“Please save me Christian”, were the words uttered by Galen who was on his way to a loss this week until Christian McCaffrey and the Dallas defense decided to carry the squad on his way to his fourth straight victory. McCaffrey (47) and the Dallas defense (32) along with Josh Allen (44) launched GWW to a win and a shiny 4-0 record. However, I should also mention that HSG has a shiny 4-0 record.
There are four 0-4 teams in the BBL this season, a stark difference than any season in recent memory. The Squatches, Misfits, HCTM and the Avalanche will all be looking for their first win in week five. At least one of them will come out victorious next week as the Misfits square off against the Avalanche.
“Weird year Ben. It’s not a reflection on us”, said by one 0-4 team to another. Yeah, okay Ezra. I will say though at 0-4 it is not time to hit the panic button just yet. In the history of the BBL only one team who started 0-4 made the postseason. That was back in 2014 when Panther Pride started 0-4 and rattled off ten straight wins to finish the season at 10-4. So, it can be done.
I cannot lie though, it is a strange year when you look at the standings. Two 4-0 teams at the top followed by four 3-1 squads. Then the basement consists of four 0-4 teams. The standings have never been more clear this early in the season then they are right now.
On to the recaps!
Icecaps freeze out Avalanche 153-85
The Icecaps have a formidable roster as they put up over 150 to move to 3-1 through September. 35 from David Montgomery on Thursday sent a message to Andrew Erk and Erk did not respond well. Another 27 from Kyren Williams on Sunday and this matchup was basically already decided. Beware, the bye weeks start next week, but the bye should be good for Justin Herbert to rest the injury he sustained to his non-throwing hand on Sunday.
Sitting as one of the 0-4 teams, the Avalanche might want to throw in the towel on this season being a contender. Some things never change, as the 85 points was lower than the 89 points scored last week. Six starters in single digits in addition to the Steelers defense at -2 will never be a recipe for a win. Will they get a win next week? Yeah, maybe if they overhaul the roster, which is basically what their opponent is doing.
GWW uses massive three players to take out the Misfits
Things were looking bleak for GWW after the one o’clock games as it looked like GWW was about to lose their first game of the season. Have no fear, enter Christian McCaffrey and the Dallas defense. McCaffrey’s 47 and 32 from the Dallas defense helped turn around the outcome of this matchup in a hurry. Add those two to Josh Allen’s 44 earlier in the day and you have a 4-0 squad heading into week 5. GWW’s 182 certainly makes up for the lackluster performance last week.
Just when the Misfits thought they had a win. After making a splash early in the week trading for De’Andre Swift (trading away Travis Kelce), things were looking good, until they weren’t. As described above, the Misfits played a relatively strong week and were in the driver’s seat to win until GWW decided to put the game out of reach. Diggs’s 31, Nacua’s 25 and Moore’s 22 were overshadowed by GWW. The Misfits are another one of the 0-4 teams in the league. However, the Misfits were not done trading…
Sandstorms take out HCTM
The Sandstorms are going to move to 3-1 after scoring over 150 points. Lamar Jackson’s 32, partnered with 23 from Jacobs, 24 from Pacheco and 20 from the Baltimore defense was too much to handle. After a terrible week one, the Sandstorms have had a strong last three weeks to cement themselves in the top half of the league. Logan has a prime opportunity to get another win next week when they face the reeling Squatches.
HCTM is also one of the teams moving to 0-4 after this week. Despite getting 32 points from AJ Brown, six other starters scored single digits in the loss. HCTM certainly made it interesting on Monday night though as the Seattle defense exploded for 38 points to take the overall point total up to 130. It still wasn’t enough to battle the Sandstorms 154. It doesn’t look good for one of the bottom scoring teams in the league and it doesn’t get easier next week when GWW strolls into town.
Piranhas hand Thunder first loss
Outside of Jalen Hurts’s 30 points, Mark Andrews’s 21 and Bijan Robinson’s 17, the rest of the squad was very okay as the Piranhas earned their third win of the season. Only four starters scored in single digits, which played a big role in the win. A matchup with undefeated HSG is on tap for next week as they look to move to 4-1.
The Thunder were handed their first loss of the season after scoring less than 130 for the first time all year. 34 points from Anthony Richardson and 22 from Justin Jefferson were the only players that the Trop can be proud of. The rest of the team, however, is cause for concern. Seven starters scored in single digits with six of them scoring less than six points. Their hope for the rest of the season will rely on the Mahomes and Kelce stack after trading for Kelce earlier this week with the Misfits. Next week will be a tough test in the Icecaps.
HSG stays undefeated in nail biter against Squatches
In the closest matchup of the week, HSG narrowly escaped a loss and remains undefeated on the season. Justin Fields and his 36 points along with Jake Elliot’s 19 were the only standouts on this roster. Scoring south of 120 would have lost a lot of other matchups this week but HSG will take it. Six starters as well scored in single digits on the week. HSG also made a splash and traded with the Misfits for Swift, Pierce and Lawrence. HSG gave up Cousins and Etienne. This trade will go into effect in week 5.
Write the obituary. The Squatches are yet another one of the 0-4 teams in the league. Sam Howell did well with 22 points but was not the highlight of the afternoon. Newly acquired Derrick Henry scored 28 points in spite of the Icecaps. Playing with a chip on his shoulder after getting ridiculed by Jordan for being washed, not only did he run for a touchdown, but he had a passing touchdown as well. However, with half the roster in single digits, the Squatches couldn’t pull it out. Down less than a full point for the entirety of Monday night, a Darren Waller fumble could have had massive implications for this squad. Unfortunately, it’s 0-4 and back to the drawing board.
Survivor Pool
The first three weeks of the season put the Survivor Pool on hold with three managers electing not to participate. Erk, Logan and Jordan were ineligible leaving seven teams competing this past week.
The pool was not without drama as the Thunder and Squatches were in a duel late on Monday night. A late field goal in the fourth quarter from Jason Myers gave the Thunder 111.92, edging the Squatches by a tenth of a point, keeping the Trop alive in the challenge. If Geno Smith had not taken a sack to make the field goal a 34-yard attempt, the Thunder would have been eliminated. However, with 111. 82, the Squatches have been eliminated instead.
At 182.94, GWW has earned immunity from elimination for week 5. Six teams remain alive heading into the week.
Conclusion
Post article update, the Misfits are back at it again wheeling and dealing for their third trade in five days. This is not out of the ordinary for Ben, as he tries to shake up his team after an 0-4 start. Will he get a win this week against the Avalanche? Time will tell.
Also of note, Galen cut losses with $35 Joshua Kelley and dropped him to the waivers. Money. Well. Spent.
On to week 5!
Cheers!
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