REGULAR SEASON RECAP

Playoffs have begun. Congrats to division winners Alex Football Cream and Gary Rip Lips. Both of you have been awarded a first round bye and the ability to watch safely from a distance as COVID destroys everything around us. That’s that. For Yuriy, Jake, Matt, and I, we all get third matchups in one-sided affairs. Hope that your star doesn’t get hit by COVID.

This week is a special one, I’ll start with the regular weekly awards to finish off the season and then we’ll move into the yearend review. We’ll also have a poll to determine our 2021 fantasy football MVP.

Weekly Awards

Best Manager

Rip Lips +0, Alex +0 (The two top seeds of course)

Worst Manager

Val +46.4 points possible.

Biggest Blowout

Rip Lips 168.12 vs Colt 49’s 86.32 (81.8-point difference)

So much disappointment for Ory and Daniel. Yours was a team that looked destined for the post season early on and then the wheels really fell off. This week is no different, players that should be able to produce just didn’t. Not to mention Higbee going on the Covid list with a false-positive at the last minute… Sorry guys. You also had the unfair luck of going against my dad who seemingly makes all the right free agent choices each week. I mean, Rashaad Penny BURNED you guys. That’s rough, and especially on a week where his RBs looked suspect. Well, better luck next year.

Narrow Victory

Football Cream 153.92 vs 5 Yard Fullers 150.2 (3.72 point difference)

Pender almost came through even with a goose from Terry. I won’t bother explaining how you could have won, instead I’ll offer condolences on the loss. It could have happened! Hunt getting injured stunk, DeAndre Hopkins dropping a couple passes stunk, and losing to a kicker going off on Monday is the worst. I’m also sorry about the Browns luck. They get to go against a reeling Raiders, a team I personally know is ready to lose a long string of games now, and then they all get covid and suddenly all of the starters are out. Wild and terrible luck.

Highest Points

Rip Lips with 168.12 points

Lowest Points (and Underachiever)

Colt 49’s with 86.32 points representing 82.4% of their projected score.

Overachiever

Meyer’s Slayer 129% of projected total.

Top QB

Josh Allen of Rip Lips with 39.22 points

Top RB

Dalvin Cook of the 5 Yard Fullers with 35.2 points

Top WR

Davante Adams of Tone’s Herb Seasoning with 34.1 points.

Top TE

George Kittle of Rip Lips with 34.1 points.

Bench QB

Taysom Hill of the Football Cream with 26.3 points

Bench RB

Melvin Gordon of the Fresno Browns Streaks with 23.1 points.

Bench WR

Brandon Aiyuk of the Goo Backs with 18.6 points.

Bench TE

Noah Fant of the Auto Draft Machine with 9.1 points.

2021 Regular Season Write Up

Top 5 positional winners

I’ll start off by saying, you will see blurbs about certain players but there’s no way I want to do them for every player, or that you would read for every player. So instead, if you write a blurb about yours I’ll add it to the blog afterwards post-live. These exist in perpetuity (Google owns the server so…) and can be fun to look back on if you wish.

QB:

1. 1. Tom Brady – Football Cream - 376.16 points - 28.9 pts/game

· Tom Brady at the age of 44 has won the point battle to be QB1 on the season. Fitting that he would win this after a battle with the QB2. It’s pretty nuts. Also nuts that Alex has had the QB1 two years in a row. Tom Brady is officially old enough that he has funded and made a documentary about his time in the league – while he’s in the league. Many in the media is saying he’s turned around his image and is genuinely loved now, but I disagree. I disagree a lot. Screw this dude, but he did well in fantasy.

2. 2. Josh Allen – Rip Lips – 362.06 points - 27.9 pts/game

· I saw this guys face in my gifs so often that I actually begun to dislike his celebrations. He just seems like the leader of the frat house that is the Buffalo Bills. Honestly if he wouldn’t have blown it against Jacksonville he’d likely be number one. That article I posted during the draft recap has not aged well.

3. 3. Justin Herbert – 5 Yard Fullers – 355.68 points - 27.4 pts/game

· If this guy from Eugene, OR can get consistency he’s going to be the best QB in the game, no doubt.

4. 4. Matthew Stafford – Greenbowl Packers – 341.82 points - 26.3 pts/game

5. 5. Patrick Mahomes – Colt 49’s – 316.68 points - 24.4 pts/game

RB:

1. 1. Jonathan Taylor – DonGodwins Underdogs – 308.4 points - 23.7 pts/game

· This guy exploded on the scene. I wasn’t that big of a believer going into the year and for some reason since Luck retired it’s just like the Colts do not exist in my mind. But he’s good. I know that having the RB1 can win you some leagues so don’t screw a good thing up.

2. 2. Austin Ekeler – DonGodwins Underdogs – 276.5 points - 21.3 pts/game

· Especially not when you have the RB2 also. Jake! That’s wild dude; you have RB1 and RB2. Ekeler has looked great catching passes and getting into the endzone from the 20. The biggest knock on Ekeler is his health, but when he’s healthy he’s like Danny Woodhead if Danny were completely featured.

3. 3. Leonard Fournette – Fresno Browns Streaks – 241.9 points - 18.6 pts/game

· This guy has turned it on late into the year and has become a legitimate threat. This 18.6 points per game is considering the stint in the beginning when they were still giving Ronald Jones the ball and before he was catching 7-8 passes from Tom Brady. Thank goodness he’s not in the playoffs.

4. 4. Najee Harris – Tone’s Herb Seasoning – 241.0 points - 18.5 pts/game

· Najee has not always been pretty to watch, but he has been the only part of the Steelers game that keeps Big Ben alive. That is a very valuable role to have. He catches so many checkdowns and is great at making people miss.

5. 5. Joe Mixon – Meyers Slayer – 233.8 points - 18.0 pts/game

WR:

1. 1. Cooper Kupp – Tone’s Herb Seasoning – 335.4 points - 25.8 pts/game

· You can ask Alex about this, him and I were discussing a trade for Stefon Diggs early in the season. He asked if I would consider giving up Kupp, and I shut that down. Kupp is a great WR that has been held back by Jared Goff, and we are seeing his potential. Do is a lights out route runner and has that nose for the right cut to make. His effortlessness reminds me of two other WRs, Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow (you heard me). Just cool to watch.

2. 2. Justin Jefferson – Goo Backs – 262.2 points - 20.2 pts/game

· Pure domination. The Vikings would suck so bad if not for Jefferson and Cook, and this year it’s really Jefferson’s show.

3. 3. Davante Adams – Tone’s Herb Seasoning – 252.4 points - 21.0 pts/game

· Nothing more really needs to be said right?

4. 4. Tyreek Hill – Fresno Browns Streaks – 248.4 points - 19.1 pts/game

5. 5. Deebo Samuel – DonGodwins Underdogs – 245.8 points - 20.5 pts/game

· If he hadn’t missed that he would likely be number 3. Hell his health is the only thing stopping him from being the most physically dominant player in the league.

TE:

1. 1. Mark Andrews – Fresno Browns Streaks – 207.6 points - 16.0 pts/game

· I guess this makes sense if we all knew that Lamar was going to transition to a pocket passer. I just remember staring down a decision between Mandrews and Pitts, and choosing Pitts. That is my one draft regret.

2. 2. Travis Kelce – Greenbowl Packers – 194.9 points - 15.0 pts/game

3. 3. George Kittle – Rip Lips – 168.1 points - 16.8 pts/game

· He actually has the highest points per game. So if he didn’t miss forever he would surely be TE1 on the season. You think he can do that next year with Lance? I’m kinda doubtful.

4. 4. TJ Hockenson – Fly Boyds – 145.3 points - 12.1 pts/game

5. 5. Dawson Knox – Meyers Slayer – 138.9 points - 12.6 pts/game

D/ST:

1. 1. Patriots D/ST – Football Cream – 131.0 points - 10.1 pts/game

· This has to be the real answer to how Bill Belichick is so good. His defenses are just never bad and they’re typically great. I don’t know if it’s scheme or player and I’m not sure it matters. They should be highest drafted D/ST every year just because they’re wildly safe and have high upside.

2. 2. Cowboys D/ST – Tone’s Herb Seasoning – 119.0points - 9.2 pts/game

· The Cowboys D/ST has been fun to own because they don’t look that good but then they keep getting turnovers and TDs. As a Raiders fan I’m just jealous that they have turned around their awful defense to one of the best over the brief time, and we’ve been a dumpster fire for 20 years.

3. 3. Bills D/ST – DonGodwins Underdogs – 109.0 points - 8.4 pts/game

· Are they still good? Like they don’t know how to stop an RB anymore, it’s actually bizarre.

4. 4. Cardinals D/ST – 5 Yard Fullers – 101.0 points - 7.8 pts/game

5. 5. Packers D/ST – Greenbowl Packers – 97.0 points - 7.5 pts/game

Fantasy Football MVPs (VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE)

These players have been selected not necessarily because they were best at their position, but because if you drafted them you have had a significant advantage over opponents based upon value (hence most valuable).

TEAM STANDINGS

PF Regular Season Winners

1. 1. Tone’s Herb Seasoning – Nic – 2087.36 points, 8-6 record.

· This actually came right down to the last week, Jake and I traded this lead a couple times. But here we are, a season hard fought and someone constantly out (Jeudy, AB, Adams with COVID, etc). But what matters now is a string of wins in a row, which has been harder for me since I go against everyone’s best game.

2. 2. DonGodwins Underdogs – Jake – 2060.2 points, 9-5 record.

· RB1, RB2. WR5. That’s a good combo. Your team would be extremely wicked if you had a QB that was in the top 10, instead you had Darnold and a busted Russell Wilson.

3. 3. Football Cream – Alex – 1961.04 points, 10-4 record.

· Tom Brady.

PA Regular Season Winners

1. 1. Greenbowl Packers – Val – 2078.84 points, 4-10 record.

· You went through the gauntlet. I will be honest you did not have the luck of a drafted team, autodraft wasted some picks and made some errors, so 4-10 and tied with other teams isn’t the worst season of all time. You had more points against then any team had points for all year except for my team. So anyone would have a losing record with that schedule.

2. 2. Tone’s Herb Seasoning – Nic – 1977.92 points, 8-6 record.

· Near the end of the season, I was dropping games back-to-back-to-back against teams. Andrew royally screwed my team up twice and it was not close. Yuriy destroyed me in one of the few McCaffrey games and I legit thought I would miss the playoffs because of it.

3. 3. Fresno Browns Streaks – Cone – 1939.16 points, 5-9 record.

· You got the crap beat out of you.

PF Weakest Links

1. 1. Auto Draft Machine – D Smith – 1648.48 points, 4-10 record.

· Somehow, I want to pretend that getting Saquon Barkley in the first didn’t damage the team. David Montgomery going down for most the year and then Damien Williams not being the replacement hurt. Julio Jones was basically the worst possible version of himself. DK Metcalf lost Russ for a significant time and didn’t really get the classic version of him back. Now Adam Thielen and Lamar Jackson are giving you fits to keep it going.

2. 2. Colt 49’s – Ory and Daniel – 1648.78 points, 4-10 record.

· What can I say that has not already been said? Henry and Waller broke your team. Henry because he literally was carrying you and then broke his foot and Waller because he was not very useful at all. Mahomes will finish as a top 5 QB, but we both know how that went, a couple giant games and a whole load of mediocrity. Sorry dude, was not the year.

3. 3. Greenbowl Packers – Val – 1759.1 points, 4-10 record.

· You can see what I wrote above and just know, sometimes it just works that way.

PA Lucky Punks

1. 1. Rip Lips – Gary – 1704.22 points, 10-4 record.

· Not every team needs to be able to score to win games and get in the playoffs. Sometimes the best Offense is a good defense. No one scored fewer points than the schedule you went up against, so you can feel good knowing you beat up on the people at their lowest.

2. 2. Meyer’s Slayer – Andrew – 1781.32 points, 8-6 record.

· I’m pretty sure this is due to neutralizing myself and my dad’s teams very effectively. Past that, shame that you’re the only one on this list that didn’t make the playoffs…

3. 3. Football Cream – Alex – 1755.38 points, 10-4 record.

· Tom Brady!

The Movers and the Shakers

1. 1. Tone’s Herb Seasoning – Nic - 69 (NICE) moves

· I don’t know how to stop fiddling with my team. Sometimes that’s not a good thing.

2. 2. Greenbowl Packers – Val – 39 moves

· You tried valiantly to fix what was broken, it didn’t quite work but it could have been worse.

3. 3. Meyer’s Slayer – Andrew – 38 moves

· You needed it, a lot of really savvy RB pickups really helped the second half of the season, but it was have been too little too late.

One sentence to summarize your season (Those not in the playoffs)

· Andrew

o Too little too late.

· Cone

o You are your own worst enemy

· Pender

o The Cardinals midseason break was the collapse of a good thing.

· Val

o Auto Draft put you in a bad position.

· Ory and Daniel

o Crushing it till King Henry crushed his foot, condolences.

· Daniel

o Injuries hurt other people, they wrecked you.

Draft Report Card Comparison

1. Nic (Draft Grade: A, ESPN ranking 10th)

· Regular Season Standing: 5^th seed 8-6 ranking, 1^st in PF.

2. Alex (Draft Grade: B+, ESPN ranking 9th)

· Regular Season Standing: 1^st Seed 10-4 record, 3^rd in PF.

3. Ory and Daniel (Draft Grade: B+, ESPN ranking 3rd)

· Regular Season Standing: 11^th seed, 4-10 record, 11^th in PF.

4. Jake (Draft Grade: B, ESPN ranking 11th)

· Regular Season Standing: 3^rd seed, 9-5 record, 2^nd in PF.

5. Gary (Draft Grade: B, ESPN ranking 5th)

· Regular Season Standing: 2^nd seed, 10-4 record, 4^th in PF.

6. Matt (Draft Grade: B, ESPN ranking 7th)

· Regular Season Standing: 4^th seed, 9-5 record, 7^th in PF.

7. Val (Draft Grade: B, ESPN ranking 2nd)

· Regular Season Standing: 10^th seed, 4-10 record, 10^th in PF.

8. Yuriy (Draft Grade: B-, ESPN ranking 1st)

· Regular Season Standing: 6^th seed, 8-6 record, 6^th in PF.

9. Pender (Draft Grade: B-, ESPN ranking 8th)

· Regular Season Standing: 9^th seed, 5-9 record, 9^th in PF.

10. Cone (Draft Grade: B-, ESPN ranking 4th)

· Regular Season Standing: 8^th seed, 5-9record, 5^th in PF.

11. D-Smith (Draft Grade: C+, ESPN ranking 6th)

· Regular Season Standing: 12^th seed, 4-10 record, 12^th in PF.

12. Andrew (Draft Grade: C, ESPN ranking 12th)

· Regular Season Standing: 7^th seed, 8-6 record, 8^th in PF.

Division Comparison

Alex’s division:

· 11144.48 points for combined
· 40 combined wins
· 3 playoff teams.

Jake’s division:

· 10949.16 points for combined
· 44 combined wins
· 3 playoff teams.

MATCHUP PREVIEWS:

Jake’s DonGodwins Underdogs vs. Yuriy’s Goo Backs

Yuriy and Jake take each other on for the third time this year which may have been with shocking results. Yuriy has beat Jake both of the last games, handing Jake 40% of his losses (2 of 5). Jake’s team looks like the clear favorite here with the higher tiered players and better projections, but we all know by now that only means so much. Jake could potentially miss DJ Moore who has been solid and will definitely be missing Jarvis Landry who has turned it on as of late. While that hurts, that still leaves him with top players at each position. Yuriy on the other hand still carries a lot of deadweight on his team with McCaffrey, Brown, and Burkhead missing this week. Yuriy could also be without Edmonds, Coleman, and Rodgers (lol) if things turn negative for him. Yuriy has never made it to the championship, Jake is a 3x winner, will the hunger for a win propel Yuriy to fry his opponents to a crisp? Or will Jake’s experience allow him to design a cold calculated, aerodynamic team, built to withstand those untested?

Nic’s Tone’s Herb Seasoning vs. Matt’s Fly Boyds

In this championship rematch that’s waited a couple years we see my team and Matt’s team battling it out for the third time this year. I’ve taken both of the last two matches and have given Matt’s team 40% of his total season losses. We just went against each other last week but Matt was missing Keenan Allen. This week Matt will have Keenan back but he’ll still be without TJ Hockenson, and may be without Michael Carter and Mark Ingram II. I think it’s likely he’ll just be missing Hockenson though. Meanwhile I’ll likely be without D’Andre Swift and Odell Beckham Jr, making things more difficult but Gallup has really stepped up to be an unlikely contributor to my team. This won’t be an easy matchup, and Matt and I have met in the playoffs many times before. I look forward to Monday when we have a winner.

FINAL WORD

Good luck to everyone in the playoffs. For those of you out, take this time to think of good last place punishments because I don’t have any currently. Also remember that winning the consolation bracket gets you two names in the hat for draft order and you get to be a division captain. Now is also a good time to think of rule changes that you would like to see and send them out to me. I’ll be redoing the league constitution so it is an easier read and then posting it on Discord this offseason.

Friday, December 17, 2021