I thought that there would be a normal downward progression of total points scored in the league as attrition occurred and more and more backups were forced into action. I suppose a sign of a strong league (especially a 14 team league where depth is already at a premium) is that scoring would remain somewhat constant the deeper each team was thrust into its roster.
Here is what I found. The total points scored for the league week by week:
Week 1: 1048
Week 2: 1053
Week 3: 1027
Week 4: 1082 (2 teams on Bye)
Week 5: 1005 (4 teams on Bye)
Week 6: 1042 (4 teams on Bye)
Week 7: 921 (6 teams on Bye)
I'd say we were doing a damn good job at getting the healthiest, strongest lineups out there each week. Week 7 was by far our lowest scoring output with six teams sitting out and some injuries occurring early in the game (Fred Davs and MJD). Sometimes its difficult to prepare for last minute scratches (Jimmy Graham, Rashard Mendenhall and Greg Jennings) which is why I will be proposing next season to have full, open waivers after the normal waiver process has gone through. This will not give any owner an extra advantage as the waiver process will still allow any team to check in just once a week to claim the best possible player. I think its an unfair advantage (even if I benefited from it this week) to have a team lose a player Friday afternoon and not have enough time to make a trade or pick up a replacement. I'd even be willing to add a caveat to the rule change to say that if you pick up a QB, RB or WR after the computer waivers, your waiver spot is still affected while if you pick up a K, Def or TE afterwards your waiver spot will not be affected.
I just want each team to have all the chances in the world to pick up a Johnathan Dwyer type player (120 yards rushing in Week 7) rather than being forced to start Mendenhall. Playing 8 on 8 each week will make the league much more competitive and eliminate many more zero point weeks.
Week 8 features a THURSDAY night game between: MINNESOTA and TAMPA BAY
Week 8 features four teams on BYE: BUFFALO, HOUSTON, BALTIMORE, CINCINNATI
Onto the games:
John and I had our backs against the wall staring at a 2-5 record if we lost this week. 3-4 keeps you in the playoff hunt and that was the goal for each of us. It was the wrong week for John to have important parts of his team on a BYE week. Without them and losing Jimmy Graham, John was in need of some stellar play from his reserves. That didn't happen. Jay Cutler led everyone on his squad with 14 and Shaun Suisham tried his best with 13, but it wasn't enough. RGIII again carried the load for me scoring 25 points and the Patriots defense tacked on 16 to overcome struggles of my key players.
Final Score: Escaped Lunatics 73 The Situation 56
Our only undefeated team, coached by Nate, faced another difficult test as he faced Ben. Without Michael Turner or DeSean Jackson, Nate turned to LeGarrette Blount and Greg Little. Adding to that, Nate lost Fred Davis for the season and Dez Bryant was slightly concussed and both scored zero points. Blount made it a zero trifecta and now Nate was in deep trouble. Then along came Drew Brees and AP to the rescue. They combined for 54 points and Greg Little added 9 in relief and Nate now had a chance at a victory. Ben got 18 from his own replacement, Randall Cobb, but was still down 32 points going into MNF with Matt Stafford and Matt Forte left to play. It was an ugly game to watch on Monday as both teams had numerous opportunities to score and continued to fail miserably. All Ben needed was one play from his big guns to get him over the top and while Stafford threw a late touchdown pass, it was just not enough to get the lead. Nate keeps the zero in the loss column for another week.
Final Score: The Bounchers 72 The Magic Wands 67
When things aren't going your way, sometimes its out of the box thinking that inspires your team. At 1-5, Nick B showed his team who was boss by benching Eli Manning...the #1 overall draft pick in fantasy world for the #1 overall draft pick in the real NFL, Andrew Luck. Guess what? It work. The Texans D scored 19, Fred Jackson had 16, Mason Crosby booted in 12 and Darren Sproles added 10. As for Luck...well he was outscored by Manning 22-20, but it didn't matter. The team rallied and fended off Nick G. With Peyton Manning, Nick G turned to Russell Wilson who flopped with just 6 points. Frank Gore did manage 16 and SeaBass had 13 in a losing effort.
Final Score: The Knacks 84 Lollipop Kids 50
When Jody drafted his team, it was weeks like this that he had in mind. Chris Johnson looked like CJ2K again posting 37 points, Gronk awoke from a deep slumber with 17 points, Stevie Johnson scored 10 and Jody chose wisely in his weekly quarterback decision as Josh Freeman exploded with 33 points. In all Jody scored the most points in the league this week, earning him $10 as he more than doubled a depleted Mike. Without a single point from either running back thanks in large part to an injured MJD. Not even a record day by Vincent Jackson who scored 20 points with 216 yards receiving could save him. Tom Brady also added 20 points.
Final Score: DoggNutz 107 Bookoo Barbarians 50
Ike and Adam played a very important Back Wall game as Ike needed a win to keep pace with Nate and Adam needed a win to tie for second place. Vernon Davis started the week with 0 points for Ike and he was hoping it wasn't a sign of things to come. Arian Foster wouldn't let that happen. He led the assault against Adam with 21 points, Tony Romo pitched in 16, Jordy stayed hot with 14 and both Greg the Leg and Brandon Marshall added 11 points. Adam got 18 from Cam Newton, 13 from a resurgent Shone Green and 11 from Gostkowski, but it was his WR duo that let him down this week. AJ Green and Brandon Lloyd caught only 2 balls this weekend and combined for just 6 points.
Final Score: Myra's College Fund 82 Biggums' 'Basers 67
Speaking of important Ball Wall division games, Matt and Alex tangled in a low scoring, tight affair. Neither team got double digits from their starting quarterback as Joe Flacco regressed big time to 9 points and Andy Dalton picked the wrong week to suck as he posted only 8 points in the place of Matt Ryan. Each team had a 10 point scorer, but it was the Vikings defense who posted 15 points that was the key to victory for Matt. He escaped missing Greg Jennings and watching Ray Rice and Stevan Ridley combine for just 10 points to get a much needed victory.
Final Score: Rainbows & Puppies 53 Worthless Peons 47
Our 'Game of the Week' was hampered by Bye week hell on Luke's team as he took on his brother, Joel. Without Mike Vick, LeSean McCoy and Julio Jones, Deathtongue looked like a lost puppy. His three replacements mustered a scant 12 points and James Jones' hot streak came to a screeching halt. Only Doug Martin produced as he put up 16 points. For Joel he again got little to no production from his running backs as Trent Richardson proved more injured than he led on to be and Danny Woodhead only scored 2 points. He did get great days from Aaron Rodgers who rallied for 29 points and Victor 'eff you' Cruz who burned the idiotic Redskins secondary for 20 points (17 on one play). This was more than enough to hold off Luke.
Final Score: Nikachu 70 Deathtongue 43
Week 7 Standings:
Back Wall Division:
Nate 6-0-1 (#1 seed)
Ike 5-2 (#3 seed)
Alex 4-3 (#4/5 seed)
Matt 3-3-1 (#6 seed)
Jason 3-4
Adam 3-4
John 2-5
Critter Corner Division:
Joel 5-2 (#2 seed)
Jody 4-3 (#4/5 seed)
Nick G 3-4
Luke 3-4
Ben 3-4
Nick B 2-5
Mike 2-5
Week 8 Schedule:
Nate 6-0-1 vs. Jason 3-4 (Game of the Week)
Joel 5-2 vs. Nick G 3-4
Ike 5-2 vs. Matt 3-3-1
Alex 4-3 vs. Adam 3-4
Jody 4-3 vs. John 2-5
Luke 3-4 vs. Nick B 2-5
Ben 3-4 vs. Mike 2-5
No comments:
Post a Comment