Match-Up Build-Up Week 5

The MFFL continues to score points in droves and the East division further demonstrates it's superiority.

1. La Flama Blanca (3-1) vs The Real McCoy (3-1)

Overview: Two of the top teams in the league battle in week 5's top match-up. We should learn a lot from this match-up as these teams have the 1st and 2nd easiest schedules in the league to date.
Team Notes: LFB lost last week to end their perfect season. They were lucky to be in the contest as five separate players scored under 10 points, but Alvin Kamara's special start to this season kept him in it right up to the end. This team is still tough to pin down as they have the 2nd easiest schedule and have survived by having blow up individual performances each week. It is concerning how many players on their roster have most likely already had their best weeks of the season. Even with the question marks, a (4-1) start would be fantastic for this franchise. Their style is unconventional, and perhaps unsustainable, but it is working. They look to validate themselves this weekend.
McCoy blew up last week with five separate great performances. It covered up some disappointing performances from other roster members but they now have the 2nd most points in the league. Their laughably easy schedule got even easier a week ago as their opponent scored 77 points. They're obviously scoring enough points to compete each week but there is no doubt their soft schedule has contributed to their early season success. The weakness of the West division is setting into motion a potential run away season for McCoy. They're balanced, score points, and have a schedule paved in gold. Deja vu?

Game Notes: McCoy's Jordan Howard is the only bye week loss. McCoy gets Edelman back from suspension and will immediately insert him into the starting lineup. A +30 year old quick cutting slot WR coming of an acl tear has obvious risk, but the reward could be big. LFB is back loaded, McCoy is front loaded. No drastic H/A splits.
Match-up breakdown:
LFB: Average (++, ====, --) A couple great and a few bad.
McCoy: Good (++++, ===, -) Good match-ups across the board.
Key Battle: Gordon vs Kamara
It is a bigger game for LFB considering their upcoming battles with Eastern division opponents. Even with the fortunate circumstance for both teams, each of them are top dogs for the 2018 season. Don't miss a second of this one.

2. El Pollo Loco (3-1) vs Tavon and Only (2-2)
Overview: A massive inter-league game is set for week 5's 2nd best match-up.
Team Notes: Loco failed to put faith in their team ahead of last week's match-up with TPD, but the team balled out anyway scoring 163 points. Expect Loco's thoughts regarding their team's potential to change following their crucial week 4 victory. They made a big splash on the trade market this week and are looking to not let the (3-1) start go to waste by targeting key needs with the pieces they acquired. Considering the depth and strength at top, coupled with the seemingly easy nature of the West division, this team could ride a wave far this season. A big game this week would change the perception of Loco's nature, while a poor week would illustrate once again their volatility.
Tavon has slowed a bit after a hot start. With so many blow up individual performances by other teams, Tavon's balanced roster is struggling to seal games. The biggest concern is their schedule, as they play the top western performer as a rival and match-up divisionally with the East. If not for that the outlook for this squad would look much rosier. This is a bigger game for Tavon than it is for loco.

Game Notes: No influential bye weeks to really be worried about. Tavon is heavy front loaded while Loco is back loaded. Even H/A splits.
Match-up Breakdown:
Loco: Poor (++, ===, ---) Not the most welcoming of match-ups.
Tavon: Good (+++, ===, --) Some key blow up spot potential.
Key Battle: Cousins vs Big Ben

3. The Perpetual Dynasty (2-2) vs Unstopa-Bo (1-3)
Overview: A previous championship matchup is a week 5 headliner.
Team Notes: TPD is the only team in the league yet to score below 130 points, but are once again being devoured by the league to start a season. Even with two championships directly in their rear-view, these poor circumstances continue to haunt TPD and make them work seemingly the hardest just to survive and compete late in the season. They were at it again this week, overhauling their roster with multiple big trade splashes. It is a bold strategy for a team playing well but that is the standard set for this franchise, scoring 130 every game is not enough, especially in the face of such poor circumstance. Thursday's have been especially hard on TPD as players on average score 25 points when starting on a Thursday against them. It is still early and everything TPD wants is still well within reach. They would do well to remember the nature of each of their last two season's.
Bo exploded last week for their 1st victory of the young season. Surprisingly they have scored over 140 on two separate occasions, though the other two games have seen them struggle to score 100. It is a mystery as to which team will show up for week 5. Led by Watson, Diggs, and Zeke, this team has major blow up potential any given week. They need this victory to remain competitive, and the victory would put them right back in the thick of it in the West.

Game Notes: TPD may be without Gronk, while Bo may be without Hilton. No bye week concerns. Thursday will be big in determining this week's outcome. Even H/A splits.
Match-up breakdown:
TPD: Average (+++, ==, ---) Some great and some terrible
Bo: Average (+, ======, -) Stark difference in terms of match-up nature.
Key Battle: McCaffrey vs Zeke BONUS Rivers vs Watson

4. HydeMyChubbyJohnson(1-3)vsThe Glorious Morgans(3-1)
Team Notes: Hyde is improving, as each week they have scored more than the last. But they have to start wining games fast or the season unfortunately will look too similar to the disappointments of the recent past.
The Morgans continue to score points in a hurry. They are the top team in the league currently, though you'd never know it by the anxiety they show come Sundays, as they are seemingly always fearful of a defeat no matter how far the cards are stacked in their favor. The fact is this franchise is a top dog in the MFFL and with it brings pressure. This team will be favored in the majority of the games they play. Don't let their Sunday coach speak foul you, it is similar to that of a Jim Tressel. Their one concern may be similar to LFB, being that some of their players have more than likely had their best weeks.

The Morgans are without Evans for this week. The emergence of Calvin Ridley have made Chubby more formidable. Even with the top team in the league facing the 9th, this match-up looks somewhat close on paper.

5. ShowMeYourTDs (2-2) vs Imposing Monstrosity (0-4)
Both teams need to win this game. TDs shares a (2-2) record with other league members, even while scoring 20 less points a game than TPD. Their weakness seems to be their RBs, but Freeman may be back this week. A loss this week for TDs would be devastating as they still look to compete each week. Stros overhauled their roster trading away a staggering 5 players in one deal to TPD. He also acquired 5 players and will immediately change the outlook of their starting lineup. It was a necessary move from a desperate team, and their efforts to save their season should be commended.