I was a little dramatic last week, so I’ll take the pressure off the gas pedal a little this week and focus on the state of the SPFL. And right now, I’ve gotta say, it’s sorta looking like a two team race at this point? Wouldn’t you agree? Perennial contender, the Bright 1s, still sport a perfect 6-0 record but the Piranha Brothers, also at 6-0, are looking like an even tougher out, at this point of the season.
However, we must remember, the season is not even half over yet and injuries can spring up at anytime, right Bright 1s? And like the Big Tuna used to say, “just get me in the tournament”. Many, many times in SPFL history, regular season heavyweights have fallen short in the postseason. So, let’s see how our lead horses hold up.
Two quick pieces of league business early on … I’m still short two league entry fees. Let’s try to get that cleaned up before the calendar turns over into Turkey Season, mmmmkay? And … just a reminder … we are notoriously a low trading league, but the trading deadline is now on the horizon. Better analyze those rosters and make sure you feel comfortable for the long haul. But, also remember, that keeper possibility for drafted players. Makes the owner strategy sessions even more fun in team headquarters.
In the Tommy Boy Division, the Piranha Brothers have a healthy two game lead at 6-0 over the 4-2 Yesterday’s Corn and Greased Lightning. The Mayberry Moops and TN Turf Turtles are another game back at 3-3, while the hard luck Thunder Monkeys bring up the rear at 1-5. Down next to the river in the Matt Foley Division, the Bright 1s have an almost comfortable three game cushion with their 6-0 mark and only Beauty and the Beasts in shouting distance at 3-3. A trio of 2-4 clubs, Heath’s Heroes, the Bitter Midgets, and the No Names, linger with their eyes on that second place wild card berth. And alas, the Ghost of Megatron still seeks that first W, at 0-6.
If the “tournament” was starting today, the seeding would be:
- Piranha Brothers (first round bye)
- Bright 1s (first round bye)
- Yesterday’s Corn
- Beauty & the Beasts
- Mayberry Moops
- Heath’s Heroes
- Greased Lightning (minus 40 points)
- Tennessee Turtles (minus 47 points)
- Thunder Monkeys and Bitter Midgets (minus 92 points)
- No Names (minus 148 points)
- Ghost of Megatron (minus 170 points)
I think adding the two highest scoring non automatic qualifiers to the wild card round was one of our best league tweaks over the years. So, if you break down those points shortages into per week gains, it’s not that daunting for the most part. And, heck, even climbing into that second place wild card is still doable … for everyone! Even our last place teams are only three games back with 8 to play. Keep grindin’.
Brothers 162 – Moops 131: The Mayberry bunch was gritty, but it was like the old high school days of the Coeburn Blue Knights trying to compete with the Powell Valley Vikings. We had athletes just as good as the Vikings … just not as many of them and the second half always wore us down. Similarly, the Moops just didn’t have the manpower to keep up with the big guy. The Brothers were led by Raheem Mostert (35) and Travis Etienne (25) and are slightly nervous about the Cmac situation, but it’s not a code red. Mayberry was led by Drake London (21) and AJ Brown (20).
Bright 1s 148 — Midgets 79: One can only assume that the Bitter Midget team management was off at a concert or the beach or something this week, as this one was fugly. The Sun God (30) and Justin Herbert (20) led the barrage, while the Midgets had Jared Goff (24) and … I guess … the Commanders D (15). Two zeroes besotted their lineup, one earned, Jahan Dotson, and one in the blue tent, Roschon Johnson.
As a Cowboys fan, I obviously dislike the Eagles, but these Kelly Greens they’re sporting this weekend are nice.
Heroes 106 – Beauty 102: The Heroes won this slugfest, thanks to Adam Thielen (28) and the MIami D (18) while Beauty fell just short despite Jalen Hurts (23) and Chris Olave (16)’s best efforts.
Names 114 – Megatron 88: The No Names served notice that they’re not the No Games this season, led by Cooper Kupp (27) and the Motor City D (21). Megatron kept plugging away, led by their wideouts, Stefon Diggs (20) and Cee Dee Lamb (18).
Turtles 167 – Lightning 107: The Lightning faced some real competition this week and the result was not good. The Tennessee lineup was incredibly balanced, and led by Kyren Williams (23) and Breece Hall (21). The Greasy Guys were led by the Chiefs D (27) and Tony Pollard (18).
Every week… pic.twitter.com/QI46Bctb4l
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 13, 2023
Corn 114 – Monkeys 113: The Corn floated to the top of a real nail biter thanks to the South Beach Duo of Tyreek Hill (30) and Jaylen Waddle (18). The Monkeys were led by Keenan Allen (21) and Zay Flowers (17). Heartbreakingly, the Monkeys nearly stole the win if Justin Herbert hadn’t missed a wide open Allen more than once on Monday night … which, ironically, was magical for Cowboys fans’ like myself and Monkeys management, but terrible for the Monkeys SPFL hopes. Of course, if they’re anything like me, the fantasy football always comes in second to my personal devotions.
Next Week
- Moops @ Lightning
- Midgets @ No Names
- Beauty @ 1s (will the MF Division tighten … or all but wrap up???)
- Megatron @ Heroes
- Turtles @ Monkeys
- Brothers @ Corn
Updates from last week:
Started watching The Fall of the House of Usher. I’m two episodes in. Creepy. Familiar cast of actors. Lots of Edgar Allan Poe easter eggs. Really debauched family (if you think the Roys in Succession were bad … yikes). Verdict is still out. I may need to watch Hubie Halloween to cleanse my palette after episode two.
Possum Fest in Harlan County, KY. Better than I anticipated. Mrs. Commish and Youngest Daughter enjoyed the arts, crafts, and … possums. Had me a deep fried moon pie (thumbs up). Had dinner at Harlan County Beer Company in Harlan (BIG BIG thumbs up. Our third visit this year.) The “Justified” burger (yes, like the TV show) on the menu sounds a little gross — bacon, apple butter, pimento cheese spread, moonshine aioli — but just go with it and you won’t be disappointed. Locally brewed pumpkin ale to wash it down. Not bad at all.
This weekend is the 1800s funeral “Death Comes to Sabine Hill” at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, TN. I just wonder if it’s a foreboding title for the Vols?
The Commish