MANIC FANATIC 02 LEAGUE WEEKLY GRUDGE MATCH GAMES

Dez Does Dallas (5-5) @ Surgical Steel (8-2)

This East Division game promises a lot of fireworks on the field. Surgical Steel has jumped three games ahead of Dez Does Dallas. Since these two teams meet two weeks in a row, Dez Does Dallas knows this is the perfect time to work some magic. Like winning two games to pull within one game of the leader. Surgical Steel appeared to be unstopable for the first seven weeks but along came the Missouri Texans in week eight to expose the men of steel and give them their first loss of the year. Surgical Steel won their first five games and they weren't even playing their best ball at that time. They averaged 129.39 points per game at that time but have since bumped the average up to 140.22 per game in the last five games. It's odd that the increase in point production didn't stop Surgical Steel from losing two of their last five games. Dez Does was smoking during the first five games with a per game average of 158.66 points. That got them three wins in five games. Since then they have slowed their pace to 132.56 points per game over the last five. They only notched two wins out of five attempts during the last five weeks. Dez Does Dallas doesn't play very good at home (127.84 points per game) compared to the point production they have when traveling (163.38 per game). That's right, 163.38 points per game on the road. Surgical Steel averages 143.77 points per game at home but that's hardly enough to cover 163.38 if Dez Does Dallas hits their average. Over the last three weeks both teams have lost, won, and lost. Who will win this week? and who will lose?

Blue Devils (5-5) @ Missouri Texans (7-3)

Here you have a couple of hard fighting Central Division teams working to catch division leading Pismo Penetrator's. If they don't catch the leader both teams are in a good position to win at least a wild-card seed in the Big Show. The Missouri Texans have gotten better as the season has rolled along. They currently score on average 132.08 points per game through ten games. The first five weeks the Texans won three games while losing only two. They averaged 158.66 points per game in that stretch of the season. The Blue Devils started strong but have slid a little bit recently. They have a good per game point average of 136.66 points through ten games. Early in the year they scored at 144.95 point average per game. The last five games saw them drop that average to 128.37. Their wins also went from three in the first five games to two in the last five games. The Devils just don't travel well. They average 33 less points on the road than they do at home. A loss wouldn't be devastating to the Blue Devils but I'm sure they want to host the Texans next week with a 6-5 record versus a 7-4 record for their division rivals. What will it be Devils? 5-6? or 6-5?

Pismo Penetrator's (8-2) @ Dam Beavers 2 (3-7)

I searched and I searched, then I finally found a gold nugget. Yes Dam Beavers I found something to give you hope in this game. First of all it's fantasy football and anything goes week to week. I also found this little piece of information that might serve you well this week. The last time Pismo Penetrator's had a road game they lost to Boise State in week seven and only scored 106 points. Your Beavers have scored 124.98 points per game at home in four games. That's a big positive. Things might not sound so good from here on, but don't forget that gold nugget. During the first five weeks of the season the Penetrator's averaged 142.6 points per game, won four games, and lost only one. During the first five games of the season the Dam Beavers 2 averaged 109.72 points per game, won one game, and lost four. The Penetrator's slowed their scoring pace considerably over the last five weeks, scoring only 129.16 points per game. They still won four games and lost only one game. The Beavers also slowed their scoring pace from 109.72 per game to 94.01 points per game. The Beaver players staged a one game walk out in week eight, recorded a zero, and possibly damaged their chance of playing in Fanatic Bowl III by recording a loss. With a 7-7 record still a possibility, the Beavers are still in the hunt. Win out and you could get your shot at glory.

STEEL STAINS (3-7) @ Warhawks (1-9)

The Steel Stains have one option the rest of this year, win, win, win, and win. Four wins is what it takes to have a chance at a wild-card seed to Fanatic Bowl III. The Warhawks have played well this year but it's the consolation bowl for them in 2010. I can feel the frustration of both coaches. I've been in their shoes. Play just good enough to lose a close game. One touchdown here or one less fumble there could have resulted in a win instead of a loss. Fantasy football is a tough game. It will chew you up and spit you out. How's that for drama? The Stains need to pick their game up the next four weeks. They've seen their point production take a dip the last five games. Early on they scored an average of 128.34 points per game but have slowed to 116.29 per game over the last five weeks. Stains found themselves at 2-3 after five and it seemed at that time they could get things turned around to make a serious run. The next five weeks would present a completely different thought as the men of steel lost four out of five games to get them to the 3-7 record they currently have. Steel Stains found themselves on the short end of the score when they lost close games to Dez Does Dallas (113.96 - 112.48) and Pismo Penetrator's (117.34 - 115.30). Both of those losses came on the road where the Stains have compiled an ugly 1-5 record. They come into this game off a week ten loss where they only put up 89.3 points. The Warhawks will not be a push over the next two games they play against the Steel Stains. The Hawks have learned how to put points on the scoreboard. The first five weeks saw the Warhawks score 116.18 points on average. Compare that to the 125.61 they are averaging over the last five weeks and you see a team on the rise. The Warhawks lost to Pismo Penetrator's 154.18 to 150.58 in week three and more recently they lost to a good Missouri Texans team in week ten by a score of 158.4 to 153.14. That isn't a team looking to be anyone's doormat.

WAHOOS (7-3) @ BrownsROCK (7-3)

This is the fans dream matchup for the next two weeks in the West Division. A battle of the Titans of the division. After taking a closer look at both teams I was surprised to find so many similarities. Let's take a look at the WAHOOS. After ten weeks they are 7-3. They are 2-2 at home where they average 136.43 points per game, and 5-1 on the road where they average 136.72 points per game. That's the consistency you're looking for on your fantasy football team. During the first five weeks of the season the WAHOOS record was 4-1 and they were scoring 131.56 points per game. They slipped a little over the last five weeks and finished 3-2 yet they were scoring more points leading me to believe they had played a tougher schedule the last five weeks. WAHOOS come to this game fresh off a big week ten win over Dez Does Dallas. Get your WAHOOOOOO on! BrownsROCK! No doubt these fans will be in full crazy ahead mode when this game kicks off. Their team is rocking their world and they like it! Overall the ROCK has compiled a 7-3 record just like there division rival. BrownsROCK was solid in the first five weeks with a 3-2 record and a 142.72 points per game average. If that was solid then being 4-1, with a four game win streak, and a scoring average of 153.57 must be completely out of the world for these Browns fans. This team is also one of the most consistent scoring teams in the league as their ten game average is 148.14 per game, their home average is 147.95 points per game, and they score 148.34 on the road. Go at it guys!

Scullcrackers (3-7) @ Boise State (3-7)

Sometimes fantasy football just presents something that just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. These teams for instance. Both teams got off to bad starts to the season. The Scullcrackers were 1-4 while the Boise State team was 0-5. From that time until now both teams point production has decreased yet they have won more. Scullcrackers travel this week and that has to concern the coach. His players don't like road games as evidenced by their 1-4 record and only 114.31 points per game. The Crackers began the season by winning one of their first five games and scored 128.59 points per game. The last five weeks have been just a bit better as they won two games and lost three while averaging 123.10 points. If the week ten win over the Steel Stains lifts this team up emotionally, they might be able to walk out of Boise Stadium with a big win. Boise State will be pumped up for this game. They have found their MoJo at home since week six when they piled up a three game win streak during three home games. Boise got off to a bad start too finishing 0-5 while scoring only 101.04 points per game. The last five weeks saw a lot of improvement as State went 3-2 but only scored 96.43 points per game. They found their strength in their defense. One of these teams could find themselves in Fanatic Bowl III if they can string together four wins to close out the regular season.

Scullcrackers (3-7) @ BrownsROCK (7-3)

The Scullcrackers, of the East Division, have another road game and this time it's against a tough BrownsROCK team from the West Division. A loss here would almost certainly send the Scullcrackers to the consolation playoff. On the other hand the BrownsROCK is trying to get some breathing room at the top of the West. The WAHOOS are not budging.

Dez Does Dallas (5-5) @ Warhawks (1-9)

Dez Does Dallas better not over look the Warhawks this week if they want to build on the five wins they currently have. Dez Does is teetering between Fanatic Bowl and concolation bracket right now. A win here could be the shot in the arm his team needs to propel them to the Fanatic Bowl.

Boise State (3-7) @ Missouri Texans (7-3)

Which team is going to assert their will in this game? Will Boise State stand up and do what they need to do to win the next four games? or will the Missouri Texans slam the door shut on the Boise State team and declare themselves one of the top contenders for the Fanatic Bowl III Championship?

Surgical Steel (8-2) @ Dam Beavers 2 (3-7)

An 8-2 record assures the Surgical Steel team a place in the Fanatic Bowl but they haven't locked down their division yet. Don't go to sleep Steel the Beavers are looking to land a wild-card seed in the Fanatic Bowl.

Blue Devils ((5-5) @ STEEL STAINS (3-7)

If you're going to win, this is a good game to get it started. Both coaches are looking to surprise the other by winning this important game. All the other games are over. It's a four game season for both of these teams. Can you feel a homerun over the next four weeks? Or do you only feel like your team can hit a single or double?

Pismo Penetrator's (8-2) @ WAHOOS (7-3)

Pismo Penetrator's are 8-2 with a 7-3 team chasing them for the Central Division crown. The WAHOOS are 7-3 and tied with another 7-3 team for the West Division crown. Say no more.

Boise State (5-7) @ Scullcrackers (4-8)

The Scullcrackers will play in this years consolation playoff while the Boise State team still doesn't know where it will play. As long as Boise keeps winning they will remain in contention for a wild-card seed in the 2010 Fanatic Bowl. Boise is currently working on a two game win streak they would love to extend to three before their week thirteen meeting with division rival, Dez Does Dallas, also 5-7 on the year. The Scullcrackers find themselves with too much ground to cover in two weeks. Week thirteen looks tough for the Scullcrackers too as they entertain East Division leading Surgical Steel (10-2).

Surgical Steel (10-2) @ Dez Does Dallas (5-7)

After working their record to 5-4 Dez Does Dallas couldn't buy a win over the last three weeks. Now they find themselves in a must win situation the next two weeks. Surgical Steel is working on a two game win streak and they only need one more win to lock down the number one seed in the Fanatic Bowl. Surgical Steel better not snooze in this game or they'll find Dez Does Dallas running circles around them. Dez Does averages 141.1 points per game which is 3.7 more points than the Steel averages (137.4). If Dez Does lose they will drop into the consolation playoff. Surgical Steel will be in the Fanatic Bowl no matter how they do over the next two weeks. The only thing a loss or two would hurt would be the seed position they win. A bye week in the first round is up for grabs among the division leaders, currently Surgical Steel, Missouri Texans, and BrownsROCK.

Blue Devils (6-6) @ Missouri Texans (8-4)

These teams are very evenly matched. Both could finish 8-6, one could finish 10-4, one could finish 6-8. This Central Division will not be decided until the end of the week thirteen games. Depending on how the ole ball bounces all three teams (including Pismo Penetrator's) could make a Fanatic Bowl appearance in 2010. A record of 7-7 might get one of these teams in or it might cause them to fall just short. The Texans won a big home game over the Devils in week eleven. The Devils are waiting to turn the table on the Texans this week. If the Blue Devils can score their average and hold the Missouri Texans to their average, the Devils will win this game by 2.1 points. I'm sure both teams are planning to win by bigger margins then 2 points. Week thirteen finds the Blue Devils hosting Dam Beavers 2 while the Missouri Texans take to the road for a clash with Pismo Penetrator's in a game that will probably decide the division title winner.

Pismo Penetrator's (8-4) @ Dam Beavers 2 (4-8)

There are three teams in this division trying to put an end to a losing streak. These are two of the three teams and the Penetrator's have the longest streak, two games. The Beavers are preparing to play in the consolation playoff bracket while the Penetrator's are working to improve their seeding in the Fanatic Bowl. A win this week and another in week thirteen versus the Missouri Texans would give the Penetrator's the Central Division title and a shot at a number one or number two seed and a bye in the playoffs.

Warhawks (2-10) @ Steel Stains (4-8)

These two teams met each other in week eleven and Steel Stains left with the victory. The Warhawks did get a big win over a non-division team when they defeated Dez Does Dallas in week eleven, seriously hurting the chances of Dez Does Dallas making it to the Fanatic Bowl. This week the Warhawks travel to meet the Steel Stains again. I'm sure they plan to open a can of whup-ass on the Stains to avenge the earlier loss. They better be careful though, the Stains just might have a couple cans of whup-ass laying around too. Both teams will play in the consolation bracket. Next week will take on a more serious tone when the Warhawks travel to the home of the WAHOOS and Steel Stains host BrownsROCK in the last regular season game for both teams.

BrownsROCK (8-4) @ WAHOOS (8-4)

This looks like the game of the week. There's a lot on the line in this one. The winner will establish themselves as the lone team on top of the division with one game remaining. The winner has a chance to win one of the two byes awarded to the two best teams in the league heading to the 2010 Fanatic Bowl playoff. The losing team will play in the Fanatic Bowl but will play a game in the first round. BrownsROCK defeated the WAHOOS in week eleven by ten points but they were surprised by a determined Scullcrackers team that upset them. Also in week eleven, the WAHOOS jumped all over the Pismo Penetrator's in non-division action. Next week BrownsROCK will travel to meet Steel Stains in the final division game of the regular season, while the WAHOOS get to host the Warhawks to close the regular season for both teams.

Warhawks (2-11) @ WAHOOS (8-5)

The Warhawks find themselves on the road again to face another West Division rival in the form of the WAHOOS. Both teams lost during week twelve action, needless to say the WAHOOS and Warhawks will be on the warpath this week. Although the WAHOOS know they are one of the five teams currently locked into the Fanatic Bowl, they want to get back to their winning ways. The Warhawks played a close game against this rival way back in week one of the season, they lost that home game by 6 points. Warhawks Coach Schroeder said they will be taking a look at some of their young talent in this game in preparation for the 2011 season. The only statement we could get out of the WAHOOS Coach was, UGH! WUGH! Very strange.....

BrownsROCK (9-4) @ STEEL STAINS (5-8)

A meaningless game? No way my friend. Week thirteen of the fantasy football season is on our doorstep. Five teams are in the Fanatic Bowl for sure. Four 5-8 teams are still alive for a wild-card, and one 6-7 team will try to win to keep the 5-8 teams outside. That's what makes fantasy football such a great game! BrownsROCK find themselves in a three way battle with two Central Division teams, Missouri Texans and Pismo Penetrator's, for the number two seed and a bye during the first week of the playoffs. Steel Stains just need to keep winning to keep their Fanatic Bowl hopes alive. Their week twelve win was big, but this week calls for a total commitment by the Steel Stains players and coaches. The Stains coach told our beat writer his players will be ready to rock this week. BrownsROCK crushed them by 50 points during week one action on FFF opening day.

Dam Beavers 2 (4-9) @ Blue Devils (6-7)

Dam Beavers 2 will be playing in the consolation playoff this year. I guess that means they're a forgotten team right now, right? Wrong! Four teams trying to get into the Fanatic Bowl are your best friends heading into action this week. They need the Beavers to pull off an upset versus the Blue Devils to give them their shot at fantasy glory. If the Blue Devils lose and the other 5-8 teams win, that will create a logjam for the third and final wild-card team. The Devils took the first matchup between the two teams by a 40+ point margin on opening day. The Blue Devils have promised their pitchfork toting fans a “win and get in game to remember”. Can you believe a team of.............devils?

Missouri Texans (9-4) @ Pismo Penetrator's (9-4)

Sometime during the 2010 Fanatic Bowl playoff, these two teams might find themselves facing each other for the right to move on to the next round. Right now they just want to win the Central Division to improve their placement in the bracket for the Big Show. Whichever team wins this game will win the division and possibly the number two seed that carries an automatic bye during the first week of playoff action and a semi-final game versus one of the winners from week fourteen action. Pismo defeated the Texans in week one by fifteen points. In the first meeting Missouri Texans quarterback, Peyton Manning, and his wide receivers threatened to take over the game but the Penetrator's running backs, Steven Jackson and Ahmad Bradshaw, proved to be the difference makers.

Boise State (5-8) @ Dez Does Dallas (5-8)

Both teams find themselves in the hunt for a Fanatic Bowl birth. This division looks a little like the NFC West Division in the NFL, except Surgical Steel is better than the NFC West leaders. Dez Does Dallas fans will be loud in their support for their favorite team when Boise State rolls into town. Both teams are riding losing streaks as they prepare for this big game. Dez Does Dallas has a four game losing streak and Boise State a one game losing streak. Boise lost a close 5 point game to the Scullcrackers last week, you don't have to look far to find the biggest factor. Their star wide receiver, Vincent Jackson, pulled up lame in the first quarter, (calf injury), and didn't return to the game. I heard some whispers around the league, some think Jackson was faking it. If Dez Does had plans to end their losing streak last week, they were very disappointed at games end. Surgical Steel performed surgery on their division rivals, though we won't mention what was removed. The only fact we know about this game is, the loser will be playing in the consolation playoff in 2010.

Surgical Steel (11-2) @ Scullcrackers (5-8)

Hey buddy! Can you spare a dime? (substitute win for dime) That might be Scullcrackers thought as they enter this weeks game with East Division leading Surgical Steel. The Steel are winners of eleven games this year. Scullcrackers find themselves sharing one seat with Dez Does Dallas, Boise State, and Steel Stains, all with 5-8 records, outside looking in at the last wild-card (currently held by Blue Devils) for the championship playoff. The Scullcrackers have been impressive the last two weeks. They rolled over BrownsROCK in week eleven by a score of 173.52 to 160.78 before holding off a hard charging Boise State team by a score of 117.90 to 112.04. Those two wins are responsible for the Crackers still being in the running for a Fanatic Bowl appearance in 2010. Can one more win get them in?