After successfully avoiding it for 2 1/2 years, Covid has finally hit ye old Commish (and Mrs. Commish). Fell ill on Monday, tested positive on Tuesday, and struggling along here on Thursday. Nothing too extreme, but as an asthma sufferer, it adds a little element of uncertainty and discomfort. So, prayers and positive thoughts toward the league offices are appreciated.
I think we have some clarity in the SPFL, although with Covid brain, it’s possible that I’m missing something. One thing I was reminded of, those Yahoo asterisks don’t really mean anything because I have to go in and enter in the fifth and sixth seeds on my own as Yahoo doesn’t recognize customized playoff tiebreakers. So…
In the Tommy Boy Division, the Moops have clinched the division title at 10-3. The 1s and Monkeys are both at 9-4, but the Moops have tiebreakers over both, so the week one playoff bye is clinched for Mayberry. And it’s much needed to recover from this covid. The Heroes are only 6-7 but in fine shape for a wild card with their total points total (more to come on this below). Megatron and the Midgets are tied at 4-9, as the red hot Midgets picked up their second win in a row.
In the Matt Foley Divison, the Lightning are 10-3, leading the league in points and just waiting to lower the boom on anyone daring to face them in the postseason. The Turtles, at 8-5, have clinched the runner up playoff spot. The Piranha Brothers and Bull Rings are both 6-7 and need some otherworldly scoring total this weekend to qualify for the postseason. The Corn lost their sixth in a row to fall to 3-10 … tied with the No Names, who also won their second in a row!
We know the Lightning and Moops are division winners and receive a bye to week 16 playoff round. The Turtles are in as a runner up and either the 1s or the Monkeys will be the runner up TB Division qualifier (they play each other this weekend). Assuming the 1s win (based solely on average points scored, I’m not predicting anything), the total points wild cards would go to the Heroes (1721 points) and the Monkeys (1669 points), right now. The Piranha Brothers trail that sixth spot by 73 points and the Corn and the Rings trail by 120 and 127, respectively. Now, should the Monkeys take down the 1s this weekend, clinching the runner up spot, that drops the 1s into the total points wild card race and they would be #5 at 1758 points, dropping the Heroes to #6. In short, the Brothers need to root for the 1s and post a lineup with some big scoring potential to throw a monkey wrench into the postseason.
One other note, as this is the final regular season week, those of you not going into the postseason, those players on your roster at kickoff on Sunday and that were drafted, will be eligible for your two “keepers” next season. Just a reminder to strategize a little if you decide to utilize the waiver wire.
Moops 178 – Bright 1s 141: This was a huge game and Yahoo was showing the 1s as the overwhelming favorites heading into the late games on Sunday, but Davante Adams (39) and Joe Burrow (31) led a mighty comeback, clinching the title and the bye for Mayberry. The 1s were led by Jalen Hurts (36) and CMC (30).
Names 108 – Rings 92: This must have been played in a rainstorm, but the Names showed some grit and picked up the W, led by AJ Dillon (22) and Devin Duvernay (17). The Rings were led by Terry McLaurin (24).
Midgets 114 — Megatron 107: The Midgets continued their climb out of the TB basement, led by Amon Ra St Brown (34) and Jared Goff (21). Megatron took the L despite a trio of 20 point outings by Allen, Mahomes, and the Eagles D.
Lightning 159 — Brothers 101: The Lightning cruised, led by Tyreek (31) and Christian Watson (26), while the Brothers faltered, led by Tua (20) and David Montgomery (18).
Monkeys 131 — Heroes 129: The Monkeys clinched a tight one, led by the 49ers D (24) and DeAndre Swift (22). The Heroes were led by DPJ (22) and Zeke (19), but were waylaid by the early injurty to TE Hayden Hurst (3 points).
Turtles 148 — Corn 107: The Turtles cruised to an easy win, led by AJ Brown (33) and Tyler Lockett (27). The Corn had DJ Metcalf (26) and Justin Fields (23).
Next Week: Several meaningless games, except for total points scored.
- Moops/Megatron
- Names/Turtles
- Midgets/Heroes
- Rings/Lightning
- 1s/Monkeys
- Brothers/Corn
I’m cutting it short this week because my head is hurting but I would be remiss not to mention my sorrow at the passing of Kirstie Alley this week, at age 71, from cancer. I think she saved one of my all time favorite shows, Cheers, when Shelley Long left and was much better, in my mind. Saw an article this morning listing the 32 funniest lines from Cheers in honor of her. Not all were related to her character, but it was still fun to reminisce. Three of my favorites:
Woody: “How would a beer feel, Mr. Peterson?” Norm: “Pretty nervous if I’m in the room.”
“How’s life treating you Norm?” Norm: “It’s a dog eat dog world and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.”
Candi: “What’s your name?” Frasier: “Oh, uh… Dr. Frasier Crane.” Candi: “I’m Candi.” Frasier: “Ah, yes, so I see from your necklace. Candi with an “I.” Candi: “Well, I used to spell it with a “Y” but nobody ever took me seriously, so then I switched it to an “I.” You know, like Gandhi.” Frasier: “Yes, yes. I understand that’s why he did it.”
Just a wonderful show that was in real danger when Diane’s character left, but it was a seamless and great transition, thanks to Kirstie Alley. RIP.
The Commish