Tampa Bay Fantasy League

In the first part of our semi-finals coverage, the Hurricanes hold a two point edge over Runs N Throses, Runs N Throses has no more opportunity to score points while Hurricanes still have Westbrook to pile on with – only something disastrous, like Brian being caught behind the line on his first 2 carries for -10 yards and then fumbling and never returning to the game can change this outcome and prevent Hurricanes from advancing to Fantasy Bowl XI….

In the UO/Cows matchup, the Cows hold only a nine point edge in South Park Stadium. The game will be won or lost for Eric’s team on the leg of David Akers. Here are the statistical scenarios to watch:

David is averaging 8.5 points a game….but he has only hit double digits 4 times…and the Browns have given up an average of 6.4 per game to the opposing kicker….they have only given up 9 or more to the kicker in 2 games this year – to the Ravens and Broncos – and both were at home…

The over/under on the game tonight is 39 with Philly favored by 14…this is a mathematical outcome of 27-12 in favor of Philly….that score would typically mean 3 extra points and 2 field goals for the kicker = 9 points….

Nine points would force us into a tie breaker situation….the first tie break is total TD’s scored by the starters – currently the Cows hold that edge 5-4 due to the BRILLIANT decision by the Bills coaching staff to try and throw with the lead in the game from inside their own 20 while Lynch was averaging 6.0 yards a carry on the day resulting in a sack and fumble recovery TD for the Cows defense…..

However since we never leave any stone unturned here…..If Akers were to THROW a TD, hit two extra points, and then a field goal – he could still hit nine points and force the tie break process….both teams would be tied with 5 TDs apiece for the starters, and the next tie breaker would be total score of the bench players on the roster – Grandmasters would then take the victory due to a huge game by Dallas Clark otherwise wasted on the UO bench….

Temperature is currently dropping in Philly with an estimated game time temperature in the low 50′s, 70% chance of showers, and wind gusts nearing 26mph….

Congrats to everyone on the conclusion of another successful regular season in the TBFL! Most of the Playoff teams had been determined, but we did again come down to the last week to know the winners of two divisions and the final seedings:

Hurricanes getting hot late and sweeping his division foes ties him for best record in the league and gives him the Buccaneer Division title in his rookie campaign. By way of a 7 pt victory over the Cows in Week 4 – they claim the #1 seed and a Bye for the Wildcard Weekend.
South Park Cows have literally limped through the last three weeks to claim their second Bandit Division crown, the #2 seed, and a badly needed Bye for the Wildcard Weekend.
After a record setting trouncing in Week 12, UO Grandmasters managed to pull it back together this week and secure their third Storm Division title and hang on to the #3 Seed.
As the only at large team to make 9 wins, perrenial playoff participant Runs N Throses claims the #4 Seed and will host a home game.
Fudgie Whales was able to beat out the rival Marauders this week to hang in the Playoff hunt. A 4 point victory over the Thrashers in Week 4 makes them the #5 Seed.
And the most remarkable story in the TBFL, after being upset by the spoiler Playground Legends team and riding outside the playoff bubble, Coach Kevin Beveridge was able to completley refocus his Bay Area Thrasher squad and post back to back record setting scoring weeks to stay alive in the hunt. Ultimately though they still needed help and it was this team’s smack talk rival – Hurricanes -beating XFactor – who held tie breakers over everyone – that allowed them to make the field.

So round one is set:
UO Grandmasters will host division foe Bay Area Thrashers at home. The 4 point home field advantage may not be a factor here though as UO beat them by 55 in Week 6, but suffered a 97 point defeat in Week 12.
Runs N Throses will host a home game against Fudgie Whales. The Week 8 meeting between these two was a 24 point victory for the Throsers.

As a matter of clarification, since the playoff chart does not show it very well, we do re-seed each round. The lowest seed to get through the Wildcard Weekend will go to Hurricanes Stadium, while the other team will come to South Park to face the Cows.