Congratulations! The regular season is in the record books, and we have our six playoff participants! As a reminder, the top two teams, Goin’ In Blind and Low Fat Greek Goedert, will each have a bye this week, while the other four teams play in two games. The 3-6 matchup will feature the Reindeer Gamers and Better Luck Next Time (who snuck into the playoffs by the skin of his teeth), while the 4-5 matchup pits Lookin 2 Winovich against England Excessive Force. The winners of the 3-6 matchup will play Low Fat Greek Goedert, while Goin In Blind takes on the 4-5 winner in Week 15, and then the final will be played in Week 16.
For the consolation bracket, the teams are ranked 7-12, with 7 playing 8 in week 14, 9 playing 10, etc.. Whoever wins the matchup moves up to the next matchup, or in the case of the seventh-place spot, remains in place, while the loser moves down. This will go on through weeks 14-16, with the winner of the consolation bracket being the week 16 winner in the top matchup. Hopefully that makes sense, let me know if you have questions.
I will forego the usual recaps to talk about some fascinating aspects of these playoffs:
· In Week 9, Provo Cougar Go Cougs was at 7-2, tied for the schedule lead in the league and certainly in a prime position for a run to the playoffs. In fact, looking at the way the playoffs worked out, one more win would have guaranteed the Cougs a spot in the playoffs. As it was, the Cougs went on a four-game losing streak, finishing the season at 7-6. What’s worse, the Cougs had multiple opportunities to improve their record by filling roster spots occupied by players on bye. This was particularly true in a week 11 loss to Goin’ In Blind, who won by a margin of 17.7 points. Tyler Lockett was in the Cougs’ lineup, on bye, scoring 0 points for the team. Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs was on the bench, the only viable receiver replacement for Tyler Lockett, and scored 18.1 points. More than enough to push the Cougs to victory. While Provo Cougs can be forgiven for distractions in his life, the lesson here is to please fill your bye week spots! It’s the difference between playoff glory or consolation bracket unhappiness.
· In Week 8, England Excessive Force sat at 3-5, nowhere close to the playoffs and seemingly irrelevant. All England Excessive Force did at that point was rack up five straight wins, including two of his three triple-digit scores for the season. Some might attribute that streak to luck, as England Excessive Force played a generous schedule, while scoring the third-fewest points of any team and having the lowest number of points scored against him, but who’s to judge. The point is that England Excessive Force did what needed to be done to reach eight wins and make it into the playoffs!
· Team John’s Winners was the first team out of the playoff, at 7-6 and 45 points behind the sixth spot in the playoff. Team John’s Winners had a tough regular season schedule and had a good run, with four triple-digit weekly scores and several gutsy victories. A ten point loss in Week 2 to Lookin 2 Winovich stings, as John’s Winners had the second-highest score of the week behind Lookin 2 Winovich, which was enough to keep him out of the playoff. Now he will try to become king of the consolation bracket, taking on Provo Cougar Go Cougs in the first game.
· Forgive me for now going into a monologue about my own playoff adventure, but I thought it was too fun not to share:
Better Luck Next Time needed some serious help to get into the playoffs, and it all worked out for the path to clear and him to snag the last spot.
o In Week 13, Better Luck Next Time had to Beat Nothin Runs Like a Deere, while either England Excessive Force or Provo Cougar Go Cougs needed to lose. Unfortunately, those teams were playing Albuquerque Cat Killas, the definite loser of the league at 1-12, and I am the Goat, a team that has had good weeks, but has struggled more than not.
o Going into the Sunday night game, Albuquerque Cat Killas had lost, and I am the Goat was 11 points behind Provo Cougar Go Cougs with one player, James White, still to play.
o James White had one week of ten or more points in the entire year, so it seemed unlikely that he would break out this game. Well, he in fact went off for 79 rushing yard, 98 receiving yards, and two touchdown receptions to score 29.7 points, pushing I am the Goat to 110.3, or 18.9 points ahead of Provo Cougar Go Cougs!
o Then Monday night, Better Luck Next Time was 12.7 points behind Nothin Runs Like a Deere, with Russell Wilson still to play. Through the first half, Russell Wilson had 3.3 fantasy points, but threw for two touchdowns in the second half, getting to 16.9 fantasy points and a victory for Better Luck Next Time.
o Additionally, Provo Cougars Go Cougs still had Tyler Lockett Monday night, so he could still technically beat I am the Goat if he scored 18.9 points on Monday night. However, he dealt with the flu the entirety of the week leading up to the game, and despite being the top receiver in Seattle, Tyler Lockett finished with zero points on three targets. I am the Goat wins, knocking out Provo Cougs and letting Better Luck Next Time sneak into the playoffs!
· Finally, we must draw attention to our leading ladies: Goin’ In Blind took the overall spot at 10-3, while Low Fat Greek Goedert came in second at 9-4. In a potential finals matchups, Low Fat Greek Goedert triumphed in week 13, with Lamar Jackson doing Lamar things against the tough 49ers defense, scoring 22.3 fantasy points. Cooper Kupp bounced back with 12.5 points, 65 yards, and a touchdown, and Julian Edelman caught over a 100 yards from Tom Brady and another score for 16.5 fantasy points. Goin’ In Blind struggled, with George Kittle only catching two passes for 17 yards and Christian McCaffrey appearing mortal against the Washington Redskins defense, but Josh Allen had a fantastic Thanksgiving debut, rushing for a touchdown and throwing for a another for 23.5 fantasy points. Low Fat Greek Goedert won, 80.4-50.8.
I am the Goat and Links Dawg Pound rounded into form a little too late in the season, scoring the highest Week 13 totals with 110.3 and 106.1. Team John’s Winners also got above 100 points with 103.2.
Thanks to everyone for a great regular season. On to the playoffs!
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