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Ladies and Gentlemen of the TSL Universe, on Saturday, October 21st in the Year of Our Lord 2022, the Race for Social Co-Ed Immortality will be completed for the Fall 2022 session. 7 champions across 7 divisions will be crowned, and if the games are anything like they were last weekend, those titles will be EARNED. 26 of the 50 TSL teams this season remain alive, after a wild Playoff Saturday that saw MANY of the higher seeds in each division fall, including the only two #1 seeds (Mountain Dew Me and Cunning Stunts) that had a game this week. Don’t tell me those bye weeks aren’t important.

 

As has been the case in recent seasons, I’ve bothered the TSL QB Power Rankings Committee to give me a second set of opinions on these tremendous matchups we have coming for us this Saturday.

 

GF: Hey there Committee! It's time to make you earn your paychecks yet again. Another ridiculous Playoff Week of upsets and the unexpected happening is in the books, giving us another "anything can happen" Championship Week this Saturday as the Race for Social Co-Ed Immortality nears the finish line. What really stood out to you guys?

 

TSLQBPRC: Well you've said it already, it's the upsets, right?  Listen, we knew there would be a couple, but Tight Ends in Motion, Mountain Dew Me, Cunning Stunts ALL losing?  Impossible.  Even if we suspected one or two these might be in the making (and yes, we did an EXCELLENT job of predicting these if you look at our Overrated/Underrated analysis last week) we will never in a million years pretend we thought ALL of these would happen on the same day.  Has there EVER been this much chaos in one week?

 

GF: I feel like there's always chaos, but the exception of last year really helped us forget how crazy things can be on Playoff Saturday. If you remember, last season the higher seeded teams went a nearly unprecedented 16-4, which may actually have been the record for "most top seeds win". The season before? They were 11-9. That time away from the craziness might've had people forget. While I'm sure that the "lovely" weather played a factor in some of these upsets, you have to remember that both teams had to play in the same conditions. Now we roll into Championship Saturday with the following top seeded teams in each division: #1 Legends in D1, #1 Frodo Swaggins in D2, #2 Bullet Club in D3, #2 Puckett All-Stars in D4, #1 TMA in D5, and #1 Not So Sticky in D6. We'll get into predictions in a minute, but if you had to rank these seeds from "Least Likely to Most Likely to be Upset", where would you have them?

 

TSLQBPRC: Least likely to be upset is... wow, is it Legends?  We don't even think they're that dominant a team (they've beaten their three possible opponents this week by only 8, 8 and 12 this season) but every other division seems even closer somehow.  TMA is the next least likely, where only Come From Behind and even Passing While Intoxicated have a real shot.  Then Puckett (Zack Attack must have a chance right?), then Not So Sticky (will ANY other teams be drinking mid-game this weekend?).  Then the most likely to be upset are probably Bullet Club only because they play in the tightest division (though Mountain Dew Me getting knocked out helps) and finally Frodo Swaggins.  Frodo was incredible this session, but they have a perfect foil in No Punt Intended that no one would be "shocked" if they lost against, so they're the most likely to be upset.  Maybe.  Possibly.  Who knows.  Agree, disagree?

 

GF: Once the Legends didn't have to deal with Tight Ends In Motion anymore, they ended up with the "easiest" path to winning. After that we're seeing things a little differently. I think Puckett All-Stars have been SO GOOD that they're next in line there in D4. After that, I'd say Frodo Swaggins, which is shocking, given NPI's talent, but Frodo just feels like a pretty damn good D1 team at this point and NPI doesn't. I'll say TMA here next, despite their incredible history of blowing championships they should've won. After that, it's Not So Sticky, who has tremendous competition in Blitzkrieg and the "Yeah, we sacrificed a couple of Baby Goats to get really good at football, really fast" Two Tuddies nipping at their heels. Finally, Bullet Club has to be the "most likely to be upset" leader just because D3 has been a warzone all season, and nothing is guaranteed.

 

Of all the matchups in the "second round", which are you looking most forward to and why?

 

TSLQBPRC: We've got a few we'll have our eyes on.  D4 has some of the best matchups of the day so if people are smart they won't leave early!  Dominant Puckett All-Stars vs suddenly resurgent Travis Henry's Kids sounds like a great matchup, but Zack Attack vs Spinelli's Plumbing might be even better with Zack Attack playing the part of the 2022 Buffalo Bills (great on BOTH sides of the ball) and Spinelli's playing the part of the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs (okay their defense is non-existent but it may not matter with how much they'll score).  Sticky Bandits vs Eyes Downtown had an incredible playoff game last year with Sticky Nation winning on the last play of the game.  We doubt that rematch will be boring.  And finally with no disrespect intended to Scott Senior's Starting or Itches and Ohs, we think whoever wins the Bullet Club vs Practice Squad game is going to take the D3 title, so THAT'S one we'll go out of our way to see.  Did we miss any big ones?

 

GF: You missed my favorite first round matchup between the DILFs and No Punt Intended, but other than that you guys did great as always. Let's get into the real fun of it, and the only reason people are reading this article as it is: The Predictions.

 

 

D1:

 

Last Week’s Games:

 

#7 Scared Hitless 37, #2 Tight Ends In Motion 25

#3 Sticky Bandits 37, #6 Grey Hair Don’t Care 16

#4 Eyes Downtown 42, #5 Passed Our Prime 6

 

We got our first massive upset out of the way early as Scared Hitless put Tight Ends In Motion to rest early in the playoffs. Sticky and Eyes Downtown took care of business rather easily.

 

#1 Legends (8-1) vs #7 Scared Hitless (2-6-1)

Points For: Legends 38.00 (2nd), SH 30.78 (5th)

Points Against: Legends 29.56 (4th), SH 37.78 (6th)

TSL Ranking: Legends 5th, SH 43rd

Past Games: Legends 50 - SH 42

Line: Legends (-9)

 

 

GF: This isn't exactly the matchup everyone had penciled in here. Scared Hitless proceeded to put TEIM out of their misery, sending them home early. While it was a banner day for Dylan Day and company, the only thing they earned was a "Final Boss" battle against the Legends. The Legends have done excellently in defense of their title, with only a hiccup here or there this season. What's interesting is that Scared Hitless played them VERY tough, losing 50-42 early in the season. If the Legends get caught looking past Scared Hitless for the D1 final, they'll be watching it from the sidelines. Sadly, I think they'll be paying attention during this one and won't get surprised. LEGENDS BY 14

 

TSLQBPRC: Predictions are more fun when we disagree, and it's a decent bet we will soon... but not on D1.  Can Scared Hitless beat Legends?  Sure, of course, but that line of 14 points is exactly where we would put it.  They'll need a few big plays to steal this one, but we don't see it happening. LEGENDS BY 14

 

#3 Sticky Bandits (5-3-1) vs #4 Eyes Downtown (5-4)

Points For: SB 34.22 (4th), ED 36.67 (3rd)

Points Against: SB 27.89 (3rd), ED 24.67 (2nd)

TSL Ranking: SB 15th, ED 17th

Past Games: ED 44 - SB 15, SB 36 - ED 24

Line: Eyes Downtown (-3)

 

GF: Pretty awesome matchup here between two teams that tend to have great games most of the time. With that said, Eyes Downtown blew out Sticky 44-15, but Sticky came back to win by 12 in the second game. I think both of those games are anomalies, and this one is going to come down to a one score game. Eyes Downtown isn't nearly as feared as they once were, since they've been adding pieces season after season instead of getting the continuity they once had in their heyday. On the other hand, Sticky has been nothing but consistent, growing together with just about everyone they started with, adding pieces here and there only when absolutely needed. What you get here is a "family" playing together and for each other, and that's why Sticky is always a tough out. STICKY BANDITS BY 2

 

TSLQBPRC: Sticky Bandits vs Eyes Downtown is a coin flip to us.  The Sticky Bandits have better chemistry and continuity... Eyes Downtown have a cyborg quarterback sent back in time to score points (and probably kill John Connor).  These teams have nearly always come down to the last drive against each other and we don't expect this to be any different.  We'll take STICKY BANDITS BY 3 to set up the championship rematch.

 

 

D1 Final Prediction:  

 

GF: A D1 Final rematch! The Legends snuck by Sticky in the regular season this year, they snuck by them in the D1 final in the spring, and they're going to sneak by them again this Saturday, but it's going to be closer than ever. LEGENDS BY 1.

 

TSLQBPRC: Of course Legends murdered the short-handed Bandits in the Finals last spring but every other game these teams have played has come down to the last play.  We expect this one will too... with Boccio making the game sealing play, and Joey somehow stealing all the credit. LEGENDS BY 6

 

 

D2:

 

Last Week’s Games:

 

#2 No Punt Intended 21, #7 The Replacements 0 (FF)

#6 Buffalo Vice Retro 20, #3 Freeballers 17

#4 Dilfs 43, #5 The Untouchaballs 37

 

The Replacements end their brutal season the only plausible way: forfeiting a playoff game, which is super weak. Speaking of weak, the Freeballers surprise nobody by laying an egg in the playoffs, losing once again to BVR this season. And lastly, the Dilfs won another great game with The Untouchaballs, as they continue to do DILFs things.

 

#1 Frodo Swaggins (8-1) vs #6 Buffalo Vice Retro (3-6)

Points For: Frodo 36.11 (2nd), BVR 19.11 (6th)

Points Against: Frodo 22.36 (1st), BVR 31.22 (5th)

TSL Ranking: Frodo 2nd, BVR 3th

Past Games: Frodo 29 - BVR 0

Line: Frodo Swaggins (-13)

 

GF: BVR gets all the credit in the world for coming out and putting together their best game of the season last week in their upset over the Freeballers. But even then, they only won by 3 points. Frodo Swaggins is a much different animal here. The weakest link for Frodo is Garrett, and he’s been excellent this season, so there isn’t a thing that shows me “upset” here. FRODO SWAGGINS BY 17

 

TSLQBPRC: Buffalo Vice Retro was a nice story beating Freeballers.  But that was a 3-6 team beating a 4-5 team.  Frodo Swaggins is 8-1 and one of their wins came against D1. FRODO SWAGGINS BY 22

 

#2 No Punt Intended (7-2) vs #4 DILFs (4-5)

Points For: NPI 37.13 (1st), DILFs 35.11 (3rd)

Points Against: NPI 29.00 (3rd), DILFs 35.33 (6th)

TSL Ranking: NPI 10th, DILFs 29th

Past Games: NPI 36 - DILFs 21

Line: NPI (-8)

 

GF: NPI has looked every bit as unstoppable as Frodo this season, and while I love upsets, and I REALLY, REALLY want to pick the DILFs here, I just love the entire NPI roster and what it can do. As long as Kyle doesn’t mess anything up by being horrible, NPI should take this one. NO PUNT INTENDED BY 3

 

TSLQBPRC: How did these teams do against each other the first time?  Looks like NPI won by 15 points about a month ago.  We actually think it'll be even worse this time, with DILFS lacking their best weapon in Travis.  NO PUNT INTENDED BY 20.

 

D2 Final Prediction:

 

GF: An absolute slobberknocker of a final between the division’s top two teams. They’ve been on a warpath to this moment since the season started in August, and we’re going to see some fireworks. Both teams have very good players, but, to quote B’s Brother “at the end of the day” Frodo just has more firepower and I’m too chicken to pick NPI here. FRODO SWAGGINS BY 6

 

TSLQBRC: This is the main event of the day, two heavyweights who somehow played each other twice this season but never at anything resembling full strength.  We'd be fools to pick against "undefeated against D2 teams" Kyle Conniff... but we're going to anyway because we believe in Big Game Beesing.  Can we ban Sean Weisensal from D2 forever if Frodo wins?  FRODO SWAGGINS BY 2

 

D3:

 

Last Week’s Games:

 

#8 Practice Squad 30, #1 Mountain Dew Me 14

#2 Bullet Club 29, #7 Get Schwifty 15

#6 Itches and Ohs 43, #3 716 35

#4 Scott Senior’s Starting 42, #5 Can’t Touch This 31

 

Practice Squad continues one of the TSL’s better rivalries, as the pull a pretty big upset over the #1 seeded MDM. Bullet Club handled things to survive Get Schwifty. Itches and Ohs finally looked like the team we know them to be and outdueled 716 for a mild upset, and SSS woke up for the playoffs to take the win over CTT.

 

 

#2 Bullet Club (7-2) vs #8 Practice Squad (2-6-1)

Points For: BC 31.38 (3rd), PS 28.89 (5th)

Points Against: BC 23.13 (1st), PS 33.56 (7th)

TSL Ranking: BC 9th, PS 42nd

Past Games: BC 35 - PS 17

Line: Bullet Club (-6)

 

GF: Practice Squad comes into their big rivalry game and just shuts down Mountain Dew Me last week. All reports back to me say that B was electric, and there’s always something about a MDM game that gets him as hyped as possible. Bullet Club has been good all season, and they bring their top ranked defense into this one, which has forced many turnovers this year. You see teams have a huge letdown all of the time after a huge, emotional win, and last week that’s what PS had. BULLET CLUB BY 8

 

TSLQBPRC: A couple weeks ago we would have taken Bullet Club without a second thought.  They're the better team this session, with a better record, better offense, better defense, better everything.  But...  Man, B looked like a different guy on Saturday.  Practice Squad just seemed like they were on a MISSION and they didn't carry themselves like underdogs.  If we're looking for an upset (and we are, because we love them) why not here in the TSL's toughest division?  PRACTICE SQUAD BY 4

 

#4 Scott Senior’s Starting (4-5) vs #6 Itches and Ohs (3-5-1)

Points For: SSS 35.33 (1st), Ohs 24.00 (7th)

Points Against: SSS 33.33 (6th), Ohs 29.89 (5th)

TSL Ranking: SSS 25th, Ohs 31st

Past Games: Ohs 39 - SSS 36

Line: EVEN

 

GF: The metrics suggest that SSS should be favored, but the Itches offense we saw last week is a lot more accurate than the one that averaged only 24 points a game this season. It was an “off” year for Itches for sure, and they’re better than their record suggests (which they proved last week in beating up on 716). While SSS is a great team with miles of experience, I don’t feel like they have much momentum going into this game, and it just “feels” like an Itches win, so that’s where I’m going with it. ITCHES AND OHS BY 7

 

TSLQBPRC: Wouldn't it be great if Scott Senior actually started and SSS won the whole damn playoffs?  Instead it's... we're not sure, Newman again?  He's a great QB and they're going to score a lot of points, but Itches always brings an intensity for playoffs that we don't always see in the regular season.  Say what you will about Steve Moser but no one has ever accused him of giving a lazy effort.  We think we'll see another minor upset here as Itches advance.  ITCHES AND OHS BY 2

 

D3 Finals Predictions:

 

GF: Bullet Club vs Itches and Ohs. These two teams only met once during the season in a 13-9 Bullet Club win that wasn’t very fun to watch for anyone on the sidelines. Both teams were missing pieces that week, so the game we’ll see here will be completely different. This entire game hinges on whether or not the BC defense can keep the Ohs offense out of the end zone. I think they can. BULLET CLUB BY 9

 

TSLQBPRC: Practice Squad vs Itches and Ohs. Godfather, we can't IMAGINE we will have the same D3 finals predictions (Note: we do these predictions separately and send them to each other afterwards), because honestly any of these four teams could meet in the Finals.  What a great division.  If it DOES come to Practice Squad vs Itches (an #8 seed and a #6 seed...) remember that they've played each other twice this season with Itches going 1-0-1 in those games.  And yet... B ups the intensity every round.  We could see him falling in the Quarterfinals, maybe even the Semis, but losing in the Finals?  This is the guy that almost beat "world-beater Mountain Dew Me" a few sessions ago.  We won't bet against Practice Squad in the finals. PRACTICE SQUAD BY 6

 

D4:

 

Last Week’s Games:

 

#8 Travis Henry’s Kids 56, #1 Cunning Stunts 25

#2 Puckett All-Stars 42, #7 Interdimensional Lightning Falcons 6

#3 Zack Attack 56, #6 Vaspian 18

#5 Spinelli’s Plumbing 48, #4 Buffalo Vice 43

 

Points. Points everywhere. Travis Henry’s Kids become the newest team to kick the Stunts out of the playoffs after they terrorized everyone in the regular season, while showing that maybe they were better than an 8 seed. Puckett just demolished ILF up and down the field, and Zack Attack did the same with Vaspian. Spinelli’s squeaked by Buffalo Vice in a fantastic game that saw both offenses light things up.

 

#2 Puckett All-Stars (8-1) vs #8 Travis Henry’s Kids (3-6)

Points For: PAS 42.89 (2nd), THK 28.44 (6th)

Points Against: PAS 29.56 (3rd), THK 32.44 (6th)

TSL Ranking: PAS 3rd, THK 38th

Past Games: PAS 48 - THK 19

Line: Puckett All-Stars (-12)

 

GF: THK took down the Stunts last week, and get arguably a harder task this weekend, getting a Puckett All-Stars team that has now won 9 straight games. Their only loss was to the Stunts in Week 1, a team that THK has now beaten in two consecutive weeks. It’s been a fun couple of weeks for THK, but PAS is on another level right now. PUCKETT ALL-STARS BY 8

 

TSLQBPRC: Puckett would have been the favorites here even if THK had their "top guy" Pete Walbrandt.  But they don't.  So... Puckett by a lot? PUCKETT BY A LOT (LET’S SAY 19)

 

#3 Zack Attack (6-3) vs #5 Spinelli’s Plumbing (4-4-1)

Points For: ZA 33.67 (5th), SP 39.33 (3rd)

Points Against: ZA 22.33 (1st), SP 36.22 (8th)

TSL Ranking: ZA 12th, SP 21st

Past Games: ZA 36 - SP 14

Line: Zack Attack (-8)

 

GF: Both of these teams can put up some offense normally, but let’s face it, Spinelli’s has struggled against the division’s top defenses. If they can’t score at will, they still can’t stop anyone (as shown by their 8th ranked defense). While we’d love to watch a shootout, Zack Attack’s defense is going to stop Spinelli’s a bunch more times than they stop ZA’s offense, and I expect to see a game similar to the 36-14 battle they had this season. ZACK ATTACK BY 16

 

TSLQBPRC: This has potential to be the game of the day.  We like Zack Attack because they can do a little of everything, but Spinelli's has the firepower to surprise everyone.  We just don't think they will.  ZACK ATTACK BY 9

 

D4 Finals Predictions:

 

GF: This is a world class game we have right here. Both Puckett and Zack Attack can score, and yeah, they can stop you too. These two teams are even all over the place, as evidenced by a 32-31 Puckett win in their only meeting this season, but it just felt like Puckett has been on a mission the entire season, and that chip on their shoulder will give them the edge to replicate that early season result. This feels like a “last play of the game for the championship” type of battle. PUCKETT ALL-STARS BY 1

 

TSLQBPRC: The two best teams in D4 (sorry Stunts!) will slug it out for the championship in the last game of the day.  Both are worthy of winning and moving up to D3.  But it's harder to be the favorite with the burden of expectations, and easier to be the "no one believed in us" underdog, so we'll say ZACK ATTACK BY 3

 

D5:

 

Last Week’s Games:

 

#3 Passing While Intoxicated 23, #6 Let’s Get Reccked 15

#5 Today’s Feast 14, #4 Woodpeckers 13

 

Passing While Intoxicated handled Let’s Get Reccked, but much more noteworthy is the big win by Today’s Feast, getting by the Woodpeckers in a mild upset.

 

#1 TMA (7-2) vs #5 Today’s Feast (3-6)

Points For: TMA 34.89 (1st), TF 24.44 (4th)

Points Against: TMA 25.00 (3rd), TF 30.89 (6th)

TSL Ranking: TMA 8th, TF 39th

Past Games: TMA 27 - TF 14, TMA 48 - TF 40

Line: TMA (-13)

 

GF: TMA seems to have gotten their losing out of the way early this season, and last year’s surprise loss to a weaker PWI has them not taking anyone lightly. They’ve mostly dominated Today’s Feast on the field, including a large comeback win a couple of weeks ago. When TMA is on, nobody can touch them. Today’s Feast had a great win, and like I’ve said 400 times this year, they’re improving every time they touch the field. This one just ain’t it for them. TMA BY 17

 

TSLQBPRC: TMA won both of their matchups this season, first by 13 and then by 8.  Feast should put up a fight, but that's all they'll do. TMA BY 11

 

#2 Come From Behind (6-3) vs #3 Passing While Intoxicated (4-4-1)

Points For: CFB 31.33 (2nd), PWI 25.89 (3rd)

Points Against: CFB 21.33 (1st), PWI 24.89 (2nd)

TSL Ranking: CFB 14th, PWI 22nd)

Past Games: CFB 46 - PWI 20, PWI 30 - CFB 16

Line: CFB (-4)

 

GF: This is a story of two teams going in different directions. CFB hasn’t been winning much recently, while PWI have been playing great. I won’t take a thing away from PWI, they’ve started to gel together and they’re becoming one of the TSL’s up and coming teams. We learned last year that they tend to peak in the playoffs. The problem for them is that they came out and punched TMA and CFB in the mouth right before playoffs, which took away their element of surprise. CFB is arguably the best team overall (according to the metrics) in the division, but they haven’t played well since the weather turned. Good thing for them it’s going to be 70 degrees this weekend, and that should let the old joints that are on that roster get moving properly again. COME FROM BEHIND BY 6

 

Come From Behind haven't had a quality win in like a month, and Passing While Intoxicated have had nothing BUT quality wins.  Oh, Come From Behind is still a much better team on paper, but we don't decide winners on paper. PASSING WHILE INTOXICATED BY 3

 

D5 Final Prediction:

 

GF: The top two teams in D5 meet again, as we get the third match between TMA and Come From Behind. TMA won the first meeting by a single point, but then won again a week later by 21. I expect we’ll see a game a lot more like the first meeting. Unless Paul dials up some magic from 1979, we’ll see TMA take home the gold. TMA BY 2

 

TSLQBPRC: Passing While Intoxicated you scrappy little underdogs, we expect you to still be fighting come the D5 Finals.  And you won't give a bad effort either.  But TMA are better than you, and although they won't play to their full potential, it'll still be enough. TMA BY 5

 

D6:

 

Last Week’s Games:

 

#6 Punt Cakes 24, #3 Superior Moser Squad 17

#4 Two Tuddies 53, #5 Lenny’s Ladies 10

 

The Punt Cakes pull off the D6 version of the “big upset” and the Two Tuddies remain incredibly hot.

 

#1 Not So Sticky (8-1) vs #6 Punt Cakes (2-7)

Points For: NSS 37.22 (1st), PC 31.13 (3rd)

Points Against: NSS 24.78 (2nd), PC 31.63 (5th)

TSL Ranking: NSS 4th, PC 45th

Past Games: NSS 40 - PC 39, NSS 27 - PC 26

Line: NSS (-6)

 

GF: On paper, this game should be a no-nonsense blowout. An 8-1 team taking on a 2-7 team that hasn’t been all that great? If you look at “Past Games”, Punt Cakes has taken NSS to the limit twice, losing two games by one point. They’re a much better team than you think they are, and in their minds they HAVE to know they can beat NSS, especially if NSS is at the bar for hours beforehand. PUNT CAKES BY 1

 

TSLQBPRC: People keep saying Not So Sticky will be "too drunk" to take this game seriously.  And that's true.  But Not So Sticky always does well in the playoffs despite their intoxication (remember when they almost beat freakin' Spinelli's??).  We expect a close game.  They've played each other twice before this season, with NSS winning by 1 the first time and... winning by 1 the second time.  Why change it now? NOT SO STICKY BY 1

 

#2 Blitzkrieg (6-3) vs #4 Two Tuddies (3-6)

Points For: BK 34.00 (2nd), TT 23.33 (5th)

Points Against: BK 24.00 (1st), TT 28.78 (4th)

TSL Ranking: BK 13th, TT 33rd

Past Games: BK 30 - TT 14, TT 31 - BK 23

Line: Blitzkrieg (-11)

 

GF: The Two Tuddies have been on the best run in their short history, and I’m happy to see them doing well. BUT, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, they didn’t magically wake up drinking “Mike’s Secret Stuff” from Space Jam and become world beaters. In reality, while they’re 3-0 in the last two weeks, they won two games on a very blustery/cold day, and then last week they got to feast on “Playoff Langley” in the wind and rain. They’re shaping up to be a very good bad weather team, but on a 70 degree day with no wind (like Saturday!) they’ve yet to prove themselves. Blitzkrieg has been waiting to win D6 for what feels like forever now. Add into the fact that they will NOT look past the Tud Buds after the upset two weeks ago, and I don’t see them losing to them again. BLITZKRIEG BY 13

 

TSLQBPRC: Two Tuddies has captured the hearts of the TSL and everyone who has talked to this team seems to be rooting for them.  Blitzkrieg are the better team though, right?  Do the Tuddies have an answer for Mackenzie Neary? BLITZKRIEG BY 10

 

D6 Finals Predictions:

 

GF: Blitzkrieg vs Punt Cakes, just as everyone predicted. These two teams never faced off this season (Punt Cakes forfeited the only matchup) so there’s not a ton to go on, except for the fact that I’ve supported Blitzkrieg for forever now. History is here, waiting for them. Finally. This is their moment, their shot to finally do what they’ve always wanted. What I’ve always wanted for them. No stupid Punt Cakes (sorry guys, its a thing here) will stand in their way. BLITZKRIEG BY 100 (or really like 12)

 

TSLQBPRC: In a division where anyone really can win any game, somehow, we've picked the two favorites.  That's boring.  But it's probably also accurate.  These teams have battled it out twice to the very end.  Why not make it three great games for the season?  Not So Sticky's drinking catches up to them and they fall to Blitzkrieg... then order more shots.  BLITZKRIEG BY 5

 

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR SATURDAY:

 

1. Who is the most important player in each division’s title race?

 

TSLQBPRC:

1. The most important player in D1 is Joey Batts. If he has a good game, Legends wins, it's that simple. Their only path to failure is him throwing picks. 
2. D2 is Kyle Conniff, as the QB and best defender for Frodo's only real contender. They're not winning the title without a big day from Kyle. 
3. Jeff Easton might be the most important player in D3 as the QB for the highest seeded team remaining. He's been great this season, but how will he respond if Bullet Club gets punched in the mouth and falls behind 14-0 early? 
4. We've taken three QBs so far (what do you want from us, we write a weekly article about QBs) but we'll go with Misty Himes and Sam Lattuca in D4 (yeah we're cheating and taking two). Zack Attack has the edge on best girls and that HAS to be the difference if they want to win a championship on Saturday. 
5. For D5 how about Buddy Lee? The top two teams are so stacked that they can win with an off day from just about anyone.  For PWI to keep their momentum going, they need a big game from Buddy.
6. Chris Wolcott from Two Tuddies for D6. He's so athletic he gives them a chance to win every game.  If he ever has an off day (he hasn't yet) his team is in trouble

GF: The most important player for each division race? Hmm. In D1, it's Dylan Day. If he can continue to dial up some excellent play, with the weapons he has, there’s always a chance that if he doesn’t turn the ball over, we can see another huge upset. In D2, all eyes are on Garrett Beesing. That man is locked in, but he’s historically crumbled (mostly) in the playoffs, and with all of the pressure will he crack? In D3, It’s none other than B on Practice Squad. He put the team on his shoulders to beat the rivals in MDM last week, but he’s got an even tougher task this week. In D4, it's the entire Zack Attack Defense. If they can continue to shut down everyone, including juggernaut Puckett, they’re going to be partying all night long. In D5 it's Ryan Henry on TMA. He has the weapons, and as long as he plays it cool and just plays his game, TMA will be walking into D4 in the spring. In D6, it's Light Red Hoodie Guy. Besides being a TSL staple for quite some time, he took over some (partial?) duties at QB and Blitzkrieg hasn’t really missed a step. If LRHG plays well, D6 is theirs.

 

2. Who's winning Breakfast Club?

 

TSLQBPRC: Garrett fucking Beesing, that's who's winning Breakfast Club.  And here's a spoiler for next Spring too, he's winning it again.  Three time back-to-back champ, you heard it here first.  No one knows how to seamlessly integrate a mix of experienced and inexperienced players like Garrett does.  All fun, no stress, he's the guy you want to be your Breakfast Club captain.  So we'll take Team Jennacide for the championship.

 

GF: Steph Infection. Steph has once again built a team that has made it to the finals, and when people didn’t think her team would win it last session, they prevailed. Newman has played lights out for this squad, as he continues to prove that it's a joke he isn’t a starting QB for someone in this league. That will change come spring.

 

 

3. Most Underrated teams in the TSL that could shock everyone?

 

TSLQBPRC: If girls are the "difference maker" in this League (and we all know they are) why isn't Scared Hitless getting more credit going into Championship weekend?  They beat Tight Ends in Motion already, would it be THAT shocking if they beat Legends and then won the Finals?  We won't take anyone in D3 because frankly NONE of those teams would be shocking to win, so our last pick will be Punt Cakes.  Not ONE of you is talking about Punt Cakes (other than maybe on the Punt Cakes team chat) but they've been solid all season and they play well against the best teams.  It wouldn't surprise us at all if they went all the way.

 

GF: This feels so weird to say that they’re being underrated, but the DILFs are being completely overlooked here. Everyone's so focused on Frodo vs No Punt Intended that it probably means one of those teams won’t even make the D2 finals, as is TSL tradition. The DILFs have a ton of talent, and as long as Dubey is throwing that rock, they can beat anyone, or at least surprise everyone.

 

4. What is the storyline no one is talking about but should be?

 

TSLQBPRC: Puckett All-Stars are the favorites to win D4, which would tie Public Enemy for most championships in league history with five. Granted, it would be more impressive if they moved up after winning divisions (this would be their record third title in the same division) but it's still noteworthy.

 

GF: The greatest storyline we aren’t talking about much is that Sean Weisensal can potentially win a D1/D2 double championship for the second straight year in a row, and I don't think we’ll ever see anything quite like that again for a while. If he pulls it off.

 

5. Who do you MOST and LEAST want to see win championships?

 

TSLQBPRC: MOST - either Travis Henry’s Kids (if for no reason other than to make Langley look ridiculous for wanting to be in D5) or Two Tuddies after going winless last season in their debut. LEAST - Scott Senior’s Starting purely for their failure to deliver on promises of Scott Senior.

 

GF: MOST - I think It's pretty clear I want Blitzkrieg to win the most at this point. They deserve it. WE deserve it. LEAST - Eyes Downtown. I had to pick someone, so I'll pick the team that has a bunch of players more worried about a lame flag league than the TSL.

 

TEN FINAL THOUGHTS FOR SATURDAY:

 

1) Don't want the season to end this week?  It doesn't have to!  Contact a League official or find Emily Schilling at the fields on Saturday and ask about Halloween Bowl on October 29th

 

2) Breakfast Club Prediction: Steph Infection 37, Jennacide 26.

 

3) Winter session is coming, and people are already forming their teams.  Don't get left out!  Winters in Buffalo can be a lonely time without all your TSL friends.  Reach out to a League official if you have any questions, and the League will be emailing captains in the next week or two with more details on registration.

 

4) Even if your team has been eliminated in the Race for Social Co-Ed Immortality, you should still come out to watch some great football and have a few drinks with the league! It’ll be a perfect day for it!

 

5) While your whole team is gathered together on Saturday basking in victory (or wallowing in defeat, I don't care) why not remind them of the 2022 Awards Banquet?  It should be Friday December 9th at the Hotel Lafayette.  Details will be sent soon, but tell your teammates to save the date now.

 

6) Is the reigning TSL Executive of the Year going to finally make an appearance this Saturday for more than an hour or so?? If he does, it is your sworn duty as a player in this League to make sure he doesn't pay for a single drink all day.

 

7) Shout out to Garrett (again, it seems) for taking over the mantle of Head of Officiating this season. It’s not a fun job at times, and there were definitely some bumps along the way this season, but he always kept a positive attitude and listened to criticism. He took the job very seriously and did well.

 

8) Other shout outs go out to Travis for dealing with the sublist requests every week and then arguing with teams about why they can’t stack their squad with subs. Jeff Krol gets a huge shout out for doing a lot of the “Topper Work” this season. Joe K and Emily Schilling did a really nice job on the podcast this year as well. (Which, if you want to be on it this week, find one of the above people and request an appearance!)

 

9) 70 degrees and sunny is the perfect weather to end a touch football season in Western New York.  We'd hate to be some other Leagues that started late and will likely finish in the snow...

 

10) …and don’t forget your sunscreen for Championship Saturday. And don’t be jerks to the refs.

 

 

That’s it, we’re here. The next stop is the finish line as the Race for Social Co-Ed Football Immortality comes to an end for the Fall 2022 season. Which teams will get to call themselves the undisputed best Co-ed football teams in WNY? Let’s find out.

 

-GF OUT

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