SPLIT 5 RECAP (WEEKS 9 & 10)
The reigning champion weakening, a former champion getting red hot. With the #1 Seed still up for grabs, who will seize it at the buzzer with the end of the Phase 6 regular season nigh?
Odell’s Rusty Hip
CURRENT RECORD: 7-3
The defending champ barely holds on in Week 10, escaping a massive upset from last place and snapping her 3 game losing skid. One more win and she is guaranteed a postseason berth. With a tough end to her campaign, the reigning champion looks to defend her crown with momentum on her side.
However. The final split will put her up against 2 playoff teams. A strong finish is needed if she’s to fight back for the #1 Seed.
TEAM G-MEN
CURRENT RECORD: 3-7
Despite a few competitive outings, the GMEN lose consecutive contests and their playoff hopes with it. Ultimately, his underperforming QBs and a lack of depth played a significant factor in his demise. He was a difficult team to beat throughout the entire season, but he didn’t have quite enough firepower to close out games when he needed them. This is a prime example of a team looking much better than their record.
His goal at this rate is to look ahead to the consolation bracket, where he’ll have good odds to win the #1 Overall selection 2024. It’s an unfortunate follow up to an incredible championship run in 2022. Let’s see if he can pick up some victories in the final split to make this year look a little better on the stat sheet.
SLEDGE HAMMER
CURRENT RECORD: 4-6
A narrow victory against the GMEN gave him hopes of still being alive in the playoffs. For the 2nd time this year, all he needed was a successful field goal from Tyler Bass; and for the second time he didn’t come through. This loss to Bradshank has put him on the brink of certain elimination. Needing Dr. Strange to not only halt his swift catchup in points but lose 2/3 to make a playoff berth possible, any loss would mathematically eliminate him.
While the close and devastating defeats have come in droves this year for Thanos, the wins have been just as nail biting. Of his 4 wins, he’s only had a single victory of 20+ points; so it’s been a fight the entire way in Phase 6.
With his remaining schedule comprised of two playoff teams and a plucky underdog with several stars returning, the path ahead is an unlikely one. Father Time catches all of us. He’ll have to do the near impossible to avoid succumbing to it in Split 6.
IS THIS SOCCER?
CURRENT RECORD: 6-4
A tough loss to last place put a surefire contender in trouble. In response, he was able to put up one of his best performances of the year and secure a win in Week 10.
With a 2 game lead on 5th place and cutting his points lead to them in half, 2 wins in the final split mathematically secures him playoff spot. Even without it, his odds remain exponentially high. He cannot lose focus now, his 3rd postseason appearance in 4 seasons awaits him if he can keep it together. Dr. Strange can choose his own reality in the last 3 games.
BRADSHANK REDEMPTION
Current Record: 4-6
Following a close defeat to Peyton, Bradshank finished Split 5 with a victory. In Week 10, she took down the Mad Titan by less than 2 points, putting a nearly insurmountable roadblock in front of his 6th playoff appearance, placing her at 4-6.
Her schedule to close out the year is a tough. Bradshank takes on 3 current playoff teams. Crippled by injury but still competitive, can she end her season with an upset or two?
SUH-TANG CLAN
CURRENT RECORD: 7-3
While he was able to keep one former champion at bay during his string of bye-weeks, he was no match for the 2021 Champion in Week 10. Despite being tied with Peyton in record, he has a considerable deficit in points to make up. His pair of losses over the last 2 splits shouldn’t be of concern. He maintains the highest ceiling of any manager in the league.
In the final split of Phase 6, Suh-Tang will have to finish undefeated and hope for a loss from Peyton if he’s to win back the #1 seed in his 1st SFI playoff run. Regardless of seeding, he’s an incredibly dangerous opponent for any who face him.
PEYTONS FOREHEAD SHINER
CURRENT RECORD: 7-3
They had the technology; they’ve rebuilt him. After a 2-3 start, Iron Man has won 5 straight games and taken over first place in the SFI.
In the 2nd half of the season, he’s lived up to the billing that the preseason rankings gave him. We’ll spare you the alphabet jokes about CD Lamb. Still, we cannot understate how pivotal a role he has played this last month for Peyton as the #1 fantasy player over that stretch. Only adding to his points lead over 2nd place, all he has to do is stay even with Suh-Tang to claim the #1 Seed and Presidents Trophy.
Facing only one playoff team in the final split, there’s a real possibility we see this streak carry over into the postseason. With another win securing him in the final 4, Peyton is poised for his 3rd postseason run.
PULL THE LEVER, GRONK!
CURRENT RECORD: 2-8
With a heavy heart, Pull The Lever, Gronk! has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. A win over Dr. Strange was a surprising upset that had his playoffs aspirations on the line for the time being. She almost took the reigning champion down too, losing in the final quarter of the last game of the week. We’ll pull the lever on this season and flush it down the toilet.
We’ll dive more into the downfall of her team at the end of Split 6. Now her only mission is to play spoiler. To open Split 6, she has a chance to take Thanos down with her. Additionally, she can close out the season by potentially dropping Peyton from the #1 seed.