EDOTLOCCA's Corner: Week 8

Good evening everyone! Welcome to the half way stage of the season and with it, the oh so inevitable edition of the EDOTLOCCA's Corner (that's 'Executive Director of the League of Champions Coaches Association'). Before we begin though I have something I need to tell you all, it has recently come to my attention that I am currently bringing up the rear in the LOC standings. Now, I have discussed this with my doctor and they have expressed concerns over potential contagiousness, as the LOCCs (League of Champions Coaches) to my EDOTLOCCA, I strongly advise that you all get yourselves checked out. Anyway, presuming that our relationship remains intact after this tragic news and that you still have some faith in my fantasy thought trains, enjoy the article!

Coaches Award

Last week, extremely close games meant that I was spoilt for choice, in Week 7, the opposite has occurred. When only one game was within 24 points (and that game only featured one questionable decision that had no effect on the outcome) looking for vital game changing decisions is the equivalent of the metaphorical needle in a haystack. On that note, I am going to break tradition and split the Coaches Award, as it was too hard to truly justify an outright winner. Firstly, I would like to honour a coach who has been deserving of the recognition for a while, Coach Stubbs Sr. who has truly managed to turn his season around. Not only that, but he was the top scorer this week in what was unquestionably the best game, kudos to him! Secondly, for a very different reason, Coach Allen will be splitting this week’s award for making what appears to be a coaching masterstroke in adding Stefon Diggs. Whilst Diggs did not directly influence the win this week, he turned up big time and looks like he could be a future game (and season??) changer.

Wooden Spoon

Well, I have done the maths, and believe me it was very taxing, and as it turns out there was only one losing team that could have pulled off the win with a combination of bench players. Unfortunately, that title belongs to Coach Leach, who could have just snuck a win by starting bench players R. Mathews and R. Matthews. This is possibly the most undeserved Wooden Spoon yet, but maths doesn’t lie and I am unwilling to pick a fight that I can’t win, sorry Coach Leach!

Bold Predictions

And I am still yet to add to my collection of 1 correct prognostication, if I can’t find it a fertile friend soon I am fairly certain the species will die out. On the other hand, incorrect predictions are thriving, really taking to their new habitat, in fact if anyone wants to take a few off my hands, that would be swell. In the meantime, let’s have another go I suppose!

Bear Necessities vs. Burdettinators: Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden, the two players most mocked for having nicknames they no longer live up to. Well, I reckon CJ2K and Run DMc will turn up in this one, reliving the old days to a combined 250 yards.

Forge Flyers vs. ADRZ: Wow, what dependence on the Thursday night game from the Flyers, one third of the team, safe to say we will know their chances of winning this time tomorrow. I am siding with this division getting a touch closer though, ADRZ will find it hard to come back from 45 points before they have even seen a pigskin.

Patistan vs. Jeff’s Seals: From co-coaches to divisional rivals, the LOC can really throw some turbulence at its members. As Coach Allen looks to pull one over his old franchise, the aforementioned Stefon Diggs goes big, outscoring both of Jeff’s Seals star names (Rodgers and Bell), both of whom have tough matchups.

IKNAN vs. Gridiron Gang: I love a good QB battle, and despite many strong starters on each side, Rivers vs. Brady is the real show here. One of these two will throw 4 TDs, leading their respective team to victory.

The Tuckfards vs. The Romosexuals: The two most offensively named LOC franchises go head to head, but based on current form, I can only see this one going one way, the ODB show returns to the tune of 20 points, but it isn’t enough for The Romosexuals to win.

Tom’s Tyrants vs. The Dream Team: Ivory, Martin and Forsett all put up 100 yards each, Murray is the odd one out though, could that be enough to cripple The Dream Team’s chances? Form is on their side, but history isn’t.

Well we are half way through the season people, things get serious from here on out! Fasten your seat belts, there are many surprises yet to come! Maybe even a second correct bold prediction? No? You’re right, I said surprise not miracle. Anyway, onwards and upwards people, the future is bright for approximately half of us! Turrah!

2015: Wembley Bound Part III

Welcome to another episode of the glorious LOC Report, and this one is history in the making as for the first time ever, Coach Allen of Patistan joins Commissioner Stubbs, Coach Sherwood and Coach Merritt to discuss a day in the life of the LOC. After crossing the midpoint of the regular season, we're now approaching the midpoint of the entire season, which means exciting times in the LOC.

Power Rankings: Week 8

From the midpoint of the regular season to the midpoint of the entire season. With 7 games in the books we are starting to see how each division is shaping up, and what teams we might be seeing in the playoffs. But who are the best and worst in the LOC right now?

Power Rankings

1. Bear Necessities, 3-4 (1, =): One of the high scoring games finally went this teams way. Arguably the best team all season long, the record is slowly starting to do the team justice. After starting 0-4, they've picked up 3 in a row and are now 2nd in the division. While The Dream Team have started to emerge lately, they're going to have a job on their hands staving off this team.

2. Gridiron Gang, 5-2 (4, ^2): Opposite of the above, this team finally lost a close game. 3 weeks a row this team has been in a tight one and they just lost out, snapping the 4 game win streak. I'm honestly surprised this team did as well as it did last week. They're in a tough division, but they've been finding ways to win and have some very nice pieces.

3. The Tuckfards, 4-3 (5, ^2): Coach Merritt just keeps getting it done. This rag tag bunch has emerged as one of the best teams in the league, and they're scoring points like it's going out of fashion. If you looked down the lineup at the start of the season, you think they'd do ok, but what they're doing right now is special and should continue.

4. IKNAN, 4-3 (2, v2): Much like ADRZ, this team gets the benefit of the doubt before I change their ranking. Arian Foster is a big loss, but this team showed earlier in the season that they are capable of winning without him. Their other big draft day acquisitions are starting to come on, and this team should remain strong with good management.

5. The Dream Team, 4-3 (9, ^4): Hard to believe this team was at one point bottom of the Power Rankings. They're having a renaissance after a QB change, getting a player back from injury, and adding in some new players. Coach Nathwani should be commended for the in season turn around this team is having.

6. Forge Flyers, 2-5 (8, ^2): Another team that looks rejuvenated after a sluggish start to the year. Unfortunately for this team the wins haven't accompanied their recent success. With the division almost out of reach, and the one wildcard spot being hotly contested, this team is probably too far behind to make a playoff push, but they can certainly still make some noise.

7. ADRZ, 6-1 (3, v4): This team was missing its star WR, but ever since Charles went down this team looks like it's had one hand tied behind its back. Gurley has been a revelation for this team, but just think how scary they'd be if they still had Charles. In a weak division and with only one loss on the year, they should be good to go for playoffs.

8. Tom's Tyrants, 2-5 (7, v1): 2-5 is exactly where this team wants to be, because at this point last year it was when they just went nuclear and stormed to a title. Forgive me for shutting down the reactor on the notion of that happening again. Look, the division is up for grabs and they're still not yet at full strength, but they've just been too inconsistent this season.

9. The Romosexuals, 3-4 (6, v3): It's fair to wonder if the rust is still there for this coach. At the time of writing still holding 3 kickers, their star players are just too inconsistent to deliver good performances week in week out. This team is capable of dishing points left right and centre, but it's just not clicking right now,

10. Jeff's Seals, 3-4 (10, =): It's quite funny how consistent this team is considering they're being managed at the most basic level. If they were in another division they may have a shot at playoffs, but until this team gets a level of human interaction, it's not a serious contender.

11. Patistan, 3-4 (11, =): This team got the W last week, but that was more due to the opponent than anything this team did. Adding Stefon Diggs was a savvy move, and something this team sorely needed. However starting Landry Jones was a bonehead move that could have easily cost them the week. This team isn't as far away from being competitive as you think.

12. Burdettinators, 3-4 (12, =): My oh my, what is going on at Burdettinator HQ right now. Just nothing is going their way right now, and it's always a dyer situation when you're forced into starting Robert Turbin. I can't believe this teams 3 week stretch of horror will continue, but something needs to change in a hurry before this becomes a lost season.

EDOTLOCCA's Corner: Week 7

Salutations LOC legends and fantasy fanatics alike! It's that time of the week again, we're all gearing up for Week 7's matches and trying to make those crucial last minute decisions. Well good news, help is at hand, I mean what could be more helpful than some meaningless awards and ridiculous predictions? My thoughts exactly! Well, here we go again, it is yet another EDOTLOCCA's Corner (that's 'Executive Director of the League of Champions Coaches Association'), enjoy people!

Coaches Award

Well well well, never have I been so spoilt for choice for the Coaches Award, well done to everyone for some top team management! However, despite all this, there can only be one winner! This week it falls in the hands of a coach who is having an impressive season so far and, in Week 6, he triumphed in a close game thanks to a smart waiver wire add, oh and he won it last week. Congratulations to Coach Stubbs Jr. for a second successive Coaches Award! Ladarius Green was a brilliant TE stream and resulted in a crucial divisional win. This coach is finally starting to look like the fantasy genius he always thought he was! Side note: was very tempting to revoke this decision based on the severe example of chickening out in the Monday night games, but it was the smart decision… I suppose.

Honourable Mention(s): Coach Stubbs Sr. who has made several key waiver wire additions and they are starting to get him results! Coach Wells and Coach Nathwani for showing faith and patience in draftees Hillman and Bryant respectively, both of these players were key to Week 6 victories.

Wooden Spoon

Very hard to pick a Wooden Spoonee this week, no coach was guilty of a truly terrible decision that cost them the game. In light of this, I have decided to split the award. Two coaches lost by mere points and did have the players on the bench that could have won them the game, whilst I am not questioning the original decisions on starting line-up, hindsight is such a glorious blessing. Coach Allen and Coach Merritt, you were both unfortunate, but the evidence is conclusive, you now have something else to share, along with your increasing bitter rivalry.

Bold Predictions

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong, that is Week 6 ticked off with a 5^th successive case of spectacular failure. 1-35 all time, as you can imagine the job offers from betting agencies and crystal ball readers are just flooding in, you should all count yourself lucky you still have me! Anyways, I am not one to mourn, lets crank up the optimism and churn out the predictions!

Jeff’s Seals vs. The Dream Team: This has to be the matchup that closest resembles what it would have looked like in Week 1, the standout exception? Carson Palmer. Going up against a Baltimore Secondary that wouldn’t look out of place in a LOC Passball game, he can define the game here, 35 points for the win.

Patistan vs. Burdettinators: Awful lotta byes for Burdettinators, really hurts your chances in a game week unfortunately and, based on that, I am predicting another case of chickening out (as was criticised earlier in the article (pay attention)). Patistan are up by a touch going into Monday night games and, as a result, bench Crocket Gillmore.

Gridiron Gang vs. Bear Necessities: Oooh we love a Father Son Bowl! But, more importantly, the boldness is (at time of writing) being written for me here. Gridiron Gang starting Brady and the Jets DEF! Surely only one of them can be good? Right? Well how about this for a prediction, they both suck, Dion Lewis takes in all the TDs and Bear Necessities win the Bowl!

The Romosexuals vs. ADRZ: Which Romosexuals team will turn up this week? I am not bold enough to predict that, at this point the team is more like Schrödinger’s Cat (Wooh science!). One way or another, this game isn’t going to be close, someone is going to win it by 30 points. Side note: what a bunch of waiver wire stars from Coach Wells, love to see that!

The Tuckfards vs. Forge Flyers: These two teams are starting to build reputations for individual star performers, capable of defining entire games. I am calling six 20+ point performers and one that goes 30+, I was going to name the players, however I am aiming to increase my chances of correct predictions…

Tom’s Tyrants vs. IKNAN: Julio vs. Antonio, what a head to head that seemed like at the start of the season! Things have quietened down a tad of late, but I see that turning around this week, I am going for a combined 45 points.

There you have it you lovely lot! Read them, enjoy them, laugh at how stupid they all seem next week, that is what I will be doing! The season is really heating up, next time we speak it will be the halfway point! But until then, good luck to everyone and Turrah!

2015: 6 Down, 10 To Go

As we head into the midway point of the regular season, Commissioner Stubbs and his coalition of co-hosts (that's Coach Sherwood and Merritt) discuss all the goings on in Week 6 and 7 of the LOC. Expect another explicit and highly volatile 70 minutes ahead of you.

Power Rankings: Week 7

You guys don't want to make it easy on me do you? Two weeks ago we had seven 2-2 teams. Now, we have six 3-3 teams! That being said, we're definitely seeing some patterns emerge heading into the halfway point of the season, and I am just about able to make sense of where the power lies in the LOC!

Power Rankings

1. Bear Necessities, 2-4 (3, ^2): One of the best teams so far this season, they have underperformed in the win column but certainly not on the stat sheet. Another 100 point game with points aplenty on the bench, week in week out this team looks like a solid bet to post good numbers. You can't ask for more than that, and that's what makes them no.1.

2. IKNAN, 3-3 (6, ^4): As I said last week, the losing streak had to come to an end eventually. This team had a very nice week despite their key cogs still struggling for the most part. At some point, this team is going to hit it peak, and when it does the rest of the league will feel it. They finally got a QB decision right as well, but ironically it's the first week in a while it didn't matter.

3. ADRZ, 5-1 (, v2): Yeah, you can definitely see this team is feeling the loss of Charles. I'll give them a bye this week as they were without next man up Todd Gurley, but many more performances like this will put ADRZ on shaky ground. What they have going for them is they already have 5 wins, and are in a soft division. When the dust settles I think they'll be ok.

4. Gridiron Gang, 5-1 (7, ^3): It took a while, but Gridiron Gang have crept up the power rankings. Look, they're not the best team in the league, they've got their issues and they're not at full strength yet, but for the 4th week in a row this team just found a way to get the W. I think a lean week could be on the horizon, but we've certainly seen this team is capable of putting up numbers.

5. The Tuckfards, 3-3 (5, =): With the early season struggles squarely in the rear view mirror, this team is trucking along. A 3 win streak was snapped this week, but that wasn't due to the teams performance. With a lot of teams in flux right now, Coach Merritt's never ending ability to find diamonds in the rough is proving invaluable.

6. The Romosexuals, 3-3 (2, v4): A week after I ate my words, my suspicions came back to the forefront. Some of the key cogs on this team broke down and stopped the whole machine last week. They got basically no points from their K and DEF (which doesn't happen too often), but it was still a lean week. I think they'll bounce back.

7. Tom's Tyrants, 2-4 (4, v3): Last weeks game summarises Tom's Tyrants season pretty well. With an opportunity to take the W on Monday night and jostle for prime position in the division, the players just didn't perform and they came up short. On paper this team looks great, but its just not happened too many times this season. You gotta think they'll get it going at some point.

8. Forge Flyers, 2-4 (8, =): No I'm not blind, I did notice the most underrated team in the league nearly put up 150 points. My response to that would be form is temporary, class is permanent. They're having a heck of a run right now, but it hasn't translated to wins often enough. Some players (any guesses who I'm referring to) are going to slow down. But until that happens, they'll always threaten to go big.

9. The Dream Team, 3-3 (12, ^3): Wahey, they're back! Hopefully not just for one week only. This week was made by Martavis Bryant, who injected life into a team that sorely needed it. While that kind of performance isn't going to happen very often, it adds a dimension to this team that wasn't there before. In a shaky division, that might be all they need.

10. Jeff's Seals, 3-3 (10, =): The rudderless ship continues to plug along with nice performances. I kind of feel we should have a projection-based team every year, just for the fun of it. Who can knock them? They're 3-3 right now and even have a shot at playoffs. For fear that machines may be better at fantasy football than man, you've gotta hope the lack of human touch catches up to them eventually...

11. Patistan, 2-4 (11, =): This team got a big boost by getting Lynch back last week, but it wasn't quite enough to get a win. I think there is reason for optimism in the Patistan camp. We know they aren't going to be able to compete with the juggernauts of the league on a weekly basis, but they're certainly capable of a nice week. Keep the faith.

12. Burdettinators, 3-3 (9, v3): Yikes, what is happening at 1 Burdettinator place right now. One of the poor performers of late finally got it going last week, only for everyone else to crumble at the exact same time. A QB change will breath new life into this team, but there are still question marks all over the roster. They can absolutely turn it around, and the coach has the pedigree to do it.

EDOTLOCCA's Corner: Week 6

Good evening everyone! Welcome to the latest (time wise) edition of EDOTLOCCA's Corner (that's 'Executive Director of the League of Champions Coaches Association') yet! But don't worry, like the shifty guy waiting outside the school gates in the Citroen Saxo, I will always be here to get you your fix! Anyway, Thursday Night Football is rapidly approaching, so there is no time for an intro, if you have already read this intro however, shame on you for wasting time! Onwards people!

Coaches Award

Week 5 in the LOC was crazy, that much is not up for debate. I am no statistician, but I would bet my mortgage on this being the closest set of results across the entire league in a single gameweek, ever. For those of you wondering, no I don't have a mortgage, it's an expression, sue me. I digress, the point was, with it all being so close, the smallest margins became even more critical. Enter Coach Stubbs Jr., a man renowned for always making the wrong decision with who to put in his starting lineup, well, not this week! Thomas Rawls, Derek Carrier, Josh Lambo and the Pats DEF, none of them were on the roster the previous week and they combined for 59.6 points, outrageous. When you win by less than 5 points, that is pretty big. Many congratulations to Coach Stubbs Jr., very well deserved.

Wooden Spoon

I may have already mentioned this, but games were pretty close last week and when this is the case, you want your stars on the field. When Coach Burdett drafted the No. 2 scoring TE in fantasy in 2015, reason said that he would start him when his suspension ended, especially seeing as pretty much every pass catcher in San Diego is injured. Charles Clay has been an admirable step in, but you have got to start your stars. Coach Burdett didn't this week and it cost him a win that would have given him breathing space ahead of his divisional rivals.

Bold Predictions

Well, call it deja vu, but here we are again with me sulking because I didn't get any of last week's predictions right. Maybe I should give up? Or start a segment called 'Cautious Predictions', where I predict things along the lines of 'Tom Brady will throw for at least 20 yards'? Might lose some of the excitement admittedly, maybe I should just suck it up. Well, fresh out the oven, here they are, Week 6's Bold Predictions!

Burdettinators vs. The Dream Team: Maclin and Hankerson, two players normally limited by superstar team mates. But the injury fairy has struck and their ceilings have been lifted, 20 points each, you heard it here first!

Patistan vs. ADRZ: I love it when teams start QBs that we would have all laughed at them for drafting, Dalton and Manning fit that description nicely. But, with hot offenses and nice match ups, these two will go for 60 points between them.

Forge Flyers vs. Jeff's Seals: Devonta Freeman is currently the No.1 cause of suicides in America, fact! (Probably). This week, Bell reminds him who the premier dual threat in the league is though by at least doubling his receiving yards, rushing yards and TDs.

The Tuckfards vs. Gridiron Gang: Big game for this division! But Gridiron Gang are going to have to play catch up, Ryan and Ingram will set The Tuckfards off on the right foot, to the tune of 50 points Thursday night.

IKNAN vs. The Romosexuals: Revenge game ahoy! And by that I mean Mr. Fitzgerald making IKNAN regret not drafting him. How does 3 TDs sound? Kinda like a Romosexuals win.

Tom's Tyrants vs. Bear Necessities: Yardage based predictions always seem like a shot in the dark, but they also sound very impressive, so here we go! 1,000 total receiving yards, boom!

Well, there you have it, another week has passed and another edition of EDOTLOCCA's Corner is under wraps and I have a really good feeling about this latest set of predictions... honest. Well, with or without accurate predictions, enjoy the week ahead and I shall see you all soon! Turrah!

2015: 5 Down, 11 To Go

We've got a special show for you today. As you can guess from the title, it's another typical episode of the LOC content wise, but we have two of the most polarizing coaches in the LOC joining Commissioner Stubbs this week - none other than Coach Merritt of The Tuckfards and Coach Sherwood of IKNAN (and yes, the combination was as chaotic as you could have imagined). Hold onto your seats, this ones a good one...

Power Rankings: Week 6

Week 5 Power Rankings

Has it...has it happened? Do we finally have a shred of clarity in the LOC? A week after a whopping 7 teams came into Week 5 at 2-2, do we finally have some semblance of logic in the LOC? I mean, not much, but it's more than the low amount of none we had before, so I'll take it...

Power Rankings

1. ADRZ, 4-1 (3, ^): Coach Wells will be no doubt ecstatic he has reached number 1. And he deserves it. He made some gutsy calls this week, and they paid huge dividends en route to a narrow victory. Now leading the entire league, they look poised to keep going. Despite the loss of Jamaal Charles, if their is any team that has the depth to withstand it, I think it's this one.

2. The Romosexuals, 3-2 (4, ^): I feel like we're not giving Coach Nunn enough credit. The un-retired Head Coach is in the midst of a good season, and has a great team. Last week I mentioned that the stars weren't performing, and they obviously heard me. The only bad thing I have to say about this team is they haven't had enough performances like last weeks.

3. Bear Necessities, 1-4 (2, v): It had to come eventually. In the midst of a mini rut, this coach deserved a win based on the teams first 3 weeks alone. Still without their star QB, and in a division that still looks like it's up for grabs, don't be surprised to see this team get hot and win a few on the trot. I think this may be the best roster from top to bottom in the league.

4. Tom's Tyrants, 2-3 (7, ^): At risk of hopping on the band wagon only for the wheels to fall off again, Tom's Tyrants have been white hot the last two weeks. They've had some phenomenal performances that are not sustainable, but this is the Tom's Tyrants team we envisioned. Still not at full strength, this team is definitely trending up.

5. The Tuckfards, 3-2 (8, ^): Despite my personal views on this team, it's hard to ignore the success they've been having. on a 3 game win streak now, they're starting to hit their stride. There must be something in the water in the Merritt household, because this coach continues to churn out good rosters, and finds good players from the unlikeliest of places.

6. IKNAN, 2-3 (6, =): This team is squarely at a crossroads. I don't think anyone would have been surprised to see this team drop 3 games all season, let alone in a row. The key players just aren't getting it done right now for one reason or another. This team has all the potential in the world, they just need to keep grinding and the wins will follow.

7. Gridiron Gang, 4-1 (10, ^): Anyone think Gridiron Gang is just game plan specific, and only intends to put up enough points to beat the opponent they're facing each week? On a 3 win streak, posting their best score since week 1, this team some how is getting it done. They've taken a lot of risks this season, but they've paid off more often than not. Brady's giving this team chances to win, and they're capitalising right now.

8. Forge Flyers, 1-4 (12, ^): Finally out of the basement, Coach Leach is quietly improving. While Freeman's stretch of scoring is still unattainable, it seems he is here to stay. This team took a few weeks to get all its pieces together, but I think they've finally found the right combination and now it's starting to click. But at 1-4, are they too late?

9. Burdettinators, 3-2 (5, v): I really don't know what to make of this team now. They've got some fantastic players, but the consistency isn't there right now. Not unlike the Broncos offence, they're getting it done, but it just feels a bit awkward to watch. I think they're probably better than 9, but I'd like them to display that before I roll with it.

10. Jeff's Seals, 3-2 (1, v): Ok, I'll put my hands up and admit I got this one wrong. Look, they seem to be a consistent enough team that is going to put up around 90 points each week, but they'd be hard pressed to do much better than that consistently. This team can definitely get some wins here and there, but their lack of a true coach hurts their chances.

11. Patistan, 2-3 (9, v): After what was a promising start to the season, this team has levelled off, and unfortunately might even be trending in the other direction. The injuries are starting to take their toll, and key players just aren't performing right now. When this team gets healthy I think they'll definitely put up some points, but until that happens this teams upside remains capped.

12. The Dream Team, 2-3 (11, v): This does not look like the typical team that Coach Nathwani usually assembles year in year out. They're struggling right now. They're in desperate need for their stars to step up, but it's just not happened consistently through the first 5 weeks. They're 2-3, so it's not over, but Coach Nathwani needs to turn this team around in a hurry.

2015: #CheersRoger

Welcome to a special Friday edition of the LOC Report, I can't think of any better way of kicking off your weekend! Commissioner Stubbs is joined by Coach Merritt to discuss the goings on of Blood Bowl...oh wait, I mean the NFL, and the LOC. With the LOC so close right now, can these two bold coaches decipher what is going on in the league?...Probably not, but you may as well listen anyway.

EDOTLOCCA's Corner: Week 5

EDOTLOCCA’s Corner

Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to your fifth edition of EDOTLOCCA’s Corner (that’s ‘Executive Director of the League of Champions Coaches Association’), looking back on Week 4 and ahead to Week 5! But, before we start, I would like to bring to your attention a new charity I am setting up. Not all fantasy teams are born with the equal opportunities, some must work far harder to achieve what most of us take for granted. Bear Necessities are a good team, with good players, yet each week we choose to trample all over them in truly heartless fashion, surely every fantasy team deserves an equal chance to thrive? That is why, in the spirit of fantasy football, I ask you to find it in your hearts to donate just a few of your fantasy points each week, to give Bear Necessities the opportunities I think all teams deserve. Right, serious bit over! Enjoy the episode!

Coaches Award

Last week in the LOC, 10 teams’ points totals were separated by less than 30 points, which is 83% of the league! So, needless to say, small margins were key throughout the league. The closest game of all came down to a mere 5 points, the deciding factor? Arguably a waiver-wire TE who put up 13.5 points in place of the injured starter. The Tuckfards picked up Gary Barnidge and he won them the game, simple as that. There are not many spot start TEs you can trust with the game on the line, so congratulations to Coach Merritt, you deserve the Coaches Award for Week 4!

Honourable mention: Smart choices on the starting line up and the waiver wire last week, plus the all-important win, Coach Allen has got Patistan’s coaching trending in the right direction! Lost out to Coach Merritt who made a decision that proved more vital for the win.

Wooden Spoon

Two disappointing losses in a row, now coupled with two wooden spoon awards. Coach Sherwood has depth at QB, but that isn’t always a blessing, in fact (as Coach Stubbs Jr. will tell you from last year) it is the fantasy equivalent of a weekly migraine. In Week 4, he got it wrong and it cost him the game. It is a tough Wooden Spoon to award, but decision making at the top of IKNAN has been in question for the past couple of week. The talent is there to right the ship though, no doubt.

Bold Predictions

Well, I failed, I tried to make my predictions simpler for a better result and it didn’t work. Maybe I will only get 1 right all year? Who knows? However, don’t fret people, I will not be disheartened, you will get your bold predictions each and every week! And, if the stars align and my ritual of good fortune works, we may even get some more correct ones! Let’s see about Week 5…

The Tuckfards vs. The Dream Team: This game just screams yardage to me, do you get that? In fact, I am going to go so far as to say only 3 TDs combined for the 18 starting players, lots and lots of yards though.

Jeff’s Seals vs. Burdettinators: For me, this matchup is about Burdettinators’ WRs vs. Jeff’s Seals’ RBs. On Sunday, Maclin and Matthews combine for 25 points, but on Monday night, Bell and Gordon steal the victory with a combined 35 point effort.

Patistan vs. Bear Necessities: Is it bolder to predict an 0-4 team to win, or a league-wide high-scorer to lose? That is one for a philosopher, I am staying way out of it. All 6 starting running backs combined fail to breach 240 rushing yards (40 yards each).

IKNAN vs. ADRZ: Can I get some backing for this being the Acronym Bowl? I feel we need more bowls in the LOC. Anyway, the prediction, the newly anointed Acronym Bowl is the highest scoring game of the week, combing for 250+ points total!

Gridiron Gang vs. Forge Flyers: Forge Flyers have been a one man team of late, well this week that man changes. Blount takes on the mantle, vulturing 3 TDs that would have been Brady’s, in turn giving Forge Flyers the win and ending Gridiron Gang’s run of underachieving opponents.

Tom’s Tyrants vs. The Romosexuals: Kamar Aiken and Willie Snead were not on many people’s radars at the start of the season, they still aren’t, but the waiver wire duo outplay and outscore The Romosexuals’ three starting WRs (Beckham, Fitzgerald and Cooks).

There we have it! The quest for that elusive second correct prediction continues with this fresh set of beauties! Hope you enjoyed the article and I wish you all luck again this week! Until next time, Turrah!

Power Rankings: Week 5

Another strange, and actually for what it's worth, pretty low scoring week in the NFL and the LOC. The RedZone TD montage was only 51 TD's long, as opposed to the average of about 70 so far. It's all to play for in the LOC right now, and no team has been able to set themselves apart. Do the Power Rankings agree?

Power Rankings

1. Jeff's Seals, 2-2 (7): Am I going out on a limb saying this might be the best starting lineup in the LOC? Unsurprisingly, the interim coach (i.e. scoring projections) has actually improved this team, and it showed. They've got a pretty star studded lineup, and with a lot of teams in flux, I think, at least for the time being, they deserve to be top.

2. Bear Necessities, 0-4 (4): Well, I said it on the podcast. The one week you can see them having a slight down tick would be the one they would have normally won. Make no mistake, they still had a very good week, as did their opponent, but this is starting to get silly. Mark my words, this team will start winning sooner rather than later, they're just too good.

3. ADRZ, 3-1 (3): You could have made a case for this team being no.1 last week, but they took a small step back last week. I think they've probably got the best top to bottom roster with bench included in the league, but I'm not sure their bast starting lineup is quite as good as some others. They're very consistent, and if this team can take the next step they'll be terrifying.

4. The Romosexuals, 2-2 (2): Well, it was a pretty horrific week for this team. While some big names have underperformed for them so far this season, they still remain a team that looks formidable on paper. Sooner or later, talent wins out, and it wouldn't surprise me if they doubled their scoring total from last week, if not more.

5. Burdettinators, 3-1 (8): Despite dropping players that went on to have great weeks for other teams, they still had a great week. Much like Denver' offence, it's not pretty, but they're getting it done. For now I think that their upside is still limited, but they seem to also have a pretty comfortable floor every week, and that can give you some wins in itself.

6. IKNAN, 2-2 (1-0): This team is 2 players away from being 4-0 (though granted this week the player they could have swapped still got 20 points). While I no doubt think this is a very good team, I'm starting to get a little nervous. Their RBs are still precarious, I'm not sure they've actually started the highest scoring QB yet, and the receivers which were the strength of this team are looking a little shaky. They still have all the potential in the world, but I want to see it pan out.

7. Tom's Tyrants, 2-2 (10): Well that was long overdue. For the first week since Week 1, everything was clicking with this team. They had some tremendous performers last week, and while I'm not sure the consistency will be that good, I think it balances out to make this team one of the better ones. Let's not forget, they've got a lot of injuries holding them back right now as well.

8. The Tuckfards, 2-2 (9): Another nice week for this team, and the core of the team is continuing to pay dividends. A typical Tuckfards team, get a few big names to get points every week and rely on the supporting cast to push them over the finish line. The most likely scenario is this team Tuckfards its way to a decent week every week.

9. Patistan, 2-2 (6): This team looks completely different without its star QB and RB. While they got the W last week, counting on the likes of Dalton and Jennings is not a situation you want to be in. They'll need the WRs to carry this team for as long as the QB and RB are out, but they're not a team that I would sleep on.

10. Gridiron Gang, 3-1 (11): Maybe I'm being unduly harsh on my team, maybe I'm not, but its been 3 straight weeks without 100 points for Gridiron Gang. The scheduling gods have smiled on them the past two weeks, and they are winning ugly. That being said, I think the roster is better than what we've seen, and they'll figure it out at some point.

11. The Dream Team, 2-2 (5): I'm not sure what to make of this team. Part of me thinks they've got a good roster, and the other part of me doesn't want to touch it with a 10 foot pole. The likely result is probably somewhere in the middle. For the second straight year they're yearning for consistent receivers, and honestly it could make all the difference.

12. Forge Flyers, 1-3 (12): It's telling when a team gets a 33 point performance from one player and still only manages to score 83 points. Freeman has been a revelation for them, but what he has been doing is unsustainable. They have some nice pieces, and they could certainly have some nice weeks, but the consistency just isn't there right now.

2015: Wembley Bound!

After what was another bizarre and injury filled week in the NFL and the LOC, Commissioner Stubbs is here to help you make sense of it all. He's joined by Coach Merritt of The Tuckfards, helping deliver the run down of last week, the preview of the next, and the build up to the first Wembley game.

EDOTLOCCA's Corner: Week 4

EDOTLOCCA’s Corner

Good day to you, honourable coaches of the LOC! Welcome once again to your weekly dose of me, I know right, lucky you!

This is episode four of EDOTLOCCA’s Corner (that’s ‘Executive Director of the League of Champions Coaches Association’), I hope you are all looking forwards to reading it! In this episode you will see some reverse roles take place in the awards and a slight change of approach in the bold predictions, so lots going on! Now, before the suspense becomes too much for you all, on with the episode!

Coaches Award

Week 3 seemed to be THE week for massive performances as players flying slightly under the radar broke out across the LOC, shaking the very foundations of the league! No performance was more groundbreaking however, than that of Devonta Freeman, who totaled a monstrous 37.3 points for Forge Flyers. Let it not be forgotten that Coach Leach handpicked Freeman from the waivers and, with Tevin Coleman sidelined (*Sigh…*), this looks like a coaching masterstroke! After receiving the wooden spoon last week, with me specifically citing RB depth, Coach Leach has honestly made me look quite stupid… cheers mate. A well deserved Coaches Award goes to Coach Leach for proving me wrong!

Honourable mention: Coach Wells for being the first team of the year and of the 12 team LOC to breach 150 points, whilst remaining the sole undefeated team, well done to you sir!

Wooden Spoon

After what has truly been a blistering start to the season, the LOC should feature two 3-0 teams right now, however demons from the past have resurfaced. Will the margin of loss less than 4 points, starting an IA RB is simply unforgivable. What is worse? The likely replacement (Bernard) scored 8.3 points on the bench. This has been a running theme in teams of Coach Sherwood’s past and I hope this Wooden Spoon award is enough of a kick to get him focused again, this team is stacked with potential.

Bold Predictions

After a second consecutive 0-6 week on predictions (1-17 for the year so far), I am starting to feel like the guy on ‘The Apprentice’ that eventually gets fired for never selling anything, despite being a decent candidate and a genuinely nice guy. Well, after a twisted epiphany featuring Lord Sugar in full football kit firing me for ineptitude, no more Mr. nice EDOTLOCCA. Bold predictions from here on out will be less complex and hopefully my hit rate will go from Jameis Winston-esque to full blown Aaron Rodgers!

Bear Necessities vs. Burdettinators: Two former champions face off and, in a matchup sans-Gronk, no team’s RBs, WRs or TEs score a TD. Luck, Manning and the respective DEFs contribute all the TDs in the match.

Jeff’s Seals vs. ADRZ: This game goes close, in fact there are 15 points in in after the Sunday night games, leaving the win in ADRZ’s reach with Wilson playing Monday night. However, a 3 INT performance topples the last remaining undefeated team in the LOC.

Patistan vs. Forge Flyers: Tannehill and Matthews revel in the London air as the WR catches 3 TDs from his QB. The combination is too much for Patistan and, the cruel bit? Coach Allen is there in person, watching…

The Romosexuals vs. Gridiron Gang: Well, well, well, we all knew it was only a matter of time. Finally the LOC is treated to the almighty showdown of Flacco vs. Carr! I kid, but the matchups are ridiculous, the pair combine for 8 TDs.

The Tuckfards vs. IKNAN: The current No. 1 (Broncos) and 2 (Cardinals) ranked DEFs in fantasyland go head to head, but after this week the Cards go top overall, leading The Tuckfards to victory on another 20+ point performance.

Tom’s Tyrants vs. The Dream Team: Murray out-rushes all of Tom’s Tyrants’ RBs and Jones out-receives all of The Dream Team’s WRs, leaving it to be decided by a throw-off. Bradford loses and The Dream Team win.

So there you have it, the turning point of the Bold Predictions! I can’t see any way this lovely lot go anything other than 6-0, can you? Until next time, Turrah!