Newsletter: Week 14

More down-to-the-wire matchups in 13 help create an almost impossible logjam at the end of the season. All four teams not only control their own destiny, they all still have a chance at finishing in second place!  Read on further for tiebreakers and playoff implications.

This week's newsletter will be short to make up for anticipated very long newsletter for next week (I've got several ideas).

Last Week

This week was meaningless for Bruce as far as the playoffs were concerned, as Dave and Branden both won their matchups. But, beating Randy 69-50 not only gave him a chance at finishing in second place, he netted yet another high score.  If Bruce makes the playoffs, he will have already profited on the season, due to his trade frugality.

For the second week in a row, Beau makes a major gaffe in lineup selection that costs him a win.  Had he picked Larry Johnson or Antonio Gates, he'd have easily beaten Dave, who instead eked out a 55-52 victory, despite a lackluster day from LT2.

Chris's chances going into Monday night against Branden were spectacular despite being down 21 points.  With Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander facing a lackluster Eagles defense, it was about a 50/50 shot. And at the end of the first half, Chris was only down 4 points. But when your team is up 42-0, there's no point in keeping in your starters. Branden's call from the governor was just in time, keeping his playoff hopes well alive. Final score is 49-45.

DAVE IS FUCKED

In all likelihood, Dave will have NO quarterback for the crucial Week 14, or for the playoffs. Marc Bulger remains out for the year, while it looks like Kerry Collins will be BENCHED. Yes, the Raiders are expected to announce that Marques Tuiasasopo will be the starter for the remainder of the season.  Of course, he could get injured. But even horrible play won't likely bring Collins back, as the Raiders are out of the playoff picture.

Fortunately for Dave, he has two things going for him. He's still got LT2 going, and at least for Week 14, he's playing Randy.

Tiebreakers

Chris

Irrelevant.

Beau

Has tiebreaker over Bruce, barring a miracle.

Bruce

Has tiebreaker over Dave, barring an even larger miracle.

Dave

Has tiebreaker over Beau and Branden.

Branden

Has tiebreaker over Beau. Wins tiebreaker over Bruce if he beats him.

Randy

Irrelevant.

Playoff Implications

Chris

Has already secured first place.

Beau

Has all but secured a playoff spot. Even if Dave wins and Beau, Branden, and Bruce end up in a three-way tie, the chances of Bruce losing to Branden yet still outscoring Beau by 63 points (to win the tiebreaker) is next to nothing. Secures second place with a win or a loss by Dave and a tie in the Bruce/Branden matchup Secures at least third place with losses or ties by Dave or Branden.

Bruce

Secures a playoff spot (and at least third place) with a win or a tie. If Bruce loses, Dave must either lose or tie for him to make the playoffs. Secures second place with a win and a Beau loss or tie. Also secures second place with a tie, a Beau loss, and a Dave loss or tie.

Dave

Secures a playoff spot with a win or tie. If Dave loses, Branden must also lose or tie for him to make the playoffs. Secures at least third place with a tie or a win and a loss by either Beau or Bruce. Secures second place with a win and losses by both Beau and Bruce.

Branden

Secures a playoff spot with a win and only a win. Secures at least third place with a win and a loss by either Dave or Beau. Secures second place with a win, and losses by both Dave and Beau.

Randy

Has been eliminated from the playoffs.