Week 9 Recap: The BUFF League

by Sam Spiegelman

Kuntz (4-5) vs. Falcors (2-7)

This one was over before it even started. The Falcors, ravished by injuries and disappointing seasons, is probably ready to throw the white flag, as demonstrated by employing Ryan Fitzpatrick as his lone quarterback. His receivers and tight ends combined for a measly 7.4 points, with of course Andre the Giant leading the way with a modest four-point effort. Rusty Kuntz was clicking on all cylinders in a must-win game to keep his season alive. Four double-digit efforts from his studs helped lead the way to a 136-point afternoon. What’s encouraging is the emergence of Santonio Holmes, as he can hopefully become a more productive option as a WR2 down the stretch.

SOBs (7-2) vs. StewieRulz (5-4)

Another blowout in the BUFF League, but this was one that nobody could have foreseen. Frank Gore’s bye week forced C.J. Spiller into the lineup for SOBs, leaving his running back committee to total 7.3 points. This team sports incredible talent at wide receiver, but if unless Clinton Portis can retake the starting role from Ryan Torain, then this team will be hindered from a not-so-effective Marshawn Lynch. On the flip side, KBA almost scored 150 points as A-Rodge had his way with the Dallas defense, Peyton “running up” Hillis embarrassed the Pats and T.O. went all T.O. against the Stillers. Heck, even Jacob Tamme filled in well at tight end, which means this team is starting to roll. Stay tuned to see how Ryan Torain appears out of the Skins’ bye week and if Knowshon Moreno can emerge for the Broncos.

Xtreme (5-4) vs. ALBundy (5-4)

Less than a point settled the matchup between these two Super Bowl contenders in a possible playoff preview Week 9. You could barely pinpoint a difference-maker in these two teams, but Polk High was able to oust Xtreme by .3 points. Led by the Brandon Jackson’s ass-tearing of Big D, Polk High received considerable contributions from LeSean “the real” McCoy, even without a score and Visanthe Shiancoe, who will follow the success of his quarterback. For Xtreme, perhaps a more prolific performance from Big Ben was needed. Although the back-up quarterbacks were more effective, the true mistake was starting Johnny Knox over Dez Bryant, who is becoming a must-start despite playing with Jon Kitna.

NUGS (2-7) vs. SEB (5-4)

A win over NUGS put PBT a game over .500 on the season in his quest to make the postseason. Led by another brilliant afternoon from Philip Rivers, PBT was able to smooth to a comfortable 20-point advantage. The lack of production at the wide receiver position is a concern – Stone Cold Miles Austin is a must-start, but he is killing fantasy owners worldwide; the good news is that Pierre Garcon should get more receptions with Austin Collie concussed. The team should get a boost from MJD’s return. For NUGS, it is way past time to throw in the towel. Danny Woodhead and Robert Meachem have found their way into your lineup – game over.

BELL (3-6) vs. Peckers (5-4)

It was perhaps a last-ditch effort to try and stay in the playoff race, but The Butterfly Sparkles fell by 4.5 points to Cock-A-Doodle-Damn, slowly disappearing from meaningful fantasy Sundays. Drew Brees was not the problem with 250 yards and two touchdowns; starting Marion the Barbarion was. The dude hasn’t had a productive game in weeks, and lost his starting job forever ago. Not to mention, it was not like he was going against the Buffalo Bills; it was the same Pack defense that shut down the rushing attack of L.T. and Shonn Greene. Get your fantasy research on, man! The return of Michael Vick to the lineup is all you need going forward, but it doesn’t hurt that Fitz returned to life with Derek Anderson at quarterback. It’s time to bench Steve Smith; he’s done-zo. Antonio Gates cannot come back soon enough.

YYJ (5-4) vs. fish (6-3)

A second straight win for YYJ keeps his playoff quest alive, and you can thank none other than Wade Phillips for his final attempt to get fired on Sunday Night Football. The Pack defense led the team with a whopping 30 points in a well-rounded team effort. For the Fish, it is quite interesting that three people you relied on the least came up the biggest – The Sanchize, Willis McGahee and, yes, Steve Johnson. However, you needed your studs to come up big if you wanted to reach the seven-win mark, and Anquan Bolin came up short and Megatron got dogged by Revis Island. Expect a rebound with the return of CJ and Kyle Orton, though.