*1. Phoenix 10-2 2196.80 1757.91 W-7
Winners of seven straight, and assured a bye, the Uprising have scored 150 points more than their closest rival. With elite assets at nearly every position, they just have to hope to stay healthy and keep the run going. If they have an achilles heel, it is underwhelming DB play; They also lost their highly rated K Steve Hauschka in a surprise waiver claim to Toronto.
*2. Orgrimmar 8-4 2046.27 1916.90 W-2
After their quick start, the Horde suffered some trials and tribulations before getting back on track. With a win against Silver City, they will likely slide into the two seed, and enjoy a first round bye- which would mean they would not need to count on Colin Kaepernick in a tough matchup with the Seahawks. If Randall Cobb is able to contribute in the final weeks, he could be a difference maker, but Kendall Wright and Cecil Shorts have done an admirable job of filling in.
*3. Toronto 7-5 2040.41 1846.40 W-1
LTP has suffered an identity crisis at QB, and will be in trouble if either of their slight feature backs go down, with none in reserve. But they've made the playoffs as a wild card, and with tactical know-how and fortitude, are equipped to optimize their lineup well enough to defeat any team, any given week. DeSean Jackson might be the X-Factor: With juicy matchups down the stretch, he will be relied upon to exceed expectations.
*4. Hill Valley 8-4 2000.54 1855.59 W-3
The McFlys have shrugged off adversity, broken the 2,000 point plateau, and could clinch the #2 seed with a win, and some help from Silver City. Nick Foles has been a revealation, and might retain his starter's role if he can keep slinging it with perfection. A bye week would be a huge advantage for informing their decision behind center, as they would have a week to audition Rodger's health before having to make a call with all the chips on the table.
5. Chicago 5-7 1859.24 1813.17 L-5
Da Bear's misery continues, as they have tumbled hard from 5-2. After four straight weeks of sub-130 output, the windy city warriors put up a respectable 152 this week, but got trounced by a focused Toronto team. It's a disappointing season for a team that will remain under .500 over the course of five LFL seasons. It will be interesting to see if they can regroup and challenge in the Consolation bracket- their WR group remains an elite group, and is the key to their success.
6. New York 4-8 1840.23 1897.40 W-2
It's been a tough season for the Finest, but they seem to be rounding into form now; Too little, too late perhaps, but enough to challenge for a high draft pick in 2014. Poor play by the signal caller has doomed a Big Apple team that has gotten above average production everywhere else on the field- it will be interesting to see if this influences their approach, and they select a field general early next year.
7. Pawnee 4-8 1833.44 1869.66 L-4
The PJers have always been on the cusp of contention, but for a damning losing streak. In 2010 they had two three game losing streaks in a span of seven games. In 2011 they dropped seven straight after winning their first two, before winning out in the final month. In 2012 they won three, then lost three, then alternated the rest of the season. And now they have lost four straight since fighting back to .500. They have to work out a new strategy for preemptive adjustments in 2014.
*8. Silver City 8-4 1815.03 1802.32 L-2
The FC from SC has enjoyed a charmed season, backing into a playoff spot in week eleven. As a result, they protected their lineup, resting their bye weekers without finding substitutes, and folded it in early, foregoing the inside track they had on a first round bye. They could still snag it with a win and some help from Flint, but they have made it a lot tougher on themselves as they enter crunch time.
9. Levee 5-7 1739.36 1960.94 L-2
The G-Men faced the toughest onslaught this season, and vindicated themselves fairly well, posting a respectable season despite adversity. Still, they never truly contended, never managing to breach .500 again after their win in the first week. 2013 will go down as their fourth losing season in five tries- with a good draft and some better luck, 2014 might be the year they take a long awaited step forward.
*10. California 7-5 1723.42 1764.06 W-4
Don't call it a comeback? A talented team struggles, but ends up scratching and clawing their way into the playoffs, then goes off for a Cinderella run. The Swag won the title last year with a similar script, and after winning four straight, have an opportunity to produce the sequel. They took a long way around, but they've built another stacked lineup, peaking just in time to give the higher seeds a big reason to worry.
11. Flint 5-7 1722.92 1833.88 L-3
This team emerged from turmoil and looked primed for a breakout, but after a demoralizing loss to Levee in week ten on a last second booth review, the Aristocrats petered out. They still have a smartly engineered team that could dominate the consolation bracket and lock in a top pick for 2014, giving Ownership an opportunity to draw up their own championship machination.
12. Bristol 4-8 1665.70 1802.76 L-1
The Executioners underachieved through the middle of the season, and now need to drop the number one Uprising to get into the consolation bracket. With well chronicled derision for the draft undermining their compulsion, this week's season ender is a strictly personal grudge match; Since Phoenix beat Bristol in the last second of the 2011 Semis, they are only 11-17 combined. Ugg. (Tom Brady wears them.)
13. Atlanta 5-7 1611.37 1813.66 L-1
The Rage got going a little bit, winning three in a row and looking all mystical and shit, like a team of destiny. Then they lost to New York, and the rose is off the bud again. A win and they're into the consolation bracket, where they have an opportunity to clinch something they've never had before: A top four draft slot.
14. Oakwood 4-8 1610.71 1770.79 W-1
Oakwood made themselves respectable, even if their early going misfortune locked them in the cellar. It's unlikely they will get an opportunity to battle for top pick, instead locking into the middle of the first round, which should lend itself to a more balanced team next year. It was an impressive bit of managing to rebound like this, and their Foster trade will end up being the biggest windfall of this year's thirty coop transactions, boding well for 2014.
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