We are officially over half way to the playoffs. If you are in the black now – you are well on your way to getting it done and having a shot at the title – remember that the runner up only has to get beat once!
Last week saw a couple of teams get 34 points the Colts and the Buccs, not making it easy to choose a tune, but here goes
Its time to go disco with this for the Bucs:
Many many songs about horses, I’ll resist the urge to put my lovely horse in here and go with this instead:
Anyway, back to our own action, where are we now?
the 4-3 Fog on the Tyne play the 3-4 Nitten Pickaxe at New Victoria Park.
Fog on the Tyne were led in week 7 by a 27.60 point effort from Jay Ajayi. With Ajayi on bye in week 8, they’ll need to count on their second-string RB to carry the team this week. Fog on the Tyne can expect a 17.45 point effort from Derek Carr in week 8.
Nitten Pickaxe were led in week 7 by a 25.20 point effort from Jeremy Hill.
Fog on the Tyne hold a 4-1-0 all-time series record against Nitten Pickaxe.
This is a bit of a grudge match for Gav – just one victory in 5 meets over the last 3 seasons. However, with key players coming back from injury and bye weeks Pickaxe could be up to full strength.
Stuarts Fog are on a wee bit of a roll, with 2 victories and some decent depth with points on the bench too. Jay Ajayi on a bye has to hurt a bit but there are still 3 Rbs ranked in the top 10 to choose from so they should be select and forget for at least 35 between them. WR is a bit more problematic and Stuart will have to select his 2 or 3 carefully. Derek Carr looks to be a good option at QB, a streamer is possible but that would be a bold move, Carr looks set for a solid 20 point game. As ever ,the Gronk is the not so secret weapon here, and may make up for any deficiencies at WR.
Gav will be pleased to have a bit more of a proper starter squad, though fill in players did OK last week, Matt Asiata in particular could be a lucky waiver pick as he seems to be getting plenty of goal line carries, though he couldn’t convert from 2 tries from 3 and 1 yard last week. Dez Bryant is a wee bit unknown, he should be back but there is no guarantee that he will be fully fit – and cutting himself making soup wont have helped – we’ve all done it i guess, but surely a WR’s hands are worth a bit more than mine! Big Ben could be out for a while, a tough decision on whether to drop him, but Matt Ryan should be able to cover the gap – 14 pts last week wasn’t great, but this week should see a bounce back. Finally, big Zeke is back in action, and hoping to continue his run of 100yd games.
Game to watch – apart form the Washington v Bengals match in London (where Stuart currently has no interest, Washington DST maybe?) the other game will be the packers Falcons game, with Matt Ryan and Devonta Freeman both expected to score well, it will be a case of seeing is the Packers can keep up – forcing Ryan to throw.
the 4-3 Kelso 187’s play the 3-4 Earlstonian Bohemians at Bohemian Park.
Kelso 187’s were led in week 7 by a 30.10 point effort from Melvin Gordon.
Earlstonian Bohemians were led in week 7 by a 22.94 point effort from Kirk Cousins.
Kelso 187’s hold a 1-1-0 all-time series record against Earlstonian Bohemians.
187s and the Bohos are both coming off a disappointing loss and both have some serious bye issues.
187s coach Euan may feel that is is finally time to drop Eli Manning – his bye week and some really sub par performances surely make him a candidate to cut loose. Tough call – but maybe Dak Prescott on the waivers will be a better option? Melvin Gordon and James white will be the likely RBs, not superstars but a healthy 15 points guaranteed. WR should be Crabtree and Benjamin, with another in at flex. There are points to gain in all of the skill positions, but no one here is guaranteed their regulation 10 – so if any of them struggle Euan will need TDs to save the day
Bohemians just could not finish the job, LeGarrette Blount on the Bench will haunt not just Ally but the rest of the league for a while, as it set Jimmy to 7-0 by less than half a point. Its a new week though and Ally has a decent chance against a weakened 187s team. He still has 3 RBs in the top 10 for week 8 despite the loss of LeVeon Bell to a bye – just get over yourself and play Blount – you’ve been down on him since you ‘accidentally’ played him in week 2 for 18 points! Half the league wish they had these problems.,.,Jeffrey and Diggs should get 15- 20 between them so with the RBs we should see Ally well over the regulation for outfield points. Ally needs a DST this week – the question is will he go for that in the waivers or wait till a later 1 buck round, maybe trying to pick up a WR? We’ll find out in the morning.
Game to Watch – it looks like the Pats Bills game will hold most of the attention for these 2, though of course it is possible the Euan’s QB and Ally’s DST will end up playing each other, whoever they are.
Fire at Earthquakes
3-4 Fife Fire, face off against the 0-7 Earlston Earthquakes at The Cauldie.
Fife Fire were led in week 7 by a 24.68 point effort from Drew Brees.
Earlston Earthquakes were led in week 7 by a 17.26 point effort from Alex Smith.
Earthquakes, Earthquakes, Earthquakes – what can you say? Well although a playoff berth may be very hard to reach – Cozy can at least console himself with the fact that he’s been up against the most total points all season – effectively like playing the niners or the Jags all year – that’s tough to swallow, but the team just haven’t performed. The Quakes honour is surely too great to let just let the season go – and that would be a shame as there’s points here for sure – they just have never come in the same week – 15 boom or bust players will do that. We can only hope that the likely starters of Ingram Stewart, Cooper and Sanders perform.
Fire had a decent victory over Pickaxe last week – it was looking shaky until the end of the Sunday early game but the stats won out in the end. There are some bye week problems here, Carlos Hyde and Mike Davis for a start – but Shaun should be able to fill those dropped points with a good WR matchup team this week, DeAndre Hopkins and Doug Baldwin should get over 25 between the pair and the second string RBs will certainly not be left pointless – so expect a reasonable 40 points form the 4 skill position starters, Marvin Jones will likely be in at Flex, and he’s no slouch this week either, Drew Brees comes off the back of a good performance.
Overall, Chris’ Quakes will need some waiver wire magic to win this week – but with nothing to lose, maybe that will free him up to go boom/bust all the way? Whatever, the stats say Fire but does anyone want to see someone go 0-8?
Game to watch- Packers Falcons for Sure – the battle of the DSTs will seal the match
the 7-0 Jimmy’s Jerman Jaguars, challenge the 5-2 Tweedbank Pirates at Gun Knowe Stadium.
Jimmy’s Jerman Jaguars were led in week 7 by a 24.74 point effort from Aaron Rodgers.
Tweedbank Pirates were led in week 7 by a 20.32 point effort from Andy Dalton.
In the 3-year history of this rivalry, Jimmy’s Jerman Jaguars hold a 1-3-0 all-time series recordagainst Tweedbank Pirates.
That’s interesting – is this Jimmy’s bogey team? Who knows but certainly the pirates are in with as good a chance as anyone to stop this insane run, well they would be if everyone wasn’t on a bye week – luck or judgement on Jimmy’s part, who can tell?
Jags looks to have a line-up despite some banged up players on the bench – having a full squad doesn’t normally stop Jimmy though so expect some movement on the waivers tomorrow. It wont be Aaron Rogers or AJ Green though – they have their squad places tied up for sure – Maybe a new WR or even a TE – but there’s little left in the cookie jar for Jimmy, (note to everyone else, pick up some players 😉
Paul is not able to put a full squad together as at Tuesday night – he’ll need to find a fit RB to make up the numbers – the waivers are extremely thin on the ground but there could be a deal done on the trades over the next couple of days. Paul’s WR and TE positions are well covered – there will be some TDs amongst the 4 of them for sure- perhaps over 40 points between them – Pirates will need that as they may struggle for 15 at RB. The Viks are on hand to buff up the numbers with their consistent DST performances though – and that could easily save the Pirates this week.
Potentially this is still a high scoring game- despite Paul needing to pick up a 5 point RB. The Pit can see this one going either way – but it is a Pirates win that most every one else wants.
Game to watch its the Washington Cincinnati game in London for sure with action on both sides.
the 4-3 SanFran-Gordon 69ers challenge the 3-4 Tranent Tigers at Polson Park.
SanFran-Gordon 69ers were led in week 7 by a 27.82 point effort from Andrew Luck.
Tranent Tigers were led in week 7 by a 18.18 point effort from Tom Brady.
In the 2-year history of this rivalry, SanFran-Gordon 69ers hold a 1-1-0 all-time series record against Tranent Tigers.
69ers got back on track with a win last week, their points are still up there at the top of the board and the rankings look pretty good again – perhaps time for a new DST on the wire tomorrow – plenty available ranked above the Bills, especially with the Pats on a roll. There could be anywhere from 40-60+ points from Murray, Michael, Jones and Marshall leading the team out at WR and RB though all of them have had weak weeks. Andrew Luck is having a resurgence after a 3 week drought in the first month. There’s articles placing as possible season MVP again, so Richie has to be pleased that he’s stuck with it apart form one miss step putting Carson Palmer in a couple of weeks ago.
Tigers are having some ups and downs, last week was only their 4th opportunity to go over 100 points and they failed to take that chance, benching Devante Adams. Whether he can sustain that kind of form is debatable but leaving him out this week would be a bold decision for Nicky. Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace are on Byes this week leaving not a lot of choice for Nicky unless he goes to the waivers, but there are still players ranked in the top 20 or thereabouts to choose from so its not a disaster.
Tigers have a chance here, but the stats say its slim – unless none of Richie’s outfield players score this should go to the Niners
Game to watch – likely to change – but Nicky’s QB against Richie’s Dst would be the game as it stands, and really you can only see that going one way!
the 3-4 Pilton Panthers play the 3-4 Kelsae Avengers at Samuel Sawyer Memorial Park.
Pilton Panthers were led in week 7 by a 15.64 point effort from Philip Rivers.
Kelsae Avengers were led in week 7 by a 24.00 point effort from the Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Team.
Panthers don’t have too many bye week worries – but a lot of Rab’s players have really tough matchups this week – non one is playing anyone ranked less than12 at stopping points in their respective positions . Jordy Nelson is perhaps the pick of the bunch ranked WR 13. Gary Barnidge has been a dependable 6 points all season which really is OK for a TE. Mason Crosby is the lone exception with a good match up and likely to get a few opportunities for both extra points and Field goals playing the Falcons.
Avengers are sitting this week with the #1 ranked RB and the #2 ranked WR and TE – Jimmy Graham is still putting 2 fingers up to the draft day naysayers. Coach Stuart has a lot to be thankful for this week, though there are still some tough looking match ups even for the #1 studs in the team. There’s no bye week worries and likely not a lot to waiver for this week – so its fit in Johnson, Murray and Mike Evans, sit back and watch the points roll in
the Pit has to give this one to the Avengers – and it could be a real pumping.
Game to watch – not a lot involving both teams, maybe the chiefs Colts game to see the the Chiefs can stop Jeremy Maclin getting the ball.
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