Match-Up Build-Up Week 9

Things are getting serious

Week 8 Recap: Morgans are a game away from tying history
                         LFB ties TPD on ridiculous circumstance
                         Stros shows their strength
                         McCoy survives again
                         Tavon beats up on TDs

Week 9

1. El Pollo Loco (5-2-1) vs La Flama Blanca (5-2-1) 

Loco is feeling down after a bad week and the devastating Zeke suspension. Who knows if it will hold, but at this point they will not have Zeke until a potential playoff match-up. They will do everything they can to survive. This week they are without Brown due to bye so they have been hit hard the last few days. They would have hoped to have more separation from the pack with the Zeke suspension looming, but they've still remained at the top of the West all season. They will need a RB to perform well in Zeke's absence, which would allow them to continue the push for the playoffs. The suspension stings but this is still a very good team. 

LFB's blessed season continued last week. They were down by 13 points entering the 4th quarter of the MNF game, but found a way to tie the match-up when their kicker blasted two 40 yarders and one 50 yarder in the last quarter of action. It was so razor close that a RB had to lose 4 yards on a previous carry just to make the yardage that of a 40 yarder. They have been winning, and now tying, games this season in which most teams would have lost. This does not take away from their talent, which is plentiful, but there is no doubt they have been drinking from the fountain of youth week to week. How else can one explain Collins, Doyle, and a kicker combining for 70 points in their previous match-up.

Loco has bye week and suspension concerns, while LFB gets some of their boys back after byes. LFB has been catching teams on the right week much of the season and it could happen again here. This is a big match-up for both squads as they fight for division position. A close game should be expected. Loco's saving grace this week may be their + match-ups.

Matchup ratings:

Loco- Good (+++++, -, ==)

LFB-  Average (+, --, =====)

Key Battle:

(Brees vs Watson) Both could blow up.

2. Imposing Monstrosity (4-3-1) vs The Real McCoy (5-3)

This would have been the game of the week if not for Stros bye week concerns. This team has shown what depth can do for a roster. The beasting from Bell has put this squad on another level. They will be without him for this week as well as Gronk. This is perhaps the deepest team in the league at WR and RB, a major key for late season success in this league. They will be the underdog this week but they are hunting the rest of the season. 

McCoy has won more close games over this league's history than any other team, and it happened again last week. They won by two points after a comeback on MNF. It is amazing how they continue to come out on top in these close battles, even dating back to their first ever game in the MFFL. Their squad has done a 180* since their early season slow start, and they are now a potential favorite to secure a playoff spot this season. They have won four in a row largely due to whole team efforts in four straight weeks. Bye weeks and injuries favor or hinder teams year to year, but this team has been gifted some doozys this season, not having to play Beckham WK 1, Julio WK 5, Bell WK 9, Gronk WK 9, and Elliott WK 10 and 14 due to byes and injuries this year. Wow. 

Not having Bell and Gronk is a huge loss, but their depth is great for a reason and they will find replacements. This is another huge MFFL week 9 game. Stros' match-ups won't do them any favors.

Match-up rtaings:

Stros- Poor (----, ====)

McCoy- Average (+++, -, ====)

Key Battle:

(Landry vs Coleman)

3. The Perpetual Dynasty (4-3-1) vs Tavon and Only (3-5) 

TPD is still feeling the pain of last week's tie. There is no possible way anyone would have predicted a tie entering the 4th quarter of the MNF game. Circumstances like this have plagued this franchise for years in the MFFL. They thought they had pushed through that after their championship a year ago but apparently not. They need to start winnings games. This is still a team now one wants to play but their stars have to start acting like stars. 

Tavon won last week, but it came against a team that is now (1-7). They are without some key players this week but still have the depth to compete. They need to win this game in order to stay within the playoff picture. 

A loss for TPD would be devastating while a win for Tavon would keep their season afloat. 

Matchup Ratings:

TPD- Good (+++++, --, =)

Tav- Average (+++, --, ===)

Key Battle:

(Kelce vs Ertz) Big time battle

The last two match-ups feature a game where a (7-1) team plays and (1-7) team, and a game with two (2-6) teams. The Morgans are one win away from tying the best start to a season.