G Status

Week 3 in the Books

We’ve made it through our third week of the 2010 EFFL season, and I must say the results thus far have been quite interesting. The only two remaining unbeatens are two teams who usually do not make much noise around the league. Hats off to Sam and Jimish for putting together impressive showings thus far. There were a few extremely painful losses this week, and it will be interesting to see how the teams rebound. The good news for the teams near the bottom of the standings is that in the next 2 weeks the teams at the top will most likely beat each other up. These are critical games for teams looking to avoid being in the cellar all season as well as teams looking to really make a statement in the league. Here’s what went down in Week 3.

Tweeting In The Trenches 112 – Coach Janky Spanky 94:

This EEB team is sputtering and I can only attribute it at this point to one thing. Classic hubris. Always ready with his picks at the draft and scoffing at how this or that guy could still be available, things have come full circle on Janky Spanky. This team is just not scoring at all. Last in points scored, last in the breakdown, and last in wins. Oh and just in case nobody was enjoying this enough, EEB is also 0-3 in his other semi-competitive league. Antonio Gates is the lone bright spot on this dismal team. Just wait until the Cutler turnovers. I can’t tell what’s going on with TITTY at this point. I think this team has a lot of potential and could be very dangerous down the line. He has the right kind of players for a hot streak. A 2-1 start certainly doesn’t hurt.

Animals With Eyepatches 150 – The Stone Masons 79:

For teams struggling and frustrated (see TPG below) with other teams scoring I offer the same advice as always. If you score the most points nobody can beat you. It also goes in reverse. If you score the least amount of points you’re not going to beat anybody. 2 of 3 weeks the Masons have been the lowest scoring team and in the other one they deserved to win. Talk about feast or famine, the Masons have not scored between 79 and 144 through 3 weeks. At the same time allowing 150 in back to back weeks makes that pretty irrelevant. The Eyepatches, I must say, have been very very impressive thus far. It has been awhile since it has been said that they were a feared team in the EFFL but that time has returned yet again. This is the first time since 2005 that Jimish has started off 3-0, and this team is clearly a contender and a favorite at this point.

Maybe This Time 146 – The King’s Crusaders 114:

I was very pleased to see this score. The King had not lost since Week 12 of last year and it was nice to see him come up a little short. Currently 3^rd in both points scored and the breakdown, Chris looks to be a pretty solid team thus far. The receiving corps looks a little sketchy but hitting on Matt Forte and McFadden has proved to be huge. If those guys can continue to play well, this will certainly be a playoff team. Each week Sam has gotten better and put up more points. I knew Peterson was going to have a monster day. I’m thinking about giving him an additional 2 points for each death stare he gives Brad Childress during the game. To be 3-0 with virtually no production from her receivers is pretty good.

Johnson’s Farm 106 – Stanky Monkeys 106:

Let’s just start with the obvious. The Stanky Monkeys left 148 points on the bench. That’s right… 148!!! This was quite a controversial game with the Monkeys getting a scoring adjustment to get the tie. This was purely managerial failure at its finest. In both Farm non-losses, the opposing team has left 125+ points on the bench. This team could also very easily be 0-3. The Farm fell again into its standard 106-116 scoring week. A tie certainly will shake up the standings, and there always seems to be 1 every year. I would not be surprised to see both of these teams battling to make the playoffs all season.

Dueling Pylons 143 – Tequila Party Gnomes 134:

While this game was not as close as the one above, this game earns the final review for being one of the biggest comeback victories in EFFL history. After the 1 PM games were completed the score in this game was TPG 91 – Pylons 48. At about 4:30 PM Steven Jackson and Zach Miller had both scored TDs and the Pylons were begging for mercy. I don’t know at exactly what point it happened, or what it was, but somehow the Gnomes angered the fantasy gods in ways I have never seen before. It was a nonstop assault of Vick to Jackson, Manning to Collie, and when the dust had settled the 3 remaining Pylons players had put up a whopping 95 points. No lead is ever safe, especially around white guys. I felt sick over this for a day, but after seeing Jay Cutler almost ruin my lead against the Packers D I’ve gotten over it. It’s fantasy. Shit happens. It’s good to be back.

**** Week 4 Preview ****

Coach Janky Spanky (0-3) v. Tequila Party Gnomes (0-3):

We know that at least one of these teams will still not have an EFFL win through Week 4. We also know that after this week EEB will still be in last place in the odds division. Last year these teams split their two meetings, but the fact that this is the only time they play this year makes this game that much more important. If fighting for a playoff spot at the end of the regular season, it would be very advantageous to have a tiebreaker over the other team. Thus far TPG has shown flashes of being a solid squad and easily could have had a victory last week. EEB meanwhile has shown pretty much nothing through 3 weeks, and looking at the projected starters this week I don’t expect that to change much. I think the Gnomes get their first win and avoid the league cellar.

Tweeting in the Trenches (2-1) v. The Stone Masons (0-3):

The Masons need a win, and they need it bad. These teams have been complete opposites each of the three weeks, but I think this is a game that is gonna come down to the wire. TITTY will most likely have a couple players still going Sunday and Monday night so it will be vital for the Masons to establish a big lead early. BG took both meetings between these two last year, but I think Fusco takes this one. This will definitely be one of the best matchups in the league in Week 4.

Dueling Pylons (2-1) v. Stanky Monkeys (1-1-1):

The Pylons have not beaten the Stanky Monkeys in 7 consecutive tries dating back to 2006. This is the longest such streak between any 2 teams in the league. This disgusts me. The Pylons have also outscored the Monkeys in each of the 3 weeks, and overall have scored almost 100 more points on the season. Before lineup adjustments ESPN also currently projects the Pylons as 61 point favorites. Something is not right here. The Monkeys bench exploded last week, and in the past 6 meetings between the 2, Lou has averaged 135 points. It really may take 150 to win. Having to fend off Welker as he catches 2 yard passes on Monday night may be tough, but I think the Pylons are just too strong and are rolling right now. Look for another monster game and the 7 game streak to end.

Johnson’s Farm (1-1-1) v. The King’s Crusaders (2-1):

This is most certainly one of my favorite all time rivalries in the EFFL. While it tends to fly a little under the radar, there is so much bad blood built up between these two teams. Four years ago it was 3 Bears defensive TDs on Monday night. Last year it was a missed Nate Kaeding field goal with a minute to go on Monday night. These teams have had some great games over the past couple years and I expect nothing less this week. And of course what would this matchup be without a little Monday night flare. I don’t think any team has been involved in as much Monday night drama as the Farm, and this week it will be Tom Brady looking to salvage a victory for Nick. I think Chris Johnson goes off this week and steals this win for the Farm.

**** Game of the Week ****

Animals With Eyepatches (3-0) v. Maybe This Time (3-0):

As much as it pains me to put this game in this section, this is definitely the premier matchup in the EFFL this week. Barring another tie, one of Sam or Jimish will be 4-0 to start the season. I find this incredible. There is not much history between these two as in five seasons they have only met a total of 6 times. Only once has either team broken 120 points. However, in 3 of their last 4 meetings the game has been decided by 5 points or less. Having Peterson on a bye is certainly going to hurt here, and against a team that has been as dominant as the Eyepatches, you need your full roster. I can’t pick against Jimish until there is any indication that his team is going to let up. Brandon Marshall Monday night should just be icing on the cake.

Week 4 is definitely going to set some teams up for a strong run as well as put some teams in a bigger hole. The middle of the standings are gonna get a lot closer, and I’m looking forward to this week. Hopefully there is less drama this week, but let’s make it a good one.