PHASE 7 - Split 5 Recap (Weeks 9-10)

PHASE 7 - Split 5 Recap (Weeks 9-10)

The end is nigh. A four-way tie in the consolation bracket adds some further irregularity to this season. In our final writeup of the regular season, both brackets are mathematically locked in. All that’s left is deciding who enters the postseason strong.

Injury report (Split 5)

Trevor Lawrence (ORH)

Austin Seibert (MIKE)

Harrison Butker (MIKE)

Dak Prescott (GMEN)

Dalton Kincaid (GRONK)

Chris Olave (STC)

Sam LaPorta (ITS)

Peyton’s Forehead Shiner (9-1)

Peyton squeaks out another win against Is This Soccer in Week 9, winning both games against him this season by a combined .60 points, the smallest margin of victory in a series all-time.  His rematch against the GMEN left much less doubt. Ja’Marr Chase set him up with a 55-point masterclass, unofficially securing the win on Thursday night. He’d go on to score 200+ points for the 4th time this year, the most of any manager since under these roster sizes in a single season. Peyton has won 21 of his last 22 games, the best win-rate in any stretch beyond 20 games in league history. Taking on two playoff teams in his final three games and a competitive Bradshank, Peyton won’t be able to mail it in for the final split. With CeeDee battling injury and a horrific QB situation, he’ll need the likes of Ja’Marr and his Immortal King Henry now more than ever.

Bradshank Redemption (3-7)

Bradshank was granted some sweet revenge in Week 9, besting Sledge Hammer.

While a subsequent loss to Is This Soccer knocked her back to 3-7 with the pack, this was still a win. She’s been getting solid contributions from the likes of Courtland Sutton, among some flex options down the lineup. 

Her final split includes games against #1 and #2 seed, and a rematch against the GMEN. She’ll have an opportunity to spoil some records in her last 3 games of the year.

Odell’s Rusty Hip (6-4)

In the most difficult and vital stretch of the season, Valkyrie is really taking it to the rest of her competition in the winners bracket.

Her 1-3 start is now a distant memory as she extended her winning streak to 5 with a victory against the Scarlet Witch. She’d falter in the follow-up game against Suh-Tang Clan, though it was still a very close affair. She secures what is now her 5th playoff appearance, tied for the most in SFI History. She opens up the first game against a the #1 Seed in Peyton. Losing by a substantial margin in the first meeting, there’s a lot to prove in this one for the former champion. The remaining pair of contests will be against the two worst teams in the league. It’ll offer some chances to pad her record and avoid the #1 Seed in the playoffs. With SaQuads, Action Jackson and Kittle Skittles by her side, expect a good end to another great season.

Pull The Lever, Gronk! (6-4)

Losing both Split 5 games by 10 points each, some of the shine has been removed from an already great season. Double-digit wins in the regular season may be out of the cards, but she’s well on track for her 2nd postseason bid. Nico’s return is imminent, and boy is it ever needed. Not to say much needs improved on her roster, but we’re seeing some of her pieces cool-off down the stretch (Pollard, Jones, Darnold) which is making her a little more vulnerable compared to her scorching hot first half of the season.  Playing the Top 2 managers in her final two games, the Witch will need to whip up some fast-acting potions in the last few games to withstand them. She’s come too far to end the regular season like this. Does the Scarlet Witch have enough in the tank to claw her way back to the #2 Seed? We’ll find out soon enough.

Team GMEN (3-7)

A last second upset against Suh-Tang grants the GMEN their 3rd win of the year and his best point total. He didn’t stand much of a chance the following week, down 76-8 after Thursday, losing to Peyton by nearly 100.  The name-brand talent just hasn’t lived up to the hype this year for him. There’s been some sparks, but nothing sustainable enough to illicit playoff hopes. While it’s another lost season for the GMEN, his final three games will all be against non-playoff managers, offering him the ability to end the season with some positive energy. 

Sledge Hammer (3-7)

A loss in Week 9 to Bradshank kept him right in his place. However, he was able to upset the Scarlett Witch the next week, though it wasn’t enough to pull him out of last place. CMC returning should give him a considerable boost to try and end the season with some momentum heading into the consolation bracket. Was that worth the cost? Who knows. 

He may have been better off trying to sell McCaffrey to a playoff team instead of holding him. Alas, his stars will go down the ship, and he’ll try to secure the #1 Overall Pick for his troubles. The final trifecta of regular season games will see him against a Team GMEN and two playoff teams, all of which he’s a combined 0-3 against. A win or two to end the season is well within reach, but he needs to come out with some more firepower instead of relying on teams to have an off week. 

Suh-Tang Clan (7-3)

Vision drops a game to an unlikely foe in GMEN in a near 200-point brawl. He’d avoid a 3rd consecutive loss by taking the season series from Odell; in another matchup he had a sub-10% win probability. The saying “It’s better to be lucky than good” has been the motto of his season thus far. Though he’s been certainly good enough to become the #2 Seed into the final split. His QB duo is by far the best in the league, propelling him to these great heights.  A rematch against Gronk is in store for Split 6, along with games against two consolation bracket managers. He’ll head into the last 3 games a total of 3-0 against the field. Vision aims to finish on a high note as he sets his sights on another shot at a championship. 

Is This Soccer? (3-7)

Another frustrating loss against Peyton put his loss-streak at half a dozen games. In the second week against Bradshank, the empire seemingly detected some spices, as they came back to life in a very close outing that gave him the win. Interestingly, he and Bradshank have had the closest margin of victory and defeat this season. 

A 2-1 start had us thinking there was something wrong with our preseason predictions.

Sadly, he’ll live down to our expectation at 3-7. 

The remainder of his schedule will see a couple of playoff teams he’s already been defeated by, with a rematch against the GMEN in the middle. At 0-3 versus these managers in the remaining games, he’s the firm underdog in all of them as the bright lights fade out on the 2024 regular season.