As you know, I took the week off last week, with many complaints to go along with it. Hey, don’t I get a bye week? I’ve been doing this for 3 straight years! Anyway, I’ll make that gripe session short, lots to talk about.  A lot has happened since my last regular article.  We had 1 undefeated team, 2 winless teams and the middle, well the middle was its usual congested self. Now, a few teams are making an attempt to break out from the middle of the yearly BFFL cluster, our leagues only undefeated fell softly to a potential big contender, and the two winless teams have pole-vaulted with a combined record of 5-1 within the past 3 weeks. I had all but crossed off the ‘Canes, and gave MLSP very little hope as well, but as my 6-game philosophy generally plays true in most leagues (Let me briefly explain… to have a chance to make playoffs, I personally feel 6 is the minimal number of wins you must have.) the playoff scenario now includes all 10 teams.  Yes, the bottom half does still have a mountain to climb, but it’s no longer Kilimanjaro. Oh did I also mention… I’M NOT IN LAST ANYMORE!!!

That being said, on to the report.

God’s Tallywackers def. Gridiron Warriors 117.4 to 97.4

I didn’t have a game of the week seeing how I didn’t write an article, but had I written one, I would have given the GOTW to these two.  Generally in the BFFL, a 97.4 point game will be substantial enough to put a W in the column, but not this week. Durkee’s Wackers were out for blood and with better match ups than eHarmony, this one could have been a whole lot worse, if not for favorable outings from Big Ben, Thomas Jones, and Ray Rice (23.8, 20.4 and 26 points). Granted, that is nothing to be ashamed of.  When three of your players break the 20 point mark, you have a smile on your face.  I like the Todd Heap start rather than Fasano and I think he should stick in the starting line up, regardless of the poor performance he had on Sunday. WR were the weak point for the Warriors as not one of them had over 3 points.  Again, this could have been a win vs. 5 other BFFL teams, but Andy ran into a beast of a team this week.

Yes, I am calling Durkees team the beast, at least for this week. The match-ups were clearly in favor for many of the Wackers players and it showed the most from A-Rod and Randy Moss.  (21.5 and 28.6).  Steve Slaton having another great showing with 15.2 and the Packers D with an impressive 21, there was nothing you could do but watch. Durkee saw Belonger’s three 20 point players and rose him another two to break double digits and Bowe to almost get there with a 9.2.  Now, give Durkee’s players props this week, but let’s see if the managerial skills can shine within the coming weeks.  Rumor has it there could be potential big trade coming down for this team before the deadline.  Out of respect for Durkee I won’t divulge in the details, but with the high risk will there be high reward? Or will it be a gamble that just doesn’t payoff. Time will tell.

MOB Squad def. Bry’s Gamers 119.7-102.1

Again, another score that is 9 times out of 10 good enough for a win, but not today.  It’s ok Bryan, I know how it feels to have a QB go off and then watch the record day go for nothing but another loss. Then again, it’s your damn Eagles D, that’s the reason my week 1 performance out of Drew Brees went unnoticed, so although I know how you feel, I don’t console you.  Brady of course having a BFFL record day with 50.4 points.  Schiancoe was the other ray of light on the team with 14.8 and that Eagles D also had 11.  Forte has yet to really impress and has the makes to be this year’s bust.  Is it time to start shopping Forte perhaps?

On the other end, the Mob Squad dodged a New England bullet.  I don’t know how the kid can live in Maine and come out alive after all the cursing at Tom Brady and the Pat’s I’m sure the TV took.  The Mob Squad kept composure though and got the win in true fashion, having a very well rounded turnout for all starters.  Five players would break double digits and 2 broke 9 points.  MJD would lead the team with 28.5 points as the WR combo of Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald showed leadership with 18.1 and 16.6 points.  Kurt Warner also had 16.1 points and Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez had 9.3.   It’s no lie; I may have my hands full when I play the MOB this coming week.

Blue Steelers def. Magnum PI 104.3-73.8

What’d I tell ya, the Steelers have the players to make it happen and their subpar record doesn’t show how good they really are.  Of course, they did just beat the team that I also said should be in the BFFL Championship with the largest margin of victory this week…

PI did have very substantial performances out of DeAngelo Williams and Wes Welker with 24.9 and 24.5 points, as well as Ryan Longwell and the Steelers D putting up double digits (16 and 12).  That being said, the rest of the team played awful… and that’s being polite.  The five lowest points on the starting line up would total up to -2.6 points. Four double digit performances and colonoscopy couldn’t clean up that mess.

Pleuss’ team got it going and made the right moves this week, as the only regret on the bench may have been Tim Hightower with 9.3 points.  Matt Schaub would lead the team into victory with a solid 36.7 point day.  If not for Brady’s unreal performance, we would all be talking about Schaub and Brees.  A-Pete also brought in 11.8 points and the Bronco’s D poured on 19 points.  As a Bronco’s nay-sayer before the season started, I can say Josh McDaniels is making me eat my words on a weekly basis.  Vincent Jackson and Steven Jackson also will get honorable mentions as they brought in 7.2 and 8.8 points, nothing overwhelming but when all the team pitched in like they did, the outcome was the win.

MLSP def. The Seal Clubbers 69.3-58.4

Could I see the turning of the tides, with MLSP? After an 0-3 start, the Pets have won 3 in a row after beating Jesse.  Not the prettiest match up in the world, MLSP did get 2 players to break double digits with Colston leading the charge with 18.6 and Tynes with 10, also contributing was Ochocinco, with a 9 point day.  The McNabb start was supposed to be a sure thing, but with Oakland actually playing defense McNabb was only held to 7.8 points and Cutler with 21.5 on the bench, not that it mattered.  Could the Ahmed Bradshaw trade payoff now on MLSP’s side of the fence now?  As Jacobs numbers continue to lower, Bradshaws have gone up.  I feel it wont be long until we see a switch in the line up and see 44 replace 27.

Poor Jesse, I can’t help but feel bad for you, but then again, you’re the reason that I’m not longer in the basement.  Yes, the Clubbers are now 1-5 and with only 2 players breaking double digits things didn’t look too good. Rivers and Akers had 12.1 and 10 points and Turner, Chris Johnson only with 8.4 and 9 points. Now, I’ll take a 8 and 9 point performance any day out of my secondary players, but when they are my keepers, that’s never a good thing.   Greg Jennings needs some TD’s as well. Not just as a fantasy standpoint but as a Packer fan.  As an elite receiver that he is now, a 4.2 day is just not acceptable.  I expect to see a big trade out of this team as well before the deadline. There are some big name players on this team with trade value all over them. At 1-5, things could turn really ugly, really fast… remember my rule of 6…

Hurricane Ditka def. The Turducken Clan 92.3-73.3

Holy hell, I’m out of the basement… for now, but damnit I’m going to appreciate every minute I’m not in last.  Yes, my team still needs fine tuning, ESPECIALLY at the RB position, (Fun fact, did you know all 5 of my running backs are back ups?)  but contributions from everyone else, and one giant donation from Drew Brees would help me become 2-4 rather than 1-5.  Brees would have 37.8 points on the day, and Owen Daniels found a friend in Matt Schaub and racked up 16.9 points. Supporting cast members Santonio Holmes, Neil Rackers, and Mario Manningham all brought in 9 points as well.  This win was crucial as this coming week I play a all-around strong MOB Squad. The optimist in me says we can win, but needless to say things could get rough and now dropping to 2-5 will be so much more manageable than going 1-6.

Don’t fall through the cracks Kyle, you’re team is full of potential, just many of the cards didn’t fall the way of your benefit on Sunday. Matt Ryan had 13.4 points and point whore Andre Johnson was held to 11.1.  Sims-Walker did get double digits, as did Mason Crosby with 10.8 and 15, but the Brees effect was too much in the end and the Cane’s would get a convincing win.  The Turducken Clan will get a chance to redeem themselves and get back on track as the much anticipated Belonger Bowl comes up this week.

GOTW: BELONGER BOWL IV. At least, I think it’s IV. Either way, this game always gets the GOTW if it comes up, and this time is no different.  Both Belonger’s are coming off of losses (Kyle on a 2 game losing streak) and will want/need to get back on track.  The need is a greater for the Clan, as he has been shuffled back into the middle of the pack, but which Belonger will want it more!

Upset of the week: Well of course I got to pick myself over the MOB Squad. Keeper MJD will be on a bye week and Fitz and Warner will be playing a tough NYG team (although they did just get passed all over by Brees and the Saints) I believe the Giants are looking for redemption.