1st and 10 Week #10

by Chris Ryan

If the season ended today, NSL Dynasty and Stugots would hold the top two spots in the playoff bracket (and the automatic three-point "home field advantage"), while Stormtroopers and Witz would be the other two teams competing for the Fantasy Bowl. But with four weeks left till the postseason starts, and no team more than five games out of first, it figures to be a crazy end to the season. Let's take a look at how things are taking shape as we roll head-first into the most important time of the season.

Key Games Last Week:

-Stormtroopers took on The BUZZZ in a matchup ripe with playoff ramifications. With both teams sporting nine wins, BUZZZ got a great 42 point performance out of David Garrard, along with solid efforts from Jacob Tamme, Johnny Knox and Deion Branch to post a very respectable 137.9 points. It wasn't enough though, as Kyle Orton had 40 points for the Stormtroopers, and Frank Gore and Brandon Lloyd each had 25. The result was 158.9 points, and a very important victory over The BUZZZ.

-The Game of the Week featured Stugots vs. NSL Dynasty, the top two teams in the league. It didn't live up to its billing, as the Dynasty put up a measly 83 points. They got 32 points out of Mark Sanchez and not much else from the rest of the roster. Michael Turner (3.9), Jason Witten (1.8) and Brandon Marshall (5.6) were especially disappointing. Tom Brady and Andre Johnson combined for 81 points as they cruised to 140 points and moved to within a game of the Dynasty in the standings.

-Liveness worked their way into contention for a playoff spot by topping the league with 171 points, beating Alphabet and Mauer in the process. Four players scored 26-plus points for Liveness, led by Roddy White's 37.

Key Week 11 Matchups:

-Sticking with Liveness, they have the unenviable task of taking on the top two teams in Week 11. Beating both Stormtroopers and Dynasty would definitely shock the league, but it is possible with Liveness' emerging collection of talent.

-At 9-8 The BUZZZ find themselves a half game back of Witz for the final playoff spot. The two teams meet this week in a much anticipated clash to determine who can breathe a little easier heading down the stretch.

-In a less heralded game, the 7-10 Alphabet take on 6-11 Mauer in what could effectively end the 2010 fantasy football season for the loser.

Predictions:

You have to figure that NSL Dynasty is all but a lock to make the playoffs. They've held the top place in the standing for much of the year, and lead the league in points scored. Of the next three teams, Witz might be in the best position to earn the coveted three-point home field advantage in the postseason. Michael Vick, Arian Foster and Chris Johnson are far and away the best QB/RB/RB combo in the league. Of the remaining five squads, all have to overcome serious deficiencies to move into the top four. The BUZZZ have an elderly RB duo in Thomas Jones and LaDainian Tomlinson. Alphabet is stuck with Pierre Garcon and underperforming runners Shonn Greene and Ryan Mathews. Mauer has bitten by Cedric Benson, and Gator Champs just lost DeAngelo Williams for the season. The hottest team in the league, Liveness, desperately needs Percy Harvin to stay healthy and Fred Jackson to build on his big Week 10 game, but they have a legitimate shot making a strong push down the stretch.