Week 11

Happy Thanksgiving to all members in the Millbrook Fantasy Football League. Yes, even you Dom! I personally am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful league. I'm also thankful for my very first win of the season. It has taken 11 long weeks but it's finally happened. The Fantasy world has returned to its rightful state where the Munchies are a winning team. Well, they've won one game, but the winless streak is over and that's all that matters for GM Michael and the Munchies to take some momentum into the Dansky Bowl. In news that actually matters concerning the upper reaches of the table however, there has been some major shake ups in the playoff race and with only 2 weeks to go, a quick look at the Power Rankings might reveal which teams have what it takes to push through into the Playoffs, and which teams I'm predicting will fall off.

But first, some important league news and updates...

• Trade Deadline- The trade deadline is quickly approaching so if you need to make any transactions to prepare for the postseason, start negotiations soon. All trades must be documented and submitted to the Commissioner before the end of the Monday Night Football Game on Week 13, the final game of the Fantasy Regular Season. Please contact your league commish for any questions regarding the trade deadline.
• Playoff Rundown and FAQs- The two playoff brackets will be happening simultaneously during Weeks 14, 15 and the Championship and Dansky Bowl on Week 16. The playoffs will feature a double bracket system that will not do reseeding (think March Madness not NFL Playoffs) So this means that the 3 seed will play the 6 seed, and the winner will play the 2 seed, while the 4 seed will play the 5 seed and the winner will play the 1 seed.

• "Will my team lock like last year if I am not in the MFFL Championship playoffs?" No all teams that are still in either the MFFL Championship or the Dansky Bowl will be able to adjust their lineups and make Waiver Wire transactions. However, once you are knocked out of either tournament, your team will be locked, preventing you to make any changes and ensuring no collusion.
•  "How will the Dansky Bowl work? I'm dumb and confused" The Dansky Bowl will work the exact opposite of the championship tournament where the loser of each matchup advances to the next round until the loser of the final is the Dansky (The loser of the final is the one who gets the league punishment, regardless of what seed they were entering the tournament).
• "How will the Dansky Bowl work if there is no setting for it on the Yahoo Fantasy website?" Yeah I know this kinda sucks, the website and app will not show that you are playing anybody for the playoff weeks, but a bracket will be kept up with in the Weekly Wrap-Up that will show the matchups. You will still be able to set your lineup at your team page and track your team and opponents points, however there will not be any projections or percentage of winning provided by Yahoo. 
•  "I still make the playoffs even though my team sucks right?" No Kelly you didn't make the playoffs last year and you are not in the playoffs this year. See you in the Dansky Bowl.
• "What is the name of the trophy called?" Finally, a good question. I dunno someone come up with some ideas and send them to me individually. And no August we are not doing your awful idea. 

Power Rankings:

1. Mr. Nice Guy: Obvious
2. Hoochie Mamas: Another amazing week for GM August and the Mamas puts them back up to the 2 spot.
3. Ravioli Ravioli: They get the win but a slight drop due to a slow day by CMC. They'll be back
4. Scoregasms: GM Brody continues to set his team up well, and a late night trade sets his team up well for the playoffs.
5. Ravagn' Rainbows: Another return to the 100 point barrier continued for the Rainbows. However Cook's struggles continue.
6. Miking Mikes: Hopping on the DJ Moore hype train at the perfect time, Kamara will lead this team into the playoffs where they can lose first round to GM Brody.
7. Tittsburgh Feelers: Kareem is solid and Watson has been very up and down just like htis team. If Howard can get right for the remainder of the season, they will be solid.
8. Belichick Yo Self: Sony returns and Browns and Adams are a lock for 15+ each week. If QB Brees continues to eat, then so will Belichick Yo Self; as long as the food fits in their diet.
9. Crunching Munchies: Their highest ranking on the season and of course just in time for RB Kerryon to get injured. If they can get healthy, they will continue to climb.
10. Bigpapihugetime: A lost season for the Huge Times, Hopkins and Thomas will be enough to avoid the Dansky and that's all that matters.
11. Grafton's A Bum: A return back to form for the Bums however Odell and Jones will make this team a potential spoiler to end the season.
12.  
13. Pasca's Daddy: You don't even deserve to be in 12th, you're that bad.

2 weeks stand between us and the first ever dual playoff bracket, the MFFL Championship, and the Dansky Bowl. Let's take a look at the Playoff Picture to recap any big changes that occured last week, analyze each team's situation, and break down what they need to stay alive and avoid the dreaded Dansky. 

First Round Byes

1. Scoregasms (9-2)                                                                        2. Mr. Nice Guy (8-3)

GM Brody and the Scoregasms dropped their last game against the Hoochie Mamas, who are now hot on their trail. Now, with their safety buffer dwindled down to only a single game lead, Scoregasms must win out to hold onto their first round bye as both Mr. Nice Guy and Hoochie Mamas are ahead on the points-scored tiebreaker. A tough first matchup this week against the Raviolis will be a big test to see if the Scoregasms are a championship caliber team. Meanwhile, GM Grafton and the Nice Guys continue to prove each and every week why they are the favorites to hoist the MFFL trophy this winter. However, in order to secure that critical first round bye, they must find a way to win without their trio of Rams superstars this week against a challenging team full of Mikes. A win for both these teams is pivotal this upcoming week as the team's below them are hot on their tail...

Leaders of the Pack

3. Hoochie Mamas (8-3)                                                                   4. Ravioli Ravioli (7-4)

5. Miking Mikes (7-4)                                                                                                            

Hoochie Mamas are coming off their destructive, playoff clinching, win over the league leaders, Scoregasms, and face what on paper is the easiest finale to the season. With matchups against a volatile Feelers team and a Pasca's Daddy team that is almost as hideous as their manager, the Mamas will cruise into the playoffs and if either Scoregasms or Mr. Nice Guy drops 1 of their 2 games, they'll have a nice rest week as well. The Raviolis and Mikes face a more difficult trek to a first round bye as they don't have the points total like the Nice Guys or the Mamas and will need 2 of the top 3 teams to drop both of their final 2 games. However, there chances of making the Playoffs are about as likely as Kelly fumbling a ball on his way to the endzone. A single win for each of the two teams is all they need to secure their ticket to the Playoffs.

In the Hunt

6. Tittsburgh Feelers (6-5)                                                                7. Ravagn' Rainbows (5-6)

8. Belichick Yo Self (5-6)                                                                                                            

Both the Feelers and Rainbows lost important games last week that would have really solidified their playoff odds, and now must run the table. Tittsburgh Feelers are now almost required to win both of their matchups as they sit with the lowest point total out of all the contenders. They also face the toughest finale to the season in the league, and must squeak past both the Mamas and Scoregasms, who will be fighting for a playoff bye. Dropping 1 game might not be too catastrophic, provided either the Rainbows also lose 1, or the Mikes or Raviolis drop 2. Meanwhile, the Rainbows will need to win out and hope for some help as they are a game behind the Feelers. GM Connor has positioned his team well for the final stretch however as they look set to win the tiebreaker against any of the teams in their way. Look for this season to once again come down to an epic Connor vs Darren finale to decide who is in and who spends their postseason down in the Dansky. The Belis face the same tough route into the playoffs, but don't have the points tiebreaker and will need a double L from the Feelers while the Rainbows also drop 1. The Belis will finish their season against the 2 bottom teams in the league, the Bums and Munchies and will need to win both as their only viable way to sneak into that final spot in the playoffs.

Dansky Watch

9. Pasca's Daddy (4-7)                                                                  10. Bigpapihugetime (3-8)

11. Grafton's A Bum (3-8)                                                              12. Crunching Munchies (1-10)

While Daddy hasn't official received an invitation to the all expense paid tournament for losers, it is certainly on its way through air mail. They would need two wins, all 3 in the hunt teams to lose out, and to score 400 points... guess we'll see you and your team in the Dansky Bowl GM Dom. This comes as no surprise either, as clearly GM Dom manages his team the same way he plays football at Honeycutt, shittily. The Papis are now level with the Bums which is never a good spot to be, as both teams fight for the free spa week while the rest of the losers are forced to play fantasy football. The Munchies, despite their victory last week (wow that sounds so cool to say guys, I see why you all like winning so much, it feels dope) are almost guaranteed a Dansky Bye and will be awaiting their competition for Week 15.

Matchup Highlights:

Hoochie Mamas (8-3) reigned supreme in the Wildcat Matchup of the Week over the top seeded Scoregasms (9-2) who drop just their second game of the season, but not for poor gameplay. Woods, Diggs, DJ and Kelce all led with double digits for GM Brody and the Scoregasms on their way to 115 points however Mahomes and Barkley proved far too much for the competition, with 48 and 33 points respectively. GM August and the Mamas get the win with 147 points.

Ravagn' Rainbows (5-6) became the first and only team to lose to the Crunching Munchies (1-10). All 10 other teams in the league leaped passed the Munchies with ease, however against the Rainbows, they posted their best week of the season. The entire Munchies roster rallied behind Fournette's return for 129 points while the Rainbows were led by WR Hill's 34 point thunder-shock in the Rams vs Chiefs game of the season. GM Connor was so dissapointed that WR Hill couldn't score 60 points to lead the rest of his loser team to victory that he traded him away instantly to GM Brody for DJ. After the crippling loss, GM Connor will need to ride the Rainbow for all the luck of the Irish he can get to qualify for the Fantasy Playoffs.

Ravioli Ravioli (7-4) made it 6 in a row last week with there tight 107-101 victory over Belichick Yo Self (5-6). Leading the way once again was the punishing RB duo for the Raviolis, Zeke and CMC who combined for another 37 point week while QB Cam chipped in for 30 of his own. WRs Adams and Brown for the Belis kept it close with 16 and 17 points but RB Barber continued the strong RB trend for the Raviolis to seal the win and put GM David between a rock and a hard place (DTDMDB anyone?) for the playoff conquest.

Weekly Awards:

• Murphy Mixup:

GM Brody mixed it up and dropped the ball, choosing Cohen over Fitzgerald who scored 3 points compared to Larry's 14. You still would have lost either way but you screwed up anyway. Better luck next time Brody.

• Oh Boy! Play of the Week:

GM Darren risked it, but came away with a yummy biscuit, picking up and playing WR Moore Sunday morning for his flex position. DJ Moore torched the field, YACing all over the place for 22 points and leading the way for a Miking win for the Mikes. What a clever pick up by GM Darren and a great idea.

• DTDB Moment of the Week:

With Darren on top for what looks to be the rest of the season, there is not too much GM Dom has to be thankful for. Darren has cooked, sliced, and stuffed Dom and is ready to smear his gravy all over as Darren locks up his playoff spot this week while Dom will head over to the Dansky Bowl.

• Pasca's Ponderable:

I never knew how colorful the world really is. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I am ready to beat Dom once and for all. #MunchOn

Next Week's Matchups:

• Miking Mikes (7-4) vs Mr. Nice Guy (8-3): Wildcat Matchup of the Week

A vastly important matchup for both teams with massive playoff implications. A win for GM Grafton all but ensures them a first round bye, while GM Darren can secure his ticket for the playoffs himself with a win, while a loss will put him right in the danger zone. Mr. Nice Guy will be operating without the trio of Rams, opening up the door of opportunity for Kamara and Allen to keep up with the Luck and Hilton stack and RB Conner. This one stays close but WR Moore outscores WR Gordon for the Miking Mike victory.

• Ravagn' Rainbows (5-6) vs Bigpapihugetime (3-8):

Only the Munchies can stop the Rainbows, they gonna ravage this week.

• Scoregasms (9-2) vs Ravioli Ravioli (7-4):

What honestly should be the Wildcat of the Week, I don't know who chose it for this week. Expect both CMC and Zeke to dominate like never before with 2 great matchups while Scoregasms is forced to sit their newly acquired WR Tyreek the Freak along with TE Kelce due to bye week. Raviolis makes it 7.

• Grafton's A Bum (3-8) vs Belichick Yo Self (5-6):

Belichick Yo Self looks in the mirror and gets right with RB Michel leading the way to keep the thread holding the playoff dreams intact for one more week.

• Hoochie Mamas (8-3) vs Tittsburgh Feelers (6-5):

Hoochie dominates no problemo

• Crunching Munchies (1-10) vs Pasca's Daddy (4-7):

This is possibly the most irrelevant game in the history of Fantasy as neither team can move spots this late in the season. However if there was ever a time for GM Michael to beat his daddy, it's this week. (I play my actual dad in my other league this same week). Dom, you're going down.

That's all we have this week for the Thanksgiving edition of the Weekly Wrap-up. Thank you all for reading this each and every week! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with food, fun, family, and most importantly, fantasy football. May the force be with you all, Keep Pounding, and I'll catch ya on the flip side.