts - if everything is clicking they're going to hang with any team across the board, but the signs are already there that their superior regular season titration may have backed them into a playoff corner.
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