We'll start off in the AFC East where our two competitors are on a combined five-match losing streak and are each looking to turn their fortunes around in an important divisional matchup. Despite recent losses, these two are about as far apart as possible in the Standings, with Vlad M sitting on top of the pack, and Mike C bringing up the rear. All divisional opponents meet head-to-head twice each season, and this is one of the first rematches we've had this year. Will Mike C be able to save his season with win to avenge his Week 2 loss, or will Vlad M score the season sweep?
Week 8 is usually a little early to be ringing the desperation bell. After all, there's still a ton of time left for a rebound, and even if you don't bounce back and win your division, you can always contend for a Wild Card. So it's not to be taken lightly when we say it's about desperation time for Hoodie's Hoodlums. Being last in the league is always a cause for concern, but the real problem is the performance of every other player in the AFC South. While Hoodie's Hoodlums is 1-6, the other players here have a combined record of 15-5. In that group is StuB, who started the season 0-2, but has since gone on a five-match winning streak that began in Week 3 against...Hoodie's Hoodlums! Will this be a redemption week, or another nail in the coffin?
We're down to just two undefeated players left in the league, and the AFC North-leading Brenda's Bulldogs is looking to remain in that group. Here's where it gets interesting -- at this point, Brenda's Bulldogs is having her best season ever, and her opponent, Mean Machine, is having his worst ever. BUT, Mean Machine has always fared well in this contest. He's never been swept by Brenda's Bulldogs, but did get the season sweep against her last season. So while there's a lot of space between these two right now, don't be overly shocked if that gap closes a little this week.
The other undefeated player can be found down in the NFC South, where Alabama Slammers has proven unstoppable this far. He's rolled over everyone that's stepped in his path this season, and now he's got a real proving match by going up against the defending 1-On-1 Super Bowl champion. Had this match taken place a couple of weeks age, we might be a little more worried about Ragesters' prospects. After all, defending champ or not, it's never a good thing to start your season 1-4. But back-to-back wins have given Ragesters a big boost, and while it would take a lot of work to unseat Alabama Slammers from the top of the divison, the NFC is looking to be much friendlier to potential Wild Card players this year.
All right, that's going to do it for another week's preview. Your Thursday Night Football pick selection (tough pick this week!) is due in by noon on Thursday, and the rest of the week's games by Saturday evening. So head on over to the Pick Submission Page and get that taken care of. Have a good one all!
First up is our One-Hit Wonder Match of the Week, the big NFC South tilt between Alabama Slammers and Ragesters. A win by the Cowboys would send Alabama Slammers to 7-0, while Ragsters is looking to the Vikings to help keep him in the playoff hunt.
On the flip side of that, we have our Diverse Picks Match of the Week. The other player looking to remain undefeated, Brenda's Bulldogs, had better hope for continued accurate picking this week -- her match against Mean Machine has nine differences!
Ok, we're getting this posted later than usual, so head on over to the updated pick chart and see how your Sunday is looking. Good luck everyone!
Also getting nice wins over players in the top five of the Power Rankings were Fighting Sporks and Hoodie's Hoodlums. Lots more to get to after the afternoon games, so check back later for all the results.
Six matches left open, so see how the pick chart is shaping up and check back tomorrow to see how SNF effects the pool.
Bonus congratulations to Louisville Islands who really stepped it up this week, claiming the Player of the Week. And with a total of 85 picks on the season, she's also the frontrunner in the Player of the Year race. She's never failed to make it at least to the Conference Championships, and this season is looking like yet another really strong one.
All right, that's about going to do it for another week. Check the finalized pick chart, see how you're looking in the updated Standings, and get your Week 9 picks submitted. Next week begins the weekly "If The Playoffs Began Today..." chart, so check back tomorrow to see how you're looking in the potential postseason picture. Have a great week everyone!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |