“I just donated -$1.40 in honor of Kirko. Please put Drake Maye in for me.”
If only it were that easy. Ben eliminated himself from playoff contention after opting to start Kirk Cousins who ended up throwing four interceptions on the afternoon, (one was a pick-6). Just once, I’m sure Ben would have wished his internet wasn’t working from 12:45-1:00 PM.
Frustrated that a long Malik Nabers play was called back during the Cowboys-Giants game on Thanksgiving, Logan responded with, “Nabers can’t help you, your fate has been decided.” Patiently waiting all weekend, Galen was sure he got the last word as his team has all but clinched a spot in the postseason.
This week, I will briefly go into the matchups, but the main event of the article will be a breakdown of each team via standings as we enter the final week of play.
On to the recaps!
GWW find the magic, edge Sandstorms 132-124
Jonathan Taylor (20) finally lived up to expectations as well as James Cook (19) as GWW needed all the points he could get. You know who didn’t live up to expectations? George Kittle (0). For those that care, Nabers (8) was in fact the difference in the matchup.
It was a relatively balanced week, albeit low scoring from the Sandstorms. Outside of 18 points from Mahomes, no starters scored more than 15, with half the starters scoring 14 points in the loss. In the words of Logan himself, “your fate has been decided”. You’re right. Now you’re fighting for your playoff life. Well done.
Thunder win thanks to Misfits Mishap 143-124
Don’t look now, the Thunder have won four straight, and they can thank Ben for giving them the win for not starting Drake Maye. Daniels (34), Richardson (27) and Bijan (22) led the way.
To start Drake Maye or to not start Drake Maye? Cousins was in the lineup all week before Sunday morning when Ben switched it up to put Maye in the starting lineup. Minutes before the 1pm kickoff, Ben put Kirk-o Kirk Cousins back in the roster. Big mistake. Cousins (-1.4) vs Maye (22) proved to be the difference in the matchup.
Avalanche keep playoff hopes alive, beat HSG 146-135
Running backs and special teams carried the load this past weekend for the Avalanche. Harris (20), Jacobs (19), Brian Robinson (18), Boswell (16) and the Dallas defense (20) put the hammer down on HSG.
Mixon (21), Andrews (14), Chase Brown (18) and the Packers defense (16) did their best to get a win, but it was the other starters who didn’t help. Cooper Kupp (1) and first round pick Breece Hall (6) did not live up to expectations.
Piranhas make case for playoffs, take down top of standings Icecaps 190-143
Out of nowhere, 190 points and the Piranhas are back in the mix. Every single starter scored over 11 points in the impressive week. Tua (29), Allen (32), Williams (20), and Evans (21) were the high scorers. The problem is, is it too late?
Even with the loss, the Icecaps are still firmly in the number 1 seed for the playoffs. Six starters scored more than 14 points. No need to panic… yet.
Squatches knock down Prairie Dawgs 139-127
Lamar Jackson (31), Jayden Reed (17) and kicker Parker Romo (15) led the day for the Squatches to clinch a playoff spot. But could someone tell Amari Cooper (1) that if he wants to do cardio, he can do that on a treadmill.
And there goes the season… essentially. Shockingly they were somehow in this matchup despite seven starters scoring single digits. Quarterbacks Williams (32) and Wilson (28) tried their best to will the Dawgs to victory, but couldn’t do it.
On to the breakdowns!
1. Icecaps (Jack), 9-4, 2004.16 pts
The Icecaps have clinched a playoff spot and if they win this week, they will clinch the overall number one seed. Then again, it would be hard for them to lose the number one seed because of the 2000 points scored on the season. We can essentially lock this team into the top seed heading into the postseason. Remember when I mentioned Taysom Hill being a league winner? Unfortunately, Hill is out for the year with an injury, which means the tight end might be the weak spot in this lineup in December. This team still has the explosive upside to bring home a championship in early January.
2. Thunder (Book), 8-5, 1789.86
Are we back in on this team? After a dismal October, the Thunder have won four-straight matchups to clinch a playoff spot, but they want more than just the playoffs, they want the bye. Wheeling and dealing over the last few weeks, the Thunder turned Alvin Kamara into Bijan Robinson and have arguably one of the best tight ends in the league with Brock Bowers. Seems to be a set it and forget it type player, right? Funny thing is this team hasn’t started Bowers since week 8 of the season. With a deep pool of tight ends available on the roster, (Bowers, Hockenson and LaPorta) maybe now Jack wishes he would have accepted my offer of Bowers and Tracy for Kenneth Walker instead of LEAVING ME ON READ. Then again, thanks for leaving me on read Jack! If the Thunder win this week, they will clinch the overall number two seed and the coveted bye.
3. Squatches (Ezra), 8-5, 1677.52
Also wheeling and dealing before the deadline, newly acquired Jameis Winston, Travis Kelce, Alvin Kamara and Jayden Reed might be exactly what this team needs for a final playoff push. It will be challenging this week with no Lamar Jackson, but after what Jameis did last night against the Broncos, he might be fine. Thin on the bench with Austin Ekeler, Roschon Johnson, Wandale Robinson and Raheem Mostert, this team CANNOT afford any injuries to their starters. With a win and a Thunder loss, the overall number two seed and bye can be theirs.
4. Hurts So Good (Tim), 7-6, 1808.60
Tim has stumbled the last two weeks after looking like a favorite to compete with the Icecaps. When the studs don’t come to play, there is going to be a problem, which is what happened the last two weeks with Mixon, Kupp, Hall and St. Brown all scoring single digits at least once in the last two weeks. Ladd McConkey looks like a great stash on the bench, but a knee injury could derail any hope there. A bye is still on the table, they would need to win against the Thunder AND need GWW to beat the Squatches this weekend. So yes, there is definitely still a chance for the bye.
5. GalensWinningWinners (Galen), 7-6, 1631.08
What a critical win for this squad against the Sandstorms. With a loss, their point differential was not helpful in the slightest for a playoff spot. But a win’s a win so they will take anything they can get. After beating the Icecaps in Week 8, GWW lost four straight and have slowly taken themselves out of the championship discussion. But why? We could point to poor quarterback play, but really it was lack of production from stars Jonathan Taylor, Aaron Jones, DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel. If this team wants any shot at a ring, they need these players to step it up. While the win helped them immensely, a loss to the Squatches, and wins by the Sandstorms and Avalanche could push this team out of the playoffs entirely. A “must win” if you will awaits against the Squatches this weekend.
6. Sandstorms (Logan), 6-7, 1824.14
It was a tough afternoon for the team with the second highest points scored in the league, as there is a real possibility that this team will miss the playoffs. There are weekends where this team scored over 160 and other weekends where they can barely get around 120. Which team are we going to get with their playoff hopes on the line? With a win, they can essentially lock themselves into a playoff spot, but a loss? There is imminent danger. A loss and an Avalanche win outright would take the Sandstorms out of the playoffs entirely. There is a chance that they could win and be eliminated, but the Avalanche would need to score around 180 points more than the Sandstorms, making that option highly unlikely. All the Sandstorms need to do is take down the Misfits and they will be in.
7. Avalanche (Erk), 6-7, 1655.88
STILL ALIVE! As mentioned in the section above, a win outright against the Icecaps and a loss by the Sandstorms will launch this team into the playoffs for the second straight season. This is the only realistic option for this team to make the playoffs, unless they score plus 180 on the Sandstorms. Erk will need everyone on the roster to contribute, but I think this matchup will be decided on whether or not Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson have a great outing this weekend against the Dolphins. We can lock in Harris and Jacobs for solid performances, but it’s going to have to come down to the Jets for the Avalanche. Gotham needs saving… will Erk be saved?
8. Piranhas (Jordan), 5-8, 1763.06
You want to talk about still alive, look no further. Left for dead until Lamar Jackson kneeled to save the season, the miracles would need to keep coming for this team to make the playoffs. Then again, they put up 190 points this past weekend to go plus 70 points against Logan and would need another plus 60 points this weekend along with some help. Needing the Sandstorms and Avalanche to lose, if the Piranhas win and score plus 62 points on the Sandstorms, welcome to the playoffs Jordan! I would say it is highly unlikely, but after gaining 70 points this past weekend, anything is on the table this weekend.
9. Prairie Dawgs (Nick), 5-8, 1625.72
The same cannot be said for the Prairie Dawgs, whose playoff hopes were dashed when Christian McCaffrey slid in the snow with a non-contact injury. The Dawgs, who face a steep point differential for the playoffs, are not mathematically eliminated, but they would need a lot of help. The Sandstorms and Avalanche need to lose while the Dawgs would need to win and score plus 200 points on the Sandstorms. Unfortunately, it was an uphill battle all season with the injuries and the Prairie Dawgs just could not withstand all of the hits.
10. Misfits (Ben), 4-9, 1556.82
The only team officially eliminated from the playoffs; this team was doomed after a slew of trades during the season. Credit this team for staying the course though. While seemingly nothing to play for, we might only hear from them in June at the annual BBL mini-golf outing. But wait! They have the opportunity to knock off the defending champs Sandstorms to keep them out of the playoff picture. What more motivation could you need?
WHAT IF WE HAD A MEDIAN
Jack, 10-3
Ezra, 8-5
Erk, 8-5
Tim, 7-6
Logan, 7-6
Book, 7-6
Nick, 6-7
Jordan, 5-8
Galen, 5-8
Ben, 2-11
Total standings with Median through week 13
Jack, 19-7
Ezra, 16-10
Book, 15-11
Tim, 14-12
Erk, 14-12
Logan, 13-13
Galen, 12-14
Nick, 11-15
Jordan, 10-16
Ben, 6-20
POWER RANKINGS through week 13
Jack, 181
Tim, 159.71
Logan, 159.42
Jordan, 156
Book, 152
Ezra, 151
Galen, 143
Erk, 142
Nick, 141
Ben, 128
Conclusion
Lots up for grabs as we enter the final week of the Books Boss League regular season! We are set up for an exciting weekend!
Cheers!
Books Boss League 