SPLIT 1 RECAP (WEEKS 1 & 2)

Injuries galore. With 6 of 8 managers sitting at 1-1, Split 2 offers a unique opportunity for healthy squads to cash in on managers still trying to lick their wounds.

Odell’s Rusty Hip

CURRENT RECORD: 2-0

The last undefeated manager standing. Many mocked her for being so careless with her picks while having so few of them. I hope you got your money’s worth, because she sure did out of her draft picks so far. I don’t think anyone predicted the reigning champion to have sole possession of 1st place.

Split 2 offers her a solid chance at extending her lead. If the other managers don’t wake up now; she may not just be the reigning champion, she’ll get a chance to defend that crown in late December.

TEAM G-MEN

CURRENT RECORD: 1-1

A dismal Week 1 outing had us sounding the alarm. Week 2 was a close call, but he managed to pull out a win nonetheless. With his heavy investment in an offense in free-fall (Jets) and still no Jonathan Taylor until Week 5, it’s going to be a slog to remain competitive until then, especially if his QB play does not elevate. 

His next two opponents being tough outs will do him no favors. He’ll need another stroke of luck to find a win in Split 2. 

SLEDGE HAMMER

CURRENT RECORD: 1-1

A devastating injury to his 2nd round pick in Nick Chubb might just derail his season. Chubb sustained a season-long, possibly career-ending injury on Monday night. With a disappointing start to the 2023 campaign of his other backs in Najee Harris and Alexander Mattison, his RB room is a shell of our pre-draft evaluation. This was the catalyst that saw him unable to follow up on his Week 1 comeback.

This puts the rest of his season in jeopardy if Thanos cannot find a way to recover. He has the resume, of course. However, the lack of points this week, matched with the fact he would have barely scrounged together 100 points if it weren’t for his defense in Week 1 is cause for concern. The injury to Chubb only amplifies these issues. This split will be the most telling if he struggles over the next 2 games.

IS THIS SOCCER?

CURRENT RECORD: 1-1

Following a difficult loss in Week 1, he was able to rebound back to an even record the following week. Surprisingly, it’s been some of his later round picks that helped him find his way to victory (Brian Robinson Jr., Deebo Samuel).

He’s got a solid squad that may prove better than expected down the stretch due to the competition around him dwindling via injuries. Next split gives him a real opportunity to make his mark. 

BRADSHANK REDEMPTION

Current Record: 1-1

A solid Opening Day outing saw Bradshank start her season off to a great start. Unfortunately, fell to Peyton in Week 2, dropping to 1-1 with the rest of the pack.

She’s sustained several injuries, one of which to her star RB Austin Ekeler. Luckily, she’s got a great stable of mid-range RB’s to keep her steady until his return. Considering much of the field around her is trying to manage a slew of injuries, she’s starting off just fine.

SUH-TANG CLAN

CURRENT RECORD: 1-1

Much like Peyton’s Week 1, it’s hard to really find any analysis in this performance. No matter how good your roster is in theory, sometimes elite players just have bad games, or you go up against the highest scorer of the week. That’s just fantasy football, and exactly what happened in Week 2 following an Opening Day victory for him.

Split 2 has him up against the preseason favorite. If he can keep cashing in that on-paper roster into real points, he can come out of Split 2 as an elite contender.

PEYTONS FOREHEAD SHINER

CURRENT RECORD: 1-1

Despite dropping the season opener in a surprising fashion, he came into Week 2 with a chip on his shoulder, soundly defeating Bradshank Redemption in Week 2. He currently sits at 1-1, but with major injuries to managers around him, it’s hard to argue his status has changed despite the loss. 

Week 3 should be a bloodbath, facing the projected 2nd best team heading into the season, who is looking like just that headed into Split 2. He follows this up with a matchup against the 2022 champion. If he manages to pull out a pair of wins against the toughest opponents he’ll face all season, he’ll sit firmly atop the standings.

PULL THE LEVER, GRONK!

CURRENT RECORD: 0-2

Here we are again, 0-2. While we mentioned some questionable draft decisions in the season preview, it’s been injuries that have caused this catastrophe, with a 1st Round selection and 3 starting RB’s already down for the count.

Her next 2 matchups aren’t particularly easy, consisting of the current 1st place manager and reigning champion, followed by an ailing but still decent Sledge Hammer. We won’t lose hope yet, but her season may be over before it starts if she can’t muster a win in Split 2