As a special bonus, we'll look at the 6 teams that still have (legitimate) hope that they won't be among the two who walk away depressed. Last week we (basically) KO'd the Eagles and The Factory and really narrowed the funnel for our current competition. I took around most leagues as well and really see a lot of the same stuff. One or two mega teams, one weak division and maybe two contenders for wild card at this point. We've all know how it goes this time of season. The playoff scorecard might be all but written. Well not in this Dino league, baby! We'll be throwing out question marks until week 14 and I'll be here to BS my way through it like I'm any smarter than the rest of you. (Because I am.)
In order from most to least likely to qualify;
Southside Rebels 10-1 Beta Okay TECHNICALLY they haven't clinched it but but nyyeahh there is a computer team in there. Congrats to southside for being the only team that officially has a playoff spot reserved for them. Barring a surprise loss where dredgar intentionally cuts his team, they're my favorite to sweep all 3 divisional games and clinch the first seed.
Sons of Anarchy 9-2 Alpha Although they're hitting a "slide" this slide involves being 9-2 in a division that you could comfortably award them 1 to 2 wins and clinching a spot. It is possible that we see the Mountaineers overtake them and a tiebreaker knock them out from another division's wildcard but in most scenarios we're seeing the Anarchy land, at worst, in a wild card spot without trying. When they face the Mountaineers I actually will expect them to lose it but we could see them still keep their divisional win.
Dakota Dragons 9-2 Gamma In a strange scenario, the Dragons roll in with two games ahead in a division that has the most competitive teams in it. There are two 5-6 teams that are well within the realm of upsetting that, unlike in the Alpha division, will likely mean losing the division to result in losing the wildcard as well. It's hard to really expect the Dragons to crash and burn and quite frankly they could KO the Devils this week. Lose now and they're forced to fight in the scrim for the rest of the season. Win and sit with the rebels in cruise control until week 15.
Kentucky Mountaineers 7-3 Alpha Hitting their stride late, Kentucky fails to sit on top easily with last week's loss. Of all our wildcard teams the Mountaineers are the most likely to sweep their division games, although it isn't guaranteed. "Likely" doesn't mean easy and they're probably glad they don't have a final showdown with Anarchy until Week 14. Expect them to win the next two forcing their competitors to keep up. Plus if Anarchy really does make a slip in the next weeks we could see Kentucky run in as a division lead, something they haven't been able to do the last two seasons in the shadow of DWC.
Corning Cows 7-3 Beta Odds seem pretty good. Have some tiebreaker hits, two more wins to be solid and a strong offense. Why not rank the Cows up above Kentucky? Well their game vs the Rebels of course. To be fair, who really knows how it'll end. The Cows could do what they do best, which is surprise big teams with great wins. But with each big win comes a bad loss. If we run the odds we've got to figure that they're looking for a playoff birth with only 9 wins and no chance of a divisional take. With their final record all but written down already and so much of their season is in the hands of others. That isn't a position anyone wants to be in and it really makes me nervous.
Death Valley Devils 7-3 Gamma It looks bad for the Devils. I mean lets not throw woe on them. It looks pretty good, too. The Dragons are the most likely division leader to tank it and so much of the Devil season is still in their control. Many running teams excel in late season play and they have a really critical game this week that might bring them to nip on the heels of first. Buuuutttt welllll... that might sound great having your fate in your hands and all... but they've lost to the Dragons and the Eagles before while the Factory of Sadness is playing the kind of season where fans would yell "STOP STOP YOURE RUINING OUR DRAFT PICK!" I just went to the Cows and said "yyeahhh 9 wins might not be enough." One slip on this really rocky path and we might see the Devils in the stands for the playoffs.
And that's your rundown everyone! Do you agree with me? What seeding do you predict to happen before the season ends?
In order from most to least likely to qualify;
Southside Rebels 10-1 Beta Okay TECHNICALLY they haven't clinched it but but nyyeahh there is a computer team in there. Congrats to southside for being the only team that officially has a playoff spot reserved for them. Barring a surprise loss where dredgar intentionally cuts his team, they're my favorite to sweep all 3 divisional games and clinch the first seed.
Sons of Anarchy 9-2 Alpha Although they're hitting a "slide" this slide involves being 9-2 in a division that you could comfortably award them 1 to 2 wins and clinching a spot. It is possible that we see the Mountaineers overtake them and a tiebreaker knock them out from another division's wildcard but in most scenarios we're seeing the Anarchy land, at worst, in a wild card spot without trying. When they face the Mountaineers I actually will expect them to lose it but we could see them still keep their divisional win.
Dakota Dragons 9-2 Gamma In a strange scenario, the Dragons roll in with two games ahead in a division that has the most competitive teams in it. There are two 5-6 teams that are well within the realm of upsetting that, unlike in the Alpha division, will likely mean losing the division to result in losing the wildcard as well. It's hard to really expect the Dragons to crash and burn and quite frankly they could KO the Devils this week. Lose now and they're forced to fight in the scrim for the rest of the season. Win and sit with the rebels in cruise control until week 15.
Kentucky Mountaineers 7-3 Alpha Hitting their stride late, Kentucky fails to sit on top easily with last week's loss. Of all our wildcard teams the Mountaineers are the most likely to sweep their division games, although it isn't guaranteed. "Likely" doesn't mean easy and they're probably glad they don't have a final showdown with Anarchy until Week 14. Expect them to win the next two forcing their competitors to keep up. Plus if Anarchy really does make a slip in the next weeks we could see Kentucky run in as a division lead, something they haven't been able to do the last two seasons in the shadow of DWC.
Corning Cows 7-3 Beta Odds seem pretty good. Have some tiebreaker hits, two more wins to be solid and a strong offense. Why not rank the Cows up above Kentucky? Well their game vs the Rebels of course. To be fair, who really knows how it'll end. The Cows could do what they do best, which is surprise big teams with great wins. But with each big win comes a bad loss. If we run the odds we've got to figure that they're looking for a playoff birth with only 9 wins and no chance of a divisional take. With their final record all but written down already and so much of their season is in the hands of others. That isn't a position anyone wants to be in and it really makes me nervous.
Death Valley Devils 7-3 Gamma It looks bad for the Devils. I mean lets not throw woe on them. It looks pretty good, too. The Dragons are the most likely division leader to tank it and so much of the Devil season is still in their control. Many running teams excel in late season play and they have a really critical game this week that might bring them to nip on the heels of first. Buuuutttt welllll... that might sound great having your fate in your hands and all... but they've lost to the Dragons and the Eagles before while the Factory of Sadness is playing the kind of season where fans would yell "STOP STOP YOURE RUINING OUR DRAFT PICK!" I just went to the Cows and said "yyeahhh 9 wins might not be enough." One slip on this really rocky path and we might see the Devils in the stands for the playoffs.
And that's your rundown everyone! Do you agree with me? What seeding do you predict to happen before the season ends?
