Week 11 & it’s Heaven
Happy Thursday Fantasia, it's been a while.
I apologize for the lack of communication. Another writing project I have cooking has taken all of my inspiration the past few weeks. Feels good to write about the league again!
Historic in and out of fantasy!
In all my time running this league, never has there been such parity between teams. Sure, there are front runners, looking at you Twin City Griddy and Assistant to the Regional FFB Manager, but the midfield is crowded.
A month ago, our resident Moo Moo Smashers were down and out. The Jets were terrible and Lui was nursing an underperforming 2-3 squad. Fast forward and he has won 5 straight games to rise to 2nd in the East. (the Jets are still terrible though) Unfortunately, he shares that spot with my and Swiffer's squads. Swiffer is riding a similar three game streak. All three of us are tied for second place at 7-3. With this competition, every week is a playoff week here in the East.
Conventional wisdom would dictate that the Weastern conference could not be as close, this is only partially true as Tupy only holds a one game lead over Chip's (Knot) Top Secret. Clint trails close behind as he and his Bengals both try to right this ship in games that almost feel must-win to keep the playoff hopes alive. The Overweighters and Penguins are close behind but the margin for error is so narrow you can barely see through it.
Tidbit about the NFL, this week, 6 games ended on field goal kicks to win with no time on the clock. That has never happened before in a single week of NFL games.
Fun Facts
Some people thinkin fantasy football is about scoring the most points. This is true; however, it is more true that scoring the most points on the right week is even more important. For example, who leads the Fantasia in scoring this year? The Moo Moo Smashers by over 50! Why does he have more losses than the conference leaders, timing of those points. Also, the squads at the bottom of the standings have had the worst luck with Mike's 6 Train Warriors having 1571 points against him! For context, the next most scored against players have over 100 points less scored against them overall.
Big matchups this week
In real life, Thursday Night Football is a big one. Ravens v Bengals. Bengals are a little bruised up which could open the door for the Ravens to run all over them. The Bengals, have something the Ravens don't, desperation. They've had a disappointing, up and down season and if they want a shot at the AFC North crown, this is a must win. Gonna be a hell of a game. Burrow v Jackson is one of my favorite showdowns these days.
In fantasy, Dad can do all of us in the East a huge favor by taking Kelsey down a peg. He's got the roster to do it with Hurts and Tyreek both sporting favorable matchups. Kels has all her cards on the Jags and Phins thriving (sans the Cheetah). Could this week end in a 4 way tie for first in the East?
Only if I can squeeze by JP's Penguins Super-Dak lead squad. T-Swift is supposed to be at the Cheif's game this week so I may be in trouble with Travis poised to produce. I'll be waiting for the Josh Jacobs trade to pay off with his Mcdaniels-less Raiders squad seemingly finding a new identity.
Matchup of the week is definitely Swiffer v Tupy in what I am thinking will be a playoff rematch in a few weeks. Swiffer has CMC, who will keep her team competitive in any game and has Fields back for some potential dynamism with an otherwise moribund Bears team. Even with Alden down JT, he's no slouch with Lamar at the helm and Davante, Diggs and Andrews being each respective QBs prime weapon. Expect Swiffer to cover the spread in this close one.
Last but not least, Snickers Sponsored Nonsense
I enjoy stats and ESPN gives an interesting glimpse into some behind the hood metrics. One of my favorites is the Final Standing Projection. I've watched this measure with fascination since they implemented it a few years back. I think the idea is to give fantasy GMs some much needed serotonin after missing the playoffs. Works for me!
Basically, the Final Standing Projection assigns everyone in the league a final standing right after the draft. Based on ESPNs iffy projections. As the season wears on, injuries happen, GMs pick up waiver prospects and trades get processed, the FSP moves teams around accordingly. It's a fun metric but any good news taken therein should also be ingested with a table spoon of salt.
Biggest leaps from Draft Day to Current:
ME!!!! ESPN thought my draft day was bogus as I watched QB after QB fall away so I could end up fumbling for Qbs on the waiver wire most weeks. Draft Day Projection: 10th in the league Current: 4th! That's almost a bronze medal!!
Tied for places jumped with me.... First time Fantasy participant Swiffer! I wasn't sure what to expect from Swiffer in her first Fantasy run. ESPN had similar concerns ranking her 11th at the outset. She has turned her squad into legit contenders much to my enjoyment and surprise. Draft Day Projection: 11th Current: 5th! That's almost almost a bronze medal!
Last Snickers Projected blah blah blah is the current league front runner Kelsey 'Too Nice' Sampson. ESPN ranked her out of the top 5 on draft day but she will have the last laugh as ESPN content circles the drain and she has sky rocketed from meh-st to first! Even with a troubling team name. Draft Day Projection: 6th Current: 1st!
Good luck this week Fantasia
Your Commissioner