Week 8: Top 5 Story Lines1. Super Manning got a much needed big time/clutch win toppling the Sharks to improve to 4-4 and stay in the thick of the playoff race.
2. Dynasty Kings have somehow won four in a row and are now tied for the #4 seed and final playoff spot, what.
3. Dropping to 3-5, the Port City Goonsquad's playoff chances looked dim, add in a schedule that features Sharks, Super Manning, Ohhh Kill 'Em, and the Lions over the next four and it's time for Tick to start looking at 2014.
4. The Lions at 4-2 once looked like a lock for a 7-2 record and a very high chance at punching a ticket to the playoffs, however after dropping two gimme games straight (Purists and DK) question marks are lining up. Luke is now supposedly looking to shake things up and make a big splash on the market by potentially dealing Foster.
5. BYE Weeks can kill, and CLO Collins may be finding that out at the worst time as he finds himself without Gore, Mega, and Cruz in a much heralded match up against Scott's Tots.
Current Playoff Picture (6 Games Left)
1. Miami Sharks 6-2
2. Scott's Tots 6-2
3. CLO Collins 5-3
4. Ohh Kill 'Em 4-3-1
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5. Dynasty Kings 4-3-1 GB. -
6. Super Manning 4-4 GB. 1/2
7. Carolina Lions 4-4 GB. 1/2
8. Purists 4-4 GB. 1/2
9. Kory Adams 3-4-1 GB. 1
10. Goon Squad 3-5 GB. 1.5
11. Beat Skeet Leave 2-6 GB. 2.5
12. Gio's Odyssey 1-6-1 GB. 3
Thoughts: It'd be pretty shocking to see anyone other than Sharks, Tots, and CLO Collins finish in the top 3 at this point looking at their teams and schedule. While some separation is beginning to take place in the division standings, we're about to have the most incredible wildcard race in the league's short history.
I'd say in no particular order, Ohh Kill 'Em, Dynasty Kings, Super Manning, Carolina Lions, and Kory Adams are all legit contenders for the four seed. I'm excluding the Purists based on their upcoming schedule, even though they've done a great job getting to 4-4 I just don't think they're a legit contender due to talent and scheduling. Goonsquad, BSL, and Gio's Odyssey would all need miracles to be in the playoff conversation.
Week 9 Match Up Preview
Miami Sharks 6-2 AT Goonsquad 3-5 (+19)
All Time H2H Regular Season (1-0 Sharks)
All Time H2H Post Season (0-0)
Playoff Implications: 1) Sharks need to win to keep fending off Scott's Tots and CLO Collins for the #1 seed. 2) Sharks are currently 1.5 games up in the division, with a win and Boles and DK losses can extend lead to seemingly insurmountable 2.5 with 5 to play. 3) GS is facing a must win to have any playoff hope and needs to go on a big time run. A loss and falling to 3-6 would be the final nail in the coffin and it would just be a matter of time before they are officially eliminated.
Game Overview: Aside from having no trusted QB currently, the Sharks are a flat out studly team. A foundation built around super star halfbacks Charles and Peterson gives the Sharks enough fire power to be favored any given week and this week against the Goonsquad is no different. While the Goonsquad has a pretty talented team and should be in line for a big week I think they'll come up short against the Sharks, losing 111-92.
Difference Maker: HB Jamaal Charles, Miami Sharks - Charles is matched up directly against GS tailback FJax and in addition to Charles being the more talented back he also gets the significantly easier match up going against Buffalos run D, while Fjax will be struggling to find room to run against KC.
CLO Collins 5-3 AT Scott's Tots 6-2 (-22)
All Time H2H Regular Season (1-0 CLO)
All Time H2H Post Season (0-0)
Playoff Implications: 1) Scott's Tots is currently tied for the #1 seed, but due to the Sharks and their scoring differential to have a realistic shot they are going to need to finish ahead of the Sharks instead of tied. In a week where the Sharks are expected to win, Tots can't afford to lose this week in race for #1 seed, would essentially be 2 games back with 5 to play. 2) CLO Collins is in a similar boat to the Tots except they're a game back but are actually slightly ahead in points. They must win this game to have a realistic shot at the #1 seed can't afford to fall 2 games back with 5 to play. 3) CLO could potentially be tied in their division if they lose this week, but I wouldn't worry about that they have that division on lock. 4) On the other hand a Tots loss and a Super Manning or even Lions win could open the UFL division race up with the Tots then only one game ahead with a Super Manning game left.
Game Overview: The Byes could not have come at a worse time for CLO Collins, they are looking like the underdog in this match up. The big advantage CLO would normally have over the Tots is at receiver but with both Mega and Cruz on BYEs and Dez being dealt to the Goons last week receiver is now his biggest disadvantage. Give me the Tots 107-85 and look for a rematch to take place in December with a championship berth on the line.
Difference Maker: WR Jordy Nelson, Scott's Tots - Under regular cirumstances, CLO Collins would easily have the top receiver in the match up with Megatron, but this week that is not the case. Nelson may very well score more than both receivers CLO ends up starting.
Ohh Kill 'Em 4-3-1 AT Super Manning 4-4 (-13)
All Time H2H Regular Season (1-0 OK)
All Time H2H Post Season (0-0)
Playoff Implications: 1) Ohh Kill 'Em must win this game to stay in the lead for a wildcard, if they lose they'll fall behind Super Manning and most likely three other teams (DK/P, Lions, KA). 2) Super Manning shares a similar circumstance a loss would put them at 1.5 games back of Boles while most likely falling behind to multiple other teams as well (DK/P, Lions, KA). 3) While a loss by either wouldn't end their wildcard hopes, whichever team loses can basically forget having a shot at the division.
Game Overview: Both teams are destroyed by BYEs this week. No Peyton, R.Bush, DT, Welker, Nicks, Fitzgerald, or V.Davis this week. The difference is Super Manning has at least a little depth while Ohh Kill 'Em is going to have to take some serious shots in the dark to get any production this week. Give me Super Manning 85-72.
Difference Maker: HB Darren McFadden, Super Manning - Starting to get rolling somewhat and has a cake match up against Philly. Should out produce both CJ and Tolbert who will be suiting up for Boles.
Carolina Lions 4-4 AT Gio's Odyssey 1-6-1 (-2)
All Time H2H Regular Season (1-0 Gio)
All Time H2H Post Season (0-0)
Playoff Implications: 1) This is pretty close to a must win for the Lions in the wildcard race a loss could potentially have them fall below five teams in the wildcard chase. It's more of a must win due to who they're playing because they can't afford to blow another gimme game. 2) Obviously a loss would kill the Lions in the division race as well. 3) Gio's Odyssey will stave off total elimination for another week regardless of winning or losing.
Game Overview: The Lions have disappointed like no other these past two weeks, blowing games to the Purists and the Kings while failing to top 59 points in either of those games. The Odyssey on the other hand is not as bad as people think being sneakily competitive these past few weeks. I'm going out on a limb and picking the Odyssey in an upset special 82-80.
Difference Maker: HB Arian Foster, Carolina Lions - If Foster suits up full strength then the Lions should be able to pull this one out, but if the hamstrings bothering him and he is somewhat limited then the Odyssey is going to shock Luke this week.
Dynasty Kings 4-3-1 AT Purists 4-4 (+1)
All Time H2H Regular Season (1-0 Kings)
All Time H2H Post Season (0-0)
Playoff Implications: 1) Have to win to remain in the wildcard lead, with a win and a Boles loss would have sole possession of the 4th seed by a 1/2 game with 5 to play, with a loss could potentially fall behind (SM/OK, P, Lions, KA). 2) Purists with a win could potentially be tied for the wildcard lead and even their division depending on what happens in the CLO and OK games. 3) With a loss and the Purists remaining schedule you can essentially count them as done can't afford to be 4-5 with (2) games left vs CLO, (1) vs Sharks, and (1) vs Super Manning. 4) Kings with a loss would have any slim chance at stealing the division pretty much turn non existent.
Game Overview: These teams match up pretty evenly, both grasping at straws at some positions. The difference is with JT on a bye, the Kings have the advantage at tight end, while the Purists have the advantage at QB. This is essentially a 50/50 game that will leave the winner in a nice spot to continue their unlikely potential run to the playoffs.
Difference Maker: QB Cam Newton, Purists - The Falcons haven't been able to stop anyone and Cam has been red hot. Another 25+ point performance should yield the win for the Purists.
Beat Skeet Leave 2-6 AT Kory Adams 3-4-1 (-20)
All Time H2H Regular Season (1-0 Kory)
All Time H2H Post Season (0-0)
Playoff Implications: 1) Kory Adams has to get a win here, could close the gap to a 1/2 game or keep it at 1 game back, but with games against CLO Collins and the Miami Sharks looming at the end of their season they can't afford to lose this one. Dropping to 3-5-1 with those two games left would be essentially done. 2) BSL is for all intents and purposes done but a win would help them stay officially alive longer.
Game Overview: BSL has dropped 5 straight and with Gronk back Kory most likely has too much talent to fall in this game. Where Andrew does have the edge at however is at runningback especially if Murray isn't 100% yet. Even with that edge I still don't expect BSL to be able to win this one, give me Kory 89-69.
Difference Maker: TE Rob Gronkowski, Kory Adams - Gronk is everything BSL was hoping Jared Cook could be and more. The tight end discrepancy will play a large role in Kory Adams getting the victory.
Power Rankings Week #9
1A. Miami Sharks 6-2 Prv. #1 - Lacking a consistent QB but a line up featuring Peterson, Charles, Moreno, Gordon, Allen, Graham is hard to beat.
1B. CLO Collins 5-3 Prv. #2 - While they could slip up and lose this week, I think most people would rank the Miami Sharks and CLO Collins as the top 2 teams by a good margin.
3. Scott's Tots 6-2 Prv. #3 - Distancing themselves in the top 3 and in the UFL division by a good margin. Could get a huge win and advance to 7-2 this week. Scary part should be better in 2014.
4. Super Manning 4-4 Prv. #7 - Tough to peg a number 4 team but after upsetting the Sharks this week Phil has shown he can compete. If McFadden continues to play well this team could be dangerous in the postseason.
5. Ohh Kill 'Em 4-3-1 Prv. #5 - This team has had some hard luck these past few weeks but still boasts a pretty talented roster centered around R.Bush, Marshall, Welker, and VD.
6. Kory Adams 3-4-1 Prv. #6 - Lacks a solid halfback but Brees, AJG, VJax, and Gronk is nothing to sneeze at. Tough late schedule but could be the surprise wildcard.
7. Carolina Lions 4-4 Prv. #8 - A very boom or bust team that has unfortunately busted two weeks in a row. Still very much in the thick of things.
8. Purists 4-4 Prv. #10 - If they can win this week and then by some miracle get Doug Martin, David Wilson, and Percy Harvin all back soon and actually contributing even with their hard schedule who knows what could happen?
9. Dynasty Kings 4-3-1 Prv. #9 - Four wins in a row, but still no one believes in this team, but I think that's the way owner DTG likes it.
10. Goon Squad 3-5 Prv. #4 - On paper this team should be a top contender for the wildcard but the good news is they landed Dez Bryant who should be a WR1 for years to come.
11. Beat Skeet Leave 2-6 Prv. #11 - Things just haven't gone right for Andrew this year, but he will return a solid core for 2014.
12. Gio's Odyssey 1-6-1 Prv. #12 - Young team progressing each week continues to do whatever he can every week to try to pull off a shocking league upset.
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