Let's skip through the, "He said, she said... Bullsh*t." Anybody Fred Durst fans out there? Anybody having a nice Limp Bizkit day... maybe your are ready to just Break Stuff. Maybe your team is really just setting you off.... or maybe you are looking good, feeling good, doing good. If you are aren't I know a team that you can trade with and most likely - he will have a big week.
A certain team (Check my Chubb) made a few moves and even more offers - I wish I could see the number of offers and counter offers made with Check my Chubb. What I do know is that, there were some triggers pulled on trade offers and if you didn't see - here is what went down this week (specifically with Check my Chubb)...
Trade 1 with Penias and Ferb
Check my Chubb traded: Drake Maye/Puka Nacua
Penias and Ferb traded: Patrick Mahomes/Tre Tucker/Emanuel Wilson
A) Check my Chubb wanted 2 things from this trade... a better QB and a starting RB. He also picked up a number 1 (on his team) wideout to replace Puka - who was a big question mark. There were even talks about Puka possibly going to IR or the injury being more sever than the Rams let on. All in all, Check my Chubb got what he wanted... although it did come at a price.
B) Penias was in the position to take the risk on two high quality players that were either having a really, really bad start to the season or were still injured. When you are in that position, it is hard to down the risk and after 1 week it looks promising - but you never know in the long run.
Trade 2 with My Team Sucks
Check my Chubb traded Emanuel Wilson
My Team Sucks traded Kirk Cousins
A) To this day, I was not super sure what was happening here. The only thing that can make sense to me is the fact that maybe there was no trust in Daniel Jones. However, they wanted to keep Jones over Maye (who was struggling).
B) This is a no brainer deal for My Team Sucks - in this league RB's a liquid gold. Even if they are backups - but backups who are now starting?!? Boom baby. For the record, this team does not suck!
If you paid attention this week, Maye/Puka/Wilson all scored more than 25 point each - all players that Check my Chubb had traded. However, the hardest working GM in the league did secure a win this week!
Let's take a look at the update Power Rankings...
1st Quarter Power Rankings
1. Penias and Ferb (4-0) No Movement... 2-time and current belt winner, massively favored in many of the matchups. The only thing that is really working against this team is the fact that they may be cursed. This team is the Dan Marino of this league... most wins without ever winning the league championship.
2. Shough My Jeanty (3-1) Up 1 spot... It didn't take long for Shough to fire back up the engine and prove that it belongs near the top of the league (to be fair, he only dropped 1 spot). It is unique... this team is not necessarily built of big-time names (Penias is filled with those type of names) - instead this team is filled with sneaky good players that quietly score points and rack up wins.
3. My Team Sucks (3-1) Up 2 spots...This team has shot up the rankings in recent weeks and they are doing behind different players each week. The past 3 weeks they have not scored outside the top 5 points for each week, including finishing in the top 3 each of the past two weeks. It is not just getting wins against teams that aren't scoring points - it is also scoring points themselves.
4. Tuten My Horn (3-1) Down 2 spots... The top portion of the league involves a thin margin of error - first loss of the season and Tuten gets dropped 2 spots. They are still very clearly in the playoff hunt and they should remain there for the rest of the season. It is just crazy that we still have 5 teams with 1 loss or less and it means that each week could be a bit of a shake up with the rankings.
5. Ertz/Eifert (3-1) Up 1 spot... If there was a team that has been given bulletin board material, it is Ertz/Eifert. This team is currently 3-1 and is sitting 3rd in the league for points scored. A survey of 100 people slated Ertz actually higher than this... but they have their chance coming up this week to prove that they should be the higher.
6. Mounsey Zombies (2-2) Down 1 spot... This is more from the injuries that were sustained than the loss this past week. Lamar was seen in a boot after the game and Saquon was hit with a hamstring injury and these two being out will hit this team hard. The bigger issue is the replacement for Lamar - is Jordan Love really the answer?
7. AR's Broken Finger (2-2) Up 6 spots... This is the issue when your league starts off with 5 teams that have one loss or less. You have a team that is .500 and they are nearly out of the playoffs. They do find themselves moving up and that is more thanks to getting a win and a slew of teams picking up their 3rd loss - keep getting wins when you can and anything can happen in the playoffs.
8. The J-Bones (1-3) Up 4 spots... Is this the turn around for The J-Bones? Oddly enough, it took Schrader to score 16 points as a kicker and Famous Jameis throwing the ball to Malik Nabers. Maybe the Dart injury is going to be a good thing for Nabers - gunslingers always help out WR fantasy rankings. They find themselves in a big matchup this week - a much needed win would really help solidify their spot.
9. Cleveland Streamers (1-3) Down 2 spots... This is what happens when you only score 85 points and take the loss. Hey, at least you get to play Check my Chubb and they have their starting QB and RB out on bye. If a loss happens this week - that may spell disaster for the Streamers.
10. Factory of Sadness (2-2) Down 1 spot... For the past week the Chase injury benefitted Higgins - but now he is also dealing with an injury. On top of the Higgins, there is also an injury to Long Neck Ladd... which really puts Factory in a tough spot - thus to drop in the Power Rankings. The real downer of the situation is that they are now facing off against the top team in the league this week - which is going to put them in a rough spot
11. Ankle Holster (1-3) No movement... We all know the story with this team - Allen and Bijan or bust. Obviously, the meta is not working since they are sitting at 1-3 and on the outside of the playoffs. Maybe a move is in the works? Maybe we are just cashing it in and rooting for the Packers? Maybe we are just waiting for Josh Jacobs to get back and see if he can turn things around.
12. Check my Chubb (1-3). Up 2 spots... Holy BIG WIN!! All that work, running around, curated a win for the team. Now, it might look bad that they are probably taking a loss this week - but they are facing bye week issues... we will not get a good look at the roster for another week and see if the trades worked out in their favor.
13. Nailor? Hardly Know Her (1-3) Down 3 spots... Rashee Rice and Travis Etienne are both facing big injuries and this hurts this teams chance - Etienne is on the IR and Rice just looks banged up. The one positive thing for Rice is that Thornton just had a nasty injury and the Chiefs could end up force feeding him (assuming the don't sign Tyreek back).
14. Greatest Offense (1-3) Down 5 spots... It is not just that they took a loss... it is also that they scored the lowest point total while doing it. If JSN doesn't go for 40 on a given night - this team is going to struggle. The rookies did not pan out as they had hoped and now they are forced with the decision to trade and get more depth or just keep hoping JSN can massive weeks.
Week 5 Matchups
Matchup of the Week
Ertz/Eifert (3-1) v My Team Sucks (3-1)
Battle to Watch: Goff v Prescott.... these two QB's are playing for teams that have made the decision to just not playing any defense. This means that they now have to try and continue to score points and both have decent matchups against teams that have shown an inability to stop offenses as well. The winner of this face-off may very well be the winner of the matchup.
How Ertz wins: They beat up the NFC West... Goff and ARSB get to play the Cardinals, Kittle and Evans play the Seahawks, Bills DEF go against the Rams. The Seahawks is not the best matchup for Kittle and Evans.... but 2 weeks ago Marcus Mariota threw for 3 touchdowns - Kittle and Evans may be the beneficiary of something like that. Famous Jameis just threw for 3 touchdowns against the Cardinals and now Goff and ARSB get a chance - might be a big day for the Lions.
How My Team wins: Running Backs... who would have thought I would be saying that about Tuten and Emmanuel Wilson? Not this guy... but the Jags look nasty this year and Tuten is the lead back in that offense. Plus, Sunshine Lawrence is always willing to slide at the goal line to help a brotha out.
Prediction: Ertz/Eifert
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (Ertz/Eifert)
Penias and Ferb (4-0) v Factory of Sadness (2-2)
How Penias wins: Uhhhhh just do you honeyboo. Yeah, there have been a few times in this leagues history when trades and drastically altered the league Power Rankings. This is not one of them.... but it did make the gap between the "Have" and "Have Nots" that much larger for Penias. I don't see a world where this team is not predicted to win until there happens to be a massive bye week... which would be week 11. Until then... you know who is winning this matchup.
How Factory wins: Touchdowns. In order beat this team it is going to take an absolute dud from them or a lot of touchdowns from Factory. They have players with big play abilities that will have chances to score - but it is going to take multiple big plays from different players.
Prediction: Penias and Ferb
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (Factory of Sadness)
Greatest Offense (1-3) v Shough My Jeanty (3-1)
How GOTI wins: JSN scores 50 points. I am going to be honest - I don't have a lot faith in running backs. Love should be doing much better than he is - but somehow Arizona has found an offense with Brissett. I also don't trust Tate going against Houston - but also Houston has not played well in the secondary. Theoretically, Tate should be facing against Singletary and that is an unfriendly matchup when you have an "iffy" QB.
How My Jeanty wins: Players need to take advantage of their matchups. Buck Buck needs to take care of his matchup against Dallas - who has just decided to not stop anyone and just try to outscore them. Michael Wilson is facing against Detroit - who is also in the same boat as Dallas. These two players could have a huge week and it could turn into a runaway win for My Jeanty.
Prediction: Shough my Jeanty
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (Shough my Jeanty)
Nailor? (1-3) v Tuten My Horn (3-1)
How Nailor? wins: It is going to take a big time showing from Philly. They have to face-off against one the top teams in the NFL (Jacksonville Jaguars) - sometimes this fires up a team and their players to have a big game - reference Drake Maye against the Buffalo Bills.
How Tuten wins: Chase plays. If Chase plays - it helps Burrow... but Chase has the potential to score more. If Chase doesn't play, Burrow gets to face-off against a horrid Miami defense and garner all those points using a different WR and Tuten gains nothing from that. On top of the that, if Chase doesn't play, the backup option would be? Most likely, Denzel Boston - there is a stark difference between the two.
Prediction: Tuten My Horn
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (Tuten My Horn)
The J-Bones (1-3) v Ankle Holster (1-3)
How J-Bones wins: CMC matches Bijan... this is more purely because of who they are facing against. If CMC matches Bijan then most of the position battles are in favor of The J-Bones. Ankle Holster relies heavily on Bijan and Allen, if you match Bijan that leaves only one advantage in the matchup.
How Ankle Holster wins: Typically, this is where I write that Bijan and Allen are key - but I am going to focus on another player. Tucker Kraft - who they are starting to deploy at a variety of positions and plays. He can be the focal point of the offense - but more importantly, last season (prior to the injury) he averaged 60 yards and close to a 1 touchdown a game... this would equate to at least 12 points... plus any points for receptions.
Prediction: The J-Bones
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (Ankle Holster)
Mounsey Zombies (2-2) v AR's Broken Finger (2-2)
How Mounsey wins: Lamar and Saquon need to play... I am not sure this is going to happen. If it does, it really helps Mounsey Zombies with their chances to win. I don't see them playing, so I see this as a throw away week and just try to get those guys ready. Just make the call Mounsey Zombies - tell the teams to rest their studs - bigger battles to fight.
How Broken wins: Consistency... this matchup can be won with depth and consistency. Also, it wouldn't hurt if Ceedee goes for another night of 15+ catches. This matchup is not going to be won with one guy though - it is simply going to take a consistent performance throughout for this week. Have everyone have a decent week and most likely you are breaking through the .500 mark.
Prediction: AR's Broken Finger
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (AR's Broken Finger)
Cleveland Streamers (1-3) v Check my Chubb (1-3)
How Streamers win: Just don't have a bummer week... at this point in the season these are must win weeks for Cleveland Streamers. If you don't win a week facing off against another lower ranked team - especially one dealing with bye week issues - then we have a serious problem this season. Win this week or cash it in.
How Check my Chubb win: Sean Falco and The Replacements need to show up. If you haven't seen the film, I highly recommend it. Before I go off on a tangent... the replacements for Mahomes/Hubbard/DEF need to show up in a big way...
Prediction: Cleveland Streamers
Mystery Guest: Bluffton Tennis (Cleveland Streamers)
As always, good luck to everyone - except you, Factory of Sadness - may your entire roster declare to be drafted in the WNBA and forever be stuck in the cycle of women's basketball hell.
With love
Commish
Week 4 Results
Fantasy Guru: 6-1
Mystery Guest: 4-3
Season Results
Fantasy Guru: 19-9
Mystery Guest: 13-15