The Regular Season Nears Completion

Due to the Ben-Everett matchup, there are currently three teams vying for two spots in the playoffs. If Everett wins or Taylor loses, Everett is in. If Taylor wins or Ben loses, Taylor is in. Ben has to win to get in. The current standings are:

1. John Wall 100-0 Infinite Points
2. Scott 11-2 1352
3. Steve 8-5 1260
4. Jason 7-6 1262
5. Brandon 7-6 1199
6. Everett 6-6-1 1512
7. Taylor 6-7 1317
8. Ben 6-7 1251
9. Tyler 5-8 1251
10. John 5-8 1197
11. Jim 3-9-1 1200

And now a quick recap of last week’s match ups:

Jason v. Tyler: I ended Tyler’s bid for the playoffs, which cannot possibly please our gentle commissioner. My boys came together and put up the highest point total for the week, even though New Orleans D lost 8 points last night. I think the weird Meachem TD went to Defense/Special Teams initially, but then it was removed…I don’t know how you properly score that one. Tyler put up the third most points this week, which would have been enough to win every other matchup except….

John v. Taylor: Brandon Jacobs: 76-yard TD reception. Wow! That’s worth 13 points…guess how much Taylor lost by? An unlucky number indeed. Tay sits at third in the points total, but is precariously eligible for the playoffs. John finally got the week that his guys owed him. He even won with Jason Witten on the bench when Witten went for another 100-yard game. Aside: the Forte and Witten for Mendenhall and Boldin trade has worked out well for both squads. Forte has had a couple of good games for John, and Witten came alive in the last two weeks. Similarly, Anquan Boldin returned to last season’s form and Mendenhall has been more than serviceable. John doesn’t miss Boldin because he has a stable of receivers and I don’t miss Witten because the Legendary Vernon Davis continues to baffle.

Ben v. Brandon: Brandon can win a grind it out fantasy game better than anyone in the world. Ben contemplated starting Meachem over Vincent Jackson, but Skyscraper was too tough to sit. Meachem would have guaranteed Ben victory. Our league's ethical leader won't throw a pity party for himself playing the what-if game, but I'll do it for him. Now Ben has to take down Ev’s Juggernaut to secure a place in the postseason. The funny thing is, if he beats Everett, Taylor loses, and I lose, Ben will get the 3 seed. It’s that wide open, people. Bring it every week.

Everett v. Jim: Donald Driver fumbles away a victory for Jim, leaving us with a dreaded tie. We need to address this issue. I think there should be no ties. I like the idea of using the optimum lineup for each squad as the tie-breaker. Taylor suggested the team with the highest point man in the starting lineup gets the win. Please submit additional suggestions, but these ties are yucky, and leave none of us feeling satisfied…they’re the fantasy equivalent of blue balls. Whenever you have a tie, both managers will obviously look at their rosters and figure out how close they were to getting additional points. Everett only needed two more yards from Chris Johnson to get another point, but Jim wins this battle of almost. Andre Johnson finished with 99 receiving yards, and Kevin Smith only needed one more receiving yard to get another point. Beanie Wells was also only two rushing yards shy of another point. So close, Jim.

Steve v. Scott: So did Scott tank or not? You know what, I’m not taking the bait, Scott. I think you’re trying to confuse me and make me focus on what you’re doing. I’m just going to worry about my team and what I can do to make them the best they can be. Stay out of my head. Scott referenced my team looking strong, but the fact that Brees likely won’t be a strong Week 17 play. Same probably goes for Peyton and AP. We need to fix the schedule next year and avoid Week 17 matchups. I like as much fantasy football as possible, but those Week 17 games are screwy. It’s one thing to have a marquee player out with an injury, but it’s another to have him just play a quarter and sit to stay healthy. On the opposite end of the Week 17 spectrum, Steve has a couple of fantastic matchups...which would make for an interesting showdown if he gets another shot at Scott.