Last Place Wisdom: Week 10 - Time for the Stretch Run

Tuesday is typically my writing day when it comes to Last Place Wisdom, and remembering our country's veterans and a busier than normal work schedule has made getting out a comprehensive blog post more difficult than normal. However, with 3 weeks left in the regular season, things are still wide open in regards to who makes the playoffs and who finishes where. At this point I'm not going to take the time to set out a detailed set of possibilities about playoff scenarios, as this week's results will help give things more clarity, but I hope to do something like that after this week for those of you wondering what will need to happen for you to make the playoffs.

I was fully expecting to lose to Shayne this week with Andrew Luck out and Lamar Miller's injury. For the first game all season, Antonio Brown was a disappointment, but it took 2 fumbles on his part which I don't think should happen too often. Despite what John has been saying, I still like his steady amount of volume over Martavis Bryant's unsustainable big plays. Injuries, bye-weeks, and Eddy Lacy's early season struggles have meant that there have only been 2 weeks so far where I've had 2 RBs I can be happy with at the same time. I'm counting on Jennings and Miller coming back from injury in time for the playoffs if I'm going to have any shot at competing this year.

John had another dominant performance to keep pace with both Shayne and Steve for 1st place overall. At this point, I think John is the clear favourite for regular season champ based on his schedule and the 50 point lead he has over Shayne, but I'm certain Andrew and Mike will come to play as they either try to make the playoffs or simply play spoiler.

Mike got some good luck in his quest for the playoffs, winning with the 2nd lowest score of the week, while Andrew's bad luck continued, losing with the 4th highest. Mike's chances took a hit however with Carson Palmer's injury, and he's going to have to rely a lot on Ryan Mallet and Kyle Orton.

Dawson won what was pretty much a must-win game against Stan. Facing both John and Shayne to end the season isn't easy, but I like his chances if he can pull out even 1 more win.

Aaron is now like the U in the 80s. I know and care very little for college football (as should be the case for all Canadians), so I can only assume the U in the 80s were pretty horrible.

Mr.Manager of the Week Award

Mike's desperate attempt to keep his season alive paid off for one week at least, as Megatron and Steven Jackson were essential to him pulling out a must-win game against Aaron, so his move if looking worthy of the award for one week at least. If Mike can pull out a win against Stan this week, he has the clear inside lane at the playoffs, as both Stan and Aaron have Shayne and Steve left on their schedules.

Random Thoughts

I've spoken about my hatred of the TE position, and this season is really no different. Travis Kelce is a guy I liked early on, and wish I had kept after dropping him in Week 2. I was pretty happy to see that Steve was willing to move him, for the relatively low price of Reuben Randle. Even as a guy I like, he's not someone you can trust, as his 1.9 points was incredibly disappointing. I would've been better off sticking with Michael Ryvera, who scored a textbook garbage time TDs to have a good game. The problem is, I know as soon as I go to put a Ryvera in, he's going to put up his own 2 point game, and I'll be stuck trying to chase points.

Dwayne Allen has been a TD machine and makes me hate the position a little less, but even he has not had more than 64 yards in a single week. Outside of Gronk, Graham and Thomas, the position is sooo frustrating.

Week 10 Preview

The Keith-glorius Basterds vs Sideliners – This should be a tight game, as our teams are relatively healthy and bye-free. I'm hoping Rashad Jennings can come back and look as good as he did before his injury, as the NYG running game (and my own) has taken a hit with him out. I also have to hope Ryan Mallet doesn't ruin the value of DeAndre Hopkins, as I need to rely on him with Miller and Marshall banged up, and Floyd's disappearance. Steve has good matchups outside of his QBs, so I'll have to hope I can beat him there.

oh that's nasty vs The Fear Boners – Dawson has some bye week issues with Bryant and Witten out, so maybe he can get more out of Ertz at TE than I was able to this year. Jackson's reinjury also hurts, as Dawson currently has Helu in as his flex. In my mind, Dawson should really go for a high-upside guy, as that might be what it takes to beat John. I'd look at Stills (to offset potential Brees points), Markus Wheaton, or (and I can't believe I'm suggesting this) Kenny Britt instead, or if he wants a RB, Jonas Grey (an actual starting RB still on the waiver wire), Benny Cunningham or Theo Riddick (decent options at catching a TD pass compared to Helu). Not much to say about John who just keeps rolling along.

What are the Chances vs  RW Throws a Sexy Deep Ball – A battle for the 1st overall pick in next year's draft, both teams are pretty much just playing for pride at this point. Better times should be ahead for both of these teams (and by that I mean next year), so the thing to watch in this matchup is to see how the young guys are able to play going into next season. Curt could certainly use Keenan Allen to step it up, as I still believe in the guy as a possible keeper option if he can end the year with some good games.

NFL Owner vs I am like the U in the 80s aka AARON - PRIMETIME- CLAPPERTON – Aaron's season is on the line, and he is fortunate enough to catch Shayne without his top 2 RBs and a week before Josh Gordon comes back. Unfortunately for Aaron, he will be stuck starting Shaun Hill at QB. Aaron is lucky that St. Louis decided to go with a QB change, since he was almost left without a starting QB for his #2 spot this week.

BISP vs NINERS – The game of the week with the biggest playoff implications. Mike will be praying to the fantasy gods that Foster is able to start, while Stan will be hoping that CJ Anderson gets most of the work for Denver (or at the very least that they can announce and stick with a clear starter for the majority of the game).