Pittsburgh Franchise Football League 2011 News & Notes

Week 14

 

PFFL 2011 Postseason

WEEK 15 - Conference Championships / Semifinals Consolation Tournament

This week the 2 surviving playoff teams in each conference play for their individual Conference Championship. The three Conference Championship winners will advance to play a three-way game for the PFFL Championship in week 16. The third round survivors of the CT compete in the semifinal round with the winners going on to play a thee-way game in week 16 for the CT Championship. The second round playoff losers do not compete in the Consolation Tournament. A detailed breakdown of the seeds, byes, and matchups of the postseason can be found in the Playoff Formats page and the postseason brackets Playoff Brackets  CT Brackets

The 6 Remaining Teams of the 2011 PFFL Playoffs Ranked by Total Points

Pt Rank Team Rank/Franchise League Pt Rank VP W-L-T PF PB Max PF PP PA PWR Eff 1 1 Bid 66 Bandits 1 33 8-3-0 1913 0 172 2213 1371 38.47 86.4% 2 2 Schleprock 2 31 7-4-0 1887 26 166 2101 1356 35.64 89.8% 3 1 Park Valley 3 33 8-3-0 1884 0 167 2150 1338 36.66 87.6% 4 2 Arnie's Army 8 32 8-2-1 1792 92 162 1961 1233 34.90 91.4% 5 5 Capital 9 28 7-4-0 1757 89 158 2008 1330 33.28 87.5% 6 3 Dego's R Us 11 29 7-4-0 1748 98 143 1928 1313 32.80 90.7%   Playoff Team Average 1830               League Average 1678

PFFL Conference Championships
East
3 Dego's R Us 121 2 Cousins Mc 110	Although it seemed to be just a matter of time, the Gumbas had to wait till Monday night for the celebration. A funny thing happened on the way to Monday night however; they seemed to lose two points. After Sunday's games the score read 110-110. Not having the tiebreaker in their favor they would have to wait for at least one catch from Lloyd but at the start of the Monday night game the score now read 110-108 in favor of the Cousins. Evidently an MFL adjustment. No matter as Lloyd caught 5 for 13. Not always but sometimes we hit it right on the head and with this game we definitely nailed the analysis. We stated that the difference in the game would come down to Romo and if he could hang with Rodgers. Well he not only hung with him but outscored him by 10 and the Degos outscored the Cousins by 11. Sometimes all it takes is to be in the right place at the right time and for the last two weeks, Capital has been in the right place at the right time; which is playing teams devastated at RB by injuries. Week 13 they beat a Lightning team with Darren McFadden stuck on the bench and an injured DeMarco Murray after just 3 points scored. This week they get Cleantown who just lost their top RB Forte and had Beanie Wells going up against SF. All the while they get to plug in Gerhart while AP sits (and they don't have AP) and he produces 40 points over the two weeks. No team has ever won a championship with misfortune but there were quite a few that have done it with good fortune. But this is the enigma of enigmas they were playing Cleantown so maybe we should wait until the final Thursday update before we advance Capital. Yes I know they lost by 25 but they also won the #1 seed with four straight loses so you sort of feel like we're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. But assuming they are mere mortals after all, we'll move ahead with Capital.
5 Capital 119 1 Cleantown 94
#3 Degos R Us vs. #5 Capital - Game Analysis QB Although the chart would indicate a significant edge to Capital, that was mostly without the services of Romo for the Degos. Brees still gives Capital the edge however and considering he goes up against Minnesota this week maybe even significant. But Romo's matchup with TB ain't bad and with Murray out he may be slinging all day. QB Edge: Fair Capital RB Ray Rice looms large for Capital but although he has been hit or miss, CJ has a fantastic matchup for the Degos this week against the Colts so it would seem he will be hit this week. The key to this position is Gerhart. If he plays again the RB edge will go to Capital but if not the Degos second RB Reggie Bush is far and above any second RB Capital has. The current information has AP playing this week which is not good news for Capital and add in the fact that the Gumbas also have Felix Jones available if needed, even with Ray Rice Capital seems to lose this category. RB Edge with Gerhart: Fair Capital - RB Edge without Gerhart: Good Degos WR Here is where we have clarity. Capital is devoid of a #1 or even a real good #2 really WR here. They basically juggle a crew of ok but not great receivers but receivers that can produce with good matchups. The Gumbas on the other hand have 3 solid WRs to play. But we did mention matchups and to be honest the Gumbas WR matchups aren't great this week while even though their WRs are mediocre, Capital's WR matchups are better. With this consideration we'll temper the edge. WR Edge: Good Degos K/Def Both have good kickers in domes so whatever there. Baltimore's D is a positive for the Degos but they are on the road against a hot SD team so not looking dominate this week. K/Def Edge: Slight Degos Brees' matchup could be the savior for Capital but if Gerhart doesn't play definite edge to the Gumbas. Game Edge: Fair Degos Previous Meeting Week 3: Capital 150 - Degos 131 YTD Starter Points by Position Team QB RB WR/TE K DEF Total #3 Degos R Us 288 542 618 131 169 1748 #5 Capital 374 581 559 124 119 1757
Semifinal East CT Matchup #4 IC Lightning vs. #7 Commish East
Central
8 Sharks 106 1 Park Valley 165	Can't say as I predicted a 59-point win but no surprise here with the Valley advancing easily. I'm sure the Sharks are disappointed it ends here but at the same time I'm sure they are very happy to have made it this far sitting 9th in Central points. It was a good run for sure by a team struggling to score points for most of the year. The Valley actually lost the QB battle with Rodgers putting up his worst effort (22 points) of the year. Of course his worst effort is a good game for most others. Even with Calvin Johnson getting just 7 they put up 165 demonstrating how solid a team they are. The one concern they may have moving forward is Rodgers' playing time. They can only hope GB will pursue the undefeated season and their games are still somewhat close enough in the 4th quarter where they keep him in. I've never seen a season so dictated by injuries as this one. It seems in half the games injuries have a part in the outcomes. Our game analysis actually had the Hammers the favorite if AP and Kevin Smith would both play and play the entire game. While Gerhart's points did help, you have to figure they were less than AP would have generated. Add in Smith not playing along with Demarco Murray's injury after just 4 points scored and it was the Army's game to lose. We mentioned how the Army blew the easy matchup with the 8th ranked team by losing the #1 rank to Park Valley in the final week; well the #8 Sharks actually scored more points than the Hammers. That was a healthy full strength Sharks team that is so it turns out losing the #1 rank didn't come back to bite them in any way. There will be no easy matchups this week as not only is the Valley at full strength, but injuries on other teams have actually strengthened their team by making some of their players more valuable. The Army gave up the #1 spot with a loss to the Valley in week 11 but if they lose to them this week, they will be giving up a conference championship to them.
4 H Hammers 100 2 Arnie's Army 142
#1 Park Valley vs. #2 Arnie's Army - Game Analysis
QB You have to figure Rodgers gives anyone who has him the edge at QB but we must concede from here forward his playing time isn't guaranteed. The Army counters with a solid Romo who not only has a decent matchup, but will probably throw even more with Murray out. However without speculating playing time, as we said above Rodgers gives anyone the QB edge. QB Edge: Fair Valley RB Can't say as either team have particularly good matchups but the concern for the Army is Gore. He has been fairly pedestrian lately and his matchup against the Steelers stinks. He could actually hold them back so I wouldn't be at all surprised if they don't play him but it would be a gutsy move for sure. They still have Rice to lean on and he is enough in itself many weeks but the key for them may be Ryan Mathews. His matchup is iffy against Baltimore but he is at home and has been playing great lately. The Valley is plenty deep at RB so it may come down to who they choose to play. Usually a team with Rice would draw the edge but considering Gore is a real unknown this week and the recent surge of MJD for the Valley... RB Edge: Push WR This is the position that may carry the Valley this week. Not only do they have the better overall personnel, but the Army's best WR is Wallace and he's playing in SF this week. On the other hand the Valley's best WR Calvin Johnson gets to go up against the Raiders. Those two factors alone lean the Valley's way but as we said, the Valley is also deeper at the position. WR Edge: Good Valley K/Def Can't say either team has an advantage at K or Def but I can say both have good enough players and opportunities that either position could be the difference for either team. Without a clear advantage though the positions are just too unpredictable to give an edge either way. K/Def Edge: Push I believe Mike Wallace will need a big day for the Army to advance. Game Edge: Fair Park Valley Previous Meeting Week 11: Park Valley 139 - Arnie's Army 129 YTD Starter Points by Position Team QB RB WR/TE K DEF Total #1 Park Valley 401 485 699 134 165 1884 #2 Arnie's Army 311 633 581 122 145 1792
Semifinal Central CT Matchup #3 JR's Boys vs. #9 Bartertown
West
4 Detroit Lions 167 1 Bid 66 Bandits 167	Where to start? Believe me in 20 years I have seen it all and I wouldn't be surprised if this game was decided by the Thursday update because that's the only thing I haven't seen. I could give you a blow by blow to be accurate because there were a lot of blows but here's the condensed version: The Lions were down 17 going into Monday night with Seattle's defense left. Very first series a blocked punt by Seattle and run into the end zone and just like that game tied. Between the St. Louis scores and Seattle's 3 sacks and 1 interception, the score fluctuated but always around a one or two point difference. Key moment late in the game: the Lions are up one and St. Louis is at the one. Any score will put the Bandits back on top. Two stuff jobs and an incomplete pass but there it is, a taunting penalty on the incompletion. St. Louis gets 4 more opportunities the third of which is a Jackson plunge for a TD. Now the Lions are down one. One last possession by St. Louis will determine who goes to the conference championship game. First down, sack, and game tied! One more sack and the Lions roar. Instead incredibly St. Louis quits and hands off three times in a row to kill the clock and the Lions. Game ends tied but the Bandits #1 rank earns them the win. Had there been one more sack we would be asking the Bandits why Antonio Brown was on the bench but no point in it now is there? If you would have told Brookline that they were going to get 63 points from their RBs, you would think they would be more than happy to rely on their great WRs to carry the rest. After all their WRs is where they were supposed to have the advantage. With Calvin putting up just 7, Maclin 2, and even Wallace a below average 11, they would need Schleprock to also have some disappointing returns. Schleprock didn't oblige with everyone but their kicker in double digits. Considering Schleprock wins this easy without Kevin Smith playing maybe we were premature in downgrading them because of Smith and McFadden's injuries. And if they can do this without those two, the Bandits better hope they continue to be without them. Either way what's next is a PFFL heavy weight fight between the #1 and #2 teams in league points.
3 Brookline 130 2 Schleprock 159
#1 Bid 66 Bandits vs. #2 Schleprock - Game Analysis
QB You would think that this should be a push with Brees and Newton but the fact that Newton goes up against a stout Houston defense while Brees gets the limp Minnesota pass defense, we have to give a matchup advantage to Brees. QB Edge: Slight Schleprock RB Besides having 3 very good ones, the Bandits can comfort in the fact their best one is going up against one of  the worst run defenses in the league, Carolina. I'm sure every fantasy football list will have Foster #1 this week. MJD will have his work cut out for him in Atlanta but the fact that he gets so much work you know he will contribute. And nothing scary about Helu against the Giants but playing against those three has to seem very scary to Schleprock. I know we said that Schleprock needed Kevin Smith last week yet without him they won easily, but they didn't play the Bandits last week. Schleprock has Rice and Michael Bush but they can't count on the Bandits receivers to come up small like Brookline's did. If it wasn't for Rice the edge would be great not just good. RB Edge: Good Bandits WR Here is where the game will be won or lost for Schleprock. They must have their WRs excel as they did against Brookline. The good news is although both teams have solid receivers, Schleprock's matchups are better. Roddy White has been coming on for the Bandits but Steve Smith has cooled in return. The Bandits will need Smith to come through to compete at this position and if has the big game, they most likely win the game because they also have Newton throwing to him. That's assuming they win the RB points. WR Edge: Fair Schleprock K/Def Not an awful lot here but for what it's worth I give the kicking edge to the Bandits and the defense to Schleprock. K/Def Edge: Push While in the game Kevin Smith has looked unstoppable for fantasy point production. His constant short passes add up and the last two games he played, he was on pace for 40+ points before leaving. So obviously if he plays it is a huge boost for Schleprock and it is actually looking like he will. If he does he neutralizes the Bandits RB edge. That is if he can stay on the field. Since that is an unknown. Game Edge: Fair Bandits Previous Meeting Week 8: Bid 66 Bandits 152 - Schleprock 142 YTD Starter Points by Position Team QB RB WR/TE K DEF Total #1 Bid 66 Bandits 353 666 558 177 159 1913 #2 Schleprock 349 715 592 92 139 188
Semifinals West CT Matchup #5 Irish Talbots vs. #6 B&B

Sandlot Defending League Champion M4

Welcome to the 2nd season of the PFFL Sandlot League

 

PFFL Stuff

The Score: Week 14's average wasn't just typical for a bye-less week, it was exactly typical for a bye-less week. The average of the 8 weeks without byes is 125.3, week 14's average exactly. The yearly average went up almost a half point and remains on pace to finish as the highest scoring year ever in the current 6-year scoring system; 2007 is currently the highest at 120.1. Week 14 Year Beginning East Central West Overall 2011 5-Year Ave 124 127 125 125.3 119.8 116.9 ● Reminder: Thursday games the rest of the year except week 17. ● The Playoff Tournament will be held on Wednesday, January 4. The Final League Meeting will be held on the following Wednesday, January 11. ● Just one wildcard team remains in the playoffs, #5 Capital. Both top seeds in the East have been eliminated but both have advanced in the Central and the West. ● Of the six teams remaining in the playoffs, everyone but Park Valley drafted from either the first, second or third position; the Valley had the 9th pick this year. Teams drafting from the first, second and third positions have all won championships in the past. However a team picking from the 9th spot has not. But as they say, there's a first time for everything.   ● Not only will the reprise of no team winning a second championship continue again this year, but the conundrum of the #4 rank will also continue. With both remaining #4 ranked teams losing this week, the fourth rank remains the only one not to win a championship. Even the 8th rank has broken through once. ● Two years in a row Brookline has been knocked out of the playoffs by the same team and same owner in both the West Conference and Sandlot League. ● The West is lagging far behind in Team of the Week Honors with just two on the year. The East has the most with 7 and the Central has earned a respectable 5. And the distribution amongst the teams has been just as inequitable. Of the 14 honors given so far three teams have won almost half of them: Cleantown, Arnie's Army and TD's all have two apiece.    Good Luck to the Remaining 6 in the Conference Championships!

League Total Point Rankings Rk Franchise PF 1 1 Bid 66 Bandits 1913 2 2 Schleprock 1887 3 1 Park Valley 1884 4 1 Cleantown 1846 5 7 TD's 1827 6 3 Brookline 1827 7 2 Cousins Mc 1794 8 2 Arnie's Army 1792 9 5 Capital 1757 10 4 IC Lightning 1752 11 3 Dego's R Us 1748 12 4 Detroit Lions 1745 13 9 Bartertown 1718 14 7 Commish East 1713 15 8 T Bones 1700 16 3 JR's Boys 1690 17 12 Twisted Helmets 1690 18 8 Smiley's Snipers 1687 19 5 Irish Talbots 1668 20 6 Syndicate 1666 21 11 Snake & Shake 1655 22 4 H Hammers 1647 23 9 Archie's 1631 24 8 Sharks 1620 25 6 TnT 1607 26 10 Midquippa 1586 27 6 B&B 1577 28 7 MNE 1563 29 5 Frannie's Train 1554 30 11 French River 1553 31 10 Little Johnny & Will's 1546 32 11 Weekend Warriors 1538 33 10 Endzonerz 1526 34 12 Nasty Aggravators 1513 35 9 The Jolly Roger 1489 36 12 Commish West 1488   Average 1678

PFFL Defending League Champion Snake & Shake

Welcome to the 20th Season of the PFFL!