Thursday, September 26, 2024

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Match-Up Build-Up Week 3

 WKBN High School Football 'Game of the Week' set for 22nd season

1. Njokus on You (2-0) vs The Peaking Dynasty (2-0)
The last two remaining unbeaten teams will clash on Sunday. They were also the top 2 regular season teams a year ago. 
NOY is currently 1st in the MFFL, having dominated each of the last two weeks due to the strength of their RB core. They will ride them as long as they can. Their WRs and TE continue to be spots of weakness, but it hasn't hurt them up to this point. A win over TPD this weekend would give them top dog status at the present moment. A title they held for pretty much all of last season. 
TPD survive last week, even with their starting TE getting hurt in pre-game workouts. The rest of the lineup balled out. They have injuries to their star WRs, so they will have to look to their bench. Even with the team not being at full strength they still look to be a challenge. Harrison bounced back, and they will need him to perform well again if they are to walk away with a win on Sunday.

2. The Dingos Ate Your Babies (1-1) vs Chicken Noodle Coop (1-1)
This is an early season pivotal match-up in the East division. Both franchises have been active on free agency and in trades, working to fill holes on their roster. The Dingos could have very easily been (2-0) and their lineup looks stacked at the present moment. Coop just lost Pacheco, but added depth at WR and RB, and they now have a better flex with Flowers. They need a bounce back performance from Richardson. Expect fireworks on Sunday when these two draw swords. 

3. La Flama Blanca (1-1) vs One Pathetic Loser..No Offense (1-1)
LFB and Loser went in two different directions in week 2. The trade for Mason absolutely saved Loser's season. They now don't have to worry about the loss of CMC. The rest of the team performed well too. LFB failed to score 100 points, after scoring 156 in week 1. Some of the strong performers from week 1 vanished in week 2, which could be a sign of things to come, or just a blip on the radar. Both teams will get answers after Sunday, though Loser looks to be more stable at the moment, opposite of what their name would suggest. 

-UB ran into a buzzsaw last week, but they have scored over 120 in each of their first two match-ups.
-Loco is looking to find their way, and they may make a QB change, chasing a potential league winning stack.
-Stros bounced back a week ago, but now Deebo is hurt, limiting their WR upside.
-McCoy scored just 85 points last week. Injuries and poor play have stung them in the early going. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Match-Up Build-Up Week 2

 


1. Chicken Noodle Coop (1-0) vs Njokus On You (1-0)
Coop came away with a victory in week one, but they only scored the 7th most points of the week. Sun God and Laporta both underperformed. But the rest of the lineup look good. Richardson showed why Coop targeted him in the draft, and both RBs looked explosive. Fixing their flex appears to be the only weakness at the moment. They will also be hoping JaMo doesn't eat into Amon-Ra's targets this year. It could be a devastating result for the two other receiving Lions on their roster. 

NOY picked up right where they left off. They scored the 2nd most points of the week and took the early lead in the West division. Allen, Barkley, Gibbs, and Kamara all had vintage performances. Their WRs remain an issue, but they are hopeful about the position once Hollywood returns. They traded for a TE this past week after their name sake got injured. They look like a tough team to beat for a 2nd straight season. The franchise has made a spectacular turn around over the past two seasons.

2. The Peaking Dynasty (1-0) vs Unstopa-Bo (1-0)
TPD played ok, but they largely won their match-up due to CMC being out. Hurts, Jefferson, and Brown looked like they were supposed to, but the rest of the lineup under performed. Their RB position remains fluid, but Cook and Jacobs can hold down the fort for a time. Trading for Harrison gives them an elite flex play if he lives up to his potential. It's a solid start for a team that typically improves as the season progresses. 

UB won by two points in a tough week one match-up against The Dingos. If not for their kicker getting an astounding 26 points, the match-up would have been lost. They made a trade this week, and look to have players ready to bounce back. The question long term will be whether or not they have enough firepower to match-up with some of the top teams in the league. Week 2 represents a chance to prove they can. 

3. The Dingos Ate Your Babies (0-1) vs The Real McCoy (0-1)
The Dingos have to be sick about how they lost last week. Wilson and Moody combined for 38 points on Monday night to snatch a victory away from them. It is a tough way to start the season, but the lineup performed well, and they shouldn't hang their head. They are deep at WR and RB, and this loss shouldn't hurt them much in the long run. 

McCoy is also processing a tough defeat in week one. They scored the 3rd most points of the week but ran into the top scorer. The biggest issues for this team are Burrow, Nacua, and Walker. Burrow can't be started at the present moment, Nacua is out for a month, and Walker may miss or be limited this week with an injury. They will have to hold steady or risk falling into an early season hole like last season. 

4. La Flama Blanca (1-0) vs Imposing Monstrosity (0-1)
So much for a poor draft grade. LFB exploded in week one scoring the most points. Five different players scored over 18, and every player but their defense were in double digits. All this with Jameson Williams on their bench. It was an impressive start for a franchise that took big swings in the draft. This could be a special season for LFB. 

Stros could not shake the bad draft label. They scored 97 points. A number that would have been the lowest of the week if not for TDs only starting 8 players. They had two separate players scored one point, and no player scored in the 20's. They sensed something had to be done, so they made a huge trade, sending away their 2nd round pick. The added pieces are helpful. They will want to see a return on their investment immediately, or risk feeling behind the eight ball in the early going.  

5. El Pollo Loco (0-1) vs One Pathetic Loser...No Offense (0-1)
Loco's bench played well, but the starters were average. They only scored 105, and will be looking for a stronger performance in week 2. This team has always alternated good and bad weeks. It would surprise no one if they were the top point scorer in week 2. Look for major bounce backs from Kelce and Olave. 

OPLNO thought about getting insurance for CMC, but they decided against it, which cost them. The lineup was ready to snatch a victory away on Monday night, but CMC becoming inactive changed everything. They are beaten up over what happened, but they will turn the page quickly. Talent remains, and they will hope to survive until CMC and Higgins are healthy. Do not give up on this team, even if they lost in such a manner in week one. 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Match-Up Build-Up Week 1 2024

 

Week 1 is finally here! The MFFL draft was competitive, with each member being extremely prepared. As such the match-ups this week are razor close. Let's get it. 

1. The Peaking Dynasty vs ShowMeYourTDs
    TPD once again paired a good draft with active trades before their week 1 match-up. To no ones surprise they have big named WRs anchoring their roster. Hurts, Jefferson, Brown, and Andrews represent elites at their positions. If Jacobs and Cook perform the way TPD expects, then it will be tough to beat one of the best teams on paper to start the season. The Hurts and Brown stack is intimidating.
    TDs is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2012, the league's first season. Having a draft like they had is a perfect way to start that effort. They stacked Murray with McBride, and their WR and RB cores are young and explosive. If CMC can stay healthy, this will be a playoff team. TDs may be especially strong in week 1, due to Higgins getting a boost if Chase does not play. 

2. The Dingos Ate Your Babies vs Unstopa-Bo
    Last year's champion may start the year without their first round pick. They await Chase signing. Needing to bolster their RB core they already traded for Conner. It will be all hands on deck in week 1 as they work towards a repeat title. 
    UB did not wait until the last round to draft a QB this season, getting Dak in the middle rounds this year. A perpetual up and down franchise, it is anyones guess as to which UB version shows up this season. Their season will likely be determined by their RBs, as they took Kyren after a career year and Achane with the hopes of a career year. 

3. Chicken Noodle Coop vs El Pollo Loco
    Coop missed the playoffs for the first time last season, after three straight appearances to start their MFFL careers. No doubt they will be gunning to get back. Injuries last year derailed their season from the jump. Richardson and Pacheco represent two risky picks with huge upside. If Richardson hits, then the rest of the team will fall into place and be formidable. 
    Loco once again abandoned the RB position during the draft, but a trade with TPD allows him to place Ford in his starting lineup for the foreseeable future. Kelce, Lamar, and Lamb are studs, but each with questions entering this season. Lamb and Lamar are coming off a career year and a MVP season. Kelce is old. If they maintain their elite play, this team will be an extremely tough out. 

4. Imposing Monstrosity vs Njokus on You
    Stros received a poor draft grade from Yahoo, but on paper the team is better than the ratings would indicate. Harrison, Robinson, and Nabers are all young and have yet to have their blow up season. Harrison and Nabers are rookies. If they all play to the level Stros hopes, then their youth and veteran combination will pay huge dividends. They hope to get back to the playoffs, a place they have inhabited frequently over the last few years. 
    Njokus on You is coming off the greatest regular season in MFFL history. They obviously do not expect to only lose one game this year, but this year they hope to get their hands around the MFFL trophy. They traded Brown in order to get Barkley and their RB duo is crazy talented because of it. They will need the WR core to come together in order to dominate like last season. 

5. The Real McCoy vs La Flama Blanca
Yahoo's favorite draft will battle yahoo's least favorite. 
    McCoy is looking to get back to the playoffs. They went three WRs to start the draft, a first for them in the MFFL. Pairing their stud WRs with two young capable RBs was likely the reason their draft was graded so well. The bench is good as well. This lineup is loaded and looking to have their best season out of the last few. 
    LFB went all in on young talent, yet to make a name for themselves. They took guys well ahead of their ADP and projections, which contributed to their poor draft grade. Success means they are a genius, while failure will likely lead to a new draft plan for next season. Once again they will be relying on aging veterans. Kupp, Henry, and Mixon are all well past their prime. LFB will try to squeeze every last drop of talent out of them.