BIG FANATIC 55 LEAGUE WEEKLY GRUDGE MATCH GAMES

Maniacs (6-4) @ Sledge Hammers (6-4)

There are three teams trailing the East Coast division leading WAHOOS by one game. These two and WoodHeaded Power. All three teams are currently fighting for one of the three wild-card seeds in Fanatic Bowl III. Maniacs and the Sledge Hammers have a chance to step up this week and make a statement. Who has the biggest balls of them all? The Maniacs are a better team when playing at home. They average 137.24 points per game there. The Hammers have been better by one point on the road than they have been at home. This should be a real close game when you factor in the Manaics score 128.16 points on the road and the Sledge Hammers average 128.02 points in front of the home crowd. Both teams are showing signs of wear. The Maniacs averaged 133.58 points per game the first five weeks and have slowed a bit to 131.82 per game the last five weeks. Coach Umbach might want to consider lighting a fire under his players as they have dropped from 131.41 points per game in weeks one through five to 125.54 in the last five weeks. Having only two more games after this double-header week makes this game even more important. Do you know what happens when a Maniac takes hold of a Sledge Hammer? Me either. But it could be dangerous!

The Dark Knight (3-7) @ BLUEMOON (5-5)

Would you ever guess these two teams records are completely opposite of the records they started the season with? Dark Knight started the season with three wins and two losses. The BLUEMOON started with three straight losses before finally winning the next two games to finished the first five weeks 2-3. But little did the Dark Knight know what sort of darkness was about to befall the men of darkness. The week five loss was just the beginning of a six game losing streak. If they want to get back into the race for a championship they must win this game and their final three games. It's a lonely road to travel alone in the darkness of fantasy football. The BLUEMOON was singing the Blues during the first three weeks of the 2010 season. They couldn't figure out where the goal posts were located. After some meetings with the Commissioner the problems were straightened out and the Mooners have won five of their last seven games. Both teams are wearing the wrong shoes for this weeks game. The MOON scores more points on the road and the Dark Knight score 22 more points per game at home than they do on the road. But! Dark Knight, the visitor, scores twelve more points on the road than BLUEMOON, the home team, does at home. Better be on your guard this week BLUEMOON. You don't want to be overshadowed by d-a-r-k-n-e-s-s......shhhhh.

CALIENTE (6-4) @ Cherry Hills Combine (0-10)

Well, I said it in the BF46 league last year and I'm going to say it here in the BF55 league this year. You need to fear any team that hasn't won a game ..... yet. It was week eleven when I made the statement last year. It was week twelve when the team got their first win scoring 164.86 points to 140.88. Rumble In The Jungle got their first and only win in week twelve. They finished 1-13 in 2009. Rumble In The Jungle stands at 7-4 so far this year. Be careful if you plan to Cherry pick this week CALIENTE. You just might get hit by a golf ball. Both teams have performed better the last five weeks. CALIENTE was 2-3 after the first five weeks and they scored 138.8 points per game. They have improved the last five weeks winning four out of five games and scoring 142.61 points per game. How did Cherry Hills Combine improve? Yes they lost five games the first half of the year and yes they lost five games the last five weeks, but, they've improved their point production by 22.87 points per game. CALIENTE leads the Midwest division by one game. We don't think they'll be looking past this game. Or will they?

Rebels Rage (5-5) @ Modest Mice (6-4)

The West Coast division looks similar to the North Coast division in that each has three teams just one game behind the division leader. Rebels Rage will have the team sky high for this big game against the manly mice. This marks the first of two straight games between the two teams. Having only four games remaining in the regular season this matchup is half of each teams remaining schedule. The Mice played one win better during the first five games (3-2) to (2-3) for the Rage. Both teams recorded three wins and two losses in the last five weeks. Since 2008 the teams have split the series. The Mice took the cheese two times in 2008 and the Rage spanked the Mice twice in 2009. This weeks game will break that tie and give the winning team a big boost for the week twelve game. The Rage has played .500 ball on the road this year and that isn't bad considering the Modest Mice have only played .400 ball in front of the home crowd.

Pismo Penetrator's (5-5) @ Panthers (5-5)

This game features two more teams from the West Coast division. They're the other two teams chasing the Modest Mice for the division championship. Pismo got off to a 3-2 start in their first five games and scored 133.58 points per game on average. They have slowed a bit the last five weeks reversing their first half record to win only two of their last five games. The Pismo team has maintained their intensity scoring 133.58 points on average in the first five games and have only slipped to 131.94 points per game over the last five weeks. The Penetrator's defeated the Modest Mice by 1.20 points in week one and will play them again in week thirteen. The Panthers won their opening game of the year but stumbled badly losing the next four games. A paltry 118.76 game point average in the first five weeks was probably a big part of the problem. Whatever the problem, the Panthers seem to have gotten it fixed. They've boosted their game point average by nine points going from 118.78 per game to 127.04 each contest. The result of that point increase? The Panthers are on a ferocious pace over the last five games winning four of five. The series between the Panthers and the Mice ended in a draw this year. The Cheese Eaters won the first game in week four by 14 points while the Panthers devoured the Mice in week nine by 67 points. At this point in the fantasy football season, I don't think you can find a more evenly matched pair of teams. Pismo Penetrator's average 131.58 points per game on the road while the Panthers average 131.54 points per game at home. That's only a .04 of a point difference in scoring average. We just might see an over time in this game.

WAHOOS (7-3) @ WoodHeaded Power (6-4)

This will be a good game between a couple of good East Coast division powers. The WAHOOS hold a one game lead over the other three teams in the division. WoodHeaded Power has a couple of reasons to want to beat the WAHOOS. First they want to win the division and a win this week would set up a showdown in week twelve for the division lead with only one game to play in week thirteen. The second is the WAHOOS defeated WoodHeaded Power twice in 2009 after splitting the series in 2008. The WAHOOS own the Power 3-1 through the first four games. Both teams have been for the most part a mirror image of each other all year with one small exception, the WAHOOS have won one more game in the last five weeks than the WoodHeaded Power. During the first five week run both teams ended with 3-2 records. The WAHOOS averaged 120.97 points per game and WoodHeaded averaged 120.34 points per game. Each team has really picked up the pace of scoring over the last five weeks. WoodHeaded Power has jumped from their 120.34 points per game average to 140.95 points per game. The WAHOOS are equally impressive as they have leaped from 120.97 points per game to 145.29 points per game. The Power might have only one wish this week and it might be to allow them to play both games on the road where they average 142.94 compared to only 122.45 in home games. The WAHOOS have played better on the road too. They score 133.91 points per game when traveling. If those numbers hold true then the WoodHeaded Power better up their intensity level for this game.

WAHOOS (7-3) @ Panthers (5-5)

This time of year is great for fantasy football but there is no time to rest for those expecting to win the big prize. The Panthers, from the West Coast division, play host to the WAHOOS, leaders of the East Coast division. The teams match up well for this contest as the Panthers play 19 points better at home than they do on the road. They put up 131.54 points at home and the WAHOOS bring in a 4-1 road record, scoring 133.91 points per game. A loss will not douse the hopes of the loser to get into the Fanatic Bowl but a win would help a whole lot more, especially for the Panthers who trail the Modest Mice by one game.

Maniacs (6-4) @ Modest Mice 6-4)

This represents the BF55 version of M & M's. There isn't anything quite like turning a bunch of Mice loose in an enclosed area with a bunch of Maniacs. Though both teams are 6-4 presently, the Modest Mice enjoy the view from the top of the West Coast division while the Maniacs are one game behind East Coast division leading WAHOOS. The intensity will be at a fever pitch when the Not-So-Modest Mice fans show up to cheer their team of mighty men, I mean mice, on. The Mice blew up a couple of scoreboards during the first five weeks of the season as they threw points up at a 153.95 per game pace. But while scoring all of those points they still lost two games. The Maniacs were hot themselves the first half of the season. They started with a loss then followed that with five straight "W's". Both teams have slowed in point production but it's more drastic when looking at the Modest Mice. The Mice are now scoring at a 115.17 points per game pace while the Maniacs have only dropped by two points, from 133.58 to 131.82. We took a closer look to see why the numbers for the Mice would be so drastically different. Our beat writer talked to some of the coaches. They told him they think some of the players used some creme cheese before the game in week two against The Dark Knights. Them darn Mice were so charged up that they put 221.90 points on the board. Since that game, the commissioner has ordered all Mice to be tested for creme cheese (an illegal substance) before each game.

WoodHeaded Power (6-4) @ BLUEMOON (5-5)

Look out WoodHeaded Power. The BLUEMOON is upon you. They have a chance to have a winning record for the first time this year if they can knock off the Power. They're riding a two game win streak into this home game and the players know what's on the line. This is a much improved team and they will get after you. The mood in the locker room was somber after losing the first three games to open the 2010 season. They were only scoring 117.72 points per game and the players got together for a player only meeting. Since that meeting they have a 5-2 record and they average 129.26 points per game over the last five weeks. The Moon trails division leading CALIENTE by one game. A win by the Mooners and a loss by CALIENTE would tie the teams for the division lead. That would setup a possible showdown for the division championship in week thirteen when the two teams meet head-to-head. BLUEMOON needs to continue playing good ball to get past WoodHeaded Power in week eleven. The Power enters this game with their own agenda. Win and get in. Their offense has been clicking on all cylinders the past five weeks averaging 142.94 points per game on the road. They trail the WAHOOS by one game with four regular season games remaining to catch and go around them.

Sledge Hammers (6-4) @ Cherry Hills Combine (0-10)

Give me liberty but give me a win too! I've been told it's lonely at the top. I'd rather be lonely at the top than forgotten at the bottom. The Sledge Hammers might be running head-on into a hornets nest this week. Pay no attention to the O'pher. Cherry Hills Combine has improved. You should know that if you've done your homework. The clubbers scored 85 points or less in four of their first five games this year. They had a per game average of 79.99 points. The last five games have shown improvement. Cherry Hills scored over 100 points four out of five game and raised their per game average to 102.86. That's a 22.87 swing upward. Let's take a look at the visitors. Sledge Hammers have played well this year and find themselves in contention for a division championship and maybe more. The one requirement is, keep winning. The Hammers rushed out of the gates starting the season 4-1 and riding high. Then the next five games began to take a toll on the club as they lost three games out of five played from week six through week ten. Their point average dropped by 5.87 points per outing from 131.41 to 125.54. Sledge hopes to Hammer the Cherry Hills Combine into the cup for a big birdie.

The Dark Knight (3-7) @ Rebels Rage (5-5)

The Dark Knight jumps out of the Midwest division to travel for a meeting with Rebels Rage of the West Coast division. Mathematically Dark Knight still has a chance to win a wild-card and win the Midwest division if they win the next four games. They don't have room to sneeze along the way. Rebels Rage has the same possibility. They can still win a wild-card or even win their division. You just have to love fantasy football! The Dark Knight is like the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. They kept losing close games and saying they still have a chance. This is the last chance for the Knights. It's win now and win out because that's the only way that leads to a league championship. The Dark Knight needs to start scoring those 174.20 games like they had in week four rather than those 96.32 point games like the one they had in week nine. Make no mistake, this is a good team. They average 137.52 points per game. Rebels Rage has a two game advantage over the Dark Knights but the Rage only averages 111.28 points per game on the year. They have pumped their per game average up to 116.04 in the last five games compared to 106.52 the first five games. The West Coast division is another one of those nail biter divisions where every win is multiplied immensely by the closeness of competition within the division.

CALIENTE (6-4) @ Pismo Penetrator's (5-5)

I know at least one team that will be pulling for CALIENTE in this game besides CALIENTE themselves. The Modest Mice don't like having the Penetrator's, Panthers, and Rebels Rage knipping at their cheese. CALIENTE started the season with two wins then stumbled while losing the next four games. They're currently playing very good football as their four game win streak indicates. Pismo Penetrator's season has been much like a ride on a roller-coaster. They have managed only one two game win streak and unfortunately two two game losing streaks. When comparing home and road point production it points to a very close game with CALIENTE holding a slim 1.68 scoring advantage. Lace up those cleats! Pull that chin-strap tight! Get in there!®

WoodHeaded Power (6-6) @ WAHOOS (9-3)

This is a series that has favored the WAHOOS more, except in the very first game between the two teams when WoodHeaded Power thrashed the WAHOOS by 31 points. I guess that got the WAHOOS attention, they won the second game by 18 points and have won three more games since, giving them a 4-1 record with four wins in a row versus the Power. The teams in this East Coast Division could be juggled around a lot in the next two weeks. The only sure thing is the WAHOOS are going to get a chance to defend their title. One or two of the other East Coast Division teams could find themselves in the Big Show also. WoodHeaded Power matches up closely with the WAHOOS and are capable of winning this game. Two wins would assure the Power a trip to the Really Big Show and one more win might get them a wild-card seed, but a loss this week and in week thirteen versus the Maniacs would end WoodHeaded Powers hope of anything more then a consolation playoff. The WAHOOS are no strangers to what it takes to win big games, they finished second in the 2008 championship game before they won the championship in 2009.

Sledge Hammers (7-5) @ Maniacs (7-5)

I know the coach of each of these teams have their players prepared for a monumental battle in front of the Maniacs home crowd. Their simple message is, win we're in, lose and it's possible a good season goes down the drain with another loss in week thirteen. Maniacs hold a slight advantage in scoring, having a 131.5 game point average. Sledge Hammers are close behind with a 127.5 point per game average. The Maniacs took to the road in week eleven and topped Sledge Hammer in a close 125.34 to 122.32 game. Sledge Hammers had their way with the Maniacs in 2008, winning both games and the division race. Change came in 2009 when the Maniacs scored wins in both meetings with the Hammers leaving both teams with 2-2 records coming into the 2010 season. Can Sledge Hammer turn the table on the Maniacs this week? If they don't they will have the unenviable task of defeating the WAHOOS in week thirteen. If the Maniacs stumble this week and WoodHeaded Power sneaks by the WAHOOS, that would setup a must win game in week thirteen with both teams having 7-6 records. To the winner go the spoils...

The Dark Knight (5-7) @ BLUEMOON (6-6)

There are no unimportant fantasy football games, especially in weeks twelve and thirteen. Week twelve is up guys, it's time your players show what they have in their hearts. The Dark Knight traveled to meet BLUEMOON in week eleven to score a big 11 point win. More importantly, that game kept the Dark Knights in the running for a Fanatic Bowl appearance. In 2008 each team was 1-1 versus each other and the road team won each time. The following year both teams won one game each again, this time each won the home game. The first game this year was won in week eleven by The Dark Knights, on the road. If this trend continues, BLUEMOON should be favored on the road. Neither team has ever made an appearance in the Fanatic Bowl making a win this week and maybe next week that much more important. Good luck MOONS and Knights.

CALIENTE (8-4) @ Cherry Hills Combine (0-12)

This is truly a rebuilding year for Cherry Hills Combine. I'm sure we'll all see a different team in 2011 when Cherry Hills takes the field in week one. After playing in the Fanatic Bowl last year as the #6 seed the Hills will play in the consolation playoff bracket for the second time in three years. CALIENTE will be heavily favored in this road game. They know they will be one of the Fanatic Bowl playoff teams for the third straight year. CALIENTE holds a 4-1 record over Cherry Hills in regular season games. In the Fanatic Bowl playoffs Cherry Hills is 1-0 versus CALIENTE via a 115 - 104 win in the 2009 first round game. Coach Jim said he will be building a team for the 2011 season that can score more than 96.3 points per game. Cherry Hills has two weeks remaining to get a regular season win. Does anyone have a little Hoot! for the Hills?

Modest Mice (8-4) @ Rebels Rage (5-7)

What we have here is one team knowing a win will assure them of a division title and a place in the 2010 Fanatic Bowl, the Modest Mice, and another team in a must win situation to stay alive for a Fanatic Bowl wild-card seed, the Rebels Rage. Since 2008 one or the other team has won both games in that particular year. The Mice won both games in 2008, by 10 points at home and 24 points on the road. 2009 saw the Rebels Rage even things up with two wins giving both teams 2-2 records in games against each other. If that trend continues the Mice will win this week and send the Rage packing for a consolation bracket playoff for the third straight year. If the Rage can spring the trap on the Mice they will keep their hopes alive for a first appearance in the Fanatic Bowl. The Mice have another tough game coming up in week thirteen against the Pismo Penetrator's. They better not get caught looking past the Rage this week or they could lose their grip on the division title. The Rage play the Panthers in week thirteen in what might turn out to be a battle for the last wild-card seed in the Big Show.

Panthers (5-7) @ Pismo Penetrator's (6-6)

The Panthers better be hungry this week to keep their championship hopes alive. A win against this division rival would be a big step toward that goal. Pismo Penetrator's are actually in must win mode themselves. They are currently tie with WoodHeaded Power and BLUEMOON with 6-6 records. Right now Pismo is slightly ahead of the other two teams but a loss could be devastating at this point in the season. Both teams have played in two Fanatic Bowls though neither team has won it. Pismo lost their first round game in 2009 while the Panthers made it to the championship game but lost to the WAHOOS. It might be far fetched to think both teams will make it to the Big Show this year, although it's still possible, and when it's still possible you play all the way to the end of your game.

Modest Mice (9-4) @ Pismo Penetrator's (7-6)

The Modest Mice will represent the West Coast Division as the division winner, with that they also win one of the three automatic seeds into the 2010 Fanatic Bowl playoff. Pismo Penetrator's are in the Fanatic Bowl, right now. A win would put the seal on the bowl bid, a loss could be devastating. Both teams won close games during week twelve action. The Mice barely defeated Rebels Rage 116.5 to 110.08, while the Penetrator's really cut it close with a .86 point margin of victory over the Panthers. It isn't how you win, it's, just win. Ask the Modest Mice. Pismo Penetrator's beat them by 1.2 points on opening day. The final score was 153.62 to 152.42. Pismo Penetrator's are led by quarterback Tom Brady, running backs Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew, and at wide receiver Marques Colston leads the charge. On the other side of the field the Modest Mice have Peyton Manning running the show. Running backs Joseph Addai and Michael Bush have been dealing with injuries, the team hopes to get them back soon. Manning throws to an excellent group of wide receivers including Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, and Marion Manningham. Looking at the matchup over the first three years I found games between these two teams are usually close though Pismo Penetrator's have the better record at 4-1 versus the Men from Mouseville. Pismo kicked off the 2008 season by winning both games, the very first game turned out to be the closest game, 111.34 to 111.16. Is that .18 points difference? Will Pismo be able to notch another win? or will the Modest Mice earn their second win over the Penetrator's?

Panthers (5-8) @ Rebels Rage (5-8)

It looks like both of these West Coast Division teams will be heading to the consolation playoff this year. Although there is a mathematical chance the winner of this game could get into the Fanatic Bowl, they would probably be out pointed in the tie-breaker competition. This is a good game to get prepared for a run through the consolation playoff. Both teams were defeated by division rivals in week twelve and that turned out to be a hard blow to their hopes of going to the Fanatic Bowl in 2010. Looking back, the Panthers doubled the score on Rebels Rage in week one, that win gives the Panthers a 4-1 record versus the Rage. Out of five games played between these teams, three games were won by the visiting team and two by the home team. Rebels Rage is led by a couple of good quarterbacks, Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton, who have thrown often this year to Braylon Edwards and Reggie Wayne. The problem spot for the Rage is their ground game. Beanie Wells has been a disappointment since he entered the league, whether it's the offensive line or his injuries. The Rebs are probably a year away from a Fanatic Bowl appearance. Their running backs are young and need time to mature. The Panthers bring a strong running game each week with veterans Steve Jackson and Ahmad Bradshaw pounding through the line for big gains. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck throws to Greg Jennings, Steve Smith (inj), and Randy Moss whenever he shows up. Moss is probably the biggest problem the Panthers have to handle on a weekly basis. With a couple of small changes on the rosters, these teams could get over the hump.

Cherry Hills Combine (0-13) @ The Dark Knight (5-8)


I've always said I wouldn't want to be the team playing against a team that hasn't won a game late in the fantasy football season. Well, it's pretty late in the season and Cherry Hills Combine hasn't budged off that BIG "O" all year. Dark Knight is one team that still has a shot at a wild-card seed, they hope Cherry Hills will be 0-14 after this weeks game. Then they will play the wait and see game to see who gets the final wild-card seed to the Fanatic Bowl playoff. The Knights bring an average of 133.8 points per game into the contest, while Cherry Hills is stroking at 98.7 points per game. With the first pick in the 2011 draft, Cherry Hills Combine selects.............

BLUEMOON (7-6) @ CALIENTE (9-4)

Here we have two teams on the rise. CALIENTE has won the division two years in a row and will add another division championship this year, bringing their total to three out of three. They still haven't won a league championship, something they hope to change in 10. BLUEMOON has been one of the ugly step-sisters in the division, finishing 5-9 (2008), 6-8 (2009), and earning two trips to the consolation playoff. The MOONERS are 7-6 with a chance to finish 8-6 in the division and win a trip to their first Fanatic Bowl Championship playoff. The only thing in their way is, 9-4 CALIENTE who happens to be playing better than they have in two previous years. Since the beginning of the series between these teams, CALIENTE holds a 3-2 edge in wins. The teams have split two games each year since 2008. CALIENTE won the first ever meeting by 29 points in front of their home town crowd. BLUEMOON scored a .22 point win in week thirteen to even the series at 1-1. In 2009 BLUEMOON won the first game by 27 points only to have CALIENTE win in week thirteen by 21 points. That evened the records at 2-2. So CALIENTE took the first game this year by 47 points. Will BLUEMOON pull their players together once again and win the week thirteen game to even the series once more and win a trip to Fanatic Bowl III? or will CALIENTE win and add to the MOONERS misery of not making it to the Fanatic Bowl for the third year?

WoodHeaded Power (6-7) @ Maniacs (8-5)

Hold your hats folks! WoodHeaded Power needs a win this week to give themselves a chance to participate in the Fanatic Bowl. The Maniacs currently hold the number four seed in the Fanatic Bowl but could drop to number five or six with a loss. WoodHeaded hopes to find their track shoes this week and put an end to the three game losing streak they're riding. It's been a while since WoodHeaded was 6-4 and seemed to be on a fast track to Fanatic Bowl III. Now they're faced with needing a win just to have a shot at a wild-card seed for the big bowl game. This has been a fairly even matchup over the years with the Maniacs having a slight edge in wins with three, to two for WoodHeaded. The MANIACS won the first three games played, including both games in 2008 and the first game of the 2009 season. Since that time WoodHeaded has Powered their way to two consecutive wins by over twenty points each. They need to continue that kind of play if they want to play in the Big Show.

Sledge Hammers (7-6) @ WAHOOS (10-3)

The Hammers are so close to the finish line, yet they need a win this week to have a chance to get into the Fanatic Bowl with a wild-card seed. Sledge Hammer made an appearance in the 2008 Fanatic Bowl when they finished 9-5 and won the number two seed. In 2009 the Hammers got hammered by almost everyone, they finished 4-10 and played in the consolation playoff. This has been a better year for the Hammers, it could be even better if they win this game. Sledge Hammer has the better record in the series having three wins in five contests. The home team has won five out of five games, a trend the Hammers hope to change this week. Philip Rivers is the field general for the Sledge and he has plenty of good weapons to throw to when they're healthy. A healthy Austin Collie and Vincent Jackson would be a welcome and much needed addition to the receiving corps this week. If they're unable to go the majority of the work load will fall on running back Shonn Greene. The WAHOOS can rely on one of two good quarterbacks they have on the roster. Matt Schaub and Matt Ryan are both capable of lighting up the scoreboard with passes to Dwayne Bowe, Jeremy Maclin, and Mike Williams. Throw Ray Rice, Knowshon Moreno, and a couple other running backs into the mix and you have the making of a possible championship team. Let's get this started, let's get this started!