Y’all really let me down. You know who you are. Shoutout Tim for calling Ezra out on his team for not making the playoffs. If you know you know.
The Books Boss League opening round of the playoffs was moderately disappointing, but produced exciting finishes. The Avalanche and the Sandstorms advanced and will try to earn their first ever championship berth this week.
There was no shortage of drama during the weekend which produced some memorable quotes and moments.
On to the recaps!
SANDSTORMS 119.80 – 118.56 PIRANHAS
Oh how fantasy football quickly give-eth and take-eth away. The Sandstorms held the lead for most of Monday night, actually they held the lead for the entirety of Monday night until the final two plays of the game. With under 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, a Jalen Hurts 20 yard rush put the Piranhas ahead for a brief second of euphoria. The following play resulted in a Jalen Hurts interception, taking two points off the board giving the Sandstorms back the lead. But wait, did his foot touch the ground? Jordan will say it didn’t, but the refs confirmed it did giving the Sandstorms an exciting semifinal appearance. Logan loved everything about that sequence while Jordan gave us an iconic, ‘I hate everything’.
While that was exciting, the starts/sits were not as exciting to talk about. Actually the entire league missed the memo that it was playoff time, with four below average performances. None of the four teams surpassed the 130-point mark on the weekend.
For the Sandstorms, four players scored in single digits with Lamar Jackson being the highest scorer at 23. They needed every single point to be able to hold off the late surge from the Piranhas. Also watch out Tyler Lockett, you’re getting dropped. The fantasy guru clinched his second semifinal appearance in the league, winning when it mattered, breaking his recent five game losing streak. He will need to perform better next week against GWW.
You see that group of people rioting for the firing of Arthur Smith? Jordan is leading the charge as we speak. We can talk about the Jalen Hurts interception, or the Kyler Murray pick-six, but the -0.10 points from first round draft pick Bijan Robinson has to have Jordan fuming. A baffling performance from a baffling year for Robinson who had league winning upside but was hindered not only by Tyler Allgeier, but Arthur Smith. As we prepare for next season, as long as Arthur Smith is coaching, the Falcons will have no league winners in the fantasy world. The Piranhas did pick up waiver wire stud Tyson Chandler (24) but the Piranhas missed on some start sits, benching Flacco, Singletary, and McKinnon, all of which could have changed the outcome. Piranhas fans are wondering, will it ever happen?
AVALANCHE 129.84 – 118.96 THUNDER
This matchup was also plagued by bad start sit decisions on both sides of the ball. The Avalanche used Jahmyr Gibbs (24) and Jaylen Waddle (22) to slide into their first semifinal appearance in league history. Their bench was also incredible, scoring 111 points. I think Erk called in to Mike McCarthy late in the game, imploring him to keep the starters in down 31-3. Not only did he keep the starters in, but he opted to run a jet sweep with CeeDee Lamb instead of handing the ball off to Tony Pollard. Thanks Mike McCarthy. Facing the No. 1 seeded Icecaps, Erk will need to make all the right decisions in an attempt to make their first championship appearance.
Also plagued by start/sit decisions, the Thunder can be glad they snapped their two year playoff skid and that’s all they can be glad about. Eight players scored less than 11 points, which is no recipe for success in the playoffs. Similar to the Avalanche, the Thunder had 91 bench points and could have used some to get a win. Also of note, Sam Howell is not the answer. Opting to bench Mahomes, they thought Howell would do better. Maybe he was going for upside? Who knows, however even if Mahomes started, the Thunder still would have lost. Certainly, it was a much needed rebuilding year for the franchise.
SEMIFINALS
#1 ICECAPS vs. #6 AVALANCHE
The Avalanche are looking for another upset and to keep the improbable run going after starting the year 0-6. They have a chance with the injury filled roster of the Icecaps.
Earning the #1 seed and the bye, the Icecaps needed it due to all the injuries on their current roster. Justin Herbert is out for the year and Tyreek Hill sat out last week, testing the patience of the Icecaps front office. They will be forced to start AOC in the semifinals as a result. No not that AOC, we’re talking Aidan O’Connell. This matchup should be closer than some think.
The Icecaps are also vying for their second championship title in franchise history. They won during the covid year in 2020.
#2 GWW vs. #5 SANDSTORMS
The fantasy guru will need a lot of things to go their way this week, as Vegas has the line at GWW -25.5. Who’s taking that line?
After winning the championship twice in the league’s first three seasons, GWW has been nonexistent come December. Hoping to raise a 10-team banner for the first time in franchise history, they have to be the favorite to do so after the injuries to the Icecaps. Constantly scoring absurd numbers thanks to first round pick Christian McCaffrey, the title is there for the taking.
OTHER MATCHUPS
#3 THUNDER vs. #4 PIRANHAS
The fifth place game for the 5th pick in the 2024 BBL draft.
Consolation Bracket
#7 HSG vs. #10 MISFITS
#8 SQUATCHES vs. #9 HCTM
CLOSING
Cheers!
Books Boss League 