3 weeks left, but still lots of things up in the air! Though not many changes from last week.
1. Mice. Still on track for #1 after the expected crushing of Bedlam, though the 20 points allowed didn't do them any favors in the possible points race...thus making us the likely #2 if we lose to Humboldt and cause the three-way tie.
2. Hounds. Anyone hoping that DC had found some weakness in Nashville's game might want to revisit the absolute beatdown they just put on the Fiesta. They can get the #1 slot if the Mice lose to the Hornets and Nashville retains their significant points allowed advantage.
3. Hornets. Crushed Detroit as expected. Most likely, even beating the Mice and causing the 3-way tie will leave them in 3rd place due to points...but there is no doubt they're going to bring their A-game regardless. Especially since they probably feel they match up better vs the Mice than the Hounds. But they do still have to take the Fury and the Fiesta seriously, lest it all be for naught!
4. ATKM. Took down the Marios as expected, and a tough loss by the Fiesta puts ATKM in possession of the last home game for now. Still have 1 loss remaining, and 2 very tough games...but if they go 2-1, they hang on to this spot, which really brings their season back up to where most of us thought they'd be coming in! It's been a windy road.
5. San Diego. Took care of business in Paris and stays on the road to 10-6. They need ATKM to drop their DC or Tennessee game to challenge for the #4 slot, but since they don't have the tiebreaker, they'd need a 3-way tie with Tennessee or the Fiesta.
6. Tennessee. My hat is off to Air, who forced 5 punts, a pick, and two huge Turnovers on Downs to keep DC out of the game for 3 quarters while We_rule built a tidy lead. DC pushed a nice comeback but it fell short, and Tennessee has put themselves in an interesting position. Three really tough games left, and 8-8 very well might not be good enough for a playoff spot. Miles to go before you sleep, gentlemen, but well done today.
7. Fiesta. No change here, the loss to the Hounds was pretty much a given. They just need to make sure they get 1 win out of the DC / Tennessee stretch...don't want to be playing for a playoff position week 16 vs Humboldt! If the Fiesta manage to win both of those games...a complete possibility, those could both go either way...then they can potentially challenge for the #4 spot at 10-6. Still so much left to be determined.
8. DC. Tough loss to the Fury, but the Fury are a tough team. And the schedule doesn't get any easier, with the Fiesta and ATKM coming up, and both of those teams vying hard for playoff position. Worst case scenario is that DC has to beat Chico in the final game of the season to go 8-8, which gives them the tiebreaker with Chico and potentially 8-8 Philly. Best case scenario is to win out, go 10-6 and see about that #4 spot! Every game is huge.
9. Chico. Took care of business vs Pittsburgh, and keeps them vying for that last playoff spot. They know now, though, that 8-8 won't be good enough, because if they lose their wk16 to DC, it puts them in a bad place for tiebreakers. Gotta take care of business in Mendoza and then bring it in week 16.
10. Philly. Cut it a little close? 41-34 over ACA keeps you in the running, with easier games now vs Bedlam and Detroit before the Mice in week 16. But Detroit has been playing a bit better, and wants to avoid relegation. Anyway, still on target for 8-8, and you've got to hope for a 3-way tie that involves Tennessee, over whom you have a tiebreaker. Sounds crazy but could happen!
Relegation!
Nothing has changed here, though ACA put up a nice game vs Philly. But it's still Bedlam out, and a bunch of games in these last 3 weeks between those other bottom 3 teams. The Paris - ACA game will really give us a feel for how it is going to break out.
1. Mice. Still on track for #1 after the expected crushing of Bedlam, though the 20 points allowed didn't do them any favors in the possible points race...thus making us the likely #2 if we lose to Humboldt and cause the three-way tie.
2. Hounds. Anyone hoping that DC had found some weakness in Nashville's game might want to revisit the absolute beatdown they just put on the Fiesta. They can get the #1 slot if the Mice lose to the Hornets and Nashville retains their significant points allowed advantage.
3. Hornets. Crushed Detroit as expected. Most likely, even beating the Mice and causing the 3-way tie will leave them in 3rd place due to points...but there is no doubt they're going to bring their A-game regardless. Especially since they probably feel they match up better vs the Mice than the Hounds. But they do still have to take the Fury and the Fiesta seriously, lest it all be for naught!
4. ATKM. Took down the Marios as expected, and a tough loss by the Fiesta puts ATKM in possession of the last home game for now. Still have 1 loss remaining, and 2 very tough games...but if they go 2-1, they hang on to this spot, which really brings their season back up to where most of us thought they'd be coming in! It's been a windy road.
5. San Diego. Took care of business in Paris and stays on the road to 10-6. They need ATKM to drop their DC or Tennessee game to challenge for the #4 slot, but since they don't have the tiebreaker, they'd need a 3-way tie with Tennessee or the Fiesta.
6. Tennessee. My hat is off to Air, who forced 5 punts, a pick, and two huge Turnovers on Downs to keep DC out of the game for 3 quarters while We_rule built a tidy lead. DC pushed a nice comeback but it fell short, and Tennessee has put themselves in an interesting position. Three really tough games left, and 8-8 very well might not be good enough for a playoff spot. Miles to go before you sleep, gentlemen, but well done today.
7. Fiesta. No change here, the loss to the Hounds was pretty much a given. They just need to make sure they get 1 win out of the DC / Tennessee stretch...don't want to be playing for a playoff position week 16 vs Humboldt! If the Fiesta manage to win both of those games...a complete possibility, those could both go either way...then they can potentially challenge for the #4 spot at 10-6. Still so much left to be determined.
8. DC. Tough loss to the Fury, but the Fury are a tough team. And the schedule doesn't get any easier, with the Fiesta and ATKM coming up, and both of those teams vying hard for playoff position. Worst case scenario is that DC has to beat Chico in the final game of the season to go 8-8, which gives them the tiebreaker with Chico and potentially 8-8 Philly. Best case scenario is to win out, go 10-6 and see about that #4 spot! Every game is huge.
9. Chico. Took care of business vs Pittsburgh, and keeps them vying for that last playoff spot. They know now, though, that 8-8 won't be good enough, because if they lose their wk16 to DC, it puts them in a bad place for tiebreakers. Gotta take care of business in Mendoza and then bring it in week 16.
10. Philly. Cut it a little close? 41-34 over ACA keeps you in the running, with easier games now vs Bedlam and Detroit before the Mice in week 16. But Detroit has been playing a bit better, and wants to avoid relegation. Anyway, still on target for 8-8, and you've got to hope for a 3-way tie that involves Tennessee, over whom you have a tiebreaker. Sounds crazy but could happen!
Relegation!
Nothing has changed here, though ACA put up a nice game vs Philly. But it's still Bedlam out, and a bunch of games in these last 3 weeks between those other bottom 3 teams. The Paris - ACA game will really give us a feel for how it is going to break out.
