WTNE can enter derby with a win

For planning purposes, we will just assume that Jordan will take care of business and nip this foolishness about tiebreakers where it should be nipped … between Vern’s legs or between his ears.

Matt Stafford is relevant again, at least for this week. He'll likely start at QB for WTNE against the Packers after having scored 20+ points for consecutive weeks.

There is really only one Game of the Week in the final weekend of regular season play – Jordan’s WTNE taking on the Packers. What really is at stake this weekend is who will be seeded where and what the potential first-round matchups will be in the money round next week.

We know only one thing so far – Bob’s Band Aids go in as the undisputed No. 1 seed, the Shit Talkers’ division winner and the one guy everyone has put a bullseye on. Everything else is up for grabs. If Matt takes care of business with the Rangers this weekend, he likely enters as the No. 2 seed and winner of the Silent Division. That leaves the Packers and likely WTNE to fight for positioning in the No. 3 and No. 4 seed positions.

Bob would likely draw WTNE, as Jordan’s team is the lowest-scoring of the four in the money derby. That would likely pit Jeff vs. Matt in the other half of the draw.

Matt keeps asking, “How can I draw Bob in the first round?” We love the energy and enthusiasm but we don’t see a way to make that happen. Just win next week, and you have a 50/50 chance of getting Bob in the Finals.

Schedule Features 3 Games Saturday

The NFL schedule for Week 15 kicks off with one stinky dog Thursday, with backup QBs galore once more, as the Chargers drive out into the desert to take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Three games are scheduled Saturday on the NFL Network as the Vikings visit the Bengals for a 10 a.m. kickoff on the West Coast, the Steelers travel to Indianapolis for a 1:30 p.m. start, and the nightcap features the Broncos visiting the Motor City for a 5:15 p.m. start. The Sunday night tilt features the Ravens visiting Jacksonville and the Monday game has the Eagles visiting Seattle. We should have a clear idea of who wins the Game of the Week by Sunday night as no players currently in the starting lineups for WTNE or the Packers play on Monday.

Game of the Week

WTNE vs. Packers, WTNE favored by 1: A playoff spot is at stake for Jordan, plain and simple. As discussed above, the right to avoid Bob in the first round next week also might be at stake. Both teams come into this fray with identical records at 9-5, but Jeff has an almost 50-point, season-long scoring advantage with 1,392 points (WTNE has amassed 1,346 points). If WTNE beats Jeff this week, the Packers likely take on Bob’s Band Aids next week. If Jeff wins, he likely takes on business rival Matt next week. So, Jeff and Jordan, do you want to beat Bob in the semis, or the finals? The line on this game has been moving all over the board since the initial line went up Tuesday. Jordan was favored before Jeff adjusted his lineup, and then Jeff had a slight advantage. Jordan dove into the free-agent pool this week to sub Matthew Stafford at QB for Chargers QB Justin Herbert (out for the season) and is now favored by 1 point again. Injury questions are dotting both lineups. Questionable tags are on Packers RB Travis Etienne and WR Ja’Marr Chase and WTNE’s WR DJ Moore. If he wins, Jordan will win this one on the ground with Christian McCaffrey in a tasty matchup in the Arizona desert and Rachaad White at Green Bay. Jeff holds the advantage at QB (and he is still waiting for a big game from Josh Allen) and at WR and flex with Chase Jaylen Waddle and tight end Sam LaPorta. For some reason, WTNE’s Saints defense gets the edge over Jeff’s 49ers and we think SF lowers the boom on the Cardinals. WTNE won by 2 the last time these two teams tangoed in Week 2. But, you know our mantra: Never bet against the Pack. And, for once, I am shamelessly Jeff’s No. 1 fan. Take the Pack and 1.

Best of the Rest

Invaiders vs. Blazing Saddles, Invaiders favored by 20: If the Pack pulls the upset, then, and only then, does this one become interesting. Both teams enter this one at 8-6 but only one team still has a chance to advance. Blayze trails Jordan’s team in scoring by nearly 60 points. If both finish the weekend tied, Jordan would still advance. Jordan would only be in trouble if the Invaiders win, as Vern’s team has scored 3 more points than Jordan’s this season. A WTNE loss and an Invaider win (combined with the Invaiders staying close and finishing with more points) would trigger the tiebreaker scenario. The Invaiders enter this one heavily favored at every position except RB2 as Blayze sends out Zach Moss against Invaider Alvin Kamara. Blayze will need a big night by Davante Adams Thursday night at home and a big day by Kyler Murray at home against the 49ers’ defense. The Saddles won by 14 points the last time they met in Week 3. We like the chance to make everyone’s weekend miserable. Take the Invaiders and 10.

Spread Beaters vs. Rangers, Beaters favored by 37: Matt’s team is in cruise control after the last-second win Monday night over the Invaiders (damn, you, Derrick Henry, and the Miami defense for blowing a 14-point lead at home with 4 minutes left). All of the ESPN predictions lean the Beaters’ way. We don’t disagree. Take the Beaters and 20.

And the First Pick Goes To …

The right for the first pick comes down to who sucks more thia weekend, Ron’s Tirades (29-point dogs to the Band Aids), or the Gerbils (8-point dogs to the Recliners). We told Chuck a week ago he should just bench everyone and erase that big lead (scoring suckage) Ron has piled up. The Tirades and Gerbils both go into this one tied at 2-12. The Tirades have a 23-point edge going into this one. Chuck will really have to suck to pull this one out.

Band Aids vs. Tirades, Band Aids favored by 29: Unless there is a refreshment bet on this one between the brothers-in-law, all that matters is how inept the Tirades can be offensively. Predicted for 70 points, the Tirades have a potential 24-point bubble to protect. The Band Aids should cruise and win by 30.

Recliners vs. Gerbils, Recliners favored by 8: The Fighting Gerbils have shown some real spunk in recent weeks after going winless for the first two-thirds of the season. A win would be devastating now, but the second pick still does not suck Chuck. This one looks to be a tossup. Take the Fighting Gerbils and 1.