Of the ten that remain in contention, the Deputy Van Halens are the deserved top seed, 9-1 and first in overall points. They've clinched a playoff spot and likely a first round bye. In that instance, and should Ezekiel Elliot's suspension hold up for its full duration, Deputy will need to focus on winning their semi-final matchup in week fifteen without their marquee runner. This puts them in a power chair with the trade deadline approaching (SATURDAY 11/18, 11:59 PM PST) where they can afford to mortgage some short term utility for endgame dominance, while everyone else is forced to address more immediate needs.
The race for the bye should be far more dramatic. At #2 and #3 are Savannah and New York, both an impressive 7-3 but with far behind the point pace of the teams licking their heels: #4 Binghamton, #5 Phoenix, and #6 HCM City, all 6-4. At seven wins, the Petes and Finest are almost assured a spot in the playoffs, but even a single loss could cripple their hopes of a pass through the first round, and each team still has Deputy on their docket, giving the other three teams a great opportunity to rise up to the penultimate berth.
At 5-5 we have two dark horses: Pawnee, fading of late but fortunate to salvage a win in week ten; And Philadelphia on the rise, having gone 4-1 since a 1-4 start. Both teams will need to help themselves with a week twelve game between the two looming large: A loss there would likely be a grievous wound. Winning out should punch a ticket for one of these teams; Winning two out of three might be enough, especially for the Pride whom rank a reputable seventh in total points.
And then the darker horses: 4-6 and needing to win out (and get some help as well) Oakwood and South Park are likely playing to maintain consolation seeding and see if they can make 2018 their year. The Drivers have scuffled after a 4-3 first half, while the Cows' 0-3 hole seems like it will be too much to overcome barring a true Cinderella run here in the seasons's final three weeks.
SCOREBOARD:
Week 10 Matchups
- BIN 235: The Snipers six game winning streak is the longest in the league this year; The team has scored under 175 once in ten games this year, a rocksteady floor.
- DVH 218: Seven games over 215, including five in a row shows the team to be the most consistent in the league, commensurate with their lofty ranking.
- RUM 214: This team has caught fire at the right time- if they can beat HCM, PAW, and HVM in succession, they're playoff bound. Otherwise, another 'what-if?' season for them.
- SAV 204: HWith back to back 200+ performances, Savannah seems to be cresting in their final approach to the playoffs, but will need to survive one last salvo of key byes in week 11.
- MAL 190: HA good showing in a season of good showings, the team has not broke 200 points in a game this year but is almost always competitive. Missing the 2 punch to Antonio's 1.
- NYF 188: With the league's most fortuitous slate (fewest PA) the Finest have capitalized and are poised to return to the LB playoffs after missing either bracket last year.
- HCM 183: It looked like the Lead Farmers would keep hold on the two seed until NYF's Devin Funchess messed everything up last night. Still control their destiny!
- PHX 182: The team's lowest score in two months was worse than each of their last two losses, but on this given Sunday it was enough for the W.
- OAK 173: A month ago it looked like the Drivers were playoff bound. Now they need to win two of three to get their first six win season in half a decade of attempts.
- HVM 168: 'Defending champion' is rendered a lame duck title, as the McFlys will defend nothing in 2017. They'll look to win their third consolation bowl in four years instead.
- SPC 165: Almost good enough to win despite a lackluster effort, the Cows are likely to miss the playoffs again after two playoff runs (and a championship) in their first two years.
- PAW 156: Terrible score, optimal result. Pawnee avoids a month of losing to stay on the fringe of contention, but the wheels have fallen off for a team that went 10-3 last year.
- LTP 138: Three huge games (and a 185.08-184.86 win) mask six games where Toronto scored 168 or less and was barely even competitive: Flukes in every direction.
- MMC 132: Manitoba's lost season continues. If they have consolation bowl aspirations, they need to bury the McFlys this week, or else spruce up the cellar, that's just your life now.
TEAM OF THE WEEK:
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