Tier 2: The Bottom Half

There are officially three weeks remaining in the regular season. The playoff race is beyond heated up, it’s scorching. Some teams are scrambling to get in, while others are fighting for positioning. Today’s article will be about the teams who fit into the first category, and their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.They are the following:

10. The Commission –  4 Points 

11. Rico Ryders – 4 Points

12. Never Overtime – 3 Points 

13. Beer Belly Brigade – 2 Points

14. Arouch – 1 Point

Arouch (0-7-1) – Playoff Chances: 2%

After a 15-point loss to the Vulturvertime versus es Wednesday night, Arouch finds themselves mathematically alive as the 1-point they earned in a (25-25) Week 7 tie versus Never Overtime is why they are still in the mix. 

This team is competitive in most games, but that probably won’t be enough to pull them to an upset victory in either of their two remaining contests, as they take on The Infantry and Jagerbomb. 

If they somehow do pull off the unthinkable and knock off both favorites, that will potentially enable them to leapfrog the four other teams, depending what happens in the Never Overtime versus Beer Belly Brigade game in Week 10, and Never Overtime versus Rico Ryders game in Week 11.

Beer Belly Brigade (1-5) – Playoff Chances: 0%

Their Week 1 victory over The Commission might be the only check in their win column, as not only have they lost five straight, but four of them have come via blowout. 

The loss of starting Quarterback Alex Fafard has crippled Beer Belly Brigade, as their replacements have proven in over their heads at the game’s most important position. Gab Wiseman is supposed to be the latest option, but he wasn’t present in the team’s (57-6) loss to Backfield Penetration,

The team’s remaining schedule sees them play Kiss My Outlaws, Les Monsieurs Chats, Never Overtime, and Fins Up. Only one of the games looks winnable, but until they settle the QB situation, I can’t realistically give them a shot at getting a win.

Never Overtime (1-4-1) – Playoff Chances: 40%

The tie versus Arouch gave Never Overtime a huge point, that could be the difference between making the playoffs, or being on the outside looking in on November 20th.

The team’s remaining schedule sees them play Backfield Penetration, Vultures, Beer Belly Brigade, and Rico Ryders. The last two games will be crucial, as a loss to either could mean the end of Never Overtime’s season. A win versus one or both, means they will advance to the dance.

Rico Ryders (2-5) – Playoff Chances: 75%

Their (30-27) loss to The Commission in Week 5, is why they are one spot behind TC in the standings. They did however respond with a big (24-18) win over Kiss My Outlaws one week later.  

After nearly two weeks off, they return to play tomorrow with a game against Idaho Udapimps at the Stinger Dome. They will then close out the regular season versus the Vultures and Never Overtime.  

That last game will be crucial, as the Rico Ryders currently hold their playoff fates in their own hands. If they lose to IU and the Vultures, it will make the Week 11 game a win and get in scenario. Losing all three games could leave them on the outside looking in if Beer belly Brigade wins one of their four remaining games. Let’s see how this plays out. 

The Commission (2-6) Playoff Chances: 70%

It has been almost three weeks since they had a game, and nearly a month since their Week 6 win over Arouch. A banged up The Commission, return to play this Wednesday in Laval against The Infantry.

An upset win would turn their post-season chances from 70% to 100%, as they have the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Arouch and the Rico Ryders, but not against Never Overtime and the Beer Belly Brigade.

A loss to The Infantry, or Vultures in their season finale, could see them potentially drop from 10th all the way to 13th, depending on if Beer Belly Brigade wins one of their final four games. Will TC make the playoffs, or be left on the outside looking in? We will find out soon.

Power Rankings

1.The Infantry 

They knocked off the number two team in Shake & Bake, and with the Vulture’s tougher than expected win over winless Arouch, means we have a new number one in the power rankings.

Last Week: 3rd

2. Vultures 

As mentioned above, they struggled to beat a team with no wins. They only outscored Arouch (13-12) after halftime. A win is still a win, but style points matter.

Last Week: 1st

3. Idaho Udapimps 

They laid a (52-25) beatdown victory over Jagerbomb last Sunday in Chateauguay, that sees them jump a spot in the rankings.

Last Week: 4th

4. Shake & Bake

The Loss to the new number one team sees them fall two spots in the rankings. Shake & Bake has a chance to rebound next Wednesday versus Kiss My Outlaws in what should be a good game. 

Last Week: 2nd

5. Fins Up

They laid the smackdown on Arouch with a (52-13) win Sunday afternoon in Chateauguay. Fins Up has a bye this week, until their must-see showdown with  Idaho Udapimps next Sunday.

Last Week: 5th

Picks

Beer Belly Brigade vs Kiss My Outlaws – Kiss My Outlaws

Backfield Penetration vs Never Overtime – Never Overtime (Upset Special)

 Idaho Udapimps vs Rico Ryders – Idaho Udapimps

The Infantry vs Arouch – The Infantry 

The Commission vs The Infantry – N/A

Shake & Bake vs Kiss My Outlaws (My pick for Game of the Week)

Never Overtime vs Vultures – Vultures

Last Week: (8-0)

Regular Season: (24-11-1)

Upset Special: (2-5-1)

Yes, I am counting the Dodgers win on my record. Pretty entertaining World Series. The Yankees choked away Game 5. As a Braves fan, I was proud of Freddie Freeman, and mad at my team all at the same time. Congrats to the Dodgers. Even though he struggled due to an injury. Shohei Otani is the best player in the world.

That is it for This week. Good luck to everyone in their games this weekend and in coming week as well.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page