Week 11 saw three 6-5 teams emerge, two from the bottom and one from the top. They'll be in competition with the three 7-4 teams for the bottom three spots of the playoff roster. One of the odd consequences of having two preterite teams is that it's now week 12 and no one has actually clinched a playoff spot. That will change in week 12 as at least three should be clinched by the end of Monday Night's game. We all have a lot to be thankful for this week. And the Commissioner's office wishes you good cheer on this the most footballsiest of
holidays...
1.) BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng (last week 2 ) 8-3
-The
German Philosophers racked up their fourth straight with a win over
rivals Pelicans. The Cowboys double got things done, but the story was
Reese in the flex picking up a difference-making 19 against a terrible
Saints run D. BDT's decisions were far from perfect, they left Witten
on the bench, and a surprising turn from wire pick up Packes DEF racked
up 20. It was a "good enough" effort against a mid-level opponent, but
BDT will have to tighten up before week 15 or risk a disappointing
playoff run.
Next week -
GrossmanSachs
- BDT gets a chance to play spoiler from the driver's seat as handing
the g0dbank a loss would put their season in receivership.
2.) TakingTigerMountain (last week 3) 8-3
The Mountain won a day of surprises over division rivals Phat Onez. Stafford was a complete misfire against Green Bay, putting up single digits. The Tigers put up three (!) zeros (Jennings, Bell and Maclin) and still won. That's not going to happen that often, but they eeeked out their eighth win and stayed in the hunt for the division. The bye holds the keys to the Tigers' playoff paradise, as MJD and R-burger (and hence Miller's value) are unlikely to return in week 14. Sneaking into the next round without having to cobble together a week 14 triple digit, is just what TTM ordered.
Next week -
Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz®
- the Tigers get a break and face the Stylez autopilot squad for a
freebie in week 12. Still they need to shine in order to aim for the
top seed with BDT close behind in points.
3.) HomeSpunNeckBloodz (last week 1) 8-3
-The Cyclotron finally let loose the Bolt versus the Aerial Explorers in Week 11. Dropping their third of the year, the Bloodz will need to rely on the Tigers mistaks to win since their division record is worse, if they want the bye and avoidance of the dreaded first round trap game. They picked up 120 for an 8th straight triple digit, in fact they picked up six double digits on the week. Clearly, Cutler's absence is a significant downgrade for their Bears as Forte had trouble staying on the field, and although Marshall managed a trash time TD, Campbell isn't capable of giving him much value. Getting Harvin back is priority number one as Mike Williams gives them too much reliance on the Bucs pass game for comfort. With the Gronk hurt, Hernandez should be a significant upgrade at TE.
Next week -
Phat Girlz The Bloodz will face fellow week 11 losers, the Phat Ones, in week 12. It should be a push, with both teams angling for position in the playoff brackets.
4.) AEthernauts (Last week - 6) - 7-4
In a statement game and signature win the Aerial Explorers rose to the occasion and defended their win-streak record from last year, knocking the bolt from hands of the Spinners. When you pick up 139, you're going to have a multitude of heroes and that was the case for the Nauts in week 12. But game balls have to go to Andre Johnson on offense picking up 33 courtesy of 273 and a TD in a wild one vs the Jags - and also to Aldon Smith who grabbed 17 with 5.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. After two straight losses the Nauts were staring down the barrel of the Consolation Tourney. Middling points totals mean they're not quite safe yet. But one out of two should do it.
Next week -
Cincinnati Dangles - With two playoff contenders left on the docket the Nauts still have an uphill battle. With Turner seemingly slowing into his Fall slump, the Nauts may need a hero again in week 12. A team defense upgrade is probably the obvious place to start since Miami has scored a combined 7 points over the last three games.
5.) Phat Girlz (last week 4) 7-4
-
The Phat Ones couldn't squeeze into a tight victory over the Mountain in week 12. This will make the Girlz last two games very interesting indeed. Minus Eli and Lynchm0b this was going to be a hard one for them to pick up in the first place, but TTM was very beatable. Wallace suffered a lot for lack of Big Ben, and their Saints duo caught an endzone allergy despite decent production. The shock of the day goes to the Houston D racking up a big g00se egg vs. the Jags in what looked like a glorified Arena League game.
Next week -
HomeSpunNeckBloodz - the Girlz get the league's top scoring team, and desperately need to bring their A game to force an upset here. Getting Eli and the Lynchm0b back will be a big help. but the Girlz get the freebie Stylez in week 13, so they should be heart attack proof, even if they drop their match with the Bloodz.
6.) Cincinnati Dangles (last week 8) 6-5
-Yahoo ranked the Dangles as the league's top draft projection. And they've made the fewest moves of any team in the top half. Their patience is starting to pay off now, as they've won three in a row and are now the second highest scoring team in the league. They were playing the cookie Stylez in week 11, but earned a victory with 135 at the second highest of the week. Brees led the charge with his second straight +20 game. The Dangles picked up eight double digits, including an IDP from Weddle. Other than an injured Greg Jennings, there's almost nothing of value on the Dangles bench, but what they're starting is pretty well-rounded.
Next week -
AEthernauts - the Dangles get a chance to continue their streak against the only team who scored higher than them in week 11. A win would doubly help their cause, since the Nauts' playoff spot is still in play despite their big week 11 win.
7.) SanFranciscoFerries (last week 8) 6-5
-The Ferries held firm and kept their foot jammed in the playoff door with a week 11 win over the Sand People. Trade acquisition RGIII picked up the game high 32, personally accounting for the margin of victory. Martin and Jones provided adequate ground cover, although the flex is still an open question. Although it's one that might get answered if Beanie does indeed get the start in week 12 as promised.
Next week -
Trichotillomaniacs - the Ferries got their best help from the Sachs loss this week. Since SFF doesn't have much in the way of points total, they'll need a little bit of chaos in week 12 to set up stepping stool final game to put as one of only six teams with eight, otherwise they might be playing for the first seed in the consolation. Getting Cruz back will be a nice upgrade here, but all the Ferries can do is win out and hope for the best.
8.) GrossmanSachs (last week 5) 6-5
-
The Sachs fell out of red chip status with their second straight loss in week 11. With Rodgers looking pedestrian, the Sachs couldn't muster 70 points with their Bears significantly downgraded by Cutler's absence. Not much went right for the g0dbank in week 11, Willy McG went down with a knee injury, Fitzy had a career worst kind of game. And things looked grim indeed at g0dbank headquarters.
Next week -
BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng - the Sachs had hoped to try and even the score against BDT in week 11, now they'll try to save their playoff hopes with an upset. Minus Willy, they'll put their faith in Morris and Woodhead (?). Rodgers and the Chicago D will have to pick up the slack here
9.) ThePelicanBrief (last week 7) 5-6
-The
Brief put up a good show, but gave up on the season when they traded away RG3 last week. Combined Jamaal Charles and Newton came within three of RG3's total, but psychologically the team was clearly defeated by the move. San Francisco's D made a nice run at BDT's lead on MNF, but BDT's IDP hedge was too much to overcome. Danario Alexander put up his second straight crazy week on the bench and could have shifted the balance for the Brief. Will he displace Amendola?
Next week -
Tusken Raiders - the Brief get the Raiders and the Trichs to close out the season, giving them decent odds to finish over .500. They could get Fred Jackson back this week, who would be a pleasant flex upgrade.
10.) Trichotillomaniacs (last week 10) 3-8
-All Fall we've been looking for a good spoiler game and we finally got one in week 11, when the Trichs and Kaepernik shocked the world with a triple digit and a thirty point win over heavily favored Milesian opponents the Sachs. Playing asymetric warfare all year, the Trichs got the good endzone love from Lance and Vernon, and a little kicking and IDP to add up to triple digits.
Next week -
SanFranciscoFerries - the Trichs can spread their hair-pulling mania with another potential spoiler in week 12. With Seattle's Defense as a significant upgrade, they should be at least even money to pick up consecutive wins for the first time this year.
T. 12.) Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz® (last week 11) 1-10
-Happy Turkey Day.
Next week -
TakingTigerMountain - the Stylez ensured that PSAS was one of the few leagues in Yahoo that wasn't affected by Gronk's broken arm in week 11. He's been plastered to their bench since October.
T.12.) Tusken Raiders (last week 12) 1-10
-.The Raiders got some bizarro luck with Matt Ryan throwing 5 picks and Bowe and Moore going for goose eggs to give the Ferries the win. Washington's D and Finley's first good day in weeks, provided the only bright spots here.
Next week -
ThePelicanBrief - a Consolation preview. Don't count on the Raiders to be as toothless as last week.
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