Match-Up Build-Up Week 4

1. Unstopa-Bo @ Pryor to the Snap

Week 4 offers up a terrific early season divisional clash. Unstopa-Bo enters week 4 unbeaten, looking for their 3rd straight win against the West division. It has been all systems go for this new look team. Their roster has given steady performances from each position with everyone chipping in towards the cause. As previously stated in past build-ups, hot starts are not atypical for this organization. The true test will come when bye weeks and injuries strike. Still, the season could not have started better for them. 

Pryor played well last week in a losing effort. Over 200 yards from Marvin Jones was not enough to acquire the victory. Similarly to Unstopa-Bo, Pryor has been extremely consistent to start 2016 with many players helping out where need be. Pryor has had huge performances from many different players week to week. They will look to do it again in week 4. 

Neither team looks to be stricken with bye week blues for this match-up and it should be full throttle for both of them. Early grappling position is on the line in the West division when these teams meet on Sunday. 

2. The Perpetual Dynasty @ The Real McCoy

The two winningest franchises in league history will shake the ground beneath them when they meet on the field for week 4. TPD has lost two straight, struggling to score points with some questionable lineup decisions. They hope to do better for week 4, though it might not matter as teams are averaging 145 points per game against them over the first 3 weeks of this season. The season is young and TPD's roster looks like it will compete. They are hampered this week by a slew of tough match-ups across the board. 

McCoy is (2-1) and welcoming back Le'Veon Bell for week 4. They exploded last week scoring the most points in week 3. It was a crucial performance against a tough team after they scored 102 and 99 in their first two weeks. Don't ever count this team out. Add 38 points with 8 turnovers from a defense to their already packed list of impressive victories. They enter week 4 with Nelson on bye but they have to be confident after last week's performance. 

McCoy has had TPD's number for a while. This could be a classic. 

3. El Pollo Loco @ The North Remembers

Loco obtained a huge victory in week 3. It was their first win of the season and now they hope to continue the momentum for their week 4 divisional battle. Unfortunately they will once again add a player to their injury list, Dez. It is unknown if he will play this week and Loco cannot afford another injury. A win in week 4 will help them keep the ship afloat as they wait for guys to heal up.

TNR could not keep the momentum last week after a big win in week 2. They continue to wait for stars to shine. This week they will likely be without Charles and Brady once again, but week 5 looks to be different. If they win this week, they will be (2-2), and ready to roll with an optimal lineup. Considering what this team has gone through to start the year, a (2-2) record would be incredible.

4. ShowMeYourTDs @ Tavon and Only

TDs is sticking behind their roster even after starting (0-3). It is a smart move considering they have one of the strongest roster's in the league. A rebound is coming, but they better hope for an easier schedule or they could be looking at a season similar to TPD of 2015. 

Tavon will look to rebound after a tie in week 3(Stat correction pending). Last year's champ is off to a shaky start, but people forget it was not all roses for this franchise last year either. They fought to make the playoffs a year ago and they will fight again this season.

A loss for either team would be damaging. 

5. Advantageous Morgans @ La Flama Blanca

The Morgans have not been able to score points in 2016. It is unfortunate considering they have the league's easiest schedule to start the year. A win in week 4 is needed for their long term success in the East division.

Flama was the latest team to open up a can of whoop-ass on TPD last week. 2016 is starting how they hoped after a down year in 2015. They have constructed a team similar to their teams of old, and they will once again compete all year.   

Match-Up Build-Up Week 3

1. ShowMeYourTDs @ El Pollo Loco

A hugely important early season game is the star attraction of the week 3 match-ups. Barring a draw, one of these teams will be (0-3) after this game. TDs lost an absolute heartbreaker to The Morgans last week, losing by 1 point when three different players for the Morgans scored under 5 points. In what may likely be AB's worst game of the year, 7 points, TDs could not find a way to obtain victory. Even still, their roster remains strong and a bounce back victory in week 3 would quickly steer the ship away from danger. Their first two weeks have come with unfortunate circumstances, but they survived week 2 without major injury, something that cannot be said for many teams of the MFFL, especially their week 3 opponent.

Loco has historically had some of the worst luck in the MFFL, and through two weeks of this MFFL season it has not changed. Week two added Moncrief and Jennings to a injury list already headlined by Allen. Loco can not catch a break, and they are in dire straights for week 3. Their strong RB depth may help them survive the early season onslaught. A guy like Riddick steps into the starting lineup and they experienced a tiny bit of good fortune after trading Woodhead a few days before his season ending injury. Loco wanted to start fast in 2016 and it has not happened. They need this win come Sunday.

This match-up will draw all eyes of the MFFL. It is a must win game for both teams. 

2. The Perpetual Dynasty @ La Flama Blanca

The #2 game of the week is perhaps the best East vs East match-up year to year. When these two teams fight for East bragging rights the result is always fireworks. TPD fell hard in week 2 after scoring the most points in week 1. They were hampered by the benching of Forte, who scored 34 points in what have been enough to give TPD the victory. It is an early season game day managing blunder that TPD hopes to move past in week 3. Not unlike 2015, opponents of TPD are scoring big point totals seemingly every week, but two weeks hardly makes a trend for 2016.

La Flama needs to rebound after a disappointing week 2 performance. Their team just did not come to play, but for the 3rd straight week their starting lineup looks to be exactly the same. That kind of consistency early in the season could lead to major success in 2016. Just staying healthy is a key ingredient for winning. Flama is showing faith in his team and it would not be a surprise to see his players respond in kind.   

Do not look away from what is always one of the best match-ups of the year. 

3. The North Remembers @ Unstopa-Bo

TNR showed up to play in last week's game of the week, beating McCoy by 50 points. It was a must win game for their season and the franchise's psyche as a whole. They have been patiently awaiting the return of a few star players and it looks like the patience is about to be paid off soon. A win against Bo would set the stage for yet another strong start to the season for the TNR franchise. 

Unstopa-Bo has been impressive since week 1 of last season. Their dominance to start seasons is a sight to be hold in the MFFL. They continue to add evidence to the fact that they are one of the best drafters in the league. They do not make many moves but they don't need to when they consistently have the success they do to start seasons. 

This is a big West division clash.

4. Advantageous Morgans @ Tavon and Only

This match-up is big for East division hierarchy. The Morgans have not been able to take full advantage of a soft schedule to start 2016, but they got a massive victory over the TDs franchise last week. They know they need to start scoring more points, but the loss of Peterson only makes that challenge tougher.

Tavon has not started 2016 the way they intended but they also got a huge win over an East division squad a week ago. They are scrambling to find a lineup they feel comfortable with, after guys like Stewart and Watkins are being sent to the bench. 

A win for either team will help them maintain course as they attempt to revamp their lineups.  

5. The Real McCoy @ Pryor to the Snap

McCoy had a 2nd straight poor performance in week 2. Their roster failed to take advantage of some good match-ups. Still, they only have one more week until the return of Bell and even with their poor play, this team could welcome Bell back with a (2-1) record. Amazing. 

Pryor has left no doubt that they come to play in 2016. They are (2-0) and their roster is one of the most balanced in the league. People forget that a playoff appearance for Pryor in 2016 would be their 3rd in 4 years. This is one of the most underrated teams in the league. 

Week 2 Match-Up Build-Up

1. The North Remembers @ The Real McCoy

The biggest non-rivalry week rivalry in the league is the main event for Week 2 of the MFFL season. Always one of the best match-ups of the year, all eyes will be on this game come Sunday.

TNR entered last week’s contest against LFB without 3 of their top 5 picks in this year’s draft. LFB took advantage and came away with an early season victory. TNR may be faced with the same circumstances come Sunday, but the feelings surrounding this match-up are different. They have another week to prepare for a game without their stars and considering the opponent, there is no doubt that TNR will be ready. This is when TNR is at their best, when their backs are against the wall and they find waiver wire gems. Consistently one of the best gameday managers in the league, TNR will look to out coach McCoy this week and come away with a massive divisional victory. McCoy knows TNR will have a few tricks up their sleeves. 

Speaking of tricks, McCoy pulled a Houdini act last week, obtaining a victory while scoring the 2nd lowest point total of the week. It could not have come at a better time for McCoy as they are trying to stock pile wins in the absence of Le’Veon Bell. McCoy has done some tinkering with their line-up in preparation for the week 2 mega-match-up, they know scoring more points is a necessity. Many around the league expect McCoy to rebound considering they have been a top point scorer across the league's history. They are hoping some young rookies will build upon their big week one performances, and solidify depth on their roster.

TNR’s circumstances and McCoy’s poor week one showing make this match-up tough to predict. Week 1 results rarely hold sway across the entirety of a season, but both managers find themselves needing to prove a point come Sunday. This match-up is significant regardless of season success. At the end of the year both managers are measured by their success against one another. Folks, this is rivalry unlike any other in the MFFL. There will be blood. 

2. Pryor to the Snap @ The Perpetual Dynasty

The only match-up featuring two unbeaten teams comes in at #2 for this week. Pryor won by 3 points over Loco last week in a low scoring affair. Pryor turned the tables, they were helped by the injury to Kennan Allen, after Keenan was hurt for Pryor most of last season. It was a victory won by the skin of their teeth. Their lineup this week looks ready to take advantage of some easier match-ups than in week 1. On paper they have one of the more balanced starting lineups in the league ready to compete all season. As discussed last week, sleeping on this team could be a knockout blow to anyone who plays them. 

Across the field will be TPD. They scored the most points in week 1 and needed every bit of them as they played the 2nd highest scoring team of the week. It was a much needed victory for a team trying to move past the negative feelings of last season. Unlike last season, their roster stepped up when TPD needed it most. Their roster is led by star WRs, like times of old, and opportunistic RBs, for the time being.

One of these teams will start (2-0), barring a draw. That fact alone makes this a match-up one to watch come Sunday, even if the stakes may not seem all that high.  

3. Tavon and Only @ La Flama Blanca

Tavon entered Monday night in great position to start 2016 like they ended 2015, but it was not to be. Their pre-mature declaration of being the game of the week fell short when their 3 Monday night players combined for 18 points. It was a heart breaking loss for a manager who asks a lot of their players. Ultimately Tavon can survive. Much of their roster proved their worth on Sunday and a strong season seems likely. They went to work changing their roster before a big game in week 2. 

LFB is on re-run. Last season they obtained a week one victory scoring almost the same total, with the same players, as they did just a week ago. Derailed by multiple injuries after week one last year, LFB is praying for a different scenario to unfold this season. They have to be happy with how their team responded after a difficult 2015 and they aim to play like LFB teams of old.  

This is a key East divisional game and on paper, one the best match-ups of the week.  

4. Unstopa-Bo @ El Pollo Loco

Unstopa-Bo exacted revenge over the Tavon franchise in week one. Their team played great and their hopes are sky high for the 2016 season. Early season success is no stranger to the Unstopa-Bo franchise. They appear to have turned a corner in their MFFL career, but a long season awaits each manager of the MFFL.   

Loco came close to a victory in week 1 but as is the case seemingly every year, they were hit with a devastating injury. Loco will attempt to replace the production of Keenan Allen but at least there is time to make the necessary changes. Long considered one of the unluckiest managers in the league, Loco will hope for better fortunes in the weeks to come.

Loco can't get too low after week 1 and Bo can't get too high. This West division clash looks to be paper thin.

5. Advantageous Morgans @ ShowMeYourTDs

The Morgans scored the lowest point total of week 1. They have to put it behind them and get ready for a slug fest against an angry TDs squad. They remain confident entering this key divisional match-up and they hope their poor performance was a blip on the radar and not a trend. The Morgans typically find ways to improve in these situations.

TDs has to be feeling the pain of scoring the 2nd most points in the league and losing. Still, their confidence is as high as ever. Their team played very well and they have weapons all across the board at their disposal. They could quickly put week 1 behind them if they beat The Morgans, proving to the league they are contenders in 2016.

The East division will be watching this one closely. 

Week 1 Match-Up Build-Up 2016

Tavon and Only @ Unstopa-Bo

     

Summer is over and the wait for the 2016 MFFL season ends. The leaves of change will soon turn and fall, indicating yet another season of MFFL football is here. Week one of the 2016 season is at the door waiting to burst through and capture the hearts of mangers around the league. As is tradition in the MFFL, we start where we finished, with week one pitting two championship game participants against one another from a year ago.

It was a miracle season for both historically dormant teams of the world's greatest fantasy league. The start of last season saw Tavon traveling down the same path they had walked before, when they began the season (2-4), in a fight to salvage the season. But they rallied and won 5 straight games to put them in prime position to reach the playoffs for the first time. It came down to the last week, when they battled PD, in the MFFL's first ever playoff play-in game in league history, with Tavon coming out on top and securing their playoff positioning. From there they did not look back. They scored over 160 points in both playoff match-ups to win the 2015 title. It was an unbelievable moment for the Tavon franchise and the league.

Tavon enters 2016 in unfamiliar territory, as they are the hunted. Teams across the league are circling Tavon on their schedules and you can bet Tavon will get every team's best shot. Tavon is feeling confident after the draft, but they know the challenges awaiting them this season and in week one.

Unstopa-Bo proved doubters wrong last year as they took a hot start team all the way to the playoffs. They drafted a team worthy of competing right out of the blocks and the wave of momentum carried them to a championship appearance. Making the least amount of moves in the league was not a detriment to their quest for MFFL glory, though it is fair to wonder if such circumstances can be replicated. 

Revenge is the only thing on their mind come Sunday. They yearn to erase some of the demons carrying over from last season. Their focus and dedication looks to be at an all time high entering 2016 and they will fight like hell to prove their worth yet again, and compete for another chance at MFFL greatness. 

The stage has been set for months and it is time for these performers to put on a show. 2016 turns the page and both teams continue to fight for respect. 2016 is yet another opportunity to cement their place in this league. Is there anything better?  This is the match-up of the week. 

II. The Perpetual Dynasty @ ShowMeYourTDs

     

Another prized tradition of the MFFL is the match-up between TPD vs TDs to jump start the season. TPD's first and only loss to TDs came in this week one match-up a year ago. Even though TPD would exact revenge later in the season, this match-up is still one TPD wants to sway back in their corner. TPD's season a year ago was a grind from start to finish. They fought for everything they earned a year ago and they want nothing more than to prove to the league once again that they are the team to beat coming out of the East. TPD hopes to score the most points in the East for a 5th consecutive year and they orchestrated this quest by doing something unprecedented in the 2016 draft. Stunning to all teams in the league, TPD drafted 5 straight WRs with their first 5 picks. It was a move questioned by many but criticized by few as they know TPD put in the time and must of felt like this was the best strategy for their team. A few trades later and TPD is back doing the things of old, with hopes of capturing the one achievement that has eluded them, an MFFL championship. 

TDs finished 2nd to last a year ago. It was their worst finish ever. They made waves this summer by selecting the 1st overall pick in the 2016 draft slot selection show. It was a move made for one purpose, to draft Antonio Brown. Now that Brown is back on their team their spirits and confidence are sky high. They were voted best draft by yahoo and TDs absolutely agrees with it. This is the most confident they have ever felt entering a season and what better way to gain more confidence than to beat TPD in week one for a 2nd consecutive year. 

This match-up is going to be a blood bath, with both teams confident and hungry. TPD is looking to build upon the success of the past, while TDs is looking to build a new, in this week's 2nd best match-up of the week. Enjoy the show. 

III. The Real McCoy @ Advantageous Morgans

The two other playoff participants from a year ago lock horns in this mega match-up of week one. The Real McCoy continue to impress. They were the #1 seed for the 2nd year in a row last season, a feat only matched by TPD, and they entered the playoffs in no need of proving themselves, but with the hope of obtaining the unbelievable, a 3rd title in 4 years. Unfortunately it was not to last, as their team could not keep it together in the playoffs scoring 105 and 77 points in each match-up. It was the first time in league history that the #1 seed lost both playoff games, but it was still impressive considering what McCoy went through during the season. What team loses Jamaal Charles and then gets better? No one, but McCoy did. They went on an unbelievable run and left no doubt that they were the team to beat entering the playoffs. 2016 gives McCoy another chance to prove they are an MFFL powerhouse. 

The Morgans predictably made the playoffs a year ago. Whenever this team is doubted they come to play. Their determination was unmatched. Entering 2016 The Morgans must yet again fight for what they deserve. Their season last year was a game of streaks as they would win a bunch and lose a bunch consecutively throughout the season. The goals for The Morgans are the same, fight in the East, beat my rival, and make the playoffs. When will people learn not to doubt The Morgans? One team not doubting them will be The Real McCoy, their week one match-up is set to explode. 

IV. La Flama Blanca @ The North Remembers

Two teams in the top 4 for all time wins headline a majorly important match-up for week one 2016. Both teams are looking to rebound after incredibly frustrating seasons in which  each team went through a losing streak of at least 6 games. LFB dealt with major injuries from the start. Their team was a shell of what had been planned. They never wavered, and propelled by a 5 game winning streak mid way through the year, they looked to fight until the end, although two straight loses to finish the year sealed their non playoff fate. LFB looks to remind all of their ability and greatness. 

TNR once again started the season on a massive winning streak. This team just knows how to win games early in the year, regardless of who is playing for them. Last season though was different, as TNR warned everyone not to buy into their own success, due to fear of a roster collapse. Their warnings were made true as they went on a 7 game losing streak, one that nearly broke this franchise. The league's 3rd winningest team has never been so low, but they closed out the year in style, winning the consolation, and they are now eyeing a return trip to the MFFL playoffs. TNR is waiting for certain players to heal or return from suspension in order for their roster to reach full potential, but this team knows how to win early and they are built for late season success.

Week one is hugely important for both teams. Do not overt your eyes. 

V. Pryor to the Snap @ El Pollo Loco

This week's #5 match-up, only due to the greatness of all week one match-ups, promises to not disappoint. It is a key West divisional clash to start the season. It is easy to forget the success Pryor has had in this league because of their recent failures, but it is not recommended to do so. Pryor is known across the league as a giant killer. They come to play when the lights are brightest. They are looking to get back into the playoffs after last season was their first time missing it in 2 years. 

El Pollo Loco is starved for a playoff appearance. They would be the first to tell you that they are the only team never to make the playoffs. That streak could quickly be coming to an end as Loco's franchise continues to improve. They are feeling confident after a strong draft and an early trade which has put them in position to be very flexible with their gameday managing come week one. Loco is looking to start hot this season and do away with slow starts. 

Both teams are poised to surprise others this season in what both manager hope to be a season of historical firsts. The week one stage is set for all and we cannot wait to watch the action unfold. The MFFL is back, and not a moment too soon. Game week has arrived.