It's the final week before divisional matchups. Non-divisional matchups have not been kind to me. I hitched my wagon to the wrong offenses, trusting talent over the situation. That was not wise. Matchups matter, and offensive play callers matter more. When will I learn? Even after a brutal week, the Beards division still holds a slim lead on overall wins, 22-21, over the Bros division. However, the Beards division is last in Total Points. Broads, of all divisions, leads in points with 4,857.60. Bros is in second with 4,803.82, and Beards is last with 4,798.82. This is one of the League's most competitive and balanced seasons. I guess we have to thank Cody and Nick for helping improve the Broads division and the overall quality of players in the League. While looking for potential trade partners, I noticed that a few teams are only rostering three running backs: Travis, Linda, and Nick. That's a bold strategy.
James vs. Ashlyn
As usual, I get off to a strong start and then fade down the stretch. This usually happens due to some boneheaded trade I make, but this year, it is just my dumb lineup decisions. I wonder how I will screw it up this week. It can't be at QB since Kyler is on bye. My only actual decisions are at Flex and DST. Buffalo is #1 versus DST, so I think I am going to fade the Chiefs this week, which means they will shut out the Bills. I can live with that. I will go with the Dolphins versus whoever they picked off the street to play QB this week. That leaves Tillman vs Tank. With Nico expected to return, I think it is an easy call to play Tillman, even in a poor matchup, which means Tank will go for 100 yards this week. Either way, I am destined to lose to Ashlyn. If I can lose to Travis's team, I can undoubtedly lose to Ashlyn's. Her Hurts/Smith stack could end my week early tonight. We saw this last week with Burrow/Chase. I honestly don't think I've misplayed much this season. Things just haven't bounced my way. Such is fantasy football.
Steve vs. Justin
This is a great matchup. Steve's team continues to ascend. It's a testament that it's not how you start but how you finish. What's scary is that Pacheco has been designated for return, which means Steve should be at full strength heading into the Championship playoffs if he can get in. I like his odds. He would love nothing more than to rub in my face that he made it, and I didn't for the second year in a row. Steve has a tough decision at Flex. Cooper has been dealing with a wrist injury. We've seen how that has hindered Tyreek. Nice of the Dolphins to disclose that he has had that injury since training camp, and it was worsened when he got slammed to the ground on arrest. Now, it was aggravated in practice last week. I'm worried that Steve will have two of his three WRs bust this week in Hill and Cooper. How long does it take for a torn ligament to heal? Asking for my brother. Historically, Lamar struggles against the Steelers, which could be a big game for Henry in a tough matchup. The weather is turning colder, which means Henry will be getting hotter. The negative side for Justin is that Dobbins is fading, and the Bears offense has imploded. Neither Justin nor Steve will be competing for a high score. In the end, I think it will come down to DST. Steve has the better matchup, so I give Steve the edge to continue to roll towards a playoff spot. (Yes, it was difficult to know which team to place my jinx on)
Travis vs. Jordan.
One week after upsetting me, Travis faces what I think is the #1 team, Jordan. David is giving him a run for the money, though. Travis will get a boost if Nico is back. With Nico, Stroud should have no problem carving up the Dallas D. The same goes for Mixon. Metcalf is also due to return this week. Wow! Travis is getting healthy at the right time to put some pressure on Nick. While Travis' team is much improved, it is still not up to the elite level of Jordan's squad. Bijan, JJ, Garrett, Bowers. Oh my! Jordan even improved his RB bench with the Estime waiver pickup. Jordan is always crafty by saving his waiver is his priority and knowing when to strike while the rest of us waste ours on scrapple. Jones has been taking a beating, so Estime could be a league winner for him if Jones goes down. Travis will make some noise to end the regular season, but the only noise he will be making this week is the wailing of defeat both for his fantasy team and his Cowboys.
David vs. Paul
How in Hades is Paul at the top of the Beards division? What a fluke. He is such a poser. He is about to get exposed this week. At least he will have a starting QB this week since AR15 is back in action. Not sure that is a good thing. He can't count on Chase putting up 50 points to bail him out each week. Pollard is wearing down. DMont isn't even getting first series anymore. Mooney has a tough matchup versus the Broncos. Kelce will be his bright spot, but you need more than Kelce to get past David's team. The Chiefs D is good, but I am not sure they can contain Allen when they struggled to contain Nix. CMC is the GOAT. Gibbs is the 1A against the Jags. London is a wash vs. Mooney. Even during a bye-pocalypse week for David, his backups are still good enough to come out with a win this week.
Cody vs. Gary
Everything goes well for Cody. He has beginner luck. We've seen it before in the League. cough Ashlyn cough. This week, he gets the free square against Gary. He won't need much from Lamar to get a win this week. Gary should get Brian Robinson back but he probably won't notice to add him to his lineup before tonight's game. You would think he would start Purdy at home against Seattle, but Gary is too much of a homer to make the right move. At best, Gary can look forward to is to break 100 points something he has failed to due in 50% of his matchups this season. I am kicking myself for dropping Jennings for Tank back in Week 5. Cody can sleep like a baby this week knowing he will move to 8-3 and secure his place in the BBB Championship playoffs.
Linda vs. Nick
Lucky Linda and Nick need a win to hold off Steve and Travis, respectively. This game looks like it could be a battle for high-score. The Bears DST is toothless. Love is going to feast. All the Saints have left is Kamara. JT's splits with and without Richardson are huge. His fantasy output gets a big bump with Richardson starting again. On the flip side, the only player producing for the Dolphins is Achane. I tried to grab McConkey but Linda beat me to him. I like him for a nice bounce back performance in what should be a high scoring game versus the Bengals. The wildcards are Lamb vs Sutton. Lamb has the QB issue while Sutton has suttonly become a viable fantasy starter the past 3 weeks after posting a 0 versus the Saints. Go figure. I feel like Kyren has been wearing down lately, so think Nick can pull off the upset this week.
Projected Winners:
Ashlyn
Steve
Jordan
David
Cody
Nick
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