The season has arrived at its final week and we've got five teams vying for the final playoff spot- a spot that will, for the first time in league history, be filled by a 6-7 team.
lets take a look at every team's season story to date:
THE PLAYOFF TEAMS:
Binghamton Snipers (10-2)
Binghamton lost a couple of tight matchups mid-season (wk6 DVH and Wk 8 NYF) but has been incredibly consistent this year- they've been over 200 points in 8 of 12 weeks. You only get those results with a strong all-around team, but the breakout of rookie Puka Nacua has had a huge impact. If TE Darren Waller can return for the playoffs, the Snipers won't have a weak spot. Already all but assured a first round bye, a week thirteen victory over the McFlys would remove any doubt.
South Park Cows (9-3)
The Cows were riding high through six weeks, but ran into trouble midseason, dropping three in a row in weeks seven, eight, and nine before rebounding with three straight wins. Their strong roster has been buoyed by breakout performances- De'Von Achane early, Jordan Addison later, and a huge season from esteemed veteran Keenan Allen. The Cows have a healthy points lead on the other 9-3 teams, so beating the Uprisings should cement a bye; With a loss, they'd need Deputy and Hill Valley to lose to keep vacation plans for next week.
Deputy Van Halens (9-3)
A resounding victory over the Cows in week eight left Deputy as the final undefeated team, but it's been bumpy ever since, dropping three of four; Only the week nine comedown against Savannah was a wretched performance, but nonetheless, the losses have dropped the Van Halens into having to play in the first round of the playoffs; An uninspiring bench would leave the team with some serious questions is they are to befall an injury.
Hill Valley McFlys (9-3)
Their deep roster doesn't have the sort of plug and play running back you'd like, and the QB situation isn't enviable, but a mix-and-match approach has worked just fine for CeeDee Lamb and the McFlys, who are looking to make their sixth Larkspur Bowl (to tie Phoenix for the all-time lead) and their third title. Cooper Kupp's lack of production is concerning, but when you have a cornerback pick-sixing every other week, concern if mitigated. Long live DaRon Bland!
Jersey Sanitation Crew (8-4)
LBXII's champions have reeled off three straight wins to ensure a playoffs spot after an up-and-down early going. Their week thirteen matchup is of little consequence- the team will hope to come through this week uninjured. The bye weeks for Davante Adams and Gabe Davis could not have come at a better time for the Crew, while their defensive holes (three byes, two outs, and two questionable) are of little consequence to a team that has the luxury of building for next week.
SIXTH SEED CONTENDERS:
Pawnee Pride (5-7)
This year's Cinderella story started 0-3, then was 2-6, but when everyone left them for dead they fought all the way back and put themselves in prime position to clinch the final playoff spot, winning three of the last four, and bouncing back from a week 1 clunker against South Park by scoring BIG to outpace the other 5-7 teams; with 46 points on Phoenix and 90 on New York, they're effectively in a win-and-in scenario against Savannah.
Phoenix Uprising (5-7)
The Uprising have ben their own worst enemy this year, losing on stat correction to Jersey in week five, and by 2.5 to Manitoba in week seven, part of a 1-4 midseason. Still, they have had the ability to fortify their playoff position in each of the last three weeks and have been unable to secure a victory when they needed one, being thoroughly outclasses by Deputy and Binghamton, then leaving the points on the bench in a week twelve matchup with old rival New York. Now they need a win and a Pawnee loss to squeak into their eleventh playoff berth; Otherwise, they'll have missed four of the past five, and their streak of nine straight top three finishes a half-decade in the past.
New York's Finest (5-7)
Returning to the league after a hiatus, New York's topsy-turvy season comes down to a week thirteen matchup with the defending champion Treason; Winning alone would not put them into the dance, but with some help we could see the LBVI champions back in the playoffs without missing a beat. Even if they fail to make the playoffs, a 6-7 record with the rsut shaken off and a top draft pick next year is an announcement that the Finest have returned to prominence.
HCM Lead Farmers (5-7)
The Lead Farmers were in the final four in three of four years starting with their LBIX appearance and ending with the LBXII appearance- both losses. They have missed the playoffs in two straight seasons, and will need a lot of luck to end that streak. After a 3-0 start the team has gone 2-7, but has a chance to regain some respectability against Carmel, and then wish upon a star for a playoff berth.
Savannah Petes (5-7)
The Petes have one advantage in this rat race- they're playing Pawnee, and can knock off the team that is currently holding pole position. But with a point total that is closer to the bottom than the middle, Savannah will need Phoenix, New York, and HCM to all fall down to return to the playoffs for the first time since the LBIX bracket.
NOT THEIR YEAR:
Philadelphia Rum Ham (4-8)
The Rum Ham defeated three of the teams (Pawnee, New York, and Savannah) that could desperately use another victory on their ledger this season, and are coming off a highwater mark, dropping 238.76 in a win over Carmel. They're playing for draft positioning at this point and win or loss should have a spot in the consolation bracket. That's something!
Mar-A-Lago Treason (4-8)
The defending Champions may have drafted with a ring on their finger, but a five week losing streak ended any title defense they might have been mustering. They'll have a chance to splay spoiler for New York's playoff hopes, and a win would solidify a spot in the consolation bracket and a chance at a top pick- where they can wear their ring again. Flags fly forever.
Manitoba Moosecrew (3-9)
The LBXIII champion Moosecrew were buried under an 0-6 start but showed gumption rattling off three wins against their fellow former champions in weeks 7-8-9. Unfortunately, that seemed to be their death rattle, as they're now in danger of a cellar dweller finish that would lock their roster after thirteen weeks; They'd need a win over Philly and a Mar-A-Lago loss (while also outscoring the Treason with a 5 point buffer) to play next week.
Carmel Rudy-Toos (3-9)
From runner-up to embattled chump, Carmel will break 2000 points this season, but only by the hair on their chinny chin chin. An 0-6 start and an inability to string two wins together doomed Carmel, but their biggest impact on the season was trading 18th overall pick CeeDee Lamb (WR3 through twelve weeks) for a couple of players that were bad even before they landed on IR. Lesson learned, hopefully.
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