3 games left of LOD SZN 9

 GENTLEMAN 3 GAMES AWAY until the playoffs are set! We are seeing a lot of action on the standings the last couple weeks outside of 1st and last place. However, the team to watch right now is ROB. This man is on a mission to sneak into the yoffs. However, there will be a different type of blog every week moving forward. Today we are gonna start with a 2 questions before Ant and I say where everyone is. 

The first question: We are officially past the trade deadline as this was our first season with no pick trading in the sleeper era. How would you say this affected trading this season in LOD and would you want  to bring pick trading back next year? 

Chucks response - I thing we definitely saw it pick up towards the end a little bit especially conversation wise about trades, but it was definitely different from every other year. For the last 5 years we have used picks to kind of define the market and value of players, so figuring out what it was like outside of that was a little tricky and I believe there is more to be figured out still. I think we should bring back pick trading with a revamp on guidelines are rules on how to do so that way we are able to prevent a full tank and a fuck a draft concept. I think there is a way to add back pick trading even with no keepers for next season. 

Ants Response - This year was our first year not trading with draft picks and it sucked, then it got good, then it was dead. I've been vocal about my disappointment for the leagues move away from keepers and the extra layer of fun it added.  Looking forward, even if we don't have a keeper league I would like to see some version of draft pick trading back in the future. For some little irony, if we do bring this back, we would need something to help change the way tanking affects the league and how we can penalize someone enough to make them think twice about fully tanking. 

The second question: This was the first season we have used FAB and the first time using the 9am waiver system. Do you think the FAB system was better than normal rolling reverse waivers? Do you think the 9am waiver system is pointless with FAB now being implemented? 

Chucks Response - The FAB was a great addition to the league as it created a lot more excitement overall when coming to waivers and to show what teams were willing to spend to get who they wanted. It created a bunch of funny moments and even saw some fab being traded around for players or even in deals. I do think the 9am waiver is kind of pointless with fab and kind of takes away from FAB because now you can wait to see who does not get picked up and can just wait 9 hours to make a decision and be there just waiting. I do think the 9am concept should go away and I think we will see a lot more uptick in FAB being used and we should add more spending power also like an additional $50. 

Ants Response - Another big element we added into the league this year was FAAB waivers and I loved it.  Gone are the days of waiver priority meaning much, it all mattered if you were a cheap ass or willing to pay up.  I don't want anything to change about this system.  It felt fair and we got some amazing memes and even fines enforced.  This was a change I hope to see for the rest of the leagues lifespan.

If you guys have any more questions that you would like us to answer in fantasy regards for league changes only like we did here, send me the questions and clarify that these are questions you would like answered in the blog and Ant and I will answer them from our POV on them overall. 

Alright lets dive into the 3 categories yall are in. These are not in any order at all of power rankings, these are just the categories we have yall in so mine and Ants answers will show under each person at the same time. 

The Guarantees 

Chuck: No surprise here. Chuck has been at the top of the pack for at least 90% of the season. 1 seed is almost guaranteed and now it times to wait for the semis. 
Win this week and you officially clinch a bye week Not much to worry about for this team until week 15 as long as we do not see a generational fumble on securing the bye week.

Wings: The commish has had his fair share of statement games recently and is only 1 game out of a bye week for playoffs.  Regardless of outcome of his last three games his record or PF will surely get him somewhere in the playoffs.  Its only a matter of who and if Hes playing in week 15.

We have seen this team continue to be the definition of up and down all season in the weirdest way possible, but on a 3 game win streak right now which is the second longest in the league currently only behind me and you get to play me this week. Its time for the mind games with you and they will start tonight 😈

Joe: Joe finally might have his dream team.  After a great start to the season and fall off even more great, Joe has righted the ship and put himself into the conversation for top 2 team in the league.  If he can get by this week against… Bryan, he is even closer to locking up a bye spot.  Its his spot to lose, and we will see how it plays out.

Joe Joe Joe, you are trying to beat the wings curse allegations, I do think trading Nico Collins was a smart thing to do. Nico is going to eat but Kupp and Higgins are solid pieces as long as they remain healthy. The Lamar trade was interesting to say the least but this team might be finding its form at the right time. 

The Fighters

Nauch: After a STATEMENT win against me last week Nauch has the opportunity to sneak his way into a bye spot.  If he can close out his season strong in the next few weeks he will hold a playoff spot.  He still has a shot at PF scoring for a wild card should he not win out but at this point his best shot is just winning 2 of the next 3 games to try and lock down a playoff spot.

Nauch with a top 5 all time performance at the right time when his team is looking grim. This team has won 2 in a row at the right time and scoring an insane amount of points at the right time as well. The big thing this week for you is you can clinch a playoff spot with a win and Ant loss. 

Ryan: Ryan has been up and down all season and as the season winds down goes into his potential biggest game of the year vs me. This is almost a must win game for both of us to get some breathing room in the standings and either way we both need to score as many points as possible every week just in case.

Ryan, after being in second place you have dropped 2 straight and have the lowest PF of the top 6. Luckily you sit in 5th place and are not in that 6th place wildcard spot. This is probably the biggest game of the season for you right here as this can give you a 2 game lead over Ant in the 6th spot. However, if you lose based on current PF you would fall out of the playoff race. I also hate to say it but there are 3 teams praying on your downfall in Erik Rob and Gio. 

Ant: Everything I said for Ryan is true for me. The way the years going though I'm just going to need to put up my own points if I'm going to get top 5 scoring records dropped on me.
Ant you are the definition of the New York Jets. All this talent and yet still struggling no matter what. However being second in PF but first in PA is absolutely fucking insane lmao. Luckily you are pretty much guaranteed yoffs based on your PF unless this team averages under 120 points the last 3 weeks or you see teams under you putting up Nauch numbers. Its definitely a dog fight for you here on out to look for your second title. 

Gio: Gio has the best chance to sneak into a wild card spot. Hes all but eliminated from getting in any other way.  Last week put a big dent in his momentum but at least Hes still close enough to have some hope. At this point its all about points scored for Gio.

Gio Gio Gio, You continue to score and after trading Lamar you said you finally found a team you are actually happy to start. It might be a little to late, but the best thing possible for you is Ryan to lose this week to Ant and you will be back in the 6th seed. However you can not afford anymore dud weeks like the last cause ROB and Erik are on your ass and Ryan is still in the mix with yall as well. 

Erik: Erik might be in the weirdest spot in the league. He basically needs to win out to lock up the 5 seed. The wild card is possible but its going to take a lot of luck for it to happen. Its really hard to tell where Hes gonna be in 3 weeks.
Erik you are the definition of mid this year. Your PF is almost he same as your PA. From being #1 ranked before the season was started to fighting for your life all year is what fantasy football is all about. You are the only team that is currently out of the playoff race that can still sneak in on record instead of PF. With Ryan having to face Ant then Joe then Gio, you have a good shot at getting in with your record you would need to win out though and Ant to drop 1 game. 

Rob:  Rob was dead in the water a few weeks ago.  Then he got to “taste” his whole team.  But it might be too little too late.  Rob still has a shot at the wild card spot, but its going to take a lot of luck. I've seen crazier things happen and Robs team is getting hot at the perfect time.  I will not be counting this team out at any point.

Rob, I believe in you king. Go sneak into the yoffs it will be a great story line and I am always rooting for my king Saquon Barkley. Just drop the 200 point bombs and go crazy. 

The Bryans

Better start practicing your eating skills for the punishment.
This category was originally called the Spoilers but Ant had other ideas. I think your eating punishment should be 1 slice of Chicago style deep dish will take off 2 hours of your punishment. Be ready to sit in a Pizza joint all day.