Week 12; Madison Football League

by Scott Zlotnick

This is a big week in the MFL.  With three teams having clinched a playoff spot, that means there is one spot up for grabs.  Four teams are fighting for one playoff berth, so it should make for very interesting week.  Let’s look at the four teams remaining and see just how they can make the playoffs.

Tomahawks (6-5-1)

            The Tomahawks have the simplest path to the playoffs: win.  All they need to do is beat the 6-6 K-Men and they’re in.  However, a loss would have them on the outside looking in.  In order for the Tomahawks to win, they need Philip Rivers to bounce back against a weak Raiders defense but more importantly they need Ray Rice to have a big day.  Coming into the season, Rice was a sexy fantasy pick and was a top-5 pick in most leagues.  However, Rice has failed to live up to the preseason hype due to injuries and Willis McGahee stealing goal-line touchdowns.  The Steelers have a very good run defense, the best in the NFL, but the shaky Ravens o-line needs to make lanes for Rice to get through.  In this matchup, I’ll give the edge to the K-Men based on overall talent and the matchups this week.

K-Men (6-6)

            The K-Men get in with a win and a loss by Sunday is for Professionals, who hold a tiebreaker based on points.  This is due to their matchup with the Tomahawks.  As stated above, I’ll give the edge to the K-Men.  I really like how MJD has really turned it on down the stretch and Calvin Johnson has become a beast again.  Due to the Lions defense being shaky and the fact that Drew Stanton will be playing QB, look for Johnson to see a lot of targets against a vulnerable Bears secondary.  Although the Bears get a lot of pressure on the QB, Stanton should throw the ball enough to where Johnson is a major factor.

Sunday is for Professionals (6-6)

            Due to their point total, Sunday is for Professionals gets in with a win.  Peyton Manning should bounce back this week against an awful Cowboys defense after having a horrible game against the Chargers last week.  Arian Foster should have another big week against the Eagles due to the cold temperatures in Philadelphia.  In order for the Texans to win, they need to control the pace of the game, so look for a heavy dose of Foster.  Facing a team that is on a six-game losing streak, I like Sunday to make the playoffs.

Molly Maguire’s (6-6)

            The Molly Maguire’s need some help to get in to the playoffs.  If both K-Men and Sunday is for Professionals lose along with the Molly Maguire’s, the Maguire’s would get in.  However, if all three win, the Maguire’s would be on the outside looking in.  Unfortunately, I just don’t see how the Molly Maguire’s will get in the playoffs.