Many spots were swapped around this week -- and you can click on the chart itself to see exactly what has transpired. Ok, let's see what we have in store for this week:
We'll kick off the look at our divisional matchups with StuB, who is in week two of a four-week tour of the AFC North. He suffered a loss last week, which sent division leader Brenda's Bulldogs to the top spot in the league. Now if he wants to have any chance at a postseason shot, he'll need to start stringing some wins together. This week he's taking on Lacie Belles, who just two short weeks ago was riding pretty high -- fifth in the league, a solid Wild Card and still within easy striking distance of taking over the division. Back-to-back losses, however, have built a huge roadblock in front of her as we head down the stretch. She has history in her favor this week, however -- Lacie Belles is 4-1 lifetime over StuB.
Back in 2008, it was Horns who set the "best start to a season" mark at seven wins. For awhile there, it looked like Mike C might top that mark. It wasn't to be, however, as Mike C had to settle for tying the record. Since rattling off seven-straight, it's been a big downturn -- he's now dropped two-in-a-row and is no longer leading the league. He has a chance to move back up this week as he faces off against AFC East opponent Vlad M. For his part, Vlad M has quietly been having a very good season himself, highlighted by a mid-season six-match winning streak. If he were to push Mike C's losing streak to three matches, then Vlad M would find himself atop the division at the end of the week. Pressure is on!
We have the full NFC East seeing divisional action this week, starting with the top two teams looking to determine who becomes the player to beat. At the moment Bad Mice and Ragesters both have 6-3 records, but it's Bad Mice's win in Week 3 when these two last met that gives him the edge. Now, with everything else all tied up, this becomes a critical match for the two of them. Even a loss here wouldn't be the end of the world, as that player would still very likely be sitting in a Wild Card position, but there's nothing like being in the driver's seat. Whoever comes out on top here will have that cushion, which is a very nice thing to have once the season starts to wrap up.
Trying to push into contention in the NFC East are Hyena and Turf Toe. They both have a chance to make a move down the stretch, and if Hyena can get to 3-0 in the division this week then he'll be in excellent shape come December. Turf Toe is going to have a bit more work ahead of him if he hopes to make a return to the Super Bowl, but at two and a half matches back, he's still well in the hunt. A 3-1 record over Hyena is nothing to sneeze at either.
The entire NFC West is in divisional action here as well -- first up is a match between this season's two rookies, Secretly Victorious and Chocolate Mudbuttons. Since Week 1, Secretly Victorious has been riding atop the division, but a two-match skid is putting that position in jeopardy. If Chocolate Mudbuttons can stop the bleeding and bring his five-match losing streak to a halt here, then not only will help stave off early elimination, but it'll take Secretly Victorious' fate out of her hands. She would instead be looking to the winner of our other NFC West match...
...between Evil Squad Of Evil and Fighting Sporks. Thanks to a nice four-match winning streak (that ended last week), Evil Squad Of Evil has moved himself right into contention should Secretly Victorious slip this week. All he has to do is put one past Fighting Sporks and hope Chocolate Mudbuttons pulls off a win, and he'll find himself right on top. For his part, Fighting Sporks could be a three-match winning streak away from being in the thick of things -- shaking off the season sweep Evil Squad Of Evil put on him last season would be a great way to start.
Ok, that's it for the early preview. Remember, we have a Thursday Night game, so make sure your pick for that game is submitted by 12 noon on Thursday. Rest of the picks, as always, are due by 8:00 Friday. Have a great week, all!
However, I'm whooped after my daughter's birthday party today, so I'll just link to the pick chart and let you take a look at how everything is looking. Good luck tomorrow, everyone!
Extra congratulations go out to Lyle Alzado -- not only has she taken over the lead in the AFC West, but she was also this week's Player of the Week. Nicely done! (And you might notice that Schwantoes picked the highest number of games correctly this week, but unfortunately for him, you can't win Player of the Week when you're on a bye).
Ok, that'll about do it for another week here. Check the finalized pick chart and see how you're doing in the Standings. Also, please remember that we have an extra-early deadline this week because of Thanksgiving. You must have your picks submitted for the three Thursday games by 8:00 pm on Wednesday -- don't miss it!
And that's that -- have a great week, everyone!
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