Week 13 - MOTW

All,

I am so sorry about the lack of posts lately. Due to the heavy client workload, I have not been able to keep up with the blog. But I just got enough spare time this week to post one of the biggest MOTW's of the season to date.

Quick season recap:
- The top 5 are in. Although it says I am not in, there's no way both Dan and David K. can win so at worst, I will be 6th place.
- The bottom 5 are out. Even if Mike wins, there is no way for both Dan and David K. can lose so one of them will capture a playoff spot.
- Alex has clinched a first round bye. Both Jung and Biggie cannot win so Alex cannot drop out of the top two.
- There are 3 huge matchups this week: 2 vs. 3, 4 vs. 5, 6 vs. 7.
4 vs. 5 is Jon vs. Simon. While intriguing, the most likely scenario is that this just becomes a first round playoff preview and they play again next week when it actually matters.
2 vs. 3 is Biggie vs.Jung. A little more intriguing than the first, but one of them will capture a first round bye and the other doesn't. While big stakes, they are both in the playoffs for sure. So we move on to the real MOTW...

MOTW
6. Quabity Assuance (Dan) vs. 7. Switch Hitters (David K.)
These two are battling for a playoff spot. Dan has a slight advantage because if they tie, he will win on points for. However, David's story has been quite remarkable. He's won 3 in a row to climb from 3-6 to .500 with a chance to sneak into his first playoff berth. I counted him as dead a few weeks back but he's come on with a vengeance.
QB: Both QBs have had great games and poor games and they each face tough pass defenses. I have to give a slight edge to Manning as he has more opportunities to throw and he has OBJ as a weapon that nobody on the Seahawks can match, especially with Jimmy out. Edge: David
WR: Dan's WRs are boom or bust. And looking at the matchups, he's got a very high chance at a boom week. Meanwhile, LaFell should have a bigger role with 75% of the Patriots receiving corp out, but I don't think he can make up the deficit for David. Sanders hasn't looked as good with Brock (maybe he needs Misty) and while Landry has a good matchup, we're not sure if he'll take advantage. Edge: Dan
RB: Lacy has revived his fantasy season in the last 2 weeks with back to back 100 yard games and should be able to beat up the Lions in a revenge game. McCoy and Forte should be a wash with both having backups that are threatening to take away scores and touches. Rawls will be an X-factor against a team that can be susceptible to the run. In the end, I have to go with the surer duo of Lacy and McCoy. Edge: Dan
TE: Olsen has been one of the best TEs all season and he gets to take on a Saints defense that couldn't stop high school offense. Chandler will fill in admirably as a Gronk replacement but with defenses not having to cover as many options, he won't be as successful as people think. Edge: Dan
K/DEF: Cincy gets to take on a Browns team that just gave up 2 DEF TDs to a weak Ravens team. Meanwhile, Arizona gets to take on Case Keenum and give him another concussion. With the defenses both in lines for field days, it will come down to the kickers and I'll take McManus's boot over Myers, even though the last time they played the Titans, it became a kicking contest. Edge: David

Winner: Dan
Unfortunately, David is unable to crack the playoffs this year but has showed he can actually succeed in the future. Dan continues to make the playoffs and maybe this can finally be the year he can take the trophy home.

Good luck to all!

Simon Kim