Watchdog - Pre Playoff Preview

Well folks, you asked for it, you got it. We're back to the short season for Fantasy Football. Hardly seems possible, but we're already down to just two weeks to go. So with that in mind, the Watchdog will re-revisit the Department of Redudancy Department and re-review our pre-playoff preview.

In the Quakes Division, otherwise known as the cream-puff division, BYOB locked up the division with its 6th straight win, this over the vaunted Semi-R, and while Marion "Clubber Lang" Barber of the controversial firesale, provided the winning margin, it should be noted that Justin Fargas would also have sufficed. What lies ahead? Sprockets & Gumpsters provide tune-up and a chance to make up 31 points on the Doormats' total points lead.

For the Mavs, an NFL record-setting QB performance by Tom Br - er Matt Cassel - the first QB ever to pass for 400 yards and run for 60 in the same game - provided nearly half their points for the week. The good news is that they edged the Ds, the better news is that Larry Johnson and Jonathan Stewart along with TJ Houshmanshdoiwehr look like they'll provide enough depth to get this team into the playoffs. Key games remaing against the Turd and the Doormats, both in the log-jam of teams fighting for a playoff spot in the Canes Division.

The Wombats lay the wood to the Hundering Turd and also led the way for the Eagles-Bengals debacle. Their 5-5-1 record provides a half-game lead on the Fatties and a 1 1/2 game lead on the E-Head and P&C. Games remain against the Doormats and Semi-P though, so the Bats will have their work cut out for them. 6-6-1 will be a good result.

That could leave the door open for the Fatties, who for the second time this year have tied for the most points for the week. QB play could be a problem spot for them, but with Gore, Turner and DeAngelo Williams, they have enough RB to be competitive. Games remain against Brokerage and the Ds, so it will be a tall order to win both.

The Mighty E-Head's playoff hunt took a huge hit this week after putting up the 3rd highest point total of the week and coming up with a loss. With games left against Semi-R and the Sprockets, they need to win both and have two of the Mavs, Wombats or Fatties lose both their remaining games.

Pep & Cheez may be playing for draft position by now. Oh yes, that's randomly drawn. Well, with a 45-point "effort" and their fourth straight loss, P&C has games against the Gumpsters and Brokerage and needs to win both and have three of the four teams above them on this list lose both their games. With just 702 points scored on the season, it evokes the famous locker room rant of the coach in Bull Durham: "How'd we ever win 4?" "It's a miracle."

For the Red Bandits and Killer Ds, it is officially "wait til next year" time.

In the Canes Division, Semi-P has a 1 game lead on Brokerage and a 2 game lead on three other teams, but is actually 5th in the division in points scored, so if they fail to win either of their last two games, or pick up at least 5 points on the Turd or Gumpsters, they may yet miss the playoffs. With games against the Mighty E-Head and Wombats remaining, things will not get any easier. I say they get into the playoffs, but fail to clinch the division.

Brokerage, just one back, host the Fatties and travel to Pep & Cheez. A playoff spot seems likely, particularly as they are one of only three teams in the league with more than 900 points, so even a split of remaining games should get them in. A sweep and they'll have a good shot at the division as well.

Dale's Doormats get their fourth high points (tied this time). With the Wombats and Mavs still to play, they'll have to earn it. They are tied with the Turd and Gumpsters and just one up on the Sprockets. The Romo trade netted them one point over starting Eli, while Ryan Grant didn't crack the starting lineup this week. Imagine if Dale had a tight end instead of just Wide Receivers?

Turd has the Mavs & Bandits left. Looks like 7-6 won't do it, so they'll need to win 'em both. They finally took a loss with Brees in the starting lineup but left Marvin Harrison on the bench in place of Lee Evans and that was the difference in the game against the Bats. Well, that and the Bats leaving MJD on the bench in place of Hightower. Saints have Green Bay and Tampa Bay the next two weeks, so Brees will not be able to carry this team. But with Jacobs and Giants K and D, they may have enough supporting players to get it done.

The Gumpsters have a winnable one against Pep & Cheez and then play the tough BYOBers also needed to win both and get some help. Their star, Adrian AD Peterson has games the next two weeks against Jacksonville and Chicago, two teams that play the run decently. I don't think they'll have enough this year.

And last but not DLF we have the Sprockets, who earned a hard-fought 59-45 win over P&C to stay on life-support. The defending champs need wins against BYOB and the Mighty E-Head to have any chance.

I hate to say it - mostly because it lacks any sizzle - but I think the teams currently holding playoff spots will be the ones holding them in two weeks, with the only change being Brokerage edging Semi-R for the division title in the Canes Division.

Please note the Thursday game again this week - Cincy v Pittsburgh. I never re-set the trading deadline from last season, so it still says December 14. Let's make it this Thursday, game-time.