Hill scooped up 23 in the Addicts' record-tying win.

*The Finale*

That does it for the regular season! Our playoff lineup is all set...

The Addicts just tied the best record in LOC history at 13-1! Congratulations to Corey and his team of fantasy junkies. They'll get Week 15 off and enter the postseason as the favorite.

Right alongside, the Football Team notched their second straight Points Title (and it wasn't particularly close). They finish at 9-5 and also have a bye week ahead. A team to watch out for in the playoffs.

The Rest division race came down to the literal wire, with the Cheetahs ultimately winning the #3 spot and the Losers taking the first Wild Card ticket right behind them. Literally right behind them. Because despite a tie in record, the first tiebreaker is total points, and these two teams tied there too! That made it a matter of head-to-head matchups, for which the Cheetahs prevailed in both regular season scrums.

The Bruisers held up their end of the win-and-in bargain, locking up the #5 spot and becoming the third team from the Rest to make the cut.

And in a very close battle, the Wolves emerged victorious to outpace the Threat/Remix (both of whom put up fierce challenges) for the final Wild Card spot.

We'll take a closer look at all 6 playoff teams over the next few days, but first we'll attend to the final regular season business. A low-scoring but competitive week it was.

*Awards*

Owner of the Week
Cliff's Crushers - 113.5

Power Player
Threat Level Midnight
Evan Engram: 31.5

Points Title
Walkertown FT
1704.5

Fantasy Fumble
Conover Cheetahs
84.5

*Matchups*

Wolves vs. Football Team
The Wolves got to .500 and earned their 5th playoff berth (and first since '18) with a critical win over the favored Football Team. This one was close throughout, with Henry's 18.5 leading the effort. Herbert added 16.5 and the Jets D had an important 15 in the win. For Walkertown, a pair of 16's from Burrow and Jacobs were the high marks, with slightly lower efforts from the star receivers (and a potentially costly injury to Deebo). They'll have next week to get their postseason game plan laid out.

Bruisers vs. Losers
These two will face each other again next week with the stakes even higher. Jalen Hurts (QB3) continued his brilliance with 24.5 to lead the Bruisers, while a 4-pack of 12's and 13's from Devonta, Schultz, KC and Carlson helped ensure victory. The running game is where playoff questions will need to be answered. The Losers couldn't get enough help for Mahomes (23), though Keenan Allen did contribute 15 (and Brown 13) in a week where the supplemental positions failed to come through.

Cheetahs vs. Dominators
Jared Goff got the start in Lamar's absence, and he showed up with a stellar 29.5 for the Dominators, who close their rocky regular season with a win over the playoff-bound Cheetahs. The Bills D chipped in 13, and the WRs found double-digits to get Dolla over the top. For Conover, this was a forgettable game, and HATR's first Fumble of the season. Huntley (5) failed to show, and the Bucs were held to single-digit slates. CMC was awesome though, leading the team with 25.5 points.

Remix vs. Crushers
Neither one of these teams made the final cut, but both showed up with nice efforts to close out the regs. For the Crushers, the losing streak was finally struck down, as a healthy WR group reminded them of the season's first half. Jeudy had 23 and Chase found 22 more. The dual RB byes could have been devastating. The Remix got damn close to the postseason, and their second highest scoring QB (Cousins) gave 25.5 to the cause. The Pats D and Folk combined for 31 in a late run that almost was.

Addicts vs. Qrew
The Qrew hoped to play spoiler against the favored (and nearly unstoppable) Addicts, but injury and couple of goose eggs ensured that would not materialize. Ghetto was led by Tyreek's 23, and Mike Williams showed up with 20.5 himself. Pollard added 16 in the franchise-record 13th win for GK. Justin Jefferson has been a force all year, and his 30.5 were a big part of the 4:20 effort this week. Conner dropped 18 and Geno an efficient 17. A Diontae away from victory.

Marauders vs. Threat
The defending champs saw their chance at running it back fall short, but they closed the season with a win over their Camel City colleague to notch a respectable 7-7 campaign. And without any points from Kyler or Boyd. Instead, it was waiver gem Evan Engram, who's 31.5 points were the best of the week. Trade acquisition Sanders added 26.5 in a close win. The Marauders were led by Ekeler's 18, and 5 others reached at least 10, but the Fins meltdown and the Seahawks D (0) ruled them out.

Can Tyreek lift the Addicts to a record-tying 13-1?

*The Finale*

Week 14 is here. Hard to believe the season is pushing the finish line, but it's go time for the final week.

We've already seen the scenarios in play for playoff qualification, just as we've seen teams swoon in the second half of the year while others rose to the occasion to give themselves a shot at a title.

We've seen teams steamroll their way to the postseason, while others are limping into this final showdown with a hope and a prayer.

This is where the rubber meets the road. An all-divisional week to lock things up.

Two spots available with 4 teams vying for their chance at the dance.

One division race still to be decided.

If you aren't in contention, feel free to undercut someone else's chance for pride and position. 

Everyone has to bring their A-game. Are you ready?

*Quick Picks*

Wolves vs. Football Team
Stakes: The Wolves are playing for a Wild Card spot, while the Football Team look to post their second straight 10+ win season.

The Raiders gave Walkertown an early lead, but will need solid outings from their Niners contingent to notch another win before the bye. The Wolves are leaning on Herbert and their capable running game to deliver a win, and they'll pull off the upset.

H2H Record: 7-6, WFT
Experts Pick: WFT by 10
ESPN Pick: WFT by 1
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 3

Bruisers vs. Losers
Stakes: This one sees the streaking Bruisers to try to lock up a postseason bid, facing a Losers squad looking for their first division title.

This one will come right down to the wire, and while Mahomes and AJ Brown will have great games, the Bruisers will get enough from Hurts and Lamb to push it to the finish line. If James Cook shows up, they might just notch a needed win. 

H2H Record: 6-5, Losers
Experts Pick: Bruisers by 1
ESPN Pick: Losers by 1
Commish's Pick: Losers by 5

Cheetahs vs. Dominators
Stakes: The Cheetahs aim for a 9-5 finish and a Rest division title, while the Dominators hope to spoil the day and end their season on a high note.

This matchup will see a barrage of points from both running games, and Huntley will do an admirable job at QB fill-in for the Cheetahs. Expect the Dominators WR group to outpace their counterparts, while the final score comes down to whichever Team Def emerges with the edge.

H2H Record: 16-4, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Dominators by 1
ESPN Pick: Dominators by 2
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 6

Remix vs. Crushers
Stakes: Both teams are in contention (technically), but its the Remix who are fighting for the final dance card against a Crushers team looking to end a 6-game slide.

Another game likely to come down the closing minutes, despite struggles from both running games. Expect low scoring overall and a critical receiving battle to unfold. The Crushers have all 3 WRs healthy, and that will help them spoil the Remix postseason bid.

H2H Record: 9-7, Remix
Experts Pick: Remix by 10
ESPN Pick: Remix by 9
Commish's Pick: Crushers by 2

Addicts vs. Qrew
Stakes: The Addicts are all set as the #1 seed, but they will look to maintain momentum against a Qrew squad that has been improved of late.

Even if the Addicts don't have anything significant to play for, a 13-win season would be epic. The receiver scoring might wash out between these two, but it's the success of Pollard/Etienne that will determine if GK gets the win. Geno is the x-factor here for the Qrew.

H2H Record: 17-8, Addicts
Experts Pick: Qrew by 9
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 7
Commish's Pick: Qrew by 1

Marauders vs. Threat
Stakes: The Threat face elimination, but can give themselves a chance if they end their losing streak against the beatable Marauders in this one.

With a chance to end the Threat's title defense officially, MIM will expect big games from their rushing trio, and their Fins combo (Tua/Waddle) will need to be efficient. The Threat need to overcome projections with Higgins and JJSS, but should keep this one close with their rushing threat.

H2H Record: 2-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Marauders by 18
ESPN Pick: Marauders by 23
Commish's Pick: Marauders by 7

Hurts led the Bruisers to 33 and a critical win.

*Situations*

A week of massive importance unfolded, despite the notion that the postseason impact might be minimal in Week 13.

The net result? 4 teams are in, 4 teams are out, and 4 are still in contention.

The Addicts bounced back to get to 12-1, and the Football Team (9-4) just mathematically locked up the #2 seed and the remaining bye week. Barring a meltdown/miracle, WFT will earn the points title this year as well!

With the Cheetahs and Losers both winning to reach 8-5, they each locked up a guaranteed playoff spot, and their Week 14 outcomes will determine who wins the Rest, who gets the #3 spot, and who gets the #4 spot. Congrats to both of them.

That leaves two available postseason tickets.

The Bruisers elevated their chances with a 4th straight win, and at 7-6 they have the inside track for one of those two spots. The Remix refuse to bow out, and they will join the Threat and Wolves as 6-7 teams hoping to finish strong and make the cut.

So yes...a 7-7 team will get in. And possibly two of them! The only question is which...and that will be answered in the days ahead. We'll look at the playoff scenarios tomorrow when the final Power Rankings come out.

In a less exciting note, the Crushers dropped from the race with their 6th straight loss, joining the spoiler contingent in the bottom 4.

Let's look at our Week 13 standouts.

*standouts*

Owner of the Week
Benny's Bruisers - 139

Power Player
Benny's Bruisers
Jalen Hurts: 33

The Overcomer
Ghetto Krackaddicts
+18

Fantasy Fumble
Threat Level Midnight
75

Negatron
Dolla' Dominators
Lamar Jackson: -1.5

*Showdowns*

Crushers vs. Addicts
The Addicts got back to their winning ways in this one, led by Tyreek's 26.5 points and a game-clinching 19.5 from Pollard on Sunday night. They now have a chance at equaling the best record in LOC history with a win next week.

Once it rained, it really poured for the Crushers. Their 6th straight defeat was marked by a mediocre rushing day and no big standouts in the moment. The Niners D led the way with 17, and Kirk/Chase combined for 28 in this elimination game.

Cheetahs vs. Threat
Plenty of McLovin to go around for the Cheetahs, as McCaffrey led the way with 22.5 and McLaurin added 20.5 to the winning effort. The Cowboys D (18) continues to post big numbers for this team on the rise.

On the bright side for the Threat, Koo scored 16 at kicker and Mike White posted 15.5. On the reality check, the Fins players turned in duds and the Threat dropped their 5th in a row and stand at the edge of elimination. 

Losers vs. Wolves
No Mixon, no problem for the Losers. Garrett Wilson stepped in and delivered 22 in the flex. AJ Brown's team-leading 26.5 was critical, and the Broncos D chipped in 16 to make up for the loss of Kenneth Walker to injury.

The Wolves got another big game from Lockett (23) in the loss, but a down day from Henry and a loss in the defensive battle kept this one from being closer. Dire will need to finish strong in Week 14 to join the playoff party. 

Football Team vs. Dominators
It's apparent that the Football Team are building a legacy, as they stand on the verge of consecutive Points titles. Davante's 32.5 was the team highlight, while Burrow's 26.5 helped ensure victory. They'll now get Week 15 off.

The loss of Lamar proved costly in this one, and while the Dominators got balanced scoring from everywhere else, it wasn't nearly enough to change the outcome. Amon-Ra's 26.5 was a standout, and D'Andre added 16.5.

Remix vs. Qrew
The Remix have had their ups and downs this season, but they got a win when most needed. And it wasn't the refreshed running game that helped. Instead, their trio of WRs (led by DK's 22.5) combined for 58 points to keep hope alive.

Well, Geno sure looked good. He gave the Qrew a 20-point boost in the loss, and Jefferson added 13 more. Ultimately, a goose egg from the Falcons D and a disappointing flex (2.5) kept them away from the win here. 

Bruisers vs. Marauders
In the biggest blowout of the week, the headstrong Bruisers kept battering and earned an OTW with 139 points. Hurts (30) was the top man once again, Perine filled in with a clutch 20, Smith added 18.5, and everyone but Kyren came to play.

The Marauders couldn't win two in a row, and never really got off the ground. Bobby Wagner's 18.5 was the team's best, but a couple of 14's from Tua and Zeke weren't even close to enough, and injuries wrecked the WR group right out of the gate.

Kelce (Cheetahs) is one of only two TE's with a double-digit ppg average.

*The Playoffs*

It's clear that we won't know who our full slate of postseason contestants are until next week. With Week 14 as a divisional week, the final record/scoring splits will be decided once and for all. The drama will certainly be thick in the closing week, but what about the penultimate matchups this weekend?

Here's what we know for certain:

The Addicts and Football Team are in. GK has a guaranteed bye as the top overall seed, and the Football Team have clinched a Top-3 spot by winning the WS division. They could even lock up the other bye if they win and the Losers and Cheetahs both lose.

Two teams have a chance of being eliminated in Week 13: the Remix and the Crushers. If they lose and two of the 6-win teams score win #7, that's it for one/both. Win to stay alive.

Two teams have the potential to clinch their spot in the playoffs, and they're both in the Rest. The Cheetahs and Losers can earn at least a Wild Card spot with a win and a couple of losses from 6-win teams.

This is somewhat good news for the Wolves, Bruisers and Threat. They can't technically be eliminated this week, nor can they clinch. But the sledding gets very difficult when you're trying to get in at 7-7, so make sure you put up some serious points regardless of outcome.

It appears a 7-win team will join the short list of .500 squads making the cut, but probably only 1, and the right series of events in the last two games could raise that bar to 8-6.

For the other 3 teams, it's a spoiler week. The Dominators, Qrew and Marauders are all hoping to ruin the fun for someone still in the chase. We'll see how it goes. 

*Quick Picks*

Crushers vs. Addicts
The Crushers get JaMarr Chase back in a must-win game, but it will be an uphill battle against an Addicts team looking to bounce back after their first loss.

Both run games and WR groups will do well, but Carr will go for 20+ for Ghetto and the Rams D will bottle up the Hawks, making the winning difference.

H2H Record: 12-10, Addicts
Experts Pick: Addicts by 13
ESPN Pick: Addicts by 19
Commish's Pick: Addicts by 10

Cheetahs vs. Threat
Two teams with vastly different fortunes than at midseason, the Cheetahs are gunning for a division crown and the Threat are trying to end a miserable fade.

The Threat run game will actually outpace the Cheetahs, but it won't be nearly enough to make up for the WR edge created by the Bucs + Kelce.

H2H Record: 2-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 20
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 21
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 15

Losers vs. Wolves
In what should be a hotly-contested showdown between two teams coming off a loss, the Wolves are looking for a Wild Card and the Losers are hoping to secure a postseason spot.

This one will come down to the wire, as the 3-headed rushing attack of the Losers will earn them an advantage, while big days from Herbert and Lockett keep the Wolves in it with a shot.

H2H Record: 5-1, Wolves
Experts Pick: Losers by 9
ESPN Pick: Losers by 14
Commish's Pick: Losers by 1

Football Team vs. Dominators
It's been a rock solid run for the Football Team of late, and while the prognostications indicate a blowout, they face a Dominators team that has proven capable of hanging with anyone.

It likely won't make a difference that Hopkins is on bye, with the 3 Walkertown WRs still posting a 15+ average this week. Only if Cook outduels Jacobs will Dolla have an upset bid.

H2H Record: 11-6, Dominators
Experts Pick: WFT by 12
ESPN Pick: WFT by 18
Commish's Pick: WFT by 6

Remix vs. Qrew
The Remix have answered the bell every time they've been on the ropes, and they'll need to put their best foot forward against a Qrew squad finding its rhythm of late.

With the arrival of Chubb, the Remix find themselves in a good spot this week, but this matchup will come down to Trevor Lawrence, and whether the Qrew WR group can outduel the RMX group.

H2H Record: 12-5, Qrew
Experts Pick: Remix by 12
ESPN Pick: Remix by 17
Commish's Pick: Remix by 3

Bruisers vs. Marauders
A Bruisers team on a recent tear (W3) will look to keep the playoff picture in front of them by taking out the basement-ridden Marauders in an SFA classic.

The Alabama QB battle will likely be a wash, but the Bruisers run game and the production of Devonta Smith will be critical. The Marauders need a big day from Waddle and Zeke to steal this one.

H2H Record: 13-10, Bruisers
Experts Pick: Bruisers by 1
ESPN Pick: Bruisers by 4
Commish's Pick: Marauders by 5

Jacobs exploded for 300+ yards and fueled WFT to victory.

There you have it. The unbeaten Addicts have fallen.

A hell of a run that may not be over, but will not be the flawless march to glory that was taking shape.

At 11-1, the top of the race is still set. But there is an emergent force that cannot be ignored.

The Walkertown Football Team. With their nearly uncatchable points lead and an 8-4 record following a toppling of the Addicts, they've become the second team to clinch a playoff spot.

Based on simple math and remaining schedules, the Football Team have also locked up the WS division, meaning they will finish no lower than the #3 seed. The stars (like Josh Jacobs) are aligning at the right time for this team.

In other Week 12 news, how about the Qrew! After an 0-7 start, they've won 4 of their last 5, and in the process notched their first OTW of the season. Even the Marauders got a rare win this week.

The Cheetahs are quietly maintaining a playoff pace, knocking off the division rival Losers to pull even with them at 7-5 in the Rest. That race should be a tight one down the home stretch.

It was a high-scoring week overall, and both the Bruisers and Remix showed up with big outputs to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their cause is helped by the struggles of the Crushers and Threat, who are both on multi-game losing streaks. A Wolves loss this week kept the door open for the 5-win teams.

We'll reset the playoff picture as we enter Week 13, but the last two weeks are going to be quite a show.

The Dominators joined the elimination party this week, despite some solid moments this season. 7 teams remain in the chase for the 4 available playoff spots. How about our standouts...

Owner of the Week
THE 4:20 Qrew - 144

Power Player
Walkertown FT
Josh Jacobs 47.5

The Overcomer
Remix OG: +17

Fantasy Fumble
Ledford's Losers - 84

*The Matchups*

Football Team vs. Addicts
This one was a picture of contrast, with things going very right for Walkertown and multiple breakdowns for the Addicts. These two division winners very well may meet again in a few weeks. 

Josh Jacobs' 47.5 points was the game-breaking difference in this one, just as Etienne's injury ensured this would not be a close battle. The Addicts got 19 from Carr, but a couple of zeroes and a lesser week from Pollard kept things from staying competitive. Walkertown got a solid 16 from Burrow and another 15 from Hopkins in support of a big day from the Raiders. They locked up the WS and turn their sights toward clinching a bye week.

Cheetahs vs. Losers
The Rest division battle has been a back-and-forth affair, but the Bucs-driven Cheetahs pulled even with the Losers this week in a hard-fought but critical win.

It was the lowest scoring of an otherwise high-points slate, but Chris Godwin had his second great week in a row, this one to the tune of 23 for the Cheetahs. The revamped run game was mostly held in-check, but Tucker provided insurance with 16 and Brady added a steady 14. The Losers couldn't find their usual support for Mahomes (who led the way with 19.5), and while Walker posted 12, the return of Keenan Allen was overshadowed by a Fumble for Ledford.

Bruisers vs. Dominators
In a matchup of teams heading in different directions, the Bruisers notched their third win in a row to get to 6-6 while the Dominators slipped out of the race for the '22 postseason.

Most everyone got in on the scoring for the Bruisers, led by Jalen Hurts and a nifty 30-point effort. Perine added 15 at RB2, Lamb led the receivers with 17, and the supporting positions all reached double digits in a balanced victory that gets BB back to .500 and one game back in the Rest. The Doms were led by Amon-Ra's 23, and Lamar looked strong and familiar with 21.5, but a middling day from Cook and the score they were up against sent Dolla to the eliminated column.

Wolves vs. Remix
A lot of momentum was carried into this matchup by the Wolves, but it was the Remix who lit up the scoreboard and kept their own postseason hopes alive.

A trio of 20+ points performances paced the Remix's rise, with two of them coming on Monday night when the team was trailing. Miles Sanders (27) and Justin Watson (22) helped fuel the comeback, and the return of Kyler netted 21.5. In his first game for the Wolves, Justin Herbert starred with 23.5, while newcomer Rachaad White added a nice 15.5. There weren't really any holes in the performance, it was just a better day for the Remix.

Threat vs. Qrew
This game represented a furtherance of the Threat's second-half slide and reinforced the recent surge from the scrappy Qrew.

Behind Justin Jefferson's continued dominance (24), Tee Higgins assisted the 4:20 cause with 20.5 himself. The running back duo of Conner/Stevenson combined for 35, and the Panthers D surprised with 15 to pad the numbers. The Threat avoided the Fumble, but not their 4th straight defeat, thanks to a dismal receiving day (4 combined) and a goose from Gesicki. Chubb and Barkley combo-ed for 30, and the Steelers D chipped in a sturdy 16, but the outcome was decided early.

Crushers vs. Marauders
With five straight losses for the Crushers, the streak was punctuated this week by a loss to the league-trailing Marauders.

These two squared off directly following a trade, and the new faces contributed directly. The Marauders benefitted from Pacheco's 12.5 and Waddle's 11, but it was the Fins D (20) and Ekeler's excellence (17.5) that helped them get off the losing track, at least for a week. For Cliff, the Aaron Jones addition helped the run game (15), and Josh Allen paced the week with 24.5. The Niners D proved worthy with 19. Unfortunately, they came up just short in this one.

Adams leads WFT against the undefeated Addicts.

*The Situation*

With only 3 weeks left in the regular season, the intensity naturally picks up.

We've got two huge showdowns this week, with the Football Team attempting to end the Addicts' undefeated run, and the Losers and Cheetahs squaring off for the Rest division lead.

Elsewhere, 5 other teams will be playing for their playoff lives. One or two of them will be eliminated this week, and two teams could clinch a playoff spot. Matchups of the Bruisers vs. Dominators and Remix vs. Wolves will give us some of those answers.

It's a must-win Sunday for those teams, and the sledding won't be easy. The results from a big Week 12 will tell us if a 7-win team can even make the cut this year, and we'll find out if any separation can be had from the large contingent in the middle of the pack.

A massive Week 14 divisional slate looms large in the distance. Wins this week will keep hope alive as we enter the home stretch.

No byes this week, so everyone will be counting on their (healthy) studs to ride to victory. Good luck.

*The matchups*

Football Team vs. Addicts
It's the game of the week, as two hot teams face off in a battle for pride and position. The Addicts have the top seed locked up, but an upset win here could earn Walkertown a return to the postseason.

The 11-0 Addicts didn't get the full plate from Pollard (7) on Thursday, but nice matchups set them up for a competitive day. Carr will have his way with the Hawks D, and that will take some of the sting out of Jacobs/Adams productivity on the Walkertown side. Etienne may struggle against Baltimore, but Amari should exceed projections. Tyreek and Taylor are set for big performances, and this one may well come down to JT's efforts on Monday night.

Watch for the Football Team to put up some serious points (maybe not 170 though). Burrow faces a tricky Titans D, but needs to show up. Can Patterson continue to be the value play he's been thus far? Hopkins and Deebo are likely to combine for 40 here, making the real WFT impact a question of the Jets D and Cordarelle. Kittle's re-emergence has been a welcome sight, and it's tough to pick a winner here.

H2H Record: 12-10, Addicts
Experts Pick: Addicts by 5
ESPN Pick: WFT by 1
Commish's Pick: Addicts by 1

Cheetahs vs. Losers
The Rest division battle has been heating up, and this matchup will tell us if the Losers are gearing up for a postseason bid or if the Cheetahs are making division-win plans of their own.

We've reached full-Bucs commitment phase from the Cheetahs, as Brady steps in at starter for combo points with Evans/Godwin. Najee gets the nod in his Conover debut, and while CMC will go for 15+, Najee needs to as well. No holes in the lineup means another big week for this team. The Losers are not to be taken lightly, with Mahomes likely to erase any Kelce edge on the other side. A healthy Keenan Allen and sneaky good Mike Carter will drive scoring up, but the lack of Mixon will be felt in the final score.

H2H Record: 7-2, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by  9
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 6
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 10

Bruisers vs. Dominators
The other divisional battle this week sees two teams fighting for their postseason lives, as the Bruisers try to keep momentum while the Dominators attempt to stave off elimination.

This one was halfway over by Thursday night, but the outcome is very much in the air. For Benny, big efforts from Lamb and Schultz got them rolling. Montgomery is joined by fill-in Perine in the backfield, and his performance will be critical. The Chiefs D should feast, and Hurts faces a susceptible secondary. The Doms got 23 from Amon-Ra, but need Foreman to bounce back and more goodness from Aiyuk. Lamar should elevate his game today and make this a nail-biter.

H2H Record: 15-9, Bruisers
Experts Pick: Dominators by 4
ESPN Pick: Dominators by 2
Commish's Pick: Bruisers by 3

Wolves vs. Remix
Postseason implications abound in this showdown between the rising Wolves in the WS and an inconsistent Remix squad facing a must-win scenario.

No Fields/Mostert this week, but the Wolves do get fresh arrivals Herbert and Chris Olave to bolster their efforts. Not to be forgotten, Rachaad White should have a solid day. If he and Henry can carry the load, this one will be close. The Jets need at least a dozen. The Remix welcome Kyler back (but will want him throwing to non-Marquise WRs). The running game should bounce back, and if Metcalf can outduel Lockett, the Remix will take the W.

H2H Record: 5-5, Tied
Experts Pick: Remix by 8
ESPN Pick: Remix by 5
Commish's Pick: Remix by 1

Threat vs. Qrew
This matchup might have been a different story just a couple of weeks ago, but it currently stands as a critical streak-ender for the Threat or a chance to play spoiler for the Qrew.

Big Thursday efforts from Rhamondre and Justin Jefferson have the Qrew expecting a blowout win, but the Threat are certainly capable of mounting a challenge here. Look for a big game from Jeff Wilson and a rare breakout from Russell Wilson. The Panthers D will be on the receiving end of that breakout, meaning the Qrew will need to count cash from Conner and Tee Higgins. If Geno is serviceable this week, the Qrew will roll.

H2H Record: 2-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Qrew by 4
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 35
Commish's Pick: Qrew by 15

Crushers vs. Marauders
The Crushers seek to end their losing streak and keep the playoff train on the tracks against the flailing Marauders, fresh off a big trade between these two squads.

Allen and McKenzie combined for 40+ on Thanksgiving, setting up a better outlook for a Crushers team that has struggled of late. New arrivals Jones and Kirk are immediately being counted on to help end the losing streak, and with Chase and Jeudy ruled out, their efforts will be critical. The Marauders are looking for the love connection between Tua and Waddle, and need Ekeler to go off. Fill-ins on both teams make this a tough one to predict.

H2H Record: 11-10, Marauders
Experts Pick: Marauders by 11
ESPN Pick: Marauders by 1
Commish's Pick: Crushers by 8

Pollard lit up the scoreboard (34.5) for the sensational Addicts.

Just when it seems we will settle into a normal week of fantasy football, history is made yet again.

And the 11-0 Addicts seem determined to raise that bar every week. W13 is unprecedented in league history, and even with another close challenge, Ghetto emerged victorious yet again...clinching the top overall seed and a Week 15 bye.

Now the considerations about "running the table" are quite justified. 

Not too far behind, the Football Team are making some noise of their own. A league-high and franchise-record 172 points this week ought to keep them relevant. Considering the mounting points lead and general momentum they are also carrying, we are in for a hell of a matchup next week when they face the league's only 11-0 team.

The Losers are alongside WFT at 7-4, and these two are likely only a win away from locking up a playoff spot.

And let's not count out sneaky teams on the rise, like the Wolves and Bruisers. They've taken their lumps this season, but both are in position to make a playoff push in the closing weeks.

The Qrew pulled off a late win against the Crushers, damaging the Cliff odds and pulling themselves out of 12th place in the standings. Can't keep a 3-time champ down forever.

Several other teams put up solid efforts in defeat, including the 6-5 Cheetahs (2nd in scoring this week) and the Remix and Dominators. No one was officially eliminated from the race, but RMX and QCDD are on the verge of joining the Marauders and Qrew.

On to the awards from a competitive Week 11, followed by a team-by-team look at the action.

*The Awards*

Owner of the Week
Walkertown FT - 172

Power Player
Ghetto Krackaddicts
Tony Pollard - 34.5

Last Man Standing
Ghetto Krackaddicts - 11-0

Fantasy Fumble
Threat Level Midnight - 61

Negatron
Ghetto Krackaddicts
Graham Gano / -4

*Team by team*

Football Team
It makes more sense now why the Team got a #1 slot in the Power Ranks. They were due for a big week and they certainly had one. Everyone but Roquan scored at least 11 points to combine for a franchise-best week. Davante's 27.5 was team best, with Burrow right there (26.5). Kittle and Deebo combined for 34.5, as did the RBs. Its all working, and WFT now holds sole possession of the WS division lead.

Crushers
When all three of your starting receivers are out, its fair to expect a slump, but we're 4 games into this one and the optimism starts to fade. Josh Allen only came up with 9, despite generally leading the team. Instead it was Gibson's 12.5 that was the team high. The Niners added 12 on Monday night, but the Crushers needed 3 more from somewhere to get the win and couldn't find it. Trade for glory.

Cheetahs
You don't get to choose your opponent, but if the 6-5 Cheetahs had a say, they would likely choose not to play the OTW multiple times in a season. 138 points is nothing to sneeze at, especially when your TE goes for 28.5 and 3 Tugs. The Commies D was lights out with 24, and Olave (in his final game for Conover) posted 21.5 in bye week service. Pierce had his first dud since Week 1, but its hard to nitpick. 

Remix
If only the Pats D could duplicate into other positions. They've been consistently balling, this week with 22. Watson proved a valid waiver scoop with 14.5, while Kamara and Diggs chipped in 10+ each. This one really came down to Taylor Heinicke (and no Kyler), as his 7-point showing was likely the difference between taking down the undefeated Addicts or being on the edge of elimination.

Losers
If you have enough weapons, there is greater margin for error. The Losers didn't dominate in their win over the Marauders, at least if we're talking about receivers. But Mahomes magic (28) has a way of offsetting those dips, and when a waivers kicker puts up 25 points, things are generally going well. Jamaal Williams 18 was another boost for a team gearing up for the postseason.

Addicts
So it appears Ghetto can just turn their attention to Week 16 if they so choose, as nothing that happens between now and then will affect their status. But you play to win the game, right Herm? This week's test was hard-fought, but Pollard's 34.5 point explosion was the difference maker. Dak delivered 23.5 in the starting role, and Amari Cooper was excellent with 25. We'll ignore the Gano score. 

Qrew
Maybe it's not fair to expect a playoff run every year. And there was little chance of it by midseason, but the Qrew haven't quit. They outlasted the Crushers on Monday night to get their 3rd win in the last 4, with Tee Higgins' 21 pacing the effort. Rodgers had a better day with 18, and both RB's reached double digits. Even with Jefferson having his worst game in 8 weeks, they got enough for the W. 

Wolves
These aren't your early-season Wolves. In a must-win stretch, Dire has pulled together 3 straight wins, sneaking past the Doms to reach 6-5 and second place in the WS. It was the run game that carried the day, with Henry's 22 and Najee's 21.5 ensuring victory. Maxx Crosby's 15 proved essential, and despite the Fields injury, things are looking up for this team. A late trade sets them up for Week 12. 

Threat
It's rare to see so many good players play so collectively badly. At least Younghoe Koo (13) and Micah Parsons got to 10 points, because no one else found it. That's 3 in a row in the L column for the once 6-2 Threat. They are really missing Cooper Kupp, and are now embroiled in heated division race that threatens to leave the '21 champs behind. First career Fumble.

Bruisers
It was supposed to be a hard fought battle, but instead it was another victory cruise for the Bruisers. That's two in a row, and if there were ever a time to get the ship steaming ahead, this is it. No Fournette wasn't great for the run game, but Montgomery (17) did his part. Hurts managed 18.5 despite some picks, but the Ravens D was the real winner here, adding 21 to pad the win. Momentum?

Marauders
Sometimes the breaks just aren't to be had. 2-9 arrived on the wings of injury and a motivated Losers team. Mariota's 15.5 in bye-week duty proved to be the team's best, Butker added 15 and Ekeler 14.5 more. But another defensive dud (-1) and general mediocrity from the supporting staff pushed the odds quickly away from this broken team.

Dominators
It's hard to say what Dolla could have done differently to improve their odds. Foreman (2) had been red hot until this week, and the Bills seemed set for success against Cleveland. Singletary lived up with a nice 14.5, but Tyler Bass (24) was the real team leader this week. The receivers posted a pair of 11's, but the running game let down the cause and Lamar didn't provide enough juice. Playoff hopes in jeopardy.

Jefferson (4:20) projects as the top WR in Week 11.

*The Situation*

Week 11 brings us NLS divisional battles and a Rest vs. WS showdown to further clarify the playoff picture. 

For the Crushers and Remix, these are must-win games to stay in the Wild Card chase, while the Addicts look to secure the #1 seed with a win. As previously mentioned, Corey can also set a new record for the longest win streak in LOC history (W13) if the run continues.

There's an exciting matchup between 6-win teams featuring the Cheetahs vs. the Football Team, both seeking a standalone position at the top of their respective divisions.

Will the Wolves stay hot this week? Can teams like the Dominators and Bruisers fight their way back into the top 6? Do the Losers and Threat bounce back to get their 7th wins and hold position?

Answers will be along shortly. On to the arbitrary (and abbreviated) predictions.

*The matchups*

Remix vs. Addicts
Watson got the Remix on the board Thursday with 14.5 in place of Metcalf (bye), and one would assume that Heinecke gets the nod at QB with Murray likely out. The rushing tandem of Kamara and Sanders will be counted on to keep the Remix in this one, and the experts like them to pull it off, but this won't be easy.

The Addicts are without Tyreek, which should limit receiving points, but they get Mike Williams back and are  looking to Cooper and MVS to hold up at WR2 and Flex. No Etienne, no problem, as Taylor and Pollard will carry the load this week. Dak gets the start over Carr, and will likely reward the Addicts with a win to make history.

H2H Record: 7-5, Addicts
Experts Pick: Remix by 8
ESPN Pick: Addicts by 1
Commish's Pick: Addicts by 10

Crushers vs. Qrew
The implications here are clear for the Crushers. End the 3-game losing streak and stay relevant in the postseason race, or continue the slump and face a serious uphill battle. With all 3 starting WRs on the shelf, it will be a real challenge. Buffalo is being leaned on, with Allen, McKenzie and Knox there to buoy the scoring. The Niners D should shine, but can Drake/Gibson keep CFFT in the hunt?

This hasn't been a memorable run for the Qrew, but they have won 2 of their last 3 and finally got a good game out of Rodgers (18). Jefferson and Higgins are likely to shine today, and we'll see if Kmet can carry his momentum forward. The running game is certainly capable, but Conner/Stevenson face tough defensive matchups. The outcome will hinge on their success.

H2H Record: 14-12, Qrew
Experts Pick: Qrew by 14
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 7
Commish's Pick: Crushers by 1

Cheetahs vs. Football Team
This is the most exciting matchup of the week, but the Cheetahs will be without their Bucs contingent and will have their WR depth tested today. Mclaurin and Olave are slotted to do well, and Kelce is guaranteed money. Can the CMC and Eli Mitchell tandem deliver the timeshare points to get Conover through? Herbert will need 20 or more this week to ensure victory.

For Walkertown, the Niners will also play an important role, as Deebo and Kittle must recover from bad weeks and combine for 20+. Adams is heating up and Jacobs has proven his value for WFT, so their reliable scoring will also be essential. Can Burrow pick up where he left off? Hopkins will get the targets, but he needs at least one big play in this one. It will come down to a tense Monday night finish.

H2H Record: 15-7, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 1
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 3
Commish's Pick: WFT by 5

Wolves vs. Dominators
These two teams have both proven themselves capable, but the Dominators have been hot/cold and need this to be a hot week. Look for D'Onta Foreman to show up with 15+ in place of Swift at RB2. If game script is as expected, Lamar will have a massive day. A healthy Andrews at TE will bolster that effort, leaving the Dolla receivers to determine if this week is feast or famine.

Henry has already done his part for the Wolves (22), and Fields has proven to be the waiver pickup of the year at this point. Najee and Robinson are question-marks in terms of RB volume, but certainly capable. DJ Moore continues his wild-card season, and will likely see a lot of targets (despite Baker). If Fields and Mooney can hook up on a big TD, it might be the difference.

H2H Record: 10-9, Wolves
Experts Pick: Dolla by 12
ESPN Pick: Dolla by 4
Commish's Pick: Dolla by 3

Losers vs. Marauders
The Losers are looking like a playoff-ready team, and there is no reason to think this week will be any different. Mahomes will be in a shootout, and Mixon is primed for another great performance. If AJ Brown's soft Week 10 is an aberration, than it will lessen the pressure on Carter and Garrett Wilson to shore up the scoring. Jamaal Williams will be a key contributor (for better or for worse).

There isn't much to like about the Marauders this week, though Jones (11) and Ekeler are sure to do their part. Allen Robinson (once a Loser) is joined by Rondale Moore at the WR slot, with Kirk on bye and Sutton fading fast. That group will have to find some sort of boon to keep Mitchell in this one. Mariota is an iffy roll of the dice at QB, and this matchup will go about as expected.

H2H Record: 7-2, Marauders
Experts Pick: Losers by 4
ESPN Pick: Losers by 9
Commish's Pick: Losers by 15

Bruisers vs. Threat
We've seen the series of ups and downs from both squads, but the Threat are in a position to correct their woes despite the loss of Kupp (which of course is huge). Samuel and Duvernay get the start at WR, and only one will show up. That may not matter, as the Chubb/Barkley express is set to see 30+ combined touches. The Saints D is a good start, and Russell will finally show a glimmer of hope.

The Bruisers got a nice salvo from their IDP Long (12.5), and will ratchet things up with an excellent combo effort from Hurts and Devonta Smith. Kyren Williams is a big question mark, but Montgomery should be fine against the Falcons. Davis and Freiermuth will need double-digit outings, and they should deliver. This one feels like the Bruisers game to lose.

H2H Record: 1-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Bruisers by 3
ESPN Pick: Bruisers by 1
Commish's Pick: Bruisers by 10

Taylor (26) helped the Addicts make history this week.

*The Details*

Week 10 was a historic one. It appeared by Monday afternoon that the Rest division was about to pull off a series sweep of the NLS, but the stingy Addicts were not to be denied. 10-0!

They are the first to team in the LOC to ever reach that mark, and despite every challenge thrown their way, they keep emerging victorious.

Not only that, the Addicts officially clinched the NLS division, ensuring a top 3 seeding in the postseason. They can actually clinch the #1 seed and a bye week in just a few days if the run continues. They're also a win away from another record: 13 straight wins. Will even more history be made in Week 11?

A tip of the hat to two previous champs, the Qrew and Marauders, who despite competitive efforts this week, fell in close battles and are officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Where does that leave us? 9 teams fighting for 5 playoff spots, and given the current standings, it's a wide-open opportunity to claim one.

The Football Team shook off the previous two weeks to climb to 6-4 and a spot atop the WS. Likewise, the Cheetahs got back on the winning side and have a share of the Rest lead. Those two are joined by the Threat and Losers in the 6-win group.

The Wolves are coming to life (hello Justin Fields!), and they just won their second straight to join the Crushers at 5-5.

And just one game back of them, the Dominators (OTW!) and Bruisers both pulled off convincing wins to get their 4th victories and stay in the race.

It still feels like a 7-7 team will sneak into the dance this year, but with 8 teams sitting between 4-6 wins, you'll probably need to get to 8-6.

Let's look at the standouts...

*The Awards*

Owner of the Week
Dolla' Dominators - 124

Power Player
Dire Wolves
Justin Fields - 39.5

Last Man Standing
Ghetto Krackaddicts - 10-0

Fantasy Fumble
Cliff's Crushers - 76

Negatron
Threat Level Midnight
Younghoe Koo / -1

*The matchups*

Losers vs. Addicts
This one certainly lived up to top billing, though not the high-scoring matchup we might have expected. It came down to the wire, with the Losers within two points of extending their own winning streak. AJ Brown failed to deliver in the final minutes, and the Krackaddicts held on to reach double-digit wins.  

Jon Taylor's 26 paced the Addicts effort and was a welcome return to form. Tyreek was held in check for the most part, but Derek Carr redeemed himself with a respectable 16 at QB. The Losers were without Mixon, but the Williams/Walker combo held up okay. Mahomes was awesome with 33, but Brown's letdown proved costly in the narrow loss.

Threat vs. Football Team
A WS battle with the lead at stake, the Threat saw their spot atop the stack evaporate with a second straight loss. These two are now tied at 6-4, but the Football Team find themselves with an expanding points edge over their division foes and the league at large. 

The Raiders came through for WFT, with Adams looking like his old self lately. He posted 24 this week, and Jacobs chipped in another 17. Daniel Jones filled in with 17 himself, and Hopkins improved on an average Week 9. The Threat have lost Keeper Cupp for at least the foreseeable future, and his absence was costly right away. A potent rushing combo of 53.5 points from Chubb, Barkley and Wilson was a positive takeaway.

Cheetahs vs. Crushers
A battle of survival among two capable teams, the Cheetahs emerged with their 6th win in this low-scoring affair. They are back in a share for the Rest division lead. It marks the 3rd straight defeat for the previously potent Crushers, who have struggled since the Chase injury. Matters were compounded when Jeudy went down without a catch.

The Cheetahs got a serviceable 24 combined from their two lead backs, but it was Kelce's 15 and a Godwin end zone trip that gave them the needed baseline. Josh Allen delivered 20 and Devin White posted 14.5 to lead CFFT in the loss.

Remix vs. Bruisers
These two teams are fighting to stay in the playoff race, but the Bruisers were badly in need of a corrected course and they found it this week. A four-game skid was ended, and the Remix's momentum was halted for the moment. 

For the Bruisers, Lamb balled out (as the Commish predicted) with 30.5 points, and helping to offset a poor rushing effort. Toney was indeed a savvy pickup--adding 14.5 to the mix, and Hurts was solid with 18.5. The Remix were rewarded for starting the Titans D (13), and Diggs led the way with 20.5. The OG effort was ultimately thwarted by down days from Kamara and Sanders.

Wolves vs. Marauders
With their second straight win this week, the Wolves are the only team besides GK with any winning streak. This one came at the expense of the Marauders, who got close on Monday night but didn't get enough from the usually reliable Ekeler to keep hope alive. The Wolves are now only one game off the lead in the WS.

Justin Fields was the star this week, as nearly reached 40 again on his dual-threat efforts. Mostert chipped in 16.5, and most everyone else contributed fairly well to raise the scoring tide. A respectable trio of 20+ point games from Tua, Jones, and Kirk was still not quite enough to pull off the comeback for Mitchell, who lost Ertz (and their 8th game).

Dominators vs. Qrew
This one had the lowest billing in the preview, but proved to be the highest-scoring game in a fairly tame week. The Dominators led all scorers this week, bouncing back from a dismal stretch to outlast the improving Qrew. This one was close throughout, but ended with Dolla salvaging their postseason hopes.

Foreman's 19 in the flex proved critical for the Doms, as only Dalvin's team-leading 25 was better. Amon-Ra added a nice 18.5 to re-indicate his value. Justin Jefferson had a mighty 30.5 for 4:20 and Cole Kmet added a clutch 20, but Hollins didn't live up in the Flex and Allgeier came up short in this hard-fought matchup. 

The Addicts seek to become the first team to ever reach 10-0.

*The Situation*

Week 10 kicked off in Munich this morning, but there will be drama all day in the LOC.

The Addicts face a tough challenge against the red-hot Losers as they seek to become the first team in LOC history to reach 10-0. Will they make history today?

The WS division has another important divisional week--their last until Week 14--while the Rest and NLS square off again. 

4 of the top 6 teams are looking to correct losing trends, while the lower-ranked squads are looking to sneak into the race. The Bruisers will hope to end a 4-game slide, but otherwise there aren't any active streaks of more than 2 (aside from Ghetto's historic run). 

Will the standings continue to tighten? Or will we see some course correction from teams getting their bye week starters back? No one is yet eliminated from the playoff race, so there is a lot of meaning in every matchup. Good luck winning yours.

*The matchups*

Losers vs. Addicts
Should be the game of the week. The Losers are currently the biggest threat to the Addicts top seeding, but there's a reason Ghetto is 9-0. Both teams will have to bring their A game.

Addicts: With Tyreek leading the WR group, points are practically guaranteed. Sneaky good 2 & 3 options in Cooper and Palmer should fare well today also. Carr is somewhat inconsistent, though the Colts D may prove susceptible. Taylor will be counted on today, so his performance will be telling. Etienne should stay hot. The Rams D needs to play up to their talent level. No guarantees.

Losers: Kenneth Walker has had some awesome weeks, but this one isn't looking as promising. That will mean more pressure on Jamaal to keep up the double-digit streak. The Eagles contingent of Brown and Goedert should continue to post numbers, though Cooks is a wild card flex. Mahomes should post 20 and if the Broncos D can show, this one may come down to the wire.

H2H Record: 9-7, Losers
Experts Pick: Losers by 2
ESPN Pick: Addicts by 4
Commish's Pick: Addicts by 7

Threat vs. Football Team
The implications here are huge for this stage of the season. Winner will be atop the WS division. Projections say it will be close, and both teams need a bounce-back win.

Threat: Mr. Koo let down the Threat on Thursday, but the better news is that both top-tier RB's are back in action this week. Expect 30 or more from the Barkley/Chubb combo. Russell gets another opportunity in the kitchen. Is this the week he actually cooks? Kupp and JuJu will both have good weeks. Jeff Wilson was a nice snag, but will he get the share of touches he saw last week? The Saints D should feast.

Football Team: No Burrow this week for WFT, so they turn to Daniel Jones for a plug-in with hopes of at least 10+. Jacobs needs to make up for a mediocre effort from Patterson, but he is more than capable. The return of Deebo and Kittle's upside will help the scoring floor this week, but Hopkins will be the key cog. Adams should deliver, will DeAndre show up without Kyler?

H2H Record: 2-2, Tied
Experts Pick: Threat by 1
ESPN Pick: Threat by 2
Commish's Pick: WFT by 4

Cheetahs vs. Crushers
The Cheetahs bring a strong projection into a matchup with the beat-up Crushers, but both teams have the same record at the moment. Will this one turn into a close game? 

Cheetahs: The scoring gets going with the serviceable expectations of Bucs WR's in Germany. The real meal ticket will be the duo of CMC and Pierce. Expecting nearly 40 combined there. The Cowboys D will bring their usual shine, and Kelce can be expected to continue his brilliance. Herbert needs to have a good game. Can Olave deliver this week?

Crushers: The Chase injury and RB depth have undermined a great first half from the Crushers, so they roll out Pacheco and Isiah McKenzie in hopes of a better showing this week. Josh Allen determines a lot for this team, and he should carry the scoring lead here. Waddle and Jeudy will need to bring 15 each. Can Evan Engram find 10 or more? It will take all hands on deck.

H2H Record: 13-12, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 25
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 22
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 12

Remix vs. Bruisers
The Bruisers are looking to end a rough slide since their peak in Week 5, while the Remix hope to continue their momentum of late. Only one can do so.

Remix: No Kyler Murray means that Lawrence gets the start. He will be counted on for at least a dozen here. Metcalf and Lazard should post manageable totals, but Diggs will have to carry the group with his usual excellence. Kamara may have a down week, but Sanders will show up Monday to offset some of that. If Hockenson can post 10 and the Titans D doesn't get shocked, this one should go well for the OGs.

Bruisers: If it isn't working, change it up. In a bold attempt to get back on track, the Bruisers have benched Fournette and Davis, turning to a youth movement in Kyren Williams and Kadarius Toney. Expect Toney to be a good call. This is the week CeeDee goes off, and Hurts should excel as usual on Monday night. Whether Schultz can contribute or the Seahawks D can hold up is in question.

H2H Record: 7-6, Bruisers
Experts Pick: Remix by 10
ESPN Pick: Remix by 18
Commish's Pick: Remix by 8

Wolves vs. Marauders
The other WS matchup sees two teams trying to keep the playoff dream alive. A loss eliminates the Marauders, but the Wolves appear to just be heating up. 

Wolves: DJ Moore didn't do much Thursday, but one would expect Lockett to help offset that. Fields (the waiver gem) gets a second go this week, and he should find 20+ for the Wolves cause. The real keys otherwise are a good game from Henry (likely) and whether Najee and Mostert get the carries to impact the bottom line. Unclear there. The Cards D may surprise, and Dulcich will have a nice showing.

Marauders: After finally ending their losing streak, the Marauders hope that their running game can deliver another good round. Ekeler and Jones should fare well enough, though Herbert is no sure thing in the flex. He has to bring 10+ at least. Kirk looks better of late, but Sutton is a huge question mark at WR. Tua will provide 15, but the Fins D will need to play much better to give MIM a shot.

H2H Record: 11-5, Marauders
Experts Pick: Wolves by 8
ESPN Pick: Marauders by 6
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 10

Dominators vs. Qrew
The Dominators enter this one looking for better answers from their capable squad, while the Qrew continue to dig out of their early hole (coming off consecutive wins). 

Dominators: A big 19 from Foreman on Thursday has projections arrowing Dolla's way. Cook and Swift are due for big games, but only 1 (Cook) will find it here. No Lamar and Mark Andrews means substitutions in a must-win, so Goff gets the nod. Combo points with Amon-Ra will be critical. The Bills D will be tested, and this one will be tight until the end.

Qrew: The RB depth is being tested this week, as Conner needs to carry the position in Rhamondre's absence. Allgeier didn't hold up his end on Thursday. Jefferson is the key piece at WR, and he should do what he does. Expectations for Diontae are measured, but Hollins may turn out to be a savvy Flex play. The Giants D is a good call here, and if Geno can find some 4th quarter magic, the Qrew might stave off elimination.

H2H Record: 10-6, Qrew
Experts Pick: Doms by 4
ESPN Pick: Doms by 23
Commish's Pick: Doms by 10

Joe Mixon (44.5) led the Losers and the league this week.

*The Essentials*

Just when you think it can't get any more interesting...

This week gave us a number of anomalies that seem to only build as the season progresses. 

Two players scoring over 40 points? Check.
A clinched playoff spot in Week 9? Check.
A team posting nearly 190 points? Also Check.

A lot of winning teams lost. A lot of losing teams won. The matchups weren't very close. And we've got quite a playoff race beginning to brew.

The Addicts became only the 3rd team to ever clinch a playoff spot in Week 9, joining the Bruisers and Cheetahs in that rare class. At 9-0 (and having won 11 straight), they're only two wins away from LOC history.

Speaking of history, The Nugget recently covered the Losers and their epic 208.5-point game from 2014. Now we'll cover the fact that they just put up 189.5 points in Week 9. It's the highest score since that same season (Undead, 187) and the second highest ever. 

They were led by a 5-TD day from Mixon, but they weren't the only one with a 40+ point effort. The Wolves also notched a 42.5 from savvy waiver scoop Justin Fields. It's rare to see two 40's in the same week, though it's happened twice now this year (Week 2).

Only the '12 Undead and the '19 Gronks have ever scored 40 with a defense, but the 33 that the Remix got from the Patriots D this week was impressive and a key piece of their critical win.

As for league standings...things got a little closer (aside from the Addicts). At the back end of the bus, the Qrew and Marauders both got a second win this week, while further up, four of the 5- and 6-win teams lost. 

It is still early to be sure, but it seems like the battle for Seeds #2-6 will be a tight one. Technically, even the 2-win teams aren't yet eliminated. Find your win streak.

*The Awards*

Owner of the Week
Ledford's Losers - 189.5

Power Player
Ledford's Losers
Joe Mixon - 44.5

Last Man Standing
Ghetto Krackaddicts - 9-0

Fantasy Fumble
Benny's Bruisers - 66

*The Matchups*

Addicts vs. Cheetahs
One can argue with projections, but cannot argue with results. The Addicts are dinged up, but they've consistently made the right calls in the right matchups to keep winning. Palmer was that player this week, and his 16.5 were critical in the victory. Hardman chipped in 15.5 too. No Taylor meant that Huntley got the call, and while that didn't work, a pair of 23's from Etienne and Tyreek ensured victory. The Cheetahs are one of three 5-win teams that have dropped their last two. Kelce's 18 and Pierce's 15.5 were team-best this week, but without CMC and the dangerous Cowboys D, the points weren't quite there to overthrow the Ghetto.

Crushers vs. Losers
A lot of these games ended up a little lopsided, but only one clocked in with a 100+ point differential. Both teams entered with 5 wins, but the Losers leave with all the optimism. Mixon's 44.5 set it off, but every player on the team reached at least 10 (which isn't common, despite the group text ribbing). Mahomes donated 30, KW3 added 24, and Goedert had a hungry 20. It is all working for LL at the moment. In contrast, depth questions are haunting the Crushers during this bye/injury stretch. Allen and Waddle chipped in 15's, and a smart snag of Kenyan Drake netted 19.5 to lead the team. But McKenzie and Woods combined for only 2.5, though it likely wouldn't have mattered this week. 

Threat vs. Wolves
The WS division will be hotly contested. The Threat entered as the hot hand, but even they knew that a bye martyr week was in order with both their key RB cogs out. Kupp never stops being Kupp, and his 25.5 was welcome as always. But fill-ins didn't fill out, and once the outcome became apparent, TLM held on to stud DP Parsons despite his bye. Dire Wolves see the opportunity and are doing their best to seize it. Fields (42.5) was more than serviceable in replacing Brady in the starting role, and King Henry reigned in 22 (and stands currently as RB1 overall). No Najee proved negligible, and the Wolves got their 4th win with points to spare.

Football Team vs. Marauders
This one came down to Monday night, but the Marauders managed to survive against the Football Team to end their skid at 6 games. Things haven't been rosy the last two weeks for WFT, first with the Raiders failure to show, and this week just not quite enough juice in the squeeze. Adams was the key star with 29.5 points, and Patterson's 13.5 was a welcome return, but trouble in Indy hurt Pittman (3.5) and the absence of Niners (bye) lowered the ceiling. The Marauders got a stellar 26 from Tua, 16 from Ekeler, and Kirk re-emerged with 15.5 to help them sneak by with a win.

Remix vs. Dominators
In what was supposed to be a momentum game for the Dominators, it was instead a statement game for the Remix and they ran away with it. Outside of a weak stream IDP, all hands were on deck for the OG contingent. The Pats and their kicker combined for 50, with a balanced attack of 8/10 reaching double digits to fuel the dub. Things just didn't add up for Dolla, with only Lamar's pedestrian (for him) 14 points to show for it. Cook had a nice one-handed TD grab and managed 10 points, but no one else managed more than 7.5 for the inconsistent Doms.

Bruisers vs. Qrew
When Week 8 isn't too late for your first win, ya might as well add another in Week 9. That's two in a row for the unpredictable Qrew, quiet on the chatter but seemingly turning a corner. Star WR Jefferson turned in 22, while the RB pair of Rhamondre and Allgeier added 12.5 apiece. And this was all without Diontae. For the Bruisers, there wasn't anything to feel good about. While Jalen posted 15 and the Ravens D added 14. Higbee laid an egg and no one else reached more than 8. No CeeDee meant another hit was missing, and the Bruisers are slumping.

Herbert leads the Cheetahs against the 8-0 Addicts.

The weekend is here, bringing with it another round of Sunday drama.

This one gives us WS division showdowns and the NLS facing off against the Rest.

Among these matchups, the undefeated Addicts will be challenged by the Cheetahs, while the Crushers meet the Losers in a battle of 5-3's. 

From a standings standpoint, there are two distinct groups of 6 separated by two games at minimum. If someone wants to make a run to break into the top 6, this is the week to get moving.

With a bunch of teams on bye this week, your positional depth will be tested. Are you ready? There are a lot of blowouts projected for this week...Let's go through the matchups.

*The Matchups*

Addicts vs. Cheetahs
Will the run continue? The dangerous Cheetahs will try to prevent the Addicts from reaching 9-0 in a matchup that could net us the first playoff lock of the season. 

Both teams are facing bye week issues, and without Taylor, it appears the Addicts may concede the rushing battle to Conover. Pierce already posted 15.5, and Deon Jackson is slated to have a big workload. Expect the Bucs receivers to give the Cheetahs another boost, as the injuries hold GK to Tyreek's excellence but not much support. Herbert outduels Carr, and the Cheetahs hand the Addicts their first loss.

H2H Record: 13-7, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 15
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 14
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 10

Crushers vs. Losers
An important outcome for both teams, as each try to notch a 6th win. The Losers have the momentum, but the Crushers have found ways to win all year.

Mahomes vs. Allen may prove to be negligible in points differential, but should mean plenty of scoring there. The Eagles provided the Losers a great jump with 31.5 from Brown/Goedert, so Waddle will have to put up a big game and Robert Woods will need to emerge from the dustbin for the Crushers. No Chase or Jeudy will be painful for CFFT. Expect Kenneth Walker and Jamaal Williams to have big games for LL, taking any drama out of this one.

H2H Record: 10-8, Losers
Experts Pick: Losers by 24
ESPN Pick: Losers by 34
Commish's Pick: Losers by 20

Threat vs. Wolves
The Threat bring a 5-game winning streak into this one, and they'll face a Wolves team on a competitive upswing in recent weeks.

For TLM to make it 6 straight, they will have to dig deep without their two star RB's, so Henderson and Jeff Wilson must combine for 20+ to provide any hope. Neither Fields or Wilson provide much optimism at QB this week, but the Wolves have Derrick Henry to pace their RB group and a capable Mostert in the Flex. The Threat may win the WR battle thanks to Kupp and Boyd, but the overall outcome will go Dire's way.

H2H Record: 2-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Wolves by 20
ESPN Pick: Wolves by 17
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 10

Football Team vs. Marauders
This one is one of the few projected to be a close matchup, with the Football Team trying to bounce back from a down week and MIM just looking for oxygen.

The QB matchup should be a fun one, as both Burrow and Tua are projected to have great games. The Football Team gets Patterson back this week, strengthening their running game. It won't be enough to keep up with Ekeler/Jones on the other side, but should negate any serious edge. The WR trio for WFT will easily outpace the Marauders front 3, and while the overall matchup may be close, that difference earns Walkertown the win.

H2H Record: 12-11, Marauders
Experts Pick: Marauders by 4
ESPN Pick: WFT by 1
Commish's Pick: WFT by 5

Remix vs. Dominators
Both teams with a lot of promise but without the wins to show for it, the Remix and Doms look for a leg up in attempting to catch the current Top 6.

The Dominators are finally healthy, and they will need full capacity from Cook and Swift to stay on pace with the Remix's Kamara and Sanders (13). Diggs and Metcalf ensure an OG edge at WR, though Foreman should flex to 15+ for Dolla. The Bills D will likely outmaneuver the Pats D, though nothing is certain. The winner here will be determined by who gets more out of their QB, as Kyler and Lamar face susceptible defenses.

H2H Record: 4-3, Remix
Experts Pick: Remix by 2
ESPN Pick: Remix by 12
Commish's Pick: Doms by 3

Bruisers vs. Qrew
The Bruisers need a win here to keep the playoff dream intact, while the Qrew are coming off their first win and would love to make it two in a row.

Jalen Hurts notched a respectable 15 on Thursday, but the Bruisers will need solid outings from Davis and Doubs to keep close in the WR category. Jefferson and Higgins should combo for 25+ to give 4:20 a positional edge. James Conner's return may not be as exciting, so the Qrew will need a solid showing from Allgeier. Expect a narrow RB win for the Bruisers, but only a big day from the Seahawks D will salvage a 4th win for BB.

H2H Record: 11-8, Qrew
Experts Pick: Qrew by 8
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 14
Commish's Pick: Qrew by 4

Pollard's 32 helped fuel the Addicts to 8-0 this week.

*The SItuation*

The midseason is over. Week 8 is complete. What a week it was.

Six teams scored at least 123 points, with five of those in the elevated space between 123-126.5. The exception was the Krackaddicts, who--despite the Monday odds, rode an Amari Cooper appearance to a grand total of 134, an OTW, and yet another win. Still undefeated. Still the team to beat. And seemingly unable to be shaken by injuries or byes. Kudos to Corey for a damn good run thus far.

An important streak did come to an end this week, as the Qrew held off the previously surging Football Team to kill the L streak at 11 and earn their first win of the year. The Threat won a close battle with the Crushers, thanks to a Monday night comeback. 

Also back in the win column this week? The Losers, Remix, and Dominators. All three of those teams put up serious points to get it done.

We saw tons of individual stars this week, as five players reached 30+ points and 22 starters scored at least 22. They were all led by Derrick Henry's 33.5-point effort for the Wolves, part of a valiant effort to take down the Addicts.

So where are we now? GK is at the top at 8-0, and only the Threat emerged from the pack of 5-2 teams to get a 6th win. Four teams are right behind them at 5-3. There's your current playoff line. No one is at .500, and four teams sit two games back at 3-5. Our two 1-7 teams watch from afar. 

Who will emerge from the 3-5 group to challenge for a playoff spot in the coming weeks? Or are the participants decided already? Hardly. There's a lot of football left to be played, and several teams appear capable of rising from the back half of the current standings.

*The Standouts*

Owner of the Week
Ghetto Krackaddicts - 134

Power Player
Dire Wolves
Derrick Henry - 33.5

Last Man Standing
Ghetto Krackaddicts - 8-0

Fantasy Fumble
Benny's Bruisers - 83

Negatron
Walkertown FT
Evan Mcpherson / -2

*The Matchups*

Addicts vs. Wolves
The path to perfection faced another big challenge this week, as the Wolves brought their A-game and a big dose of Derrick Henry (PP/33.5) to the party. In what was the highest-scoring game of Week 8, the Addicts managed their 10th straight win despite a -1 from Carr and a goose egg from the Rams D. 

Their running game offset the issue, with Pollard (32) and Etienne (27) lighting up the scoreboard. Tyreek parlayed 12 catches into 188 yards and 27 points, while Amari Cooper lifted GK to victory with nearly 20 on Monday night. For the Wolves, the DJ Moore trade has paid off (27), and Dulcich proved to be a nice TE pickup, but there just wasn't quite enough to get back to .500 in this one.

Dominators vs. Cheetahs
This was a really close matchup that went against the historical records and delivered the Dominators a much-needed win. The work of recent acquisition Foreman has proven valuable. He matched his 118 yards from last week but added 3 TD's in the process. Along with a nice 22 from Dalvin and a decent receiving day, it was enough to sneak by the consistently difficult Cheetahs. 

CMC's triple crown Touchdown outing was worth 31.5 this week, putting to rest any notion of a downturn in opportunity in San Fran. The Bucs receivers were solid, while Cousins chipped in 18 in fill-in duty. No Kelce hurt the Conover cause, but it was a solid day for the now 5-3 squad.

Threat vs. Crushers
The story of a Monday night comeback in a battle of teams looking for their 6th win, it ends with the Threat emerging victorious once again. The Chubb factor proved sizeable, as his 22.5 erased the deficit against the Crushers. Kupp (16.5) did his part, but it was a balanced scoring venture that gave TLM enough to claim the W. 

The Crushers almost withstood the loss of Chase for this one, but it was not to be. Waddle delivered 24.5 and Gibson turned in 15.5 (again), but it may have been Boswell's 0 that doomed the day. For CFFT, they fall back into the pack of 5-3 teams fighting for position.

Qrew vs. Football Team
For a while, this matchup had the makings of a Fumbowl, but the Qrew pulled away late to claim an elusive first victory. It puts an end to a stretch unlike any we've seen from the 4:20 franchise, and perhaps signals a revival of fortune. Stevenson's 17.5 led the winning effort, while Allgeier (13.5) proved a worthy waiver add. Plus, they've got Diontae.

This wasn't the Football Team we've seen in recent days, as they narrowly avoided a Fumble and had only two players reach double-digits. To be fair, one of those was Nuk, who went off for 28. The Eagles D posted a helpful 15. But the lack of Niners (on bye) proved visible, and Burrow descended from his league-leading pace of the past two weeks.

Losers vs. Bruisers
Rhyming names, but no resemblance in fortune lately. The Losers bounced right back from last week's shootout loss with a similar scoring day that pushed them past the mercurial Bruisers. AJ Brown was silly, notching 32.5 points to pace the matchup. Dalton (17) proved serviceable in relief of Mahomes, and Jamaal Williams bounced back with 16.5 points. Win #5 for the Losers.

The Ben folds were not able to get back on their feet, slipping to 3-5 despite some nice weeks previously. There was the brilliance of Hurts (25) and 14 from Lamb (and the right call with the Jets D) , but it was an otherwise forgettable Fumble for the Bruisers.

Remix vs. Marauders
Kamara has been getting better as the season progresses, but he saved his best week to date for this matchup. His 32 points were the team lead for the Remix, who are seeking better days ahead in the race for playoff contention. Kyler's 22.5 was a nice touch, and Diggs donated 19.5 for the cause. Have the Remix turned the corner? DK inbound.

There are familiar narratives surrounding the losing Marauders, as a solid running game and weak receiving group continue to add up to losses. No Ekeler this week, but Jones and Khalil Herbert combined for 32.5 in support. Tua was fired up this week, leading the team with 28.5, but the receivers bombed (combined 9) and the season looks about that way...bombed.

Burrow led WFT and the league for the second straight week.

*The Situation*

And just like that, we're halfway through the regular season. There will be plenty more to discuss in regard to where everyone is and the prognosis going forward, but we'll save a lot of that for tomorrow's Midseason Report.

For now, we have to recognize the great efforts of Week 7. The Addicts are still the story of the league, as they won yet again to move to 7-0. Not to be outdone, the Football Team once again lit up the scoreboard, and this week they will take OTW honors as well as a 40+ point Power Player from Burrow. These two are hitting on all cylinders. 

The Cheetahs are picking up steam as well, as they notched another 125+ game for the 3rd time in the last 4 efforts. Conover and WFT lead a crowded 5-2 group fighting for potential playoff positioning. The Threat and Crushers both answered the bell this week for their fifth wins.

The Wolves were able to get back on the right side of things in their scrum with the Bruisers, rounding out our Week 7 winners. And the Commish managed to pick all 6 outcomes correctly.

*The STANDOUTS*

Owner of the week
Walkertown Football Team - 155

Power Player

Walkertown FT - Joe Burrow - 41

Fantasy Fumble

Dolla' Dominators - 60.5

Negatron

THE 4:20 Qrew - Jags D (-1)

*The Matchups*

Addicts vs. Qrew
Another week, another win. The win streak is only nine for the Addicts, with the first against 4:20 in Week 16 of '21. The Qrew are mired in an abysmal 11-game brown streak, stretching back to Wk 14 of last season. Rather than pile on the Qrew, the energy here is for our Last Man Standing. The Addicts got a balanced effort along with the return of Taylor, though it was the now-injured Breece Hall who led the RB scoring with 14. Mike Williams led all starters with 16. 4:20 got 18 from Rhamondre on Monday, and another 15 from Rodgers, but otherwise only Tee Higgins (11.5) joined the effort.

Football Team vs. Losers
Both of these teams showed up to play, but once again the Football Team found scores just about everywhere to seal the win. Led by Burrow's 41 and 30.5 from Jacobs, they cruised to 155 (their 4th highest score as a franchise), with only the Bucs D not chipping in. Even Kittle showed up in old form (16.5). The Losers win total stays at 4, despite 29.5 from Kenneth Walker and 29 from Mahomes. MVS chipped in a nice 15 as well. LL is very much in the contending mix, but Walkertown was not going to lose this one.

Cheetahs vs. Marauders
Look out for the Cheetahs. We've seen this show before, but they seem to be rounding into form at just the right time. They got points from every corner (except for the CMC snap limitation), but the Cowboys D was the star this week. Their 23 led the way, and 6 others posted at least a dozen in the win. Pierce (13.5) looks like a draft steal, and Olave (16) is red hot. The Marauders can't seem to line things up, despite a massive rushing day led by Ekeler (26.5) and Jones (19.5), there weren't enough points to be found to overcome their 5th straight loss.

Threat vs. Dominators
Having Kupp on bye could have meant a long day for TLM, but instead they steamrolled the confounded Dominators with their consistently solid RB duo (33 combined) and a team-leading 22.5 from JuJu Smith-Schuster. That's two in a row over 20 for JuJu. Zach Wilson fared no better than the Wilson he replaced. The Dolla is feeling inflation, and with no Cook/Swift or Bills D this week, there wasn't much to like. D'Onta Foreman was a great waiver snag, posting 17, but only Aiyuk joined him in double-digits. 3 players combined for .5 in the L. 

Crushers vs. Remix
Don't sleep on the Crushers. They got their 5th win thanks (again) to their great SEC WR trio, as Chase's 28 led receiver scoring. Jeudy and Waddle both went over 10. Gibson's 15.5 was a nice bounce-back as well. They weathered the Josh Allen bye week. The Remix got off to a decent start Thursday, but Kyler's 15 was the best it ever got. Kamara had 13.5 in the mix, but Gallup goose-egged and Bobby Trees didn't fill in well for Diggs (on bye). Pacheco was a nice waiver add, but only got 8 touches.

Wolves vs. Bruisers
A much-needed win for the Wolves entering midseason, they enjoyed a pair of 17's from Henry and Mostert and enough supplemental points to hold the edge. Josh Reynolds didn't show (1.5) in place of Thielen, but Dulcich chipped in 8 off the wire and Brady was serviceable (10). The Bruisers entered Monday night needing 24.5 from Montgomery to overtake Wes, but it was not to be. Feiermuth was a nice claim off waivers (11.5), but he was the high man for the week. BB slips back to 3-4 and 3rd in the Rest.

Will Taylor's return propel the Addicts to 7-0?

Today's preview will be short (the Commish works all weekend) and probably not that sweet.

But we can't have a week without a preview...so let's get to it.

Week 7 features battles among the NLS contingent, while the WS and Rest cross enemy lines.

The undefeated Addicts meet the unfeated Qrew, the Football Team and Losers face off in a matchup of 4-2's, and the Cheetahs and Threat look to keep at least a share of their division leads. The Crushers are also seeking a 5th win.

For everyone else, its about course correction. Good luck getting things corrected.

*The Matchups*

Addicts vs. Qrew
This would be W9 for the Addicts and L11 for the Qrew, if predictions hold. But that's why we play the games.

On paper, the Addicts should dominate the rushing battle with the return of JT, and their receiving trio (led by Tyreek) has the upper hand as well. The best chance for 4:20 is in Aaaa-ron, though Kenyan Drake could chip in nicely this week.

H2H Record: 16-8, Addicts
Experts Pick: Addicts by 18
ESPN Pick: Addicts by 21
Commish's Pick: Addicts by 15

Threat vs. Dominators
The Threat are 4-2 despite some inconsistency, but are certainly capable, facing a Dolla team still fending off injuries and questions.

Both teams are without a starter, as Swift was ruled out and the Threat don't have Russell this week. For better or worse, Zach Wilson might overcome expectations. Lamar will have to deliver 25+ to offset the Doms' banged-up RB group, but likely lose a low-scoring affair.

H2H Record: 1-1, Tied
Experts Pick: Threat by 6
ESPN Pick: Dominators by 4
Commish's Pick: Threat by 6

Football Team vs. Losers
Two winning teams square off, with the red hot Football Team matching up with a quietly solid Losers squad.

Eno got 19 to propel WFT into the weekend, and with their stacked WR/RB setup and LL's Eagles on bye, this will be a tough one for Ledford. Mahomes magic won't be enough on its own, and if Walkertown's Adams outpaces Drake London (likely), there won't be any drama.

H2H Record: 7-3, Losers
Experts Pick: WFT by 12
ESPN Pick: WFT by 18
Commish's Pick: WFT by 10

Bruisers vs. Wolves
Both of these teams are looking for consistency and answers at WR, with both in desperate need of a short-term win.

The Wolves benefit from their full complement of runners this week, and the trio (led by Henry) should outpace the Fournette/Montgomery duo on the other side. A bounce-back from Geno could be the ticket for the Bruisers, but only if Lockett (Dire) isn't the primary beneficiary. Expect a close matchup that comes down to the wire.

H2H Record: 10-6, Wolves
Experts Pick: Bruisers by 2
ESPN Pick: Bruisers by 1
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 4

Cheetahs vs. Marauders
This battle sees the upside of the Cheetahs against the consistently poor Marauders in what should be a less-than competitive game.

With 16 from Olave on Thursday, the Cheetahs are already out of the gate. If CMC is on a snap count in his new duds, the RB tilt should lean the Marauders way. That said, the WR and TE tilts are assuredly going Conover's direction, so expect this one to be decided before Tua takes the field.

H2H Record: 17-8, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 7
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 14
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 15

Remix vs. Crushers
These NLS mates face off for a better spot in the division race, as the 4-2 Crushers look to keep a winning pace and the Remix try to bounce back.

The Remix already got 28+ from Kyler/Kamara, but neither of these teams has their best weapon, thanks to the Bills bye week. Expect the Crushers to win the WR battle behind big days from Chase/Waddle, and that will leave the Remix counting on Kareem and the Pats D to stay in it. Will be close, but going Cliff's way.

H2H Record: 9-6, Remix
Experts Pick: Crushers by 2
ESPN Pick: Remix by 9
Commish's Pick: Crushers by 5

Burrow (WFT) led all scorers in Wk 6.

That does it for Week 6.

Low-scoring all around. We had a couple of close finishes, but only a couple of teams really showed up this week.

Bye weeks and injuries always seem to sap scoring this time of year, so your waiver/trade game will need to be on point, as will your team depth.

Let's look at the lay of the land in terms of LOC standings...

The separation in fortunes is becoming more apparent, as the 6-0 Addicts continue their march toward the playoffs. Can they be stopped?

They hold a two-game edge over the Crushers in the NLS, who were victorious this week as well. The Addicts also took a share of Owner of the Week honors, posting 124 alongside the 4-2 Football Team. How many times has that happened? See the Nugget for more.

The Football Team is tied with the Threat atop the WS division, but hold a commanding points lead thus far.

Over in the Rest, the Losers and Cheetahs also share the lead with a 4-2 record after wins this week.

So half of the league is 4-2 (or 6-0), three teams sit at 2-4 after taking losses, and there are a couple..ahem..below that.

On to the standouts...

*The Standouts*

Owner of the week (x2!)

Ghetto Krackaddicts - 124
Walkertown Football Team - 124

Power Player

Walkertown FT - Joe Burrow - 32.5

The OVercomer

Ledford's Losers - +5

Fantasy Fumble

THE 4:20 Qrew - 62

Negatron

THE 4:20 Qrew - Jags D/-4

***The Matchups***

Bruisers vs. Crushers
The Crushers overcame their recent slump and got back in the win column to keep them in the NLS chase, while the Bruisers hot streak came to a Gordon-less end.

It certainly wasn't the running game that earned the Crushers a win, but Josh Allen's continued brilliance (27) and a massive receiving combo from Chase (29.5) and Waddle (15.5) propelled them to victory. The Bruisers were let down by MG3 (.5) and Higbee (1), offsetting solid days from Fournette (16.5) and Gabe Davis.

Qrew vs. Cheetahs
The Cheetahs moved up to 4-2 and hold a share of the Rest lead, while the lowly Qrew notched their 10th straight defeat and a Fumble to boot.

It didn't require a starting Defense for the Cheetahs to return to their winning ways, or even a good day from Herbert (5.5). The workload for CMC (18.5) and Kelce's 16.5 were enough to get by the Qrew. 4:20 had their worst week of the season, falling to 0-6 despite solid efforts from Rhamondre (19) and Jefferson (15.5).

Football Team vs. Wolves
The points-leading Football Team seemed unaffected by bye weeks in their win over the struggling Wolves in this WS matchup.

The week's biggest blowout was led by WFT, who didn't need their Raiders stars to find points. Burrow's 32.5 and Pittman's 21.5 were the high marks in a balanced day overall for the red-hot Walkertown unit. The Wolves definitely missed King Henry, as Zeke's best day (13) and a pair of 11's from Brady and the Chargers D were the only bright spots.

Addicts vs. Dominators
The undefeated Addicts stayed that way with a hard-fought Sunday win over the bye-beaten Dominators, who fell back despite a decent effort.

The highest-scoring of a light week saw the Addicts ride their team depth to yet another win. No Taylor, no problem. Hall and Etienne combined for 30+, Cheetah delivered 25.5, and 7 of 10 starters went for double-digits. The Doms kept things interesting, notching a pair of 20's from Andrews and Aiyuk, though a goose egg from Eli Moore was the nail.

Losers vs. Remix
The Losers continue to find a way to win, moving to 4-2 and keeping pace in the Rest with their win over the up-and-down Remix (who drop to 2-4).

In the closest of the duels this week, the Losers squeezed enough points out of the Broncos D on Monday night to score a 3-point win over the OGs. Mahomes led the action with 19, while Mixon and Walker combined for 28. The Remix are likely wishing they'd started the Pats D, as the Bengals gave them zilch, negating a 25.5 from Diggs and 15 more from AK.

Marauders vs. Threat
The Threat weren't hitting on all cylinders this week, but they did enough to get by the rudderless one-win Marauders, moving up to 4-2 with an important division win.

It ultimately came down to Monday, but the needed points were already there for TLM. JuJu flexed for 21, while Barkley and Kupp chipped in enough to offset a down day from Chubb. The Commies D (13) was a crucial waiver add. The Marauders got 17 from keeper Ekeler, but the WR group crapped the sheets (8 combined) and Jones proved weak as a waiver plug QB.

Barkley (19.8 ppg) looks to keep the Threat motoring.

*The Situation*

We've arrived at the Week 6 runway, cleared for descent. Although some teams appear to just be taking off, there's a lot of air traffic and it may be awhile before you get to cruising altitude.

Bad analogies aside, we're wading into the bye weeks, the trade market is heating up, and teams are cutting bait with underachievers and rolling the dice on potential waivers wonders. Some teams are top-heavy and swapping for depth, while others are fairly balanced and standing their ground.

Where does your team land in all of that? Let's look at how many of the current Top-50 players (by scoring average) each team has on their roster at this point. 

1. Cheetahs - 8

2. Dominators - 6

3. Addicts - 5

4. Football Team - 5

5. Bruisers - 4

6. Losers - 4

7. Threat - 4

8. Marauders - 4

9. Wolves - 3

10. Remix - 3

11. Qrew - 2

12. Crushers - 2

Since that list constantly evolves throughout the season, you can't (and won't) have an entire starting cast of Top-50 players, but if you've got a decent supporting cast, you won't need many. We'll look at that list again in a few weeks and see how much it has changed.

Week 6 brings divisional matchups for the WS, while the Rest and NLS go head-to-head. On one end, the Addicts are looking to get to 6-0 (and extend their win streak to 8), while the Qrew are hoping to avoid 10 straight in the L column. Everywhere in between, teams at 3-2 and 2-3 are skirmishing to get a front-season edge. Let's get to the matchups and arbitrary predictions.

*The Matchups*

Bruisers vs. Crushers
This battle of 3-2 teams sees the Bruisers riding a wave of momentum from Week 5, while the Crushers look to right the ship after a 2-game slide.

Bruisers: World-beater Geno Smith gets the nod this week at QB, and he should at least provide a floor of 15. Montgomery wasn't great Thursday, so Fournette and Gordon will be counted on to secure the RB points edge, and should do so. Gabe Davis won't match last week, but Lamb is due for a big game if Rush can get him the rock. Vikes D should feast. Look for a Bruisers win here.

Crushers: The run game has been letting Cliff down, and he will need newly-acquired Mike Boone to steal Gordon's share in Denver. Josh Allen is an absolute lock against KC, and Chase is overdue to excel. Waddle is handcuffed until Tua returns, but Jeudy will have a big TD this week. The Niners D will continue to dominate, enough to keep this one closer.

Critical Matchup: Flex - Jeudy vs. Gordon
H2H Record: 13-8, Bruisers
Experts Pick: Bruisers by 12
ESPN Pick: Bruisers by 4
Commish's Pick: Bruisers by 10

Qrew vs. Cheetahs
The stakes for the Qrew are clear, as they try to avoid the 2nd-longest losing streak in LOC history, while the Cheetahs bring a high-scoring unit looking for their 4th win.

Qrew: At some point, Rodgers has to have a huge game. While it might not be needed against the Jets, the Commish sees a 3-TD game for him today. The rushing battle may actually go the Qrew's way, as Jeff Wilson looks strong and Rhamondre tries to match last week's breakout. Jefferson should have an easy go (vs. Miami), and Hollywood will benefit from a shootout.

Cheetahs: This one will likely come down to Herbert's performance on Monday night. CMC faces a stingy Rams D with a backup QB at the helm, so AJ Dillon will have to fill in for Pierce admirably. Both Bucs WR's should feast against the Steelers weakened defense, and Kelce won't reach 4 TDs but should have 100+ yards. The Cowboys D is a question mark, as is the outcome.

Critical Matchup: QB - Rodgers vs. Herbert
H2H Record: 11-11, Tied
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 6
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 5
Commish's Pick: Qrew by 8

Football Team vs. Wolves
In what should be a low-scoring WS battle, the Football Team seek a division lead and a continuance of momentum against a Wolves squad trying to start a winning streak.

WFT: Roquan got the show started Thursday with 11, but this week the Team will be without their two premier playmakers (Jacobs/Adams), meaning a test of depth. Eno Benjamin is a plug-in who may excel in the Conner role, and Pickens gets the Flex nod. He must reach 10 points. Rachaad White makes his first LOC start with questions. Burrow and Deebo will have to light up the scoreboard.

Wolves: There isn't likely a big game coming for Brady, but this week the run game will outplay projections, as Mostert gets another solid workload and Zeke/Najee get involvement in the passing game. Lockett will put up 15+, and if Doubs can continue to build chemistry with Rodgers, there is a lot to like here. The Chargers D won't match the Bucs D, but it may not matter.

Critical Matchup: WR2 - Pittman vs. Doubs
H2H Record: 6-6, Tied
Experts Pick: WFT by 13
ESPN Pick: WFT by 5
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 7

Addicts vs. Dominators
The undefeated Addicts try to keep the good times rolling and remain undefeated against a capable but recently struggling Dominators squad.

Addicts: With no Taylor again this week, it will take another scrappy effort from the Addicts to keep the unbeaten run alive. Hall is back in the mix, and he's joined by Etienne in a youth movement at RB. They will not deliver as Ghetto hopes, so the potent WR pair of Tyreek and DK (and Williams in the flex) should compensate. Can Trevor Lawrence step up, or is this the week things unfold?

Doms: After a blazing start, the Doms have fallen quickly, and no Lions this week is testing depth yet again. Cook and Singletary will serve as a valid 1-2 in this one, but the WR trio is middling at best. They will have to combine for 30 to assist the cause. The key to the upset will be a big day from Lamar against the Giants. Along with the high target share for Mark Andrews, it will be just enough.

Critical Matchup: D/ST - Panthers vs. Rams
H2H Record: 11-9, Dominators
Experts Pick: Addicts by 2
ESPN Pick: Dominators by 2
Commish's Pick: Dominators by 2

Losers vs. Remix
Two teams trying to secure their identity this season need this win to get an edge, as the Losers seek 4-2 and the Remix try to get back to .500.

Losers: Expect a big game from Mahomes (why not) despite the Bills tough defense. Mixon should be serviceable this week, but Kenneth Walker will truly outplay expectations in place of Williams (bye). Eagles reps Brown and Goedert should help carry the load, while London and MVS underachieve. The prognosis here is a competitive effort that isn't quite enough. 

Remix: The Remix know they need this win, and they've got the firepower to make it happen. Kyler was a trade win and he will keep up with Mahomes. Sanders should post 12+, though Dobbins isn't a sure thing here. Expect another winning day from Diggs, with Lazard providing double-digit support. If Kamara can get the expected utilization, the OG's will take the W. 

Critical Matchup: Flex - MVS vs. Kamara
H2H Record: 3-0, Remix
Experts Pick: Remix by 8
ESPN Pick: Remix by 11
Commish's Pick: Remix by 7

Marauders vs. Threat
The defending champs hope to continue building on a solid start to the year, while the flailing Marauders scrape the bowl looking for a winning vibe in this WS battle.

Marauders: The QB roulette (and non-Tua struggles) are well-documented, and its mediocre Danny Dimes that gets the nod in a must-win game. He just has to post 10 points. Ekeler and Aaron Jones are expected to carry the Mitchell squad, but Kirk must bounce back and Sutton needs to work around the Chargers secondary. The Pack D should thrive, and an Ertz 10-12 will help the cause.

Threat: There's no reason to think the Threat can't continue posting 110 a week, as their run game keeps the floor high every week. Chubb and Barkley will combine for 30+ once again, though Kupp will need another big game after Samuel's dud on Thursday. Irv Smith steps in at TE to replace the deposed Waller, while the Commies D already provided 13. It will be close.

Critical Matchup: RB1 - Ekeler vs. Chubb
H2H Record: 1-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Threat by 15
ESPN Pick: Threat by 6
Commish's Pick: Marauders by 1

Gabe Davis (34.5) paced the Bruisers in a league-leading Wk 5.

There you have it. Another round of close games decided late. Another layer of separation at the top and bottom of the LOC standings. And a continued glut of teams fighting in the middle.  

That's right, 9 out of 12 teams are either 3-2 or 2-3. Parity for the win!

At the top, the Addicts continue to reign unbeaten at 5-0. At the bottom, the Qrew and Marauders struggle to put it all together.

Everywhere else, it's really hard to say, though there are certainly signs of momentum.

Let's talk about the 3-2's. The Bruisers showed the league they can put up points, leading the way in a high-scoring win over the Cheetahs (who were 2nd in scoring this week). The Football Team got a big Monday night showing from their Raiders to pull even with the Crushers, the Losers got what they needed from Mahomes, and the Threat worked their running game for a win Sunday.

Of the 2-3 teams, the Wolves survived a late push from 4:20 to get their second win, while the Dominators and Remix both slid back this week.

Now we're on to the standouts from Week 5. Notice the return of some familiar icons below? Pretty cool, eh? Found our old trophy case icons in an archived email from 9 years ago. Even better, every team's individual trophy case will be built over the next week. Obviously, we don't have some of the old data or the awarded trophy archives, but I'm making the most of what we do have. 

If you'd like to see what this will look like in practice, check out the team pages for the Bruisers or Crushers. Best viewed in landscape mode. Your page will be up soon! Like the rest of the site, the team pages will continue to evolve over the course of the season (as the commish has time).

*The Standouts*

Owner of the week

Benny's Bruisers - 154.5
All systems go for the Bruisers, led by Davis, Fournette, and Hurts.

Power Player

Cliff's Crushers - Josh Allen - 43
Allen threw for 424 and 4 TD's, leading the league despite a Crushers loss.

The OVercomer

Walkertown FT - 36 Points
Needing 36 from Adams/Jacobs, WFT got 54.5 points from the explosive duo.

Fantasy Fumble

Mitchell's Marauders - 80.5
That's two of out the last three in the Fumble zone for this QB-less team.

Negatron

Marauders/Wolves -2 (MIA/LAC)
Both teams started defenses that got exploited. Both posted -2.

*The Matchups*

Game of the Week: Bruisers vs. Cheetahs
This one outplayed the billing. The Bruisers showed their upside in a duel with the Cheetahs that saw 290 combined points. 

Gabe Davis was the lead man, posting 34.5 on a pair of insanely long TD grabs. Fournette added 26.5 and Hurts 21 more, and the effort was punctuated by a Carlson 18 that pushed the Bruisers over 150.

The Cheetahs saw plenty of balance, and getting a combined 41 from DAL and Tucker boosted their chances. Kelce caught 4 TDs (on 25 yards!) to keep things uncomfortable, and CMC chipped in 17.5 himself. It was good enough to beat anyone but the Bruisers this week.

Wolves vs. Crew
A hope-critical matchup that came down to the wire, this one saw the Wolves outlast the Crew to end their 3-game slide, simultaneously adding an L9 to the 4:20 ledger.

A trio of 20+ games from Henry (24), Lockett (23.5) and Brady (22) were plenty of ammo to overcome a weaker support effort, and waiver scoop Mostert delivered 18 in the flex to help the Wolves to victory.

The Qrew got everything they needed but Edwards-Helaire production on Monday night, falling short in a comeback bid. JJ led the effort with 25, and Jeff Wilson was strong with 19 points. A goose egg from Conklin was the likely difference.

Threat vs. Remix
This game was close until it was decided, as the Threat continued their steady approach and the Remix took a step back at day's end.

The '21 champs lost Waller on Monday, but they had enough banked with their top-shelf running game, fueled by Chubb's 24 and 16 more from Barkley. Cooper Kupp continues to show his keeper value, posting 25 in the contest.

The Remix were let down by Dobbins, but the Kamara double-deuce and the comfortable 20 from Diggs helped keep them close. Hockenson didn't replicate his Week 4 success.

Addicts vs. Marauders
The continuance of Krackaddicts success was not foretold in this matchup, but they weathered an early injury (Hines) and cruised past the Phin-fangled Marauders to get to 5-0.  

We haven't seen the best of this team yet, and that could mean trouble for the NLS division. This week it was a combination of Breece Hall (26.5) and reintroductions from DK and Mike Will (combined for 36) that drove the Addicts to an early lead and win.

Another week of QB injury doomed the positional points for MIM, and though Ekeler had a monster day with 31.5, there wasn't enough WR or D/ST (-2) production to give the Marauders a shot to win.

Losers vs. Dominators
There wasn't a lot of drama by the time Monday arrived, but the Losers came through and notched their 3rd win in this Rest battle.

The Mahomes 26.5 certainly added insurance to the margin, helping to overcome a subpar effort from Brown (4.5) and Robinson (still starting). The Broncos D's 15 and Goedert's 13.5 were critical contributions to the win.

The Dominators have fallen quickly from a couple of weeks ago, as Swift is injured and depth is being tested. Cook was strong with 20.5, and the Bills D (14) was on point, but Singletary and the WR group underwhelmed in this one.

Crushers vs. Football Team
It appeared the Crushers had done enough to sneak by to 4-1, but the capable Football Team had other ideas, completing a Monday night comeback to take the win.

That's taking nothing away from Josh Allen, who led all scorers with 43 and gave the Crushers a good shot at it. Unfortunately for Cliff, only the Niners D (14) gave any double-digit support to the cause. 

Walkertown has shown they are to be taken seriously in the WS division, and they hang on to the points lead after this week. Davante and Josh Jacobs each reached 27 to drive the comeback, and there was enough production elsewhere to make a winning formula.

Can Rodgers get the Qrew on the winning path?

Sunday of Week 5 is here, where we'll see the Rest division battling within their own ranks while the NLS and WS groups face each other. The Addicts have a chance to move to 5-0 and extend their win streak to 7, the Football Team have a chance to build on their overall points lead, and the teams in the Rest have a chance to prove their early success (all 4 teams at .500 or above) is legit. 

We'll also keep an eye cast the Qrew's way as they look to end their 8-game slump. One thing is certain based on the matchups, there will be at least 5 teams with losing records after this week (3 currently) and potentially 7 with a positive W/L ratio. 

Can the Crushers bounce back from last week's loss? Will the Cheetahs stay hot? Is it panic time for the Wolves and Marauders? 

Which of the six 2-2 teams will join the narrow group at the top of the standings? What about .500 survivors like the Bruisers and Losers? Are their fortunes as optimistic as the steady Threat and the rising Remix? Can the Dominators regain their footing after a forgettable Week 4?

Anything is possible at this point, but clearer answers are on the way. We just saw our first trade and the waiver wire is heating up. It's officially adjustment time across most of the league. 

Is your team ready for a prove-it week? We'll know soon enough.

*The Matchups*

Qrew vs. Wolves
This one qualifies as the "something's got to give" category. Both these teams are on multi-game losing streaks and looking for a turnaround. 

For the Wolves, the signs of life from Derrick Henry are a good sign, and the running game is certainly capable, but the WR group must step up this week. No Thomas, so Doubs and Lockett are the primaries that Dire will be counting on today. Zeke and Najee should have better performances despite the tough defensive matchups. If Brady can keep up last week's momentum, the Wolves can hang in. 

The Qrew are counting on Rodgers to put up points against a suspect Giants D, and he will do so. Look for CEH to post 15, though Jeff Wilson and Hollywood Brown are both question marks. Jefferson and Higgins will excel, pacing the team with solid outings. If the Jags D can hold Houston down, the Qrew will snap their losing streak and start a turnaround.

Critical Matchup: QB - Rodgers vs. Brady
H2H Record: 8-8, Tied
Experts Pick: Qrew by 6
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 16
Commish's Pick: Qrew by 5

Football Team vs. Crushers
Both of these squads enter this exciting matchup on slightly different trajectories, as the Football Team seeks to continue their upward momentum, while the Crushers try to reset after their first loss.

The Flex matchup proved to be a wash Thursday (Pittman/Jeudy), and Walkertown should expect a challenge at every position. Both run games are in injury-related flux, so WFT is calling on Burkhead to replace Patterson, while the Crushers move Harris into the second RB spot. If Jacobs has another game like last week, the Football Team will take this positional scrum. It's anyone's guess who takes the WR tilt, though the Commish sees Chase elevating the day for Cliff. 

Josh Allen will slightly outpace Burrow, but a surprise upset by the Panthers against the 49ers will swing the defensive matchup toward WFT. That will be just enough for the win. 

Critical Matchup: RB2 - Harris vs. Burkhead
H2H Record: 11-10, Crushers
Experts Pick: WFT by 4
ESPN Pick: Crushers by 2
Commish's Pick: WFT by 2

Cheetahs vs. Bruisers
These two enter with a winning record, but its the Cheetahs who roll in with high projections and plenty of optimism. The Bruisers are finding ways to hang in, and could elevate the outlook with a win here.

Following a trade with RMX, the Cheetahs will roll out James Robinson in the Flex this week, and he should surpass Gabe Davis on the other side. Kelce is always the pick to win the TE battle. Herbert may underwhelm against Cleveland, meaning the Bruisers' Hurts will hold the QB edge here. The rushing battle will be close (Gordon's 11 was slightly encouraging for BB), but McCaffrey will definitely outscore Fournette. Is Pierce for real? We'll know shortly.

This one will be closer than projected, with the Bucs WRs going 1 for 2 on production and CeeDee Lamb helping the Bruisers hang in. A Monday night decision goes to Conover.

Critical Matchup: Flex - Davis vs. Robinson
H2H Record: 10-9, Bruisers
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 13
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 7
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 3

Dominators vs. Losers
This battle of 2-2 squads is an early test for both. They need to find their footing after tough losses in Week 4, and its the Losers who are projected to do so here. 

The Doms are still missing Swift, and the Losers are still without Keenan Allen. The fill-ins will tell that story for us, as the Losers will gain the additional Swift value via Jamaal Williams, while Amon-Ra has a big day collecting passes from Goff. Yes, Goff is starting over Lamar, as the Doms try the hot-hand approach this week. He won't keep up with Mahomes, but should be serviceable. The Losers got 15 from the Broncs D on Thursday, but the Bills should easily match that against a rookie in Pittsburgh.

This one may well come down to whether Dalvin Cook can find a rhythm, or whether Goedert can come anywhere close to Mark Andrews at the TE spot. Expect a hard-fought game at around 100 pts each.

Critical Matchup: WR1 - Brown vs. St. Brown
H2H Record: 5-3, Losers
Experts Pick: Losers by 10
ESPN Pick: Losers by 11
Commish's Pick: Losers by 5

Threat vs. Remix
The Threat and Remix are both at .500 and in the top half of the league so far, but that has not been due to QB play. The OG unit just traded in for Kyler, and he may just be the ticket to 3-2.

Wilson's 4 on Thursday is a continuing problem for the Threat, so the production Murray provides will set the table for what TLM needs from their explosive running game to keep pace. Expect Chubb and Barkley to combine for 30+. Are Dobbins and Sanders up to that task? They will likely need only 20 between them. Diggs vs. Kupp is a fun WR1 battle that should be pretty damn close. The Vikings D will provide a defensive edge, but Kamara will outpace Smith-Schuster in the Flex.

The stakes may well be set by the QB battle, but the production of Waller (TLM) and Kamara (RMX) will be the final difference.

Critical Matchup: QB - Wilson vs. Murray
H2H Record: 1-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Threat by 8
ESPN Pick: Remix by 8
Commish's Pick: Remix by 8

Addicts vs. Marauders
The Addicts are the league's sole unbeaten team at 4-0, and they play a Marauders squad trying to get by at QB and avoid the league basement.

For Ghetto, the Taylor injury is a real concern in the short term, but they've been able to get W's so far despite his situation. Hines was called up this week, but left early with injury as well. That puts the pressure on Breece Hall to deliver a big day. Carr will certainly outpace Bridgewater on the other side, and the WR edge should go to Tyreek and DK. With that combo, the Addicts are set to keep up throughout this game. Watch for a potential big day from Mike Williams.

The Marauders need a lot from Ekeler and Kirk to give themselves a shot, and the Dolphins D must take advantage of the Jets (including stopping Hall). If Cooks can continue to improve his numbers, they make have a shot for the upset. 

Critical Matchup:
H2H Record: 13-10, Addicts
Experts Pick: Marauders by 2
ESPN Pick: Marauders by 5
Commish's Pick: Marauders by 1

Pierce balled out (25.5) for the Cheetahs in Wk 4.

Week 4 was another exciting and competitive round of games. 3 of the 6 came down to Monday night. That's two weeks in a row of late sweating for multiple owners. All divisional games. Lots of drama.

Where does that leave us today? For starters, a big congrats to the Ghetto Krackaddicts for earning this year's Last Man Standing! At 4-0, and even without hitting on all cylinders, they are officially the team to beat in the short term. They edged out the Crushers in the battle of the unbeatens.

The Cheetahs proved their #2 spot in the Power Rankings was no joke, as they exploded for the second 150+ point effort we've seen this season (Dolla, Wk 2). Likewise, the Football Team picked up where they left off last week, charging by the Marauders to get a share of the WS division lead...alongside the Threat, who evened up their record in a hard-fought battle with the Wolves.

Over in the NLS, the Remix held off the Qrew to get back to .500, while the Bruisers outlasted the Dominators in the Fumbowl and are tied with them atop the Rest.

With all the course corrections from this week, the middle of the pack is piled high. Half the league is at 2-2. Only 3 teams at 4-0 or 3-1. Multiple starters went down with injury. And there are certainly more questions at this point than answers. Which is a good thing. On to the standouts and matchup breakdowns.

***The Standouts***

Owner of the week

Conover Cheetahs - 156.5
With a balanced scoring attack hitting at almost every position, the Cheetahs proved they are ready to contend this season.

Power Player

Remix OG - TJ Hockenson - 33.5
One player can make the difference. Hockenson lit up the scoreboard for the Remix and was a key in their Wk 4 win.

The OVercomer

Threat Level Midnight
Trailing by 22 on Monday, the reigning champs got all they needed and more from Kupp/Wagner to complete the comeback. 

Fantasy Fumble

Dolla Dominators - 68.5
After a blazing start to the season, the suddenly slowed Doms found the sledding much tougher and hit the ice hard.

Negatron

Benny's Bruisers - Melvin Gordon
It's true that the Bruisers won and that Melvin may get a promotion, but MG's -1.5 point effort was a stain on the week.

***The Matchups***

Crushers vs. Addicts
This was the matchup to watch entering the weekend, and it proved to be competitive for much of the contest. The WR battle swung the Addicts way early, with Hill (23.5) outpacing the combo of Chase/Waddle (14.5) on Thursday. Sunday saw Mike Williams (17.5) outduel the Crushers' Jerry Jeudy (11) in a critical Flex battle. Neither run game flourished, but Breece Hall's 13 was a positive for GK as well. The Crushers found little to fuel their effort to reach 4-0, though Josh Allen's 20 and the addition of Boswell (14) were both positives.

The Addicts move up to 4-0 and are currently riding a 6-game winning streak, while the Crushers slip to 3-1 right behind them in the NLS race.

Cheetahs vs. Losers
Both these teams entered the contest 2-1, part of an early 3-way tie in the Rest. The momentum was all Cheetahs in this one. They notched their highest score since Wk 5 of last year, trouncing the Losers in a game that leaked any drama early. For Ledford, there were positives in defeat, such as the Jamaal Williams plug that paid off with 24 and Mahomes' continued magic. Robinson is becoming a liability, but this team is still a capable unit. The Cheetahs wisely elevated Pierce, and he combined with CMC for 44.5 points. Evans (24) and Herbert (22) added to a great day from just about everyone.

The Cheetahs jump up to 3-1 and sole position of the division lead, while the Losers settle back to .500 and a game down.

Bruisers vs. Dominators
A lot was made of this low-scoring game and it's Monday wind-down, but its was at least competitive throughout. The Doms entered with a lot of confidence, rightly positive after a great start. The Bruisers haven't had much luck, but got back to even with a late win in this one. Despite a couple of starting duds (Davis, Gordon, Smith), the Bruisers got between 11-13 from 4 other starters, managing just enough to outlast the cash. Dolla saw only Lamar reach double-digits (10.5) among starters, and with Swift and St. Brown both hampered, there was little value to be found this week.

The Dominators drop to 2-2, where they share 2nd with the Bruisers in the Rest division.

Football Team vs. Marauders
This one was largely decided early, though it was closer than the final score appeared. The Football Team were coming off a solid Week 3, and they added to it with a 146-point performance to roll past the Marauders. Josh Jacobs was the star of the show, posting a season's best 29.5 points and 2 touchdowns. Burrow (21.5) and the Eagles D (19) were solid, and Deebo added 23.5 on Monday night to secure a convincing win. The Marauders finally got a big week from Ekeler (25.5), and all but 2 starters reached double-digits, though Tua's injury-induced 1 point basically sealed the deal.

Walkertown rises to 2-2 with plenty of upside, while the Marauders slip to 1-3 in the WS division.

Threat vs. Wolves
The comeback story of Week 4 was not entirely unpredictable, but it had to materialize on Monday night, when the Threat got a 21-point game from Cooper Kupp. Wilson also posted 21 in the winning effort. The Barkley and Chubb duo provided 19 apiece, offsetting down days from Waller/Samuel. Brady came alive for the Wolves, hoisting a season-high 26 to lead the way, while Derrick Henry delivered 21.5 himself. No shame in the Dire effort, though Pitts needs to find his way soon. Despite the L, a competitive matchup throughout.

The Threat now own a share of the WS lead at 2-2. The Wolves drop to a less-than-expected 1-3.

Remix vs. Qrew
Eventually, any narrative about this matchup will find its way back to the 8-game losing streak that is nagging the Qrew. The Remix aren't complaining, as they got a needed division win. Both teams put up points and the game wasn't ultimately decided until the final minutes. The big story in this one: TJ Hockenson. He blew up in a injury-riddled shootout for Detroit, posting 33.5 to lead the week in the LOC. Miles Sanders continues to be a value, adding 26 to secure the win. The Qrew left CEH's game-winning points behind, but got a nice pair of receiving days from JJ (25.5) and Tee (24.5).

Surviving the matchup to move to 2-2, the Remix are still 3rd in the NLS. The Qrew fall to 0-4.

Hard to believe we're already in the throes of Week 4, but here we are. 

Half the league is 1-2 (including the entire WS division). The teams with the best records are banged up with injury and inconsistency. The teams with the worst records look far more capable than they've played thus far. There's a lot to sort out in the coming months. 

What better way to start getting some clarity than LOC Divisional Week! The only time between now and Week 14 where everyone is playing in their own sandbox. The outcomes this weekend will definitely matter for tiebreaker purposes, so don't sleep on this one.

Both of our 3-0 teams face each other this week, meaning either the Crushers or the Addicts will be the last man standing at 4-0. Two of the three 2-1 teams (Losers and Cheetahs) square off to send someone to the top of the Rest division. And in the sea of 1-2's, it's likely that three teams will reach .500 by Monday. Can teams like the Dominators and Football Team keep their upward momentum? Are the Threat about to make a run? Can the Qrew get over a sluggish start and stop the streak? Answers are ahead.

The Matchups

Game of the Week: Crushers vs. Addicts
Someone will emerge as the team to beat in the LOC. Which one though? The early receiving edge goes to the Addicts, who got a robust 23.5 out of Tyreek on Thursday. Chase and Waddle both had down games for the Crushers, combining for just 14.5 points. There is still room for the Crushers to score a win here, but it will require a big day from Josh Allen (possible) and a solid 1-2 from Williams and Gibson. Taylor and Hall will try to push back for the Addicts (in a first start for Hall). The matchup that will likely decide the game is in the flex, where Mike Williams (GK) squares against Jerry Jeudy (CFFT). Expect a fun 3-0 showdown that is decided Monday night by the Rams D.

Critical Matchup: FLEX - Williams vs. Jeudy
H2H Record: 11-10, Addicts
Experts Pick: Addicts by 2
ESPN Pick: Addicts by 16
Commish's Pick: Addicts by 5

Cheetahs vs. Losers
The question marks in the Cheetahs Week 4 lineup are exacerbated by the starting lineup tango to this point, but assuming CMC and Hunt/Dillon get the start, there is a likely enough there to keep up at RB. That said, the Losers have Mixon and a prime stash play with Jamaal Williams, so this will be a close positional battle. Expect Herbert to stay close to Mahomes in scoring, given the defensive matchups. Kelce will win the TE duel for Conover, and Robinson will break out for the Losers. This Rest matchup will be settled on Monday during Chiefs/Bucs.

Critical Matchup: D/ST - Broncos vs. Cowboys
H2H Record: 6-2, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Cheetahs by 2
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 1
Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 7

Dominators vs. Bruisers
This one feels like it will be a hard-fought battle. The Dominators have been hot (and the composite Power Ranks have them at #1), but Swift and St. Brown are out this week, which sets the stage for the Bruisers to take a good shot at it. Lamb and DeVonta Smith should have good weeks, giving BB the edge in receiving points over Aiyuk and Eli Moore. Hurts will have a good game too, but the Lamar-to-Andrews connection will reap the usual benefits for Dolla. The run game will be interesting to watch, as Cook tries to rally and Fournette is expected to succeed against KC. The RB2 battle will be a wash. The Doms sneak by late.

Critical Matchup: RB1 - Cook vs. Fournette
H2H Record: 14-9, Bruisers
Experts Pick:  Bruisers by 2
ESPN Pick: Dominators by 1
Commish's Pick: Dominators by 8

Threat vs. Wolves
This WS battle sees the defending champs trying to get things on track against a run-heavy Wolves squad. That takes nothing away from the Chubb/Barkley duo as the Threat's main weapon. Both have favorable matchups. Expect Henry to struggle but Najee to exceed projections for the Wolves. JuJu will surprise with 15+ from the TLM flex spot, while Zeke continues a trend of flat production. Both TEs (Waller and Pitts) will have get-right days. The winner here will be decided by the QB battle, where both Wilson and Brady have not lit up the scoreboard like days of old. Which will re-emerge here?

Critical Matchup: QB - Wilson vs. Brady
H2H Record: 1-0, Threat
Experts Pick: Threat by 12
ESPN Pick: Threat by 9
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 2

Football Team vs. Marauders
This matchup was likely decided the moment Tua's head hit the turf in Cincy, but the Marauders will still bring their troops to the fray against a Walkertown team ready to do some damage in the WS group. With Burrow's 21.5 in the bank, WFT are hoping Patterson and Jacobs continue their Week 3 momentum and Davante finally breaks out in Vegas. Deebo and Samuel will both post double-digits, and Pittman will see 10 targets against Tennessee. Roquan and McPherson are icing. Ekeler and Jones must reach 20+ for the Marauders, and even if Sutton and Kirk shine, it likely won't be enough. Herbert should excel in defeat.

Critical Matchup: RB1 - Patterson vs. Ekeler
H2H Record: 12-10, Marauders
Experts Pick: Football Team by 10
ESPN Pick: Football Team by 27
Commish's Pick: Football Team by 15

Remix vs. Qrew
A 59-yard TD by Tee Higgins on Thursday and 24.5 points overall have the Qrew feeling optimistic entering Sunday. Jefferson and Hollywood Brown will chip in a combined 30, meaning a win in the WR category. The Remix do have Diggs and McLaurin, so it won't be a big win, but the flex battle of Garrett Wilson vs. Brown will go the Qrew's way. Dan will get decent numbers from Cousins, but will it be enough to outpace Rodgers? What happens with Julio in the 4:20 IR spot? Will the Giants D backfire on the OG's? The running game will decide this, as Robinson and Kamara (RMX) must outpace Conner/Wilson if the Remix are to win.

Critical Matchup: RB2 - Robinson vs. Wilson
H2H Record: 12-4, Qrew
Experts Pick: Remix by 4
ESPN Pick: Qrew by 8
Commish's Pick: Qrew by 3

Joe Burrow broke out in Wk 3 for the Football Team.

It only took 3 weeks for us to get the kind of late-Monday drama that makes fantasy football so fun to watch. 4 of the 6 games were to be decided on Monday night, and 3 came down to the final moments. That equates to a whole lot of anxious moments...and it turned an otherwise middling NFC East matchup into must-see TV for the LOC.

When the smoke cleared, the Crushers and Addicts both emerged victorious and moved to 3-0. The Football Team (led by Burrow) got into the win column in style, leading all scoring to make an early season statement. Over in the Rest division, the Losers and Cheetahs survived to move to 2-1, while the Dominators steamrolled past their elder opponent to get to 2-1 as well.

It was a highly competitive and exciting week, and we're left with the two undefeated teams in the NLS, an entire division of 1-2 teams (WS), and a whole lot of parity early. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come. It's on to the Week 3 standouts (with a matchups review up later tonight).

***The Standouts***

Owner of the week

Walkertown Football Team - 128.5
Paced by Burrow and Patterson, the Football Team led all scoring in Week 3, putting themselves squarely in the mix in the WS division.

Power Player

Dominators - Lamar Jackson - 34.5
The Dominators have taken the overall scoring lead in the LOC, thanks in part to Jackson's continued dominance in Week 3.

Fantasy Fumble

Mitchell's Marauders - 63.5
Unable to get out of their own way, the Marauders suffered a beatdown in the Mitchell bowl and scrubbed the league floor in Week 3.

Negatron

Mitchell's Marauders - Chargers D
The Marauders found their way to the bottom of the heap this week with a decimating -6 from the Chargers defense.

***The Matchups***

Crushers vs. Qrew
Josh Allen and Jaylen Waddle continue to lead the way for the Crushers, this week to the tune of 25.5 and 14.5, respectively. The game was close late, but it was enough (along with a nice effort from Prater) to get the Crushers another W and a continued share of the NLS lead. The Qrew are now in a franchise-worst 7-game slide, this one due to a couple of incorrect starting decisions and a Micah Parsons letdown on Monday night. Hollywood Brown (23) came through with a solid leading effort for 4:20, but down days from Jefferson and Stafford sealed their fate in this one.

Addicts vs. Remix
So many things could have changed late, with this one coming down to a kicker (Gano) and ultimately a 1-point difference. The Addicts emerged victorious in this survivor match, getting to 3-0 as well in the NLS group. Carr led the effort with 20.5, while DK and Kendricks chipped in 12.5 each. Taylor's 10.5 proved just enough. The Remix were lead by Cousins' 17 and had hope on the horizon, but big points were left on the bench, and Gano's 16 wasn't quite enough to get them over the top.

Dominators vs. Marauders
This annual matchup was over by 2pm on Sunday, thanks to the continued MVP play of Lamar Jackson. His 34.5 led all scorers for the second straight week, and 20.5 more were from connections with Mark Andrews. The Dominators were able to overcome a Swift injury to cruise to 2-1. There were really no highlights in the starting roster for the Marauders, and other than a pair of double-digit WR days from Kirk and Sutton, it was a forgettable effort.

Bruisers vs. Walkertown
The Football Team brought a balanced effort that ended up being the league's best in Week 3, fueled by 24 from Burrow and another 21.5 from Patterson. Not to be overlooked is Roquan Smith's 19, a noteworthy IDP day amid many double-digit efforts from WFT starters. For the Bruisers, there wasn't much to celebrate, as Smith's big day (26.5) was left behind in defeat. Hurts (26) continues to be a force, and Lamb finally stepped up with 16.5, but the deficit was too much.

Losers vs. Threat
Another nail-biter, this matchup saw the Losers hang on late to emerge with their second win. Ultimately, the credit can go to the Broncos D/ST, who rung up 22 points on Sunday night. Mahomes and AJ Brown added 15's to get the Losers through in a battle with the '21 champs. For the Threat, it was almost enough that Saquon continued his comeback tour with 18.5 and Chubb piled on 17 more, but Boyd's points were benched and Russell Wilson (4.5) remained stagnant at the helm. 

Wolves vs. Cheetahs
Yet another hard-fought matchup that came down to the wire. The Cheetahs snuck by late thanks to a big play from the Cowboys D and despite the loss of newly-acquired Sterling Shepard. Russell Gage's 16.5 led the Conover scoring, while CMC and Kelce chipped in a serviceable 14 apiece. The return of Derrick Henry (20.5) has to be encouraging for the Wolves, and 5 other starters contributed between 11-13, but the blame for this one likely lies with the Steelers D (1). 

Two unpredictable weeks have gone by. A third faces us today. 

The NLS division squares off this weekend for the first time, while the Rest and WS groups face each other. The Crushers and Addicts look to reach 3-0, while the Qrew and Football Team are hoping to notch their first W in this young season.

Before we dive into the matchups, here is a quick look at starting roster strength entering this week, ranked by a third party. Feel free to adjust or ignore based on these grades.

1. Threat (A+)

2. Dominators (A+)

3. Crushers (A)

4. Qrew (A)

5. WFT (A)

6. Marauders (A)

7. Bruisers (A-)

8. Addicts (B+)

9. Remix (B+)

10. Losers (B)

11. Wolves (B)

12. Cheetahs (C+)

Are these ranks an accurate reflection of likely outcomes today? Probably not, but it's always fun to see what the experts think is gonna happen. Injuries (as always) and early underachievement are already impacting team strength, as that list looks pretty different from the pecking order just two weeks ago from the same ranking tool. Prove 'em wrong or prove 'em right.

Let's jump right into the battles ahead.

Crushers vs. Qrew
The Crushers are off to a great start, and they will expect continued success via Josh Allen and Dawson Knox vs. a susceptible Fins D today. They should see numbers. Waddle and Chase will both deliver 15+ at WR, but Javonte and Jeudy may both struggle to earn their spots this week. The Bears D will be a key here, as will Gibson's ability to hold a solid early pace. Expect things to go fairly smoothly.

Meanwhile, the Qrew are in the throes of a 6-game losing streak that began in Week 14 of last season, and are desperately trying to avoid a franchise-worst 7 in a row. This won't be an easy chance to change their fortunes. Stafford should have success against the Cards D, but the running game is in question with Conner dinged up and Jeff Wilson an uncertain value. Wilson and CEH could outproduce expectations, but the WR group will need max production from Jefferson (likely) and Higgins (?). 

Critical Matchup: FLEX - Brown vs. Jeudy
H2H Record: 14-11, Qrew
Experts Pick: Crushers by 6
ESPN Pick: Crushers by 8
Commish's Pick: Crushers by 3

Addicts vs. Remix
So far so good for the Krackaddicts, as their '22 campaign is off to a solid start similar to last year. It's fair to expect that Tyreek won't be able to be stopped this week, but Mike Williams will need to replicate his Week 2 as well. The run game is riding on Taylor, who draws a good matchup with KC's defense. Can Carr elevate his game? Can DK be DK? The Rams D also needs to come together, and these questions will make this a close one.

The Remix pulled off a narrow win last week, but perhaps its the first sign of a momentum run. Dobbins is active for the first time and--along with a capable Miles Sanders--should fare well. Kamara is expected to have a great game. Can he show his draft value? Diggs will feast this week, and McLaurin should get plenty of targets. The Chiefs D will be challenged to score points, but there is likely enough elsewhere for the OG's to score an upset.

Critical Matchup: QB - Carr vs. Cousins
H2H Record: 6-5, Addicts
Experts Pick: Addicts by 4
ESPN Pick: Remix by 1
Commish's Pick: Remix by 3

Dominators vs. Marauders
It's all systems go for the Dominators thus far, and they enter this Mitchell duel with plenty of reasonable optimism. Lamar gets a Pats D that he can take advantage of to the tune of 25+, and the run game should motor on via a Cook bounce-back and Swift's continued roll. The WR group was a question, but so far St. Brown has been a stud. Can Moore and Agholor contribute double-digits? If the Texans D can hold up, the Doms should cruise to victory.

The Marauders had a great Week 2, but expectations are tempered with Tua facing the Bills D and Ekeler getting a reduced workload. Aaron Jones won't have much luck against a stout Bucs front 7, meaning the receiving corps must carry the water this week. Sutton, Cooks and Kirk are all capable, but only one will likely post WR1 value (Kirk?). DJ Moore (3rd Round) is already on the bench, and the Chargers D won't put up enough points to keep this one respectable.

Critical Matchup: QB - Jackson vs. Tagovailoa
H2H Record: 11-7, Marauders
Experts Pick: Dominators by 10
ESPN Pick: Dominators by 17
Commish's Pick: Dominators by 15

Bruisers vs. Walkertown
The Bruisers have gotten great numbers from Jalen Hurts, and his matchup this week should also yield 20 or more. Expect Fournette and Montgomery to continue to build on good opportunities as well, thought the WR pair will have their work cut out for them. Lamb will need to step up against the Giants. Bateman's speed will likely net him a big play or two this week, though Gabe Davis is boom/bust. Should be hard-fought game.

The Football Team will need Burrow to get rolling much earlier than last week, as his bad first half cost them. Drake is gone (for the best), but Kittle and Jacobs are set to go this week. Can they both put up expected production? Davante and Deebo will both have big games, and that will fuel the day for Walkertown. Patterson will need to step up, as the RB tilt likely will swing the other way. Watch for a big game from Pittman to put WFT over the top.

Critical Matchup: TE - Higbee vs. Kittle
H2H Record: 15-11, Bruisers
Experts Pick: WFT by 2
ESPN Pick: Bruisers by 4
Commish's Pick: WFT by 6

Losers vs. Threat
From the top, it appears the Losers will win the QB matchup fairly easily, as Mahomes has a definitive edge vs. Wilson. The run game will be the real challenge for Ledford, as Mixon should excel but Penny is a question mark. The 3 WR's are likely to post double-digits, with AJ Brown and London both reaching at least 15. Robinson will be counted on in the Flex and could surprise today. Goedert is hit or miss in this one. Can the Broncos D keep the Niners in check?

As referenced above, the Threat could really use a better game from Wilson than what they've seen thus far. Kupp and Samuel should post solid days yet again, so the running game is where this one will be decided. Chubb already notched 17 on Thursday. Can Saquon and Chase Edmonds lend the needed support? Only one of the two will come through. Expect a big day from Waller. The Panthers D must step up, and they should post enough to get the Threat through.

Critical Matchup: WR2 - London vs. Samuel
H2H Record: 0-0, Tied
Experts Pick: Threat by 16
ESPN Pick: Threat by 6
Commish's Pick: Threat by 12

Wolves vs. Cheetahs
For the Wolves, a solid Week 1 gave way to a miserable Week 2, and they will look to their run game to get them back in the saddle. Henry needs to show his established value in a hurry against the Raiders. Najee provided a whelming 9 on Thursday (and the Steelers D just 1). Can Brady turn back the clock this week? Can Thomas and Thielen deliver enough value to keep the Wolves in this one? These questions mean it will be a tough win to get.

The Cheetahs also saw their performance dip in Week 2, and likewise will be counting on their stable of backs to assist the cause. Kareem only managed 7 on Thursday, but Dillon and CMC will both create a ton of value this week. The WR group is banged up, and Jakobi is not likely to be the answer. Gage should get a lot of targets and deliver 15+ points. For the Cheetahs to take the win, the Cowboys must bottle up Saquon and Kelce will need to post 20+. It will come down to Monday night.

Critical Matchup: WR1 - Thomas vs. Gage
H2H Record: 8-7, Cheetahs
Experts Pick: Wolves by 10
ESPN Pick: Cheetahs by 8
Commish's Pick: Wolves by 2

Recap

What it was...
Quite a weekend. There were definitely highlights to go around...and some forgettable moments. As we kinda expected, Week 2 looked very different from Week 1. On the field and on the scoreboard. 

The LOC is a wonderful mess right now, with only two teams left standing at 2-0 (Crushers, Addicts), eight teams at 1-1, and two (Qrew, Football Team) still chasing their first W. It's actually possible we could have all 12 teams at 2-1 or 1-2 next week. That would be fun (and hasn't happened before).

The Crushers hold the overall scoring lead, but it was the Dominators who blew the doors off the scoreboard in Week 2, cruising to a 165-point day and a single-game franchise points record. Two players scored over 40 this week, with the Dominators' Lamar (49.5) and Marauders' Tua (44) battling for big points. 

Give me more stuff.
Those scoring records have been updated here. With some time, I plan to start adding content to the team pages and the history section soon. Still putting out requests for pictures of old draft hangouts/boards. Ones you don't mind using on a site that gets tens of views a week. The regularly kept records will be updated as well. Plus, we'll do some cool stuff with featured LOC highlights. The work continues.

Maybe everything will be okay!?
For teams that struggled in Week 1, there were some bounce-back performances that calmed the nerves. The Bruisers and Remix evened out their records this week with better showings, along with the aforementioned Dominators and Marauders as well.

With an identical number of teams (4) falling after a 1-0 start, it balanced out the equilibrium from last week. We have a huge wedge in the standings. We don't know a whole lot yet about who will emerge as the team(s) to beat, but what's clear is that it's anyone's ballgame at this point.

Let's get to the standouts...

The StaNDOUTs

OWner of The Week

Dolla Dominators - 165

Blowing out their previous franchise high of 153.5, the Dominators hit on nearly every cylinder to pace the league.

Power Player

Dominators - Lamar Jackson

Posting a top-5 individual score in LOC history, Lamar Jackson led Dolla with 49.5 and showed why he's an MVP candidate.

The Overcomer

Remix OG

With a big Monday night from Diggs (35.5) and a Miles Sanders assist, the Remix broke through late for the W.

Fantasy Fumble

Dire Wolves - 69

With only two players reaching double digits, the Wolves were fumbling at both ends in Week 2. 

Negative, Sir

Marauders - Dolphins D/ST

When is a win kind of a loss? When your starting defense posts -8 points, a treat the Fins D provided the Marauders.

The Matchups

Crushers vs. Wolves
The Crushers rolled to 2-0, but it was on the strength of another solid week from their roster rather than the feeble effort the Wolves put up in response. The two key contributors were back again, as Waddle ripped off 33 points and Josh Allen posted 31 more. The Wolves (1-1) were hampered by a lack of production from their stars, as Henry, Brady and Pitts combined for just 17. Michael Thomas (13.5) continues to be a draft steal.

Marauders vs. Qrew
After a shocking Week 1, the Qrew were counting on Rodgers and Co. to turn things around quickly. He did play better (13) this week, while CEH continued to show and Tee Higgins (14) stepped up. However, injuries to Schulz and Conner lowered the points ceiling. The Marauders came to life with a blowout win, as Tua exploded for 44 and Aaron Jones tacked on 28 more. They get back to .500 (despite a -8 from the Dolphins D/ST).

Addicts vs. Threat
That Tyreek Hill fella is pretty good. His 39 plus another 21 from Mike Williams ensured the Addicts would move to 2-0. Balanced scoring overall helped offset down days from Taylor and the running game. The Threat had a decent day in defeat, getting a pair of 24.5's from Kupp and Chubb and another double-digit game from Saquon. Their biggest letdowns in this one were Russell Wilson's 7 and JuJu's no-show.

Bruisers vs. Cheetahs
There really weren't many close games this week, but this one flipped hard from the early results. The Cheetahs got a robust 23 from Herbert, and CMC added 16.5, but otherwise found little of the Week 1 magic at any other position. The Bruisers got another nice game from Bateman (21.5) and a bounce back from Montgomery (16), but Jalen Hurts was the story here. His 30.5 points on Monday night put the game on ice. 

Dominators vs. Losers
What a game for the Dominators. When your QB goes for nearly 50, it's hard for anyone to keep up. Add 32.5 from Amon-Ra St. Brown and 25 from the Bills D, and it all sums up as a franchise record week. If there was a real fault to find in the Losers effort, it was the subpar rushing day from Mixon and Penny (combined for 11 vs. 25 in Week 1). Mahomes came back to earth this week, but Drake London's 18.5 was a nice indicator moving forward.

Remix vs. Walkertown
This turned out to be the only tight contest down the stretch, as the Remix had to work a little extra hard on Monday night to get past (and stay past, Kirk!) the Football Team. The OG's got a big payday from Diggs with 35.5 points, which was enough to ensure victory by day's end. Walkertown got a nice lift from the Bucs D (25), but otherwise only Deebo and McPherson reached double-digits. Injuries are testing both teams' depth early.

Week 2 is upon us. Divisional matchups for the Rest while the NLS matches up with WS. I'm away from computers for the most part this weekend (unless you count the evil machines of Cherokee) but wanted to get something up for the preview, however paltry. 

Here--quite summarily--are some picks for the week. 

Crushers vs. Wolves
These two 1-0's will both put up promising starts, but the Wolves will edge away late with Henry and Thielen.

Commish's Pick: Wolves by 7
H2H Record: 7-6, Wolves

Marauders vs. Qrew
Rodgers bounces back and Justin Jefferson goes for another 20+ as the Qrew sweep past the Marauders.

Commish's Pick: Qrew by 10
H2H Record: 16-9, Crew

Addicts vs. Threat
A big game from Jonathan Taylor vs. a big rushing combo from Chubb/Saquon pushes this one to the very end.

Commish's Pick: Addicts by 5
H2H Record: 1-0, Addicts

Cheetahs vs. Bruisers
The Cheetahs ride big days from CMC and Kareem Hunt to a win despite a Monday night run from the Bruisers.

Commish's Pick: Cheetahs by 3
H2H Record: 9-9, Tied

Losers vs. Dominators
A close battle that sees lead changes but ultimately comes down to Dalvin Cook vs. AJ Brown.

Commish's Pick: Losers by 5
H2H Record: 5-3, Losers

WFT vs. Remix
The Walkertown receiving corps will give them a boost, but Kirk Cousins will have the final say in this one.

Commish's Pick: Remix by 2
H2H Record: 6-4, Remix

Recap

So there you have it! A somewhat sloppy, unpredictable, chaotic, and head-scratching Week 1 is in the books. Many teams looked predictably disorganized and rusty. In LOC terms, while the toll wasn't quite as obvious, we did see some curious results filter down to the stat sheet. Mahomes put up a huge day for the Losers as projected in their win over the Qrew, while Rodgers had the opposite sort of day. The Crushers were the top scorer this week in their comeback win over the Dominators, just edging out the Threat for league's high water mark thus far. Speaking of the current champs, they handled business in a fiercely fought matchup with the Football Team. The Cheetahs lived up to the early projections in their victory, while the Wolves overcame injury to cruise to 1-0 as well. To round out the winner's column, the Addicts sneaked out a late victory in a low-scoring scrum with the Bruisers. 

Waivers officially kick off tonight, so it's a good chance to start plugging leaks in the lineup. Don't panic or celebrate just yet. The season stretching out in front of us may not well resemble the first episode.

Let's kick off the review with some accolades for this week, along with a few lowlights to balance things out. Then we'll turn our attention to the individual matchups.

STANDOUTS

OWner of The Week

Cliff's Crushers - 140.5

The Crushers led Week 1 team scoring on Josh Allen's 29.5 points and a pair of 20+ efforts from Chase and Jeudy.

Power Player

Ledford's Losers - Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes lived up to the projections, leading all individual scorers with 36.5 points to pace the LOC in Week 1.

The Overcomer

Cliff's Crushers

Trailing by 21.5 points entering Monday, Jerry Jeudy (21) and Javonte's 14 helped lift them to a comeback win.

Fantasy Fumble

Remix OG - 75

With 7 players scoring less than 6 points, the Remix found the league basement and 'mash unit' status in Week 1.

Negative, Sir