The Sanderson Gazette - 2012-10-10 - The Fearsome Foursome
Last week in this space, you learned that Mike R. and Rabbit were only the second and third 4-0 teams in the Blingaleague's five-year history. Since both were victorious in week five, and 2010 Derrek was not, they now become the first two 5-0 teams ever.
And just behind them are two more very strong-looking teams: Matt and Ed, who both sit at 4-1.
Those four teams are also the top four in points, with 32.10 separating them from the fifth-highest total (Allen, who sits at 2-3).
It's still early, though. And as Bernie can tell you from experience, a fast start guarantees nothing.
Week Five Recap
Rabbit def. Allen, 101.09-90.10:
Allen had a shot at the upset, needing Arian Foster to score under twelve points on Monday night. Unfortunately for Optimus Prime, Foster put up 23.33, leading Rabbit's team in scoring. Drew Brees provided 29.30 points, a big part of why Allen was in that position in the first place.
Matt def. Pulley, 97.72-95.77:
Pulley was leading this one for quite a while, but had to be fearing Jimmy Graham in the Sunday night game. While Graham had a very, very poor game (0.53), Matt had taken the lead just prior to that. Peyton Manning (26.15) and Trent Richardson (20.37) each cracked the 20-point mark for Matt. Pulley's Stevan Ridley (19.10) and Julio Jones (18.63) just fell short, causing him to fall oh-so-short of a win.
Kevin def. Richie, 98.22-90.31:
Kevin had to sweat all the way through the final whistle on Monday. While he led Richie by more than forty points after the Sunday afternoon games, the underdog had four key players - Philip Rivers (16.70), Andre Johnson (2.00), Malcom Floyd (14.40), and the Jets defense (7.00) - yet to play. Those four fell just short, letting Kevin escape with the win. Richie was led by Ahmad Bradshaw (27.87) and Kevin by Victor Cruz (24.67).
Pat def. Dave, 107.02-54.78:
After this game, it looks like one of these two is ready to shed his losing ways. Pat got 21.80 points from Jay Cutler and a surprising 19.00 from the Panthers defense, and had no trouble blowing past Dave. DumbFace had only one ten-point scorer: Matt Forte, with 13.37.
Derrek def. Babel, 112.42-94.96:
Babel had a good week, with pickup Devery Henderson scoring 22.40 and Michael Crabtree adding 21.07. However, D was just a bit better. Mr. Drenckpohl got 32.05 from Alex Smith and 27.20 from his MVP so far, Percy Harvin, to earn a hard-found victory.
Mike R. def. Schertz, 115.93-54.79:
The first annual Mike Bowl was a laugher, as expected. The Bears defense (28.00) was one of four twenty-point scorers for Bernie (Matt Ryan, 20.65; Demaryius Thomas, 23.07; Tony Gonzalez, 22.40). JuJu had only two ten-point men: LeSean McCoy (14.90) Golden Tate (10.03).
Ed def. Rob, 161.49-110.55:
Rob's initial good luck has been replaced by a worse kind. His point total was impressive, but not up to the task against a rather historic performance by his big brother (more on that below). My WRs (Marques Colston, 35.47; Reggie Wayne, 34.27; Brandon Marshall, 25.20) scored almost 95 points between them.
Current Standings
Mike R., 5-0, 589.18
Rabbit, 5-0, 570.05
Matt, 4-1, 578.31
Ed, 4-1, 574.31
Kevin, 3-2, 488.54
Derrek, 3-2, 480.67
Allen, 2-3, 537.95
Rob, 2-3, 459.12
Pat, 2-3, 445.51
Dave, 2-3, 439.07
Pulley, 1-4, 468.77
Babel, 1-4, 453.04
Richie, 1-4, 427.60
Schertz, 0-5, 349.34
Weekly Awards
Team Blangums: Ed's 161.49 is good for the sixth-highest score of all-time.
Slapped Heartbeat: Dave scored only 54.78 points, finishing just 0.01 lower than Schertz.
Pickup of the Week: Babel capitalized on Lance Moore's injury by picking up Devery Henderson and his 22.40 points.
Misplay of the Week: Richie would have needed to be a week early with this move, but he'll still get the award. Had he played Donald Brown (11.47) over Jacquizz Rodgers (1.47), he would have picked up his second win on the year.
Dud of the Week: DeAngelo Williams scored -1.40 for Allen.
Week Six Preview
Game of the Blingacentury
Pralines & Dick (Rabbit, 5-0, 2nd) vs. Bernard's Bullies (Mike R., 5-0, 1st):
Rabbit leads all-time series, 3-2.
Until this year, we had never had a 5-0 team, let alone two in one year. We know for sure we won't have two 6-0 teams, as Rabs and Mike go at it this week for sole possession of first place.
Rabs has two relative weaknesses: Tony Romo at QB and Fred Davis at TE. Mike is strong at those positions, sending out two Falcons: Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez.
Mike has one big weakness: RB, with Chris Johnson, Fred Jackson, and the injured Cedric Benson. And that's where Rabbit shines, with Arian Foster, Alfred Morris, and Maurice Jones-Drew (who does have a bye this week).
I expect fireworks. Will Rabs have as good a week as usual, minus one of his key players (Jones-Drew)? Will Mike continue to ride the passing game to victory? Like I said last week, I'm not picking against Rabbit until he gives me a reason.
Pick: Pralines & Dick.
Other Blingamatches
The Chocolate Donuts (Kevin, 3-2, 5th) vs. Optimus Prime (Allen, 2-3, 7th):
Kevin leads all-time series, 4-1.
So who is the fifth-best team right now? Allen's got a lot of points, but is outside of the playoffs at the moment. Kevin sits in fifth place in the standings, but has cooled off since a 2-0 start. This game could go a ways towards pushing one of these guys to the playoffs, but they both have issues. Kevin's already-week RBs take a hit with Jonathan Stewart and Michael Bush on bye. Allen, as of right now, does not have a QB to play (Drew Brees has a bye and Jake Locker is injured) and might not ahve a flex either, as his bench is very thin. Allen has made zero roster moves this season - that has to change now.
Pick: The Chocolate Donuts.
Harrison Hammers (Matt, 4-1, 3rd) vs. D's Nuts (Derrek, 3-2, 6th):
Matt leads all-time series, 4-2.
D's been doing what D does best (besides obnoxious draft-day pronouncements and listening to kettle drums, that is): quietly winning more than he loses. He has to go up against one of the Fearsome Foursome this week. And Matt has some sweet-ass RBs: Jamaal Charles, Trent Richardson, and DeMarco Murray. Derrek can throw out Percy Harvin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adrian Peterson - and the Vikings and Cardinals play Washington and Buffalo, respectively. This looks to be another close game for both.
Pick: D's Nuts.
Half of a Horse (Ed, 4-1, 4th) vs. DumbFace 4 President (Dave, 2-3, 10th):
Ed leads all-time series, 5-0.
I'm bitten by the bye week monster, with Brandon Marshall and Marques Colston and Pierre Thomas (who would fit in nicely at flex) all resting. But I get to play Dave, who also has bye-week issues (Cam Newton, Matt Forte, Darren Sproles) and has a much-worse team to begin with. This one could be ugly.
Pick: Half of a Horse.
Pullman's MondoSquad (Pulley, 1-4, 11th) vs. Artifish Inteligents (Babel, 1-4, 12th):
Pulley leads all-time series, 4-3.
Last week was symbolic for each of these guys' seasons: they just couldn't close the deal. Both Pulley and Babel have had disappointing seasons so far, to say the least. And at the end of this one, one will have a little bit of playoff hope, while the other will have to accept his fate sitting on the sidelines for weeks 14-16.
Pick: Pullman's MondoSquad.
DICK ARMOUR (Richie, 1-4, 13th) vs. Camp Hope (Pat, 2-3, 9th):
All-time series tied, 0-0.
Both of these guys have an uphill battle for the playoffs. Richie won his first game, but dropped the next four. Pat lost his first three, but has won two straight. I'm betting on the streaks continuing.
Pick: Camp Hope.
Location Nouns (Rob, 2-3, 8th) vs. schertzopotamus (Schertz, 0-5, 14th):
All-time series tied, 0-0.
Is this the week JuJu gets his first Blingawin? Knowing Rob's recent luck, yes!
Pick: schertzopotamus.
Sunday Huddle
Sunday Huddle is officially happening at my place this week. Come by any time from 11:30 onward. Pat suggested getting wings this go 'round, and I think that sounds like a good plan.
Do let me know if you're planning on coming. And feel free to stop by any time during the day. We have a good time.
Closing Thoughts
Nothing important to announce this week. Good luck, everyone.
Eddo