Championship Week

This is always one of the toughest blogs to write. I've never written a Week 16 blog with a team still in play before, but 2013 has finally proven to be the year of the Pylon. Or year of the TITTY. Not sure yet. All I know is that Jamaal Charles single-handedly ruined the life of Chris Woody. This is sweet revenge for a Doug Martin 55 point outing he dropped on me last year. But more on that later.

One thing to remember here is that the 3rd place games DO matter. In each league, the winner of the 3rd place game wins their entry fee back, so despite each of you getting beat this week, you do still have something to play for. The commish doesn't just keep that extra money for himself.

I also wanted to point out that this will sadly be the last blog of the season. As I will be away on vacation, there will not be a final blog. I'll make sure to get everyone's money to them following the new year. Similar to last year, Yashar has won the award for least original team name and the award for last team to pay fees. Not a good look.


League 1

#5 Dueling Pylons 166 - #1 Team Toliver 130

Up until about 3 PM, it looked like the Pylons were done for. Greg Jennings unleashed a career day. He had 19 points through the 1st quarter. Slowly but surely the Pylons started to make inroads. The Eagles being behind unleashed the Foles-DeSean combo to the tune of 72 combined points. Patterson threw in another garbage TD, and Foles continued to throw until the final whistle. I can't imagine what Yashar was feeling as that game refused to end. The Pylons continued to pile on the points during the 4 PM games, and there was nothing that could be done. The Pylons finally reached the championship game for the first time... the last team of the original EFFL to do so (sans EEB).

The Pylons looked like this after the win:

#2 Tweeting in the Trenches 144 - #3 The King's Crusaders 120

Jamaal Charles. That's all that needs to be said. This was one of the most impressive individual efforts I have ever witnessed. The only reasons his day wasn't bigger was the Western Kentucky Hilltopper showing mercy, and the fact that the end zone prevents further yardage. The Raiders weren't even close to taking him down. And Fusco needed it. Without the 59 point effort, TITTY had just a pedestrian total. But these two teams are two of the best. A 3 time champ against the defending champ. I think the league may have a new public enemy #1, especially if we have TITTY and TITTY on the trophy.

Here's how TITTY celebrated.

Final Preview

#2 Tweeting in the Trenches (11-3) vs. #5 Dueling Pylons (7-6-2)

These two teams met in the semis last year, and it looked for a long time like it would be the Pylons advancing to the championship game. It was not to be, and the result was Carter Michael Fusco. Will one of these teams father a child this year following an EFFL title? Recently, Fusco has owned this series, winning both matches this year. They always say it's tough to beat a team 3 times.

I think this is going to be a very close championship game. With the Eagles vs. Bears moved to Sunday night, the Pylons Week 15 star duo will probably have their work cut out for them. Expect TITTY to hold a strong lead heading into that game with the Pylons trying to come back to win the whole thing. Will it be enough?

I'll be hoping that the Pylons championship gear doesn't have to get sent to Somalia. But I think we have our first repeat championship, and another Fusco child.

Prediction: Tweeting in the Trenches


League 2

#1 The Darkest Norseman 161 - #5 Super Mario Brothers 132

I love Dosh's enthusiasm. He was RIPPING Dez early in the Cowboys game, and all of the sudden he goes silent as Dez explodes on the Packers. Even poor games from Knowshon and Jordan Cameron couldn't stop him. It was an impressive effort from the Mario Brothers, but as expected, the team just didn't have enough punch. 130 was right around where I expected this team to max out at. With Peterson possibly back in the fold for the championship, Dosh must be feeling extremely confident heading into the final. I would be too.

#3 Game on Dick Bag 150 - #2 Bo$$town Beasts 92

Just like Woody, there was nothing you could do Cutter. I was nervous that this was going to happen to your team, and sure enough it did at the worst time possible. Even though you made poor coaching decisions, your max lineup score was only 113 points. Sam's team continues to get the job done, going over 130 points for the 3rd straight week. Heading into the finals on a roll, he too must be feeling confident. Imagine if Tatz had agreed to a Jamaal Charles trade. Would've been a totally different story.

Final Preview

#1 The Darkest Norseman (11-3) vs. #3 Game on Dick Bag (10-5)

For about 6 weeks now, it seemed like it would be Dosh against either Sam or Cutter in the finals. Sure enough, it came to fruition. It's hard to argue with these two teams being in the finals. They were some of the most consistent across both leagues. After the draft, Dosh was my favorite to win it all, which is usually the kiss of death. But you stuck with it, kept up with your team, and are close to being rewarded in the end.

Sam has done it despite a not too strong receiving corps, but his trio of Stafford, Shady and Forte is up there with the best in the league. This is another matchup that will come down to Sunday night. I expect similar scenarios in both leagues. Dosh should be up by a good amount, and it's just a matter of will he have enough to hold on. I think he does.

Prediction: The Darkest Norseman


It's been a fun season, and I've probably written about 25,000 words. That's a 30 page paper. I hope you have enjoyed the blog throughout the season, the portions you've read. Good luck to the 4 teams playing in Championship Week, and again, 3rd place teams do not forget you are still playing for money. Signing off for 2013.

The Commish