The Sanderson Gazette - 2017-11-15 - Ten Down

Three weeks left, and some interesting playoff possibilities are emerging.

Week Ten Recap

https://blingaleague.com/week/2017/10/

Rabbit def. Dave, 98.85-88.80:

Rabs took advantage of Dave's lowest score of the year to move into playoff position, in large part due to Kirk Cousins (30.35) and DeMarco Murray (26.20). Dave's kicker (Greg Zuerlein, 17.00) was within two points of his overall leader, which is rarely a good sign.

Derrek def. Mike R., 102.12-97.97:

It looked bleak for D, as he needed over 20 points from Devin Funchess heading into the Monday night game; Mr. Funchess put up 24.27, however, and Derrek solidified his playoff chances. Bernie's score was actually his highest of the season, thanks mainly to new addition Adam Thielen's 28.13.

Pulley def. Babel, 114.31-57.46:

Pulley launched himself into first place thanks to a full team effort. Tom Brady led the way with 24.80, but five other starters scored in double figures for the Pullman. Babel had a different sort of balance; outside of Ben Roethlisberger's 19.80, every one of his players scored between 4.00 (Stepen Hauschka and Josh Doctson) and 5.20 (Dez Bryant).

Kevin def. Richie, 123.18-68.57:

Kevin got 21.33 from recent trade acquisition A.J. Green and 20.87 from Alvin Kamara and cruised to victory in this one. No one cracked 11.47 (Sammy Watkins) for Richie in the loss.

Ed def. Rob, 112.35-87.47:

Jared Goff's 28.55 led the way for Ed in this one, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (18.93) and Marqise Lee (15.33) also had solid games. Rob could have used more from David Njoku (0.40), but got a very good week from Christian McCaffrey (17.90).

Matt def. Schertz, 106.80-65.23:

Cam Newton's 38.20 was huge for Matt, though he could have survived a zero from his QB. Schertz suffered through a zero from Mike Nugent.

Allen def. Pat, 109.89-77.06:

Allen won.

Current Standings

https://blingaleague.com/standings/

  1. Pulley, 8-2, 1054.37

  2. Dave, 7-3, 1074.78

  3. Kevin, 7-3, 986.41

  4. Derrek, 6-4, 1004.07

  5. Rob, 6-4, 973.81

  6. Rabbit, 6-4, 895.09

  7. Babel, 5-5, 1002.24

  8. Ed, 4-6, 978.24

  9. Richie, 4-6, 863.58

  10. Allen, 4-6, 859.42

  11. Matt, 4-6, 856.52

  12. Pat, 3-7, 896.03

  13. Schertz, 3-7, 892.53

  14. Mike R., 3-7, 820.56

Weekly Awards

Team Blangums: Kevin got his first Blangums of the year (and fifth in the last two) with 123.18.

Slapped Heartbeat: Babel's brutal schedule won't matter if he keeps putting up 57.46.

Weekly MVP: Cam Newton's 38.20 wasn't necessary for Matt to win, but it was a huge score and deserving of recognition here.

Dud of the Week: Dave got 0.30 from Devonta Freeman before he left with a concussion.

Start of the Week: Our close winners, D and Rabs, both left points on their bench.

Misplay of the Week: Mike R. chose Tarik Cohen (1.43) over Elijiah McGuire (7.00) and lost a close one.

Playoff Scenarios

Pulley clinches a playoff berth with:

  • a win

OR

  • a Babel loss.

Dave clinches a playoff berth with:

  • a win AND a Babel loss.

Kevin clinches a playoff berth with:

  • a win AND a Babel loss.

Week Eleven Preview

Game of the Blingaweek

Keep Calm & GordOn (Babel, 5-5, 7th) vs. Rob for Today (Rob, 6-4, 5th):

Rob leads all-time series, 6-5 (link).

Babel still plays: Kevin, Ed.

Rob still plays: Allen, Pulley.

This is a huge game for both these teams. If Babel loses, he probably needs to win out against a tough schedule. Rob can probably afford another loss, but his point total is low enough that he'd have to worry about tiebreakers with Babel or Ed, should it come to that.

Babel's RBs, at one point the toast of Blingaleague, but lately a collective disappointment - have some pretty good matchups this week; Leonard Fournette (@CLE) and Kareem Hunt (@NYG) play teams with one win combined, while Melvin Gordon plays the Buffalo team that just made the Saints look like mid-90s Nebraska.

For Rob, Drew Brees faces a Washington team that was lit up by Case Keenum last week. But he's without Christian McCaffrey (BYE).

Pick: Keep Calm & GordOn.

Other Blingamatches

D's Nuts (Derrek, 6-4, 4th) vs. Palmer is ALL Right (Richie, 4-6, 9th):

Derrek leads all-time series, 3-2 (link).

Derrek still plays: Rabbit, Allen.

Richie still plays: Dave, Schertz.

Derrek is in the same boat as Rob, where losing out is scary, but even one win is probably enough. That said, D still plays one team lurking behind him (Rabs). Richie would need to win out and still likely get some help in terms of tiebreakers.

Pick: D's Nuts.

schertzopotamus (Schertz, 3-7, 13th) vs. Pralines & Dick (Rabbit, 6-4, 6th):

Rabbit leads all-time series, 4-1 (link).

Schertz still plays: Mike R., Richie.

Rabbit still plays: Derrek, Pat.

Rabbit's in good playoff position and has a favorable schedule, as the three teams he has yet to play have nine wins combined through nine weeks. Schertz is basically done for the year, and as of press time, has no one in his second flex slot. Looks like Rabbit gets that all-important seventh win this week.

Pick: Pralines & Dick.

Harrison Hammers (Matt, 4-6, 11th) vs. Chili Right Away (Dave, 7-3, 2nd):

Matt leads all-time series, 7-3 (link).

Matt still plays: Pat, Mike R.

Dave still plays: Richie, Kevin.

Dave is looking to bounce back, and can officially clinch a playoff berth this week if a couple things break the right way - and his deep team is well-equipped to overcome the Devonta Freeman injury. "Good Cam" just re-appeared for Matt, but with Newton on bye, this looks like the week Matt's season officially ends.

Pick: Chili Right Away.

The Chocolate Donuts (Kevin, 7-3, 3rd) vs. Optimus Prime (Allen, 4-6, 10th):

Kevin leads all-time series, 6-4 (link).

Kevin still plays: Babel, Dave.

Allen still plays: Rob, Derrek.

Kevin has won six of seven (and scored over 100 in that loss) and added A.J. Green (@DEN) and Derek Carr (vs. NE) last week. Are we looking at a potential repeat? Allen is technically still alive for the playoffs, but needs a ton of help (like Richie and Matt).

Pick: The Chocolate Donuts.

Live Commish (Ed, 4-6, 8th) vs. Noodles and Vistas (Pat, 3-7, 12th):

Ed leads all-time series, 6-2 (link).

Ed still plays: Pulley, Babel.

Pat still plays: Matt, Rabbit.

I'm by far in the best shape of the 4-6 teams, but that shape still isn't great. I've been hot lately, winning three of four (and only losing the fourth by 0.40 points), but a tough schedule and a two-game gap to make up mean it's just not going to happen this year.

Pick: Live Commish.

Bernie's Bullies (Mike R., 3-7, 14th) vs. Pullman's MondoSquad (Pulley, 8-2, 1st):

All-time series tied, 5-5 (link).

Mike R. still plays: Schertz, Matt.

Pulley still plays: Ed, Rob.

First vs. last!

Pick: Pullman's MondoSquad.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

One of our charter memebers, Dr. Allen Clark (a.k.a. Optimus Prime), will be leaving the Blingaleague at the conclusion of this season. Expect a more in-depth accounting of Allen's history in upcoming Gazettes, but with three week's left, let's make sure he goes out with a bang.

Next on the waiting list to join is Scott Beitzel. After this season ends, we'll do some official administration to approve his entry into the league.

Closing Thoughts

Week ten's average 32.13 margin was the 25th highest of all time (out of 127 total).

LiveCommish