MONKEYS SKIN THE CATS
...and the Taipans stop the slide.
Week Ten in the Subsim Fantasy Football League. Last week were touting the glory of one team becoming the best performing team with a ghost Manager, only to re crown our historical ghost team. We'll look at the Monday night thriller as, once again, we wait our the rewrite for the Taipans - again! And we'll check out the Who Dat Nation Rises that I'm sure we've all seen the injury to the Nation's key quarterback.
With all that good stuff to come, let's wet the appetite with this tasty morsel.
DONATE TO SUBSIM...AND NOMINATE SUBSIM FANTASY FOOTBALL FOR BEST OF SUBSIM.
When the Black Cats headed north of the .500% mark last week, we had to begin looking at them as the leagues first post season ghost team. Both the cats and the Drunk Monkeys were starting the game with two players on vacation for each team. In a 7 - 7 battle the Drunk Monkeys were looking strong when Pittsburgh (DEF) put a double digit score. The Cats, not to be shut out just yet, had moderate success running the ball, but it was the Monkeys dependable scoring machine Alvin Kamara (RB) who crossed for two rushing touchdowns that put the Drunk Monkeys back in the winners circle. The Drunk Monkeys in a battle of the ghost managers, defeat the Black Cats 133 - 95.
Down in Texas, Coach Casey and the Guns of Hochuli had Ed's son, Shaun, officiating their game against the Who Dat Nation Rises. Even with the family name connection, the Gunners struggled to put points on the board with just two (2) players reaching double digits. The Who Dat Nation, desperate to stop their slide out of a playoff position, were lead by their star Dree Brees (QB) until he was hit by a Mack Truck and taken out of the game. The injuries continue to pile up for the Nation as they have now lost their first,m third and fifth round players. The loss of Brees for his namesake team means we may have seen the last play of Brees for the Nation. With the mourning period waived, the Nation rallied, with their #1 running back, finally making some inroads and lifting the Who Dat Nation to a much needed win. This one wasn't even close, and now changes the complexion of the lower half of the league. In a much needed return to their winning form, the Who Dat Nation Rises easily account for the Guns of Hoculi 148 - 64.
After taking the Amtrak to Saint Louis, we got to see the top of league ladder battle between our two international teams 0 the Helmand Nighthawks Deployed to Saint Louis hosting the Australian Taipans of Southern California. ::::gasssp::: The Nighthawks have owed this matchup in recent years, but unlike in past years, the Taipans have outscored everyone in the league, and still, they have enough losses to put them in third place in the league. In their adopted home, the Nighthawks looked strong - until they put the ball int he hand of the million dollar player, Russell Wilson (QB). With Wilson scoring barely more than a touchdown, the Taipans had to come form behind on Monday night in the hands of Justin Jefferson (QB). Needing just four (4) catches and about twenty (20) yards, the Taipans well and truly put the Helmand Nighthawks away with over 125 yards. Closing up the gap at the top of the table, the Australian Taipans defeat the Helmand Nighthawks 145 - 128.
So where does this leave the teams as we edge ever so closer to the Thanksgiving weekend of football.
The Helmand Nighthawks lead the league at 7- 3 but have not sewn up a post season position. The Nighthawks are borderline to clinching a play off position, but unlike in previous years, they have not secured their spot by week 10. The Australian Taipans lead the Surface Skimmers division and are placed second in the league with their 6-4 record. Behind them are a bunch of teams that the Taipans can still loose to and miss out on the playoffs. Their position is not secure.
And here's where it gets messy.
Both the Guns of Hochuli and the Who Dat Nation are tied at 5-5 with the Nation in the more precarious position having a losing divisional record. While that may not be entirely a much up, it's what's behind them that creates the issue.
The Black Cats have ghosted their way to 4-6 and only drop below .500% for the first time this week. This team could be so much better if Coach FYC just showed up. Behind them, the Drunk Monkeys are the perennial cellar dwellers again this year at 3-7.
Next week we go back to Texas as the Guns of Hoculi host the Australian Taipans of Southern California in a game that may decide the top seed form the Surface Skimmers division.
Each week, the Associated Subsim Writers (ASW) will nominated their Most Valuable Torpedo (MVT) of the week, the single player who proved decisive in their teams performance.
It has been a long time coming but we finally got to see this team in the MVT discussion. For the effort 7 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown, for a total of 31.70 points, the Week Ten MVT goes to Deandre Hopkins (WR) of the Who Dat Nation Rise.
