Week 8: Matchups
A lot of juicy matchups this week and I think there's legit upset potential. Most of the league want or need wins this week. It's also Halloween weekend.... Could some teams be in for a scare? Let's find out:
Last week (5-0), Season (17-3)
SL Matchup of the Week: Bud Ice Penguins vs. PGH Crooners
PGH Crooners: Nathan sent the below video and said "The Crooners are that frigid cold. You may forget every year but we still arrive all the same"
He later recaptioned the video with the adult penguins being Noah and Nick, and the child as the undefeated season.
Bud Ice Penguins: "The Crooners have been a team that I was super excited about joining the league, we also have made a few trades together that have benefited us both. All was fine until this dude decided to open his BITCH mouth and talk shit about the Penguins. All I know is the Crooners can go to hell. The Penguins are going to show no mercy this week. Gonna see Nathan with his fingers in my pockets the rest of the season."
In week 4 I asked Noah a similar question, and he said that there was no hint of rivalry between these teams, and that it was being manufactured by the league. As you can see, this turned out to be completely false. Both teams have something to pump their boys up in the locker room with. This crosstown matchup will undoubtedly become a rivalry matchup next season.
The actual fantasy matchup itself is interesting, with a team in the Crooners that have proven to have volatile scoring potential going against a team that has found consistency at a high level. Any outcome would not surprise me here, and it does feel like the Crooners are owed a big week this week. The issue for the Crooners this week is undoubtedly the mismatches at QB and OP. I think the rest of the roster could go either way, but Noah fielding two real QBs gives him a huge leg up. One situation to monitor for the Crooners: Aaron Jones can't stay healthy and is in serious trouble to miss this week. Another question that is emerging: who will Nathan start between Nico Collins and DJ Moore? DJ has an exceptional matchup but likely won't have his QB. The path for Nathan to win is a combination of Jordan Love, Ja'Marr Chase, and Breece Hall combining for 80+ points, but I can't bet on that happening. These are two good teams and the rivalry intensity will be present, but it's hard not to ride with the unbeaten Penguins, especially given the question marks that are mounting for the Crooners.
Verdict: Penguins win
Parma Pirates vs. Washington Fantasy Team
This is a must win matchup for both teams, and a rematch of a playoff matchup from a year ago. Both teams are virtually fully healthy (Achane has yet to make his debut with the Pirates), and neither team has a BYE on the roster, which is an insane combination for a Week 8 game. This lowkey should have been the game of the week, but it would have been my third time putting myself game of the week in the first 8 weeks, so I wanted to give someone else the shine. Everything is on the line here. It's hard to say what Curtis' team is capable of this week due to the mysterious nature of his empty lineup strategy, but the Pirates are delivering scoring. This Pirates starting lineup is coming in averaging 132 points on the season, which is enough to compete with any team in the league on a week to week basis. No matter what lineup Curtis rolls with, there are question marks that I just don't see on the other side, aside from both teams lacking a truly reliable tight end. In the end, I think this will be hard fought but I can't bet against myself in a must win game, that's just terrible intangibles.
Verdict: Pirates win
Slat's Slimes vs. Play Action Jackson
Another matchup that could be considered for the game of the week. This one doesn't quite make it to that spot due to PAJ being a team that doesn't have a ton of life left... But in this matchup anything is possible. PAJ has consistently put up 100+ points this season, and as recently as last week have outscored the Slimes in a given week. The Slimes look like a playoff lock and a powerhouse, so they will not go down easy. If PAJ want a win this could very well be one of the last weeks to do so (week 10 they should win too). You know what... I'm picking the upset this week. I think Mostert could flop again, and the PAJ QB combination already has an advantage over the Slimes. Both teams are capable of scoring a lot of points but give me PAJ in a close one. What this could mean for the playoff race is undeterminable without more PAJ success however.
Verdict: PAJ wins
Explosive Potential vs. Zark's Sharks
Jacob's team has been having an uptick in scoring, but that uptick equates to a low week for the Sharks. Sharks by 25+
Verdict: Sharks win
Bridge Road Orcas vs. UNFINISHED BIZ
The Orcas must put away Carter for good if they want to begin their #ComebackSZN. And they will do just that, being favored at every position aside from RB2. Carter's biz will come to an untimely end on the Halloween weekend.
Verdict: Orcas win