Fourth-and-Goal (Div C) – Week 7

The road to the playoffs

 

We’re at the point in the season where everyone’s thinking playoffs. Unfortunately, for those who are mathematically eliminated, they only have the opportunity to play the role of spoilers. However, the race is heated, and deserves a closer look.

 

Here’s a pre-playoff preview (alliteration alert!)

All teams that are potentially in the playoffs will be discussed, as well as their would-be opposition and obstacles.

 

{SPOILER ALERT: If you don’t want to know what the playoffs are set to look like, stop reading}

 

 

Conference A

  

 Daron Basmadjian Fan Club (5-0-2)

 Prestige World Wide (5-1-1)

 Pump & Ditch (5-2-0)

 Hall of Famers (5-2-0)

 Mustangs du Gridiron (4-3-0)

 The Commission (4-3-0)

 Monstars (4-3-0)

 Jewish Cucumbers (4-3-0) 

 ———-

 Real Deal (3-4-0)

 Eagles (3-4-0) 

  

 

 Conference B

  

 Predators (6-0-1)

 Broccasion (6-1-0)

 Formerly Teamless (4-2-1)

 Flight of the Conchords (4-2-1)

 KGP Champs (4-2-1)

 Rude Bwoys (4-2-1)

 Favre Dollar Footlongs (4-3-0)

 Sphinx (3-3-1)

 ———-

 French Toast Mafia FFC (3-4-0)

 Pap N’ Co (3-4-0)

 

 

A Look at What Remains

 

Conference A

 

 

Daron Basmadjian Fan Club

 

The DBFC have an enviable spot moving into the last stage of the season. While they can’t get too complacent, as Week 10 will be a battle (and a rematch, of sorts, of last year’s final) it looks like they’ll have a nice seed going into the playoffs. Should they win all three, the top seed is theirs.

Remaining opposition: Ninja Turtles, Eagles, The Commission

 

Prestige World Wide

 

Only one point behind DBFC. Should DBFC lose or tie one, and Prestige win the three remaining games, the top seed is theirs. Like DBFC, there seems to be one game that Prestige will need to focus on more than the others, and that’s the Week 9 matchup against Hall of Famers. Not only do PWW need to win, but they might even need to take notes as it’s likely that they’ll see them again as the playoffs progress.

Remaining opposition: Like Our TDs, Hall of Famers, Mongoose

 

Pump & Ditch

 

After last week’s dismantling of the touted Hall of Famers, Pump & Ditch have a new air of confidence and cockiness to them. This week they face a Mongoose squad that look very much like themselves. If they can game plan against these three well-rounded teams, (two of whom are playoff contenders,) they have the possibility of going 3-0. 

Remaining opposition: Mongoose, Sphinx, Jewish Cucumbers

 

Hall of Famers

 

While having a solid season up until this point, it appears that the brashness of Pump & Ditch seems to have gotten under the skin of the HoF as a collective. They will need to forget and learn as quick as possible, as their remaining games will give them a whole lot of difficulty. After facing off against their rivals this week, they’ll need to stay competitive in their last two games or risk dropping in seeding.

Remaining opposition: Jewish Cucumbers, Prestige World Wide, Monstars

 

Mustangs du Gridiron

 

Admittedly the talk of the town. They look solid, and are on their way to fulfilling my 6-4 prediction. It will be interesting, however, to see how Simon Vallé’s deep ball will match up this week against The Commission. In any case, it will be good experience against a playoff team.

Remaining opposition: The Commission, Favre Dollar Footlongs, Real Deal

 

The Commission

 

The loss to KGP Champs should be just an eye opener. The Commission really only get the motors going as the season comes to a close and the playoffs start up, so this might be the sign that they need to kick it into gear. It’s now all about how consistent they are, which will amount to where they finish in the running.

Remaining opposition: Mustangs du Gridiron, Real Deal, Daron Basmadjian Fan Club

 

Monstars

 

The Monstars tend to shine while shutting down offense-heavy teams. As such, they seem to be in good shape with three winnable games. Winning these three could mean everything to this team; moving up to not have to face one of the two juggernauts in the first round.

Remaining opposition: Le Zoo, Like Our TDs, Hall of Famers

 

Jewish Cucumbers

 

They’ve got everything to prove, but also everything to lose this week against their buddies and rivals, Hall of Famers. This is why the Jewcumbers need to stay focused in the next three weeks. They will have a bit of a boost, with new acquisition Marvin Golding being able to be used to shut down the best receivers in their opposition (namely Crystal, Nuckle and Haney.)

Remaining opposition: Hall of Famers, Mongoose, Pump & Ditch

———-

 

Real Deal

 

Starting to gather steam at the end. Of course, having a hall of famer who has 4 receptions for 3 TDs isn’t too bad either. I don’t know what else there is to say about this team, because should they need, all the remaining games are winnable when you have a D1 championship quarterback who also holds the interception record at your disposal.

Remaining opposition: Eagles, The Commission, Mustangs du Gridiron

 

Eagles

 

Always so promising, but they seem to be falling just short. They’re going to need to hope for a bit of luck and a lot of magic in order to sneak in ahead of Jewish Cucumbers and Real Deal. Unfortunately, it all comes down to this week against the very team they’re in contention with. 

Remaining opposition: Real Deal, Daron Basmadjian Fan Club, X-Men

 

 

 

Conference B

 

 

Predators

 

Division C’s best kept secret that isn’t actually a secret. Having the 2^nd best offense and plus/minus in the division does not bode well for their opposition in the next three games, who have a combined record of 5-15-1. Throw in their divisional record, and you can all but place your bets that they will occupy the top seeding in the playoffs.

Remaining opposition: X-Men, Silent Assassins, Rude Bwoys

 

Broccasion

 

Hard-hitting and potent, they may be in a bit of a pickle with the injury to Theo Ojeaha. However, there may be silver lining in the fact that Marco Masciotra is forced to spread the ball a little bit more now. Also, with brother Kristian Cerantola back in the lineup, they add some more depth to the squad.

Remaining opposition: Sphinx, French Toast Mafia FFC, Patriotes

 

Formerly Teamless

 

More roster inconsistencies than you can shake a stick at. They need to be complete in order to be a unit, but the question remains as to when that will actually be. While the composition is skilled, the key to unraveling it is exposing their lack of chemistry.

Remaining opposition: French Toast Mafia FFC, Patriotes, Le Zoo

 

Flight of the Conchords

 

From what appeared to be a one-time thing, the acquisition of Simon Richard has been a top performer on this squad. Their remaining games are against the three teams seeded directly below them. They’ll need to keep winning in order to hold down the fort.

Remaining opposition: Rude Bwoys, KGP Champs, Favre Dollar Footlongs

 

KGP Champs

 

Looking their best in a long time, KGP proved that they are a serious contender with a win over The Commission this week. The fact that they also average over two INTs a game is nothing to shake a stick at. In all honesty, as long as they can close out these games (even by a marginal score,) they’re golden. 

Remaining opposition: Favre Dollar Footlongs, Flight of the Conchords, The Incredibles

 

Rude Bwoys

 

They’ve been inconsistent, but less inconsistent than the past. Which is a good thing. Their defense will need to step up to the par that their offense is playing at in order to hold onto their playoff spot; more turnovers will be necessary in the upcoming games, especially since they are divisional.

Remaining opposition: Flight of the Conchords, The Incredibles, Predators

 

Favre Dollar Footlongs

 

If FDF had their way, all I would do is talk about Trevor “Two-Way” Ruffner. However, there is more to this team, and I think that they realize it too. They’ve played playoff teams for most of the season; it’s become imperative that they continue to play at that level if they want to make playoffs.

Remaining opposition: KGP Champs, Mustangs du Gridiron, Flight of the Conchords

 

Sphinx

 

Coming off of a loss without their starting QB, Sphinx can’t succeed without the teamwork that makes them so special. In all honesty, I get the impression that it’s going to come down to the Week 10 matchup against French Toast Mafia that will seal their fate one way or the other.

Remaining opposition: Broccasion, Pump & Ditch, French Toast Mafia FFC

———-

 

French Toast Mafia FFC

 

See above for what I think the defining game will be, but I feel that FTM have the ability to keep games down to the wire. As such, they can never really be counted out, and may surprise a team and jump into the playoffs. Add in the fact that all three of their remaining games are divisional, and you’ve got a darkhorse in the making.

Remaining opposition: Formerly Teamless, Broccasion, Sphinx

 

Pap N’ Co

 

Hurt by the fact that they are 0-4-0 divisionally. They will need to clock up some straight-up wins, because the tiebreaker criterion does not bode well for them. They have the tools and the capability to do so; it all comes down to execution. They’ll be in good shape if they can channel what made their game against FOTC so special.

Remaining opposition: Patriotes, Le Zoo, Like Our TDs

 

 

Random Thoughts

 

• Like Our TDs, Patriotes and The Incredibles are not mathematically eliminated yet.
• Spring rosters are such a headache to look at, just because of the number of players & subs on each team. I know that this is one of the worst offenders talking, but still.
• If you told me preseason that The Incredibles would acquire Daniele Gentile and Vince Nardone, and then be on the outside looking in, I’d have laughed at you. Then I would ask you how to acquire that time machine that you possess. 

 

 

Quick Picks

 

I’m disappointed. Not really because of anything other than the fact that my picks barely vary this week when compared to Simon’s. Which means he’s poised to be just as right as I am. 

 

Sphinx vs. Broccasion: Broccasion

Pap n’ Co vs. Patriotes: Patriotes

Favre Dollar Footlongs vs. KGP Champs: KGP Champs

X-Men vs. Predators: Predators

Flight of the Conchords vs. Rude Bwoys : Flight of the Conchords

French Toast Mafia FFC vs. Formerly Teamless: N/A

Monstars vs. Le Zoo: Monstars

Mustangs du Gridiron vs. The Commission: The Commission

Real Deal vs. Eagles: Real Deal

Like Our TDs vs. Prestige World Wide: Prestige World Wide

Jewish Cucumbers vs. Hall of Famers: Hall of Famers

Ninja Turtles vs. Daron Basmadjian Fan Club: Daron Basmadjian Fan Club

Pump & Ditch vs. Mongoose: Pump & Ditch

Silent Assassins vs. The Incredibles: The Incredibles

 

 

 

Well, that’s it for me. I’m still having issues replying to email, but I can receive them OK. To the person who wrote me last week, I’ll do my best to come and have a chat with you this week. All others can email me at [email protected] for the possibility of an entertaining read for me, and a face-to-face chat with you.