“I hate Kyle Shanahan”
Clearly unhappy with Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey’s usage in the Sunday night game, Jordan made it known what he thought of the play calling and personnel in the game. Then again, when you start Kyle Pitts last Thursday in the rain, you have to look in the mirror at that one.
This season continues to be a confusing and baffling year for fantasy. Four games separate first place from ninth with those nine teams mathematically in the playoff race with four weeks to go. Just when you think one team has a clear path to the postseason, they suffer two consecutive losses. The only constant is change.
For this week, I opted to do a deep dive on each team as only four weeks remain in the regular season. The order of teams are our current standings going into week 11.
Outlooks
1. HURTS SO GOOD, 7-3
Leading the league in scoring, HSG has quietly gone on a five-game winning streak and dare I say, looks like the most consistent team in the league of late. The data backs that up too, as HSG is 10-0 against the weekly median this season. Jalen Hurts, Jaylen Waddle and the unstoppable duo of Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley have been the anchors for Tim, and they have rewarded him well. They melted the Icecaps last week with ease and look ahead to the Avalanche this week. The rest of the schedule includes GWW, Piranhas and HCTM. Barring injury, this is a well-constructed team with championship aspirations.
2. AMAZON PIRANHAS, 7-3
On a two-game losing skid, this team has been exposed the last two weeks. But we probably could have seen this coming because Josh Allen and Joe Burrow can’t carry you all the time, or can they? Allen and Burrow got this team to 7-1 so surely, it’s possible, but the sustainability is low. As noted in the opening, Jordan was mad about Shanahan’s play calling and usage but really Jordan is the only person to blame. Not even including Samuel’s five points, four other starters got less than five. We will see how just how far Allen and Burrow can take this team. The Piranhas get HCTM this week and then finish the season with the Sandstorms, HSG and the Thunder.
3. MISTREATED MISFITS, 7-3
On a three-game winning streak of their own, the Misfits have found themselves of late. After knocking off GWW and the Thunder (who doesn’t), they took down the Piranhas but narrowly remain behind them in the standings on points. They traded for Lamar Jackson and now have the duo of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson going forward (oh no) along with Tyreek Hill. Mahomes alone won the week last week after scoring 40. The Misfits have the Squatches, HCTM, Icecaps and the Sandstorms for the next month of play.
4. HCTM, 6-4
After last week’s debacle, HCTM used Justin Field’s 40 points to their advantage and got a win this week, exploding for 158 points taking out GWW. They broke a two-game losing streak and it was a much needed win to avoid the .500 record. HCTM has been relatively stable this season with two really bad weeks. Their remaining schedule is one of the toughest in the league with the Piranhas, Misfits, Sandstorms and HSG on the docket.
5. TUNDRA ICECAPS, 6-4
If you want to talk about hot and cold, look no further. The Icecaps have the makings of a strong team and then have outputs like last week where they scored south of 120. If Jack woke up early on Sunday to watch Geno Smith, he was probably about to punch a wall midway through the fourth quarter, luckily Smith found the endzone twice to save the wall. Sans Joe Mixon and his 56 points, they dropped their matchup to HSG. Next week the Thunder is on tap, then it’s the Squatches, Misfits and Avalanche. The Icecaps need to win this week.
6. EVERGLADE SQUATCHES, 5-5
Taking down the Thunder to move to 5-5, it’s hard to get a read on the Squatches this season, showing flashes of brilliance and then moments of tragedy. If they make a playoff push it will be because of Tua, Josh Jacobs and Travis Kelce but not because of Najee Harris. Only in 2022 would the Steelers be at the 1-yard line and hand the ball off to George Pickens instead of Harris. After the Misfits this week, the Squatches face the cold gauntlet of the Icecaps, Avalanche and GWW. Just realize GWW is cold for another reason. With this schedule, the playoffs are clearly in sight.
7. ALPINE AVALANCHE, 5-5
Two game winning streak! Sometimes it just works out, as the Avalanche got a win after starting Sam Ehlinger (0) in the quarterback position after Kyler Murray was declared out before the game. But when you’re playing the Sandstorms, you can get away with that kind of stuff. Erk has also gotten away with one of the thinnest rosters this season yet sit at .500. If they are going to make any resemblance of a run, they need a couple things to happen. One, DeShaun Watson needs to make an immediate impact for the Browns. Two, Jonathan Taylor needs to find his form from last season (He did on Sunday that’s for sure). Three, Andy Dalton needs to stop being placed into the lineup. Four, Kyler Murray needs to stay healthy. And finally, five, Raheem Mostert can’t lose his job to Jeff Wilson Jr. Otherwise, no way this team makes the postseason. HSG, Thunder, Squatches and the Icecaps await them in the next four weeks.
8. GALENSWINNINGWINNERS, 3-7
Someone please get the hospital on speed dial. Galen should just watch football on Sundays from the infirmary from now on as they watched in agony as their entire team left with injuries, well at least it seemed that way. Cooper Kupp (just traded for), Jerry Jeudy and Zach Ertz all left with injuries and are expected to miss time. Plus, Fournette also left with a hip injury as well to add to the list. Things were actually looking up after Foreman’s 22 on Thursday night, but it went downhill from there after they watched Justin Fields and Cole Kmet of all people end their season. COLE KMET. Yeah, I’m shocked too. Clearly a victim of a tough schedule, GWW has the fifth most points in the league and has three wins to show for it and has the most points against through 10 weeks. Ideally, they would need to win out for a remote chance to make the playoffs. The problem is next week half their team will be on bye if not injured. It doesn’t look promising. The plus side is they get the Sandstorms this week, so someone has to walk away with a win. HSG, Thunder and the Squatches are the remaining games after that.
9. TROPICAL THUNDER, 3-7
Easily the worst team in the league, their record just doesn’t quite reflect that. Averaging a meager 111 points per week, the team has no upside. Their best pick of the year has to be Dameon Pierce who has been an absolute menace and has been the heart and soul for this team. More realistically it’s probably Justin Jefferson but come on, it’s Dameon Pierce. The Thunder scored 126 points in a loss to the Squatches which was actually the highest point total of the year, which tells you all you need to know. This week is the Icecaps and then it’s the Avalanche, GWW and Piranhas. I would say there is a chance at the playoffs but there really is not because the point differential is just that atrocious, so I’m not saying it.
10. SAHARA SANDSTORMS, 1-9
I have no words. Riding a six-game losing streak, they have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. On paper they are the worst team in the league but have scored 70 points more than the Thunder on the season and have two less wins on the year. I would bet that Logan will never draft Russell Wilson again because Mr. Unlimited gave the Sandstorms limited chances this year to succeed. The only thing Logan can hope for is a solid two weeks in the consolation bracket. It has just been a cruel season for a team with high expectations coming in. GWW, Piranhas, HCTM and the Misfits are their final games left on the schedule.
CLOSING
The trade deadline is approaching and sits on December 3, 2022. Please, make a note.
Cheers!
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