Hello readers, this is your humble Commissioner Andyman! I decided to give Danno a week off and write this week’s review; not so much because I thought Danno needed a week off, but because I am really excited about the playoffs! So this week’s article will be chock full of playoff predictions and scenarios, as well as a little bit of review from the last week.

Gridiron Warriors def. Bry’s Gamers 96.6 – 66

The best versus the worst this week, and they both played like it (fortunately for the Warriors, unfortunately for the Gamers) The Warriors got a bounce back season-best performance out of Big Ben with 28.7, but I am going to have to hope Romo can turn things around with Big Ben suffering a concussion and out for who knows how long. The surprise benching of Frank Gore for Kevin Smith worked out in the Warriors’ favor, with Smith putting up 16.8 points (to Gore’s 9.1 on the bench) The late pickup of Kevin Boss also helped seal the fate of the Gamers, as he caught two touchdowns for the Warriors. The Gamers did all they could, but it is hard to do much when your team underachieves.

God’s Tallwacker def. Blue Steelers 94.9 – 94.6

Wow, Game of the Week for very good reason. Durkee had to have been shaking in his boots all night watching Schaub throw it all over the field, and he barely walked away from this one victorious. But at this point in the season, and really at any time, a win is a win. Dave drops 2 straight after his monster win streak, but he is still in very good position for the playoffs.

Magnum PI def. My Little Spandex Pets 97 – 70.5

Nate did his best to play his matchups this week, but nothing seemed to work out in his favor. Add to that the fact that the trade he and Andy made just last week (Ronnie Brown for Chad Ochocinco) was for naught, as Brown went on IR during the week, and you have a recipe for a loss. Manning was a bit off for PI, but 3 other guys put up double-digit points (including Ricky William’s 27.4 in place of the injured Brown – insult to injury right there) to cover for Manning, and PI has secured himself a playoff berth.

Hurricane Ditka def. Seal Clubbers 100.5 – 76

Despite the fact that Hurricane Ditka had a 35 point lead going into Monday Night’s game, he was not chalking up a victory. That is because the lifeblood of the Seal Clubbers, Chris Johnson, has averaged 27 points the last 3 weeks and put up 36 the last time he faced Houston – the very team he was playing last night. Thankfully for Danno, Johnson put up only 10.5 points, and Danno notches his second straight victory to put himself in good position for one of the final playoff spots. Jesse still has an outside chance, but Chris Johnson will have to do better than 10.5 points (as we have said – as CJ goes, so Slip goes)

The Turducken Clan def. Kep’s Mob Squad 92.4 – 86.8

Danno’s upset pick comes through once again, and again in thrilling fashion. Kyle was definitely feeling good, knowing he had one of the best WRs in the game going on Monday night, and according to the Clan owner, “I was screaming when I saw him catch that touchdown.” It was the turning point for this matchup, and moved both teams to 5 – 6 and right back into the middle of the playoff picture.

With 11 weeks officially in the books, and only 2 weeks left in the regular season, we start to turn our focus to the playoffs. With the Week 11 games, the picture became a little clearer, but there is a still a bit of uncertainty, especially when you look at the final two spots. Let’s take a look at what we have for the standings:

God’s Tallywacker: 8 – 3
Gridiron Warriors: 8 – 3
Magnum PI: 7 – 4
Blue Steelers: 6 – 5
Kep’s Mob Squad: 5 – 6
Hurricane Ditka: 5 – 6
The Turducken Clan: 5 – 6
My Little Spandex Pets: 4 – 7
Seal Clubbers: 4 – 7
Bry’s Gamers: 3 – 8

With 8 wins a piece, God’s Tallywacker and Gridiron Warriors have officially clinched playoff berths (thank god too, I was beginning to wonder what the playoffs tasted like!) With the head-to-head victory between the two, Durkee holds the edge for the #1 seed, but both are currently on track for the all-important (or killer?) bye week. Bry’s Gamers, with the loss to yours truly this week, has been officially elimited from postseason contention (and he made sure to call me today and tell me just how crappy his team is – I would apologize, Bryan, but I am not that sorry!)

At 7 – 4, Magnum PI has also clinched a playoff berth. He could still fall to 7 – 6, but holds all tiebreakers over the teams below him. He also still has a shot at one of the bye weeks (although he lost both the matchups to the Warriors and has a big one versus Durkee this week)

Dave’s Blue Steelers are in the next best position to clinch – a win and he is in (he faces the Clan, who sit at 5 – 6)

Then we get down to the 5 – 6 teams. A lot can happen when 3 teams are fighting for 2 spots (and the fact that the 2 teams below them at 4 – 7 still have an outside shot doesn’t help either) Here’s the kicker: because these three teams haven’t played the same number of head-to-head games (Clan and Mob Squad have faced off twice together, and once against Ditka; Ditka has only faced each team once), we move to the second tiebreaker – which is most points scored.

Kep’s Mob Squad: 964.2
Hurricane Ditka: 862.7
The Turducken Clan: 839.4

With a nice 100 point margin, it is unlikely that either team will catch the Squad in points, so they have to hope that either the other one loses – especially since Pete lost to both of them (twice to Kyle).

At 1 – 6, it looked like the Seal Clubbers season would end quickly, but a 3 game win streak helped keep them in the hunt. Now at 4 – 7, tied with the Spandex Pets, they are fighting for their lives. Both teams need to win out, and will need a lot of help above them, in order to have any shot. A loss by either team this week, and they will be officially eliminated.

Game of the Week: Blue Steelers (6 – 5) v. The Turducken Clan (5 – 6)

The Steelers need a win to get in. The Clan needs to win to stay alive. Both of these teams have very strong teams and this matchup is the one with the most playoff implications.

Upset of the Week: Seal Clubbers over Kep’s Mob Squad

I know, I know – I will hear it from Pete for this, but the Clubbers are still a very dangerous team, and the Squad could be hurting if Warner is not in. I don’t think the Clubbers will get the right pieces to fall to make the playoffs, but they will hurt the Squad’s chances this week. Plus – according to Danno, he has the “magic touch” with this Upset of the Week business, and he wanted to pick HIMSELF over ME! I couldn’t have any of that

As you can see, things will get a little clearer this week, but it will still come down to that final week to determine once and for all who will be going for it all. And another little tidbit pointed out by Danno: with the way the matchups are this week, there is the potential for a five-way tie if things fall correctly. How crazy would THAT be going into the last week? We’ve seen some craziness this year…I wouldn’t be surprised!

Thanks for reading guys – and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!