“Jordan receives more bailouts than financial institutions in 2008.”
Somehow someway, the Piranhas mustered up a 5-4 record with the third lowest scoring team on the season and Ezra made sure to let us know. It has got to catch up with the Piranhas eventually, right? I’m not sure, but the Piranhas will ride this out as long as possible.
On to the recaps!
Sandstorms defeat Icecaps in late Monday night matchup 135-104
In the most exciting matchup of the week (until it wasn’t), it was a thriller up until Monday night. Holding a seven-point lead, the Sandstorms had the Chargers defense while the Icecaps had Justin Herbert. On an average week, Justin Herbert probably would have led the Icecaps to a victory. But this was no average week as the Chargers defense dominated the Jets for 31 fantasy points while Herbert scored seven.
“The gifting season keeps on giving.” For the Sandstorms, it was a gritty win, with Cooper (21), Jacobs (23) and the aforementioned Chargers defense (31). Outside those players, there were some really poor starts with three players scoring less than five. Even with a down week from Lamar Jackson, the Sandstorms have to feel good about knocking off the Icecaps. At 7-2, the Sandstorms cemented themselves at the top of the standings and have a much anticipated matchup with GWW in week 10.
“This is stupid.” This is what happens when your normal four players do not go off. You are left with a middling squad that barely got over 100. No player scored more than 15 points. With Tua and Hill on a bye, the Icecaps may struggle to get on track next week against the Squatches.
Squatches win second straight over HCTM, 153-144
“Winning streak activated.” The highest scorers in the league faced off in this matchup, which was good for the Squatches, bad for HCTM. Eight starters scored double digits for the Squatches including Prescott (35), Henry (18) and Tucker (15). The most impressive start had to be Taysom Hill who scored 20 points despite having a projected two points on the week. We let this team win once and now they have won again to move to 2-7. With Josh Dobbs, this team could make it three in a row after next week against the Icecaps.
Blake has every right to be angry. Scoring the second highest total this week will result in a loss. The week didn’t start out great with George Pickens scoring -.10 on Thursday, setting the tone for the week (or so we thought). Three additional starters scored less than six, but HCTM gave themselves an opportunity with White (27) and the Colts defense (29). I think what’s even more impressive about the Colts is that the past three weeks the Colts had allowed 37, 39 and 38 actual points on the field but Blake still decided to start them against Bryce Young and the Panthers. Blake was rewarded with two pick-sixes and 29 fantasy points. Unfortunately, the schedule did not help him this week. HCTM moves to 2-7.
Avalanche continue surge, beat Thunder 136-121
Despite starting Brett Rypien (3), the Avalanche enjoyed incredible weeks from Lamb (20), Ferguson (17), Koo (19) and Ekeler (20) to earn their third straight win. Not out of the hunt yet, Erk has stayed patient with this team and has been rewarded with three straight wins. Needing only five points on Monday night from Ekeler and Hall, Erk got that easily to put the Thunder away once and for all. Is this team capable of making a run to the playoffs? Certainly! Next week they face HSG who has major bye week issues. A fourth straight win is definitely attainable.
The Thunder had an average week with a superior output from the Browns defense (28). The Browns defense was the only reason the Thunder even had a shot to win this week. With some bad start sit decisions including Thielen (3), Pollard (6) and McPherson (5), the Thunder did not give themselves a chance to pull out a win. After starting 3-0, the Thunder have gone 2-4 since and have fallen into the middle of the pack in the league. If they can’t win next week against the Misfits, it’s over.
HSG hands GWW second loss of season, 119-95
CJ Stroud is good at football. 51 points later, Stroud scored more than half of GWW total points. Sporting an otherwise unimpressive lineup, Tim should send Stroud a personal thank you for his efforts on Sunday. Outside of Edwards (17), the roster was unimpressive and despite the win, HSG should still look to make some moves to the current roster. The surging Avalanche awaits in week 10.
Picking a terrible time to have one of their worst outputs on the season on survival pool championship weekend, GWW will be handed their second loss. Clearly missing CMC and St. Brown this team’s lack of depth was exposed this week. Scoring south of 100 points, Josh Allen and his 29 points were the only highlight. Six starters scored in single digits including two players scoring a cool zero points. Not an ideal spot but all things considered, I don’t think this team was expecting to win. I mean, did you really expect a team of Taylor Heinicke, Gabe Davis (0) and Tyjae Spears (2) to fill in for Jared Goff, St. Brown and CMC? No chance. The other good news is that you don’t need depth if you have good starters. At 7-2, the Sandstorms await in week 10.
Piranhas top Misfits in snoozer 110-71
Easily the least entertaining matchup of the week, the Piranhas will take the win and move on to 5-4. Hurts (31) and newly acquired Stevenson (20) paved the way for the win. The rest of the lineup was less than mediocre, and Bryce Young tried his best to give the Misfits the win. He was so bad, Jordan didn’t even give Bryce the respect to edit the misspelling of his name in chat saying, “That being said Bruce Young is absolutely selling.” Regardless, a win is a win. HCTM is on deck next week.
Who is Jelani Woods? Honestly, I am running out of things to say about this team. Harris (15) got the week started and it looked good heading into the weekend but that was quickly squashed Sunday afternoon. Opting to start Clayton Tune (-.38) was an awful decision when Bagent was on the bench with 22. It would not have shifted the outcome, but it would have looked a little nicer. Six starters scored less than six points in the horrid week. It gets stranger though. Occupying an IR spot is tight end for the Colts Jelani Woods. Woods hasn’t played a snap all season and has been sitting on the Misfits IR since week five. It is a bizarre roster hold for a team that is rapidly falling out of the playoff race. Maybe Ben knows something we in the fantasy community don’t know, and Jelani Woods holds the key to success. I highly doubt it.
Survivor Pool
It was not a good showing for either finalist this week for the championship, but we must crown a winner. Jack Wagner (Tundra Icecaps) is your 2023 Survivor Pool Winner!
Icecaps – 104.06
GWW – 95.04
Closing
Five weeks remain in the regular season!
Cheers!
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