So far we have half of the field qualified for the A playoffs. Chargers, Money Team, Saints, Warriors, BULLDOGS, Wildcats, Raiders and TKO all have their tickets stamped while another SIXTEEN teams have a statistical chance at getting an invite to the big dance. Ten weeks into the season and 80% of the league still has something to play for. Of all the numbers I crunch that is the most amazing one. Good luck to everyone this weekend. Playoffs start this week for most of you. Go hard or GO HOME!
Time for the picks...
Double Header: Old Dogs & Bulldogs
Old Dogs v Bulldogs - Both teams are coming off a week of rest with lots to prove. The Old Dogs control their destiny. The Bulldogs are qualified for the playoffs, but look to earn the number one overall seed. These teams are on different ends of prolonged streaks with the old dogs losing four of their last five and the Bulldogs rattling off 6 wins in-a-row. The battle of the dogs will go to the young dogs on this day.
Old Dogs v Miami - The Old Dogs still have a shot at making the A playoffs even if they lose to the Bulldogs at 8. Miami is another team that controls their own destiny as a win will secure a seat to the play. Miami has had trouble with attendance and that was in evidence as they gave up a whopping 61 points against the Warriors a week ago. Sadly, I think Steve Phillips is out of magic. Even if Miami brings four they are better than the Old Dogs. Miami for the win.
Team USA v PL Vikings - The PL Vikings are historically bad, even for a new team. They are on the verge of a winless season AND allowing an AVERAGE of 40 points a game. This is exactly the type of opponent Team USA needs to earn a spot at the table. Please remove your hats for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner!
Silverbacks v Blend - the old guys have found themselves in the familiar position of playing out the string and playing in the "B's". Blend is coming off of two consecutive closely contested losses. In their last loss Blend featured Kerry Dardis at QB with no explanation given for the switch. Was this an eff u to the league for the suspension of Thomas Fritts or an experiment with an eye towards the future. A QB switch at week nine does not bode well for a team that had preseason title aspirations. Should make the A playoffs with this easy victory over the Silverbacks.
Beefcake v Spartans - in spite of their struggles Beefcake has a very outside shot at making the A playoffs. The Spartans once promising season has completely fallen by the wayside as they look to gain momentum going into the B's. In all likelihood both teams will find themselves in the lower tier, but I expect Beefcake to put their best foot forward and give the A's one final push.
Bulldogs v McM - if my prediction is correct the Bulldogs will come into this game with a stranglehold on the conference number 1 seed. MCM is simply playing out the string in what has turned into another moribund season. For the Bulldogs winning these games would go a long way to justifying their high seed in the standings. Not that it matters, but this should not be close.
Giants v TKO - when these two teams met last fall the outcome was nothing short of electric as the Giants pulled out the win in the waning moments of the contest. Now after a season of big expectations the Giants are coming into the contest needing a win to make their spot in the playoffs. TKO needs a win and a Raider loss to earn the number one overall seed in the conference. With their backs against the wall and the TKO only playing for position the Giants will get the win they need and earn the matle as the team no one wants to face.
Warriors v Roc Nation - Big Play Ray wannabe was a force for good on the Warriors on Sunday as they put up 61 on a four man Miami. Of course the Warriors did allow thirty-nine whopping points against that very same four man team! Having played in the toughest division in the league the Warriors are battled tested going into the playoffs. Roc Nation is in danger of falling out of the A's after last week's 32-0 shellacking at the hands of the U. It appears as if Roc Nation was missing their QB and sources have confirmed he will be absent from this contest as well. The Nation has seem to have lost their focus since the suspension of their leader and appear on the fastrack to the B's. Even with Bryan David the Nation is like a dick without balls when their QB is missing. Warriors win big.
Saints v Money Team - for two teams with title aspirations last week's results were less than the desired result. The Saints lost to a backup quarterback and MT lost to a back up defense while fielding a backup QB of their own. In what should be the GOTW both teams need the win to win their division to avoid a potential second round matchup against the Bulldogs. That was funny. With all things being equal MT has had trouble scoring points which is why the Saints win.
Wildcats v Raiders - the B champion from the Fall play the B runner up from Spring 2014. Now the perennial powers are back to their rightful places atop the MCFFL standings. This game is for a chance at the top seed in the conference. The Raiders will earn the top spot with a win. The Wildcats will need to win and a TKO loss for a chance at number 1. The wildcats historically have a tough time with this matchup and I don't think that changes. Raiders finish number 1!
Seahawks v Goats - five weeks ago White Vick made the statement that his team was going to win five games in a row. Not going to lie, I laughed out loud. Now his team is on the verge of fulfilling his prophecy which leads me to believe that he should be our new blogger. With a win the Seahawks should have given up less points then some of the other 5 win teams and earn a spot in the A playoffs. Quite a feat for a team that did not have a win at the beginning of May. They get it done against the Goats to earn a first round exit!
Chargers v Lions - with the Chargers beating MT last week and the Lions losing to the Falcons this game has become almost irrelevant. The Chargers still have a shot being the number one seed. The Lions need the win to avoid entry into the B playoffs. My sources have said Shaun Jelin will once again miss the game and the Chargers have yet to hear from Abree Jones leaving the champions missing two bullets in their championship chamber. The Lions have to be reeling from an unexpected setback against the Falcons who decided to show up and play spoiler? The Lions usually give the Chargers all they can handle, but I still think the Chargers still handle it.
Panthers v Dynasty - the walking wounded should be the title of this contest. Between Jimmy Arroyo and Rob Young only one is smart enough to actually let the injury heal. Problem is one plays quarterback and the other was a possession receiver. The Panthers have fought gallantly all season, but the reality is they just did not have all the pieces to make a run to the A's. A dynasty win and they get to punch their ticket in the Panther's spot.
Titans v Falcons - Titans were conspicuous in their absence from the A playoff last fall. The Falcons will be so this year. Funny thing happens when these teams meet. Last spring the Falcons lost a controversial game against the Titans on a play that was disputed by players and bystanders alike. The Falcons appear set on playing spoiler which would make Roc Nation happy. However, they will fall short as the Titans find their way back to the big dance.
Horned Frogs v Lee Crate Accounting - not sure what to say? I guess the Horned Frogs have a shot to make the A playoffs, but it seems unlikely based on the amount of points allowed. Speaking of points allowed the Accountants need an accountant to tally the points allowed this season. Horned Frogs have the better <snickers to himself> defense and will find a way to get to 500 in their first season.