Match-Up Build-Up Week 4

 

The Peaking Dynasty (2-1) vs Njokus On You (2-1)

TPD secured a huge comeback win Monday Night in week 3. They now sit at the top of the MFFL and have scored the most points in the league. They survived Mostert scoring 48 points against them. Last season TPD would have lost a game like that, so they are hoping this is a sign that things will be different in 2023. The lineup is stacked, and they're ready to battle each week. Look for them to continue to make aggressive moves, but the starting lineup should largely remain intact for the time being. They will be hoping for better play from Waller and Bijan.

NJOY is off to a hot start. They've scored over 130 in back to back weeks. They've benefited from having the league's second easiest schedule, but looking at their lineup, it easy to see why they are booming. Allen, Evans, and CMC have all been playing well. They also get Kamara back this week. If Andrews can start playing better, then the skies the limit for this lineup. They may struggle during bye weeks, as they have a light bench. But right now they are hot. Look for them to keep it rolling in week 4. 

El Pollo Loco (1-2) vs Imposing Monstrosity (2-1)

Loco is (1-2), but they deserve better. They have been TPDd in the early going, scoring high point totals but coming away with losses. But the game they won was when they scored 102, so it hasn't been all bad luck. They continue to alternate good games with bad ones, per usual. But the lineup is improving with each week, especially at RB. TE remains a concern, but they still look like contenders this season. This is a big test on Sunday and a huge Western division clash.

Stros continues to perform after a poor week one. They scored the most points last week, and have quickly established themselves as a team to beat this year. There just isn't a point of weakness, or a position to attack when playing them, which was a point of emphasize for them during their draft prep. Look for them to continue to perform, led by Hurts, Kelce, and St. Brown.

La Flama Blanca (1-1-1) vs The Dingos Ate Your Babies (2-1)

LFB predictably struggled last week, with many players dealing with injuries. Its a lineup right now that lacks firepower. They need Burrow to start playing better. Barkley and Kupp returning to health is critical at this point. It is still early, but a loss this week could put them behind the eight ball. They will have to tread water for what looks like another week. 

The Dingos are performing well. They are second in both the standings and points scored. They will be happy with Chase's first performance for their franchise. It is a potent lineup from top to bottom, especially if their young RBs continue to perform. Even after a 3rd place finish last season, their team is better this year. They will be a tough out all the way through. 

Chicken Noodle Coop (1-2) vs Rader Flashing TDs (2-1)

CNC once again had a player go down with a season ending injury. Their injury luck to start this season has been terrible. They are just hoping to survive in the early going until they can figure out their lineup construction the rest of the season. A win this week would be huge for them, as (2-2) will feel a lot different than (1-3). 

TDs finally scored points last week. We mentioned earlier how their lineup was starting to look better after a few trades, and last week was their coming out party. This may be their best team in years. Getting to (3-1) would be a big moment for this franchise. It would solidify their position as a contender this year. 

The Real McCoy (1-1-1) vs Unstopa-Bo (0-3)

McCoy has struggled each of the last two weeks. QB, TE, and FLEX have been problem positions in the early going and they've been reliant on huge games from Hill. They need to stack some wins early, as bye weeks may impact them more than others. Their bench has yet to show a lot of depth. Do not push the panic bottom. This team is more than capable of going on a run. This is a must win for them though, against a lesser opponent at the moment. 

UB getting Ekeler back is crucial at this point. An (0-3) hole is tough to climb out of. It's not over yet, the team still has players that can play better, but it has to happen this week. 

Match-Up Build-Up Week 3

 Week 3 is here. This may be the first time in history that no team is (2-0) entering week 3. It could be a sign that this season is about to be nuts.

The Peaking Dynasty (1-1) vs El Pollo Loco (1-1)

TPD bounced back last week scoring the most points in the league. They have since been on a trading binder. They made multiple massive trades this week, leading to, at one point, Jefferson, Chase, and Diggs as their three starting WRs. Apparently that wasn't good enough for TPD. They then traded away Chase a mere 24 hours after acquiring him. The lineup is potent and deadly. They are a sucker for big names, and the lineup is now riddled with them. They hope bringing in Bijan can stabilize their RB position moving forward. This is what they do, only time will tell if it works out.

Loco won last week, but only scored 102. It is trend that has followed them for years, as they alternate between good and bad weeks. By that model, this week should be a high scoring one. They made a move to solidify their RBs, while also bringing in young stud Olave. They now have more balance than they've had all season, and look ready to compete all season long. TE remains a concern, but with time they will re-work that position. Mahomes has consistently blown up against TPD in years past, so Loco will hope for history to repeat itself in week 3. 

Imposing Monstrosity (1-1) vs The Real McCoy (1-0-1)

Stros proved that week one was a mirage. The boys came to play and quickly reduced any worry that surrounded the franchise after week 1. Their young WRs are starting to show their talent. This team looks complete even without having to make a ton of changes to the roster. They will need St. Brown to get healthy, as outside of Kelce and Hurts, they may not have the elite playing making ability as some other strong teams across the league. Either way, this team is locked and loaded for a strong season. This week's game is a big opportunity. 

McCoy couldn't replicate the strong numbers from week one. They tied last week while scoring only 106. They may have a serious problem at QB if Fields can't start playing better, but Goff on the bench alleviates some concern. While they aren't feeling as strong about their starting RBs as they were following week one, the team still looks ready to rock. Like Stros, they likely are a season long contender. This is a pretty big game considering it is two divisional foes who both look like contenders this year. Only one can survive, unless another tie is in order. 

Chicken Noodle Coop (1-1) vs The Dingos Ate Your Babies (1-1)

The league watched in horror as Nick Chubb went down for the season. No team was more upset than Coop of course. It is a devastating early season blow. This is the 2nd one to hit this franchise, as they also lost Garrett Wilson's elite QB after just four plays. While the future looks murky, this is one franchise you cannot count out. They have made the playoffs three straight years, and it is early enough that they will try to replace the production. Still, it is a difficult task. Look for this franchise to power through and fight for every inch. 

The Dingos played well last week, but for the first time in a while their opponent did too. Never one to accept even a single defeat, the Dingos made a move for Chase this week. It is a power play, and one that could pay off huge once Chase returns to his elite form. They also got more depth at the RB position. This team is not done making moves, but the lineup is starting to take shape. They have a lot of young exciting talent at their disposal. 

La Flama Blanca (1-0-1) vs Rader Flashing TDs (0-2)

LFB tied last week and they have been struggling to score points to start the season. And now Barley joins Kupp on the injury list. They simply have to tread water until both their stars are back. Joe Burrow being hurt doesn't help either. If this team can somehow be (2-2) entering week 5, they will consider that a win. At some point they will get healthy. Still, this is a trend that has long hurt this franchise, due to their reliance on aging veterans. 

TDs struggled again last week, but things may be looking up. They made two trades that pretty much amounted to them swapping Chase for Jackson, Waddle, and Cook. The lineup looks way better entering week 3, even without Chase at the top. They have to beat LFB considering the injuries they are dealing with. A loss this week would be devastating for them. 

Unstopa-Bo (0-2) vs Njokus On You (1-1)

UB has played better than their record would indicate. We would preach caution in counting this team out. They will get Ekeler back at some point, and the lineup still looks like it has juice. Still, an (0-3) hole would be tough to climb out of. They need to stop the bleeding and win this week. 

NJOY secured a huge victory in week 2. They were led by Allen, Evans, and CMC. If these veterans continue to turn back the clock, this team will jump to the top of the division. Don't forget they have Kamara coming back in week 4. Their bench leaves a lot to be desired, but this may be the best team this franchise has had in a number of years. When they have a contender, they typically blow up big. 

Match-Up Build-Up Week 2

 

The Real McCoy vs La Flama Blanca

McCoy exploded in week 1 to the tune of 157 points, the most of the week. The bulk of which coming from Hill. Their strong performance has placed them at the top of the MFFL in the early going. The balance between WRs and RBs in their starting lineup is the best in the league currently. They will hope for better days from Fields, as they took him ahead of guys like Burrow, Tua, and Lawerence, but they won't push the panic button yet. Look for another strong showing in week 2. 

LFB won last week scoring only 98 points. More concerning than that, is the fact that their defense and kicker were their highest scorers, with 18 and 19 respectively. Better weeks are ahead. Burrow, Barkley, Mixon, and Higbee are all expected to play better. Still, they might be worried to some extent. They only have 3 WRs are their entire roster, and one of them is Cooper Kupp. Burrow and the RBs will have to carry the load, otherwise they will likely struggle against teams with elite WR play. 

Chicken Noodle Coop vs Imposing Monstrosity

Coop won last week by a single point. The victory was big, but they likely fear about the overall war. They went all in on Wilson this year, drafting him in the first round, and now Rodgers is gone. It is a devastating early blow, but there are still positives. The RBs look loaded, and Herbert put up a solid performance. Their season will come down to how well they can identify the right WR plays each week. 

Stros started out their quest for a re-peat in agonizing fashion. They scored a league low 65 points. That perhaps explains why they did not like receiving Yahoo's best draft award. Better days are ahead for Hurts, Higgins, and a healthy Kelce. They made a trade this week to boost their FLEX spot and RB depth. This team remains a contender even after they slow start. 

El Pollo Loco vs Rader Flashing TDs

Loco got TPDed last week. They scored 132 points in a losing effort. It is always painful scoring the 2nd most points in a week and losing. The script went as expected, as they were carried by their stars at WR and QB, and slowed down by their RBs. Their RB core remains a major concern, as does their TE spot if Pitts can't put it all together. They will hope to have another good game in week 2, the only difference being that it leads to a win. 

TDs scored the third lowest point total of week 1. They were let down by pretty much everyone on their roster. Sensing that the team needed a boost, they traded for Lamar Jackson this week. It's an exciting move, and one that could wake up the team heading into week 2. The loss of Dobbin's is brutal, but Mattison should be ok as their RB 2. Their RB depth took a major hit though. Better days are ahead for this team, perhaps starting this week. 

The Peaking Dynasty vs Unstopa-Bo

Not a single player on TPD's roster scored a touchdown last week. "Interesting strategy Cotton." They made trades this week obviously, after such a disaster week. TPD is having nightmares again. The season started just like last year. Buckle up. 

Bo lost by a single point in week 1. They scored a point total that could have beaten many teams in week 1. It is a tough way to start the year. They had points in bunches on their bench, so expect some changes to the starting lineup this week. They lack star power, but make up for it with depth. 

Njokus On You vs The Dingos Ate Your Babies

NJ scored the 2nd lowest total of the week. Allen, Moore, Gibson, and Okonkwo were all duds. This team needs Andrews to get healthy and Kamara to get not suspended. If their starters do not perform better, their bench will struggle to carry the extra weight. 

Dingos did it again in week 1. They scored a decent point total, but like last season, they benefited from a poor performance from their opponent. Still, there is a lot to be excited about when you look at the core of their team. One concern may be their RBs, if Bijan isn't the guy they thought they were drafting. but this team will change as they make moves. They are in a good position to start the year. 

Match-Up Build-Up Week 1 (2023)

 The MFFL is back baby! Week 1 begins tomorrow, and everyone is raring to go. The week 1 slate is tremendous. Let us get right to it. 

Imposing Monstrosity vs La Flama Blanca (Unfinished Business)

Last season's championship game ended in a draw. Not a standard draw though, in which both teams score the same point total. This draw occurred due to a player injury, which stopped the game. Had that not taken place, it is unclear how the championship finale would have played out. Stros was in the lead, but LFB had two players going, one of which being Joe Burrow. 

Now, after months of waiting, they get to settle the score. 

Stros has had consistent success since joining the MFFL in 2017. They have made the playoffs three out of the last four years, capturing one championships and one co-championship. They've solidified themselves in the upper echelon of franchises in the MFFL. As such, it is not surprising to see them put together such a strong team following this season's draft. Yahoo gave them an A+ and the designation of best draft in the league. It could be viewed as an ominous sign, but for the most part it simply illustrates the talent they acquired. Outside of Conner and Kelce, they targeted extremely young players, betting on youth and explosiveness. Their WRs are particularly enticing, with three of them having been rookies last season. They will be looking for sophomore jumps from each of them. Hurts and Kelce represent elites of their positions, though Kelce may be hurt entering week1. If there is a weakness to target, it would be RBs. Their starters have questions marks, while their bench lacks the excitement of their WR bench. Either way, it is a lineup ready to compete from the jump. Look for them to have a very strong season in 2023. 

LFB finally exercised some demons last season, after years of falling short of expectations. Not much has changed for this franchise throughout the years. They targeted big named veterans throughout the draft, and hope health remains consistent. It happened last season, and this year they are at it again. Their starting lineup is littered with big named superstars of present and old. Unfortunately, health is not on their side to start this season. They had to make a trade to acquire Hopkins, as it was looking like rookie Jordan Addison was going to be their only healthy WR in week 1, and George Kittle is questionable for Sunday. It is a brutal test out of the gates considering their injuries, but it won't impact their resolve of trying to prove who the real champion from last season is. 

Get your popcorn ready. Both teams aim to prove they are the best. This time we can assume, only one will be left standing. 

The Peaking Dynasty vs The Dingos Ate Your Babies (Eastern Boundaries)

TPD may have the same acronym, but the name is changed. Perpetual shifts to Peaking, following their first ever last place finish in any fantasy football league ever. Their lack of success was largely due to a gauntlet schedule and injuries. Teams scored 779 points against TPD in the first 5 weeks of last season, a 156 point average. TPD still finished with the 4th most points scored, only 41 points below the top point scorer. No one will be counting TPD out this season, and last year can easily be chalked up as an outlier season. Making it easier to expect a bounce back is how well they performed in the draft. Contrasting last season's draft, which TPD feels was their worst ever, this year's draft was a big success picking from the 1st draft slot. The WRs are loaded as always, but this year they also leave with what should be positional advantages most weeks at QB and TE. The RBs are unproven, but TPD is used to that. Expect them to improve that position as the season progresses, or their young high upside picks will play into full time roles. Not surprisingly, they have already made a few trades, giving them the most depth in the league presently. Jefferson, Waddle, and Olave will carry the load, but Scary Terry, Jeudy, and Gabe Dave represent elite depth at that position. This team is not screwing around this year. Expect them to do whatever it takes to improve off of last season's disaster. 

The Dingos are in a weird position. They finished tied for third last season, but scored the fewest points in the league. How does that happen? It was just one of those season's in the MFFL last year. During this years draft, they targeted high upside rookies and vets looking to bounce back. The strength of the team appears to be at WR. If Bijan hits, then this team is an instant contender. But if he doesn't, their RB depth is not likely to carry the water. Trading for Pierce helped them with an immediate need. They will be counting on Bijan, Watson, and Allen all performing at elite levels this season, as Brown and Cooper are good WRs, but lack some of the elite upside of others at their position. They, like TPD, are likely to overhaul their roster throughout the season. They will hope their moves lead to the same end of the seasons success, but with more scoring along the way.

This eastern divisional clash is a big one to start the season. The Dingos have given TPD fits for years. We'll see what changes to start this season, or what stays the same. 

El Pollo Loco vs The Real McCoy (Proving Grounds)

Coming off a championship in 2021, Loco put up a respectable 7 wins in 2022, en route to a 5th place finish. They will certainly be looking for a better finish in 2023, but you can't overlook their recent run off success. During their first 5 years in the league, 2012-2016, they made zero playoff appearances. During the last six years of league play, they have four winning seasons, three playoff appearances, two championship appearances, and one championship. So what is the one constant during this run of good play? Two Words. Patrick Mahomes. Since 2019, they have drafted Mahomes every season. The results speak for themselves. Paired with Mahomes this season are a bevy of high end veteran WRs. They punted on the RB position in the draft, which is customary, but if they could find someone to stabilize that position, they should be fine. They have already made a trade to address their RB weakness, and they took the risk on Taylor in the draft. For years, the theme of this franchise is alternating smash weeks with disaster weeks. This year's team will look to be more consistent.

McCoy fell short of many goals last season, but even in a down year, they still managing to win 6 games, and score the 6th most points. Their schedule was similar to TPDs, as they started cold early, rattled off a winning streak mid season, before losing six straight to end the season. Long a blue blood of the MFFL, their success has largely been linked to excellent drafts, and stellar free agent pick-ups. But last season, they only made 18 moves all year, their lowest amount ever in the MFFL. If they can get off to a hot start this year, look for them to rebound in many areas. The team this year is young and exciting. They are betting on young stars becoming super stars, and as always the roster is balanced. Their bench is lacking a proven presence, but they will hope someone emerges as the season progresses. 

It is always fireworks when these two Western foes lock horns. 

Chicken Noodle Coop vs Unstopa-Bo (Conflicting Styles)

What CNC has accomplished in their first three seasons of MFFL ball is nothing short of spectacular. They have made the playoffs every season, and never had less than eight wins. This season they will attempt to finally capture the only thing that has eluded them, a championship. They are incredibly consistent week to week and very active in roster management. They have never had less than 30 moves in a season. The lineup is strong right out of the gates, as they mix proven vets with young dynamos. They also support more depth than others to start the season. The RBs are loaded, while the WRs will be banking on Garrett Wilson joining the elites of the position. It is hard to look at this team and find a weak point on paper. They will look to continue their unbeaten playoff appearance streak in 2023. 

UB has also had success as of late, but in a different way. They have at least six wins in each of their last three seasons, and a championship. The style difference is in reference to the number of moves. Last season they made 12 moves. While in 2021 they only made 9. That type of managerial method makes crushing the draft a crucial ingredient to success. But perhaps this year will be different. Before week 1 has even started, they have already made a trade. They went RB heavy in the draft, and acquired many big named vets. If health holds, they will be tough to deal with. They waited on QB and TE, and only took one of each, meaning they also have hope for good play out of those positions. Like most seasons, this teams looks like it has a wide range of outcomes. They will be hoping for a positive spin in 2023. 

Rader Flashing TDs vs Njokus On You (Phoenix Rising)

TDs will be looking to make the playoffs this season, for the first time since the league's inaugural season. They were perhaps the most prepared for any draft this year, which they hope will lead to more success. The strength of the team is in their high end, and deep, WR core. They will be hoping for career years from Lawrence, Dobbins, and Mattison. Taking Chase in the first proves they are out to win, as normally taking any players in the AFC North who don't play for the Steelers, causes their soul to snap in half. One of these seasons this franchise is gonna pop. It could be in 2023. 

Njokus has struggled for many seasons. This season they invested early in Josh Allen, with the hopes that he can rewrite the pages of this franchise's history. They are balanced across the board, but may struggle due to a lack of elite playmakers at the WR position. Like TDs, it is only a matter of time before they have a big redemption season. They started the season out well with such a great name rebrand.