Deck the Halls with a Chase for the E.L.S.I.E. – “The Thursday Morning Quarterback”

What’s going on league family? The Chase for the E.L.S.I.E. is finally upon us as we are winding down our fantasy season. The top 8 teams from both leagues are all set to due battle to see who takes home this season E.L.S.I.E. Award, while the bottom 4 teams are playing for the 1st overall pick in next seasons draft! In this weeks edition of The Thursday Morning Quarterback, we will cover all of the usual suspects and take a closer look at this weeks Chase match ups as well as the match ups in the Draft Lottery playoffs! So as always…, “Let’s Get To It”

***E.L.S.I.E. University***

Class of 2013, don’t forget to start sending in your profile pics so I can begin building your teams profile pages. If you haven’t sent in your profile pic, please do so by sending it to enviousstaff@gmail.com. I will respond to let you know I have received your profile pic.

The team profiles for DeSeantourage, PizzaFreak, Cinderella and The Pride of Detroit are up! To see them, just click on the respective team that you want to see or in the navigational menu at the top of the site, go to Team Profiles and then E.L.S.I.E. University.

***Keeper’s Deadline***

The keeper’s for The Pride of Detroit, Cinderella & Over Dwayne Bowe will be posted during the Saturday Update! Email me at enviousstaff@gmail.com for me to manually set your keepers for you!

***League Poll***

Class of 2013, I still need your votes in on this poll. This league poll is primarily for the Class of 2013 as the Origins league is already a money league! NOTE:ORIGINS MEMBERS, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE ON THIS POLL! This poll ask Class of 2013 members if they want to add a monetary prize to The E.L.S.I.E. Award next season? The league fee would be $25 per league member with the monetary prize to the league’s champion being $250.00. The other $50 would go to buying the take home E.L.S.I.E. Award ($24.95 plus shipping), and the price to engrave the award with the league champions team name and record (roughly $19.99). I will need 8 of 12 league owners in either yes or no fashion to approve or deny the poll. But keep in mind that if the poll IS NOT voted in, there will most likely be a league fee of at least $5 to cover my cost on the take home E.L.S.I.E. Award & the engraving. 🙁

***The Chase for the E.L.S.I.E.***

The top 8 teams are in and ready to start staking claim to this season fantasy title. Will The E.L.S.I.E. go home with I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks or Weapons of Mass Production from Origins? Will PizzaFreak or DeSeantourage be able to fend off the pack in the Class of 2013? Only time will tell…

***The League! – Origins***

1. I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks (9-4, 4-3 Div.) (North Division Champions) (Head-to-Head Win over Weapons of Mass Production)
2. Weapons of Mass Production (9-4, 5-2 Div.) (South Division Champions)
3. St. Pete ConVICKS (8-5, 6-1 Div.)
4. NC Bad Boys (7-6, 3-4 Div.) (Head-to-Head Win over the BUCKNASTY’S BOYS) (Total Points Scored Between Head-to-Head Match Ups Tiebreaker over the Clam Diggers (272.18 – 245.68) & Pick 6’n (256.78 – 231.32)
5. BUCKNASTY’S BOYS (7-6, 3-4 Div.) (Head-to-Head Wins over the Clam Diggers & Pick 6’n)
6. Clam Diggers (7-6, 5-2 Div.) (Head-to-Head Win over Pick 6’n)
7. Pick 6’n (7-6, 4-3 Div.)
8. Hakeem I Saw I Conquered (6-7, 2-5 Div.) (Head-to-Head Win over The Monstars)

The Draft Lottery

1. The Monstars (6-7, 2-5 Div.)
2. DemBoys (5-8, 3-4 Div.)
3. Maclin on Your Girl (4-9, 2-5 Div.)
4. Peyton’s Girl (3-10, 3-4 Div.)

***The League! – Class of 2013***

1. PizzaFreak (11-2, 6-1 Div.) (North Division Champions)
2. DeSeantourage (10-3, 6-1 Div.) (South Division Champions)
3. The Pride of Detroit (8-5, 5-2 Div.)
4. Cinderella (7-6, 3-4 Div.)
5. F-U-Pay-Me (6-7, 4-3 Div.) (Head-to-Head Wins over Eventual Champions & Hero7861)
6. Eventual Champions (6-7, 1-6 Div.) (Head-to-Head Win over Hero7861)
7. Hero7861 (6-7, 5-2 Div.)
8. The Wilkesboro Boxers (5-8, 4-3 Div.) (All the 5-8 Teams Beat Each Other) (Divisional Record Tiebreaker over V-Town, I go Deep & Over Dwayne Bowe)

The Draft Lottery

1. V-Town (5-8, 3-4 Div.) (Divisional Record Tiebreaker over I go Deep & Over Dwayne Bowe)
2. I go Deep (5-8, 2-5 Div.) (Head-to-Head Win over Over Dwayne Bowe)
3. Over Dwayne Bowe (5-8, 2-5 Div.)
4. Surprise Scorpians (4-9, 1-6 Div.)

***Week 13 Recaps (Origins)***

Maclin on Your Girl Beats I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks Again

Maclin on Your Girl stays undefeated in two match ups against I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks this season with a 132.38 – 108.30 win. Their overall record goes to 4-9 on the year, while I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks falls to 9-4. Reggie Bush (117 Rsh Yds, 65 Rec Yds, 1 TD) led the way this week, getting 22.20 points for Maclin on Your Girl. The last time these teams met, Jordy Nelson led the way with 18.60. Each team left something on the table as Maclin on Your Girl had two starters turn in zero points and I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks had one. Despite the loss, I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks heads into next week’s playoffs.

Pick 6’n Silences Peyton’s Girl, As They Have Now Lost Eight Straight

Pick 6’n remains undefeated in two match ups against Peyton’s Girl this season and they turned out the lights in this one, with a 167.00 – 107.90 blowout. Their overall record goes to 7-6 on the year, while Peyton’s Girl falls to 3-10. Josh Gordon racked up 261 receiving yards and did the most damage this week, grabbing 40.10 points. That’s more than Michael Vick, who earned the top score with 34.32 points the last time these teams met. Pick 6’n makes The Chase!

Clam Diggers Win Against NC Bad Boys, Series Tied at One Game Apiece

Adrian Peterson rushed for 211 yards (22.10 points) and Jason Worilds added 15.00 points as the Clam Diggers defeated the NC Bad Boys, 144.60 – 125.58. The Clam Diggers took a 29.00-point lead on Thursday and never looked back. This win was revenge for a Week 2 146.60 – 101.08 waxing by the NC Bad Boys. These two teams are tied with identical 7-6 records, but the NC Bad Boys will take the series tiebreaker out scoring the Clam Diggers in their two head-to-head match ups, 272.18 – 245.68. Both teams are poised to make a title run in this season Chase!

St Pete ConVICKS Come Back to Edge BUCKNASTY’S BOYS

The St Pete ConVICKS remain undefeated in two match ups against the BUCKNASTY’S BOYS, and they barely get by in this one 151.30 – 150.98. Their overall record goes to 8-5 on the year, while the BUCKNASTY’S BOYS fall to 7-6. C.J. Spiller (149 Rsh Yds, 1 TD) was the key player this week, picking up 21.70 points. That’s slightly higher than Randall Cobb, who earned the top score with 19.80 points the last time these teams met. The result might have been even worse as the St Pete ConVICKS had a starter score zero points (Jarrett Boykin). These two teams may meet a third time in this season Chase for the E.L.S.I.E.

Weapons of Mass Production Handles Hakeem I Saw I Conquered Again

Weapons of Mass Production defeated Hakeem I Saw I Conquered 162.22 – 147.22 to remain undefeated against them in two match ups. They also won the South Division in the process. Their overall record goes to 9-4 on the year, while Hakeem I Saw I Conquered drops to 6-7. Peyton Manning passed for five passing touchdowns and was the reason for the win, grabbing 32.82 points. That’s higher than DeSean Jackson, who earned the top score with 26.30 points the last time these teams met. Weapons of Mass Production and Hakeem I Saw I Conquered are both playoff-bound next week.

DemBoys Beats The Monstars, Goes to 2-0 Against Them This Season

DemBoys get their second straight win in this series against The Monstars with a 154.88 – 124.38 win. Their overall record goes to 5-8 on the year, while The Monstars fall to 6-7. DemBoys had a strong showing against The Monstars, and has a 163.49-point average score in the series. This is 141% of their overall season average. Ben Tate scored three touchdowns and led the way this week, grabbing 28.20 points. That’s a little less than Aaron Rodgers, who earned the top score with 31.90 points the last time these teams met. On top of the loss, The Monstars had a starter score zero points (Ahmad Brooks).

Interesting Notes from The League – Origins in Week 12

• The Clam Diggers earned the win this week despite not starting a top-15 scoring QB.
• Hakeem I Saw I Conquered has now increased their score each of the past three weeks.
• DemBoys has now increased their score each of the past three weeks.
• The BUCKNASTY’S BOYS has now increased their score each of the past three weeks.
• Unfortunately, I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks fell short of their projected score for the eighth straight week.
• The Monstars have now beaten their projected score three weeks in a row.
• Peyton’s Girl has now fallen short of their projected score for seven weeks in a row.
• Unfortunately, the Clam Diggers fell short of their projected score for the sixth straight week.

***Week 13 Recaps (Class of 2013)***

PizzaFreak Pulls Off Comeback over Over Dwayne Bowe to Take Over Top Spot

PizzaFreak stays undefeated in two match ups with Over Dwayne Bowe, and they barely get by this time 146.88 – 144.08. Their overall record goes to 11-2 on the year, while Over Dwayne Bowe falls to 5-8. DeMarco Murray scored three touchdowns and was the key difference this week, grabbing 28.20 points. That’s higher than Robert Griffin III, who earned the top score with 21.90 points the last time these teams met. PizzaFreak is playoff-bound next week.

Cinderella Brings Down Eventual Champions, Yet to Lose in Series

Cinderella defeated Eventual Champions 142.42 – 108.60 for their second win in as many head-to-head match ups. Their overall record goes to 7-6 on the year, while Eventual Champions drop to 6-7. Cam Newton (263 Pas Yds, 68 Rsh Yds, 2 Pas TD/2 Int, 1 Rsh TD) led the team this week, grabbing 27.32 points for Cinderella. The last time these teams met, Mike Wallace led the way with 17.50. Both teams will be playoff bound next week.

Hero7861 Rocks The Wilkesboro Boxers, Stays Undefeated in the Series

Hero7861 remains undefeated in two match ups against The Wilkesboro Boxers and they cranked it up in this one, with a 207.42 – 100.08 blowout. Their overall record goes to 6-7 on the year, while The Wilkesboro Boxers falls to 5-8. Hero7861 saved their best for last this week, scoring the highest point total in The League – Class of 2013 this season. Their average score in the series is 170.55 points, 27% more than their season average. Josh Gordon racked up 261 receiving yards and led the effort this week, putting up 40.10 points for Hero7861. The last time these teams met, Peyton Manning led the way with 19.98. Both teams are heading to The Chase!

I go Deep Gets Win Against DeSeantourage, Evicts Them from Top Spot

I go Deep (5-8, 1,458.16 points) drops DeSeantourage (10-3, 1,639.60 points) out of the league’s top spot, beating them, 117.30 – 90.78. DeSeantourage had a tough weekend and ranked dead last in points this week. The win was an answer to a loss to DeSeantourage in Week 2, 135.46 – 117.10. DeSeantourage was led by Reggie Bush with 22.20 points (117 Rsh Yds, 65 Rec Yds, 1 TD) and NaVorro Bowman who scored 13.50 (1 Sack, 10 Tack). With the regular season finished, DeSeantourage can now set their sights on a championship run.

F-U-Pay-Me Gets Victory Against V-Town

F-U-Pay-Me defeated V-Town 157.88 – 143.90 for their second win in as many head-to-head match ups. Their overall record goes to 6-7 on the year, while V-Town drops to 5-8. Adrian Peterson rushed for 211 rushing yards and was the difference this week, getting 22.10 points. That’s still quite a drop-off from Aaron Rodgers, who earned the top score with 31.90 points the last time these teams met. V-Town got zero points from Gerald McCoy, which might have made the difference in the outcome.

The Pride of Detroit Beats Surprise Scorpians, Makes It Four in a Row

The Pride of Detroit remains undefeated in two match ups against Surprise Scorpians with a 118.60 – 109.94 win. Their overall record goes to 8-5 on the year, while Surprise Scorpians falls to 4-9. Surprise Scorpians isn’t a guaranteed win for The Pride of Detroit, who now has an 11.86-point average margin of victory against them. That’s a lot smaller than their 44.87-point average margin of victory on the season (second in the league). Matthew Stafford passed for 330 passing yards and was the winning factor this week, getting 20.00 points for The Pride of Detroit. The last time these teams met, Jimmy Graham led the way with 24.90. The Pride of Detroit played one starter with zero points while Surprise Scorpians also served up one goose egg, meaning both sides missed scoring opportunities.

Interesting Notes from The League – Class of 2013 in Week 13

• Unfortunately, Cinderella fell short of their projected score for the 10th straight week.
• I go Deep earned the win this week despite not starting a top-15 scoring QB.
• DeSeantourage has now fallen short of their projected score for nine weeks in a row.
• No surprise here, teams have won 87.5% of the time this season when starting the league’s top-scoring QB of the week (7-1 overall).
• PizzaFreak is on a five-game winning streak.
• Eventual Champions has now fallen short of their projected score for four weeks in a row.
• The Pride of Detroit is on a four-game winning streak.
• Unfortunately, Surprise Scorpians fell short of their projected score for the fourth straight week.

***First Round Playoff Previews (Origins)***

#8 Hakeem I Saw I Conquered vs. #1 I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks

X-Factors:

Hakeem I Saw I Conquered: Cam Newton-QB (20.78) / I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks: LeSean McCoy-RB (26.90)

No. 1-seed I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks (9-4, 1,721.44) meets No. 8-seed Hakeem I Saw I Conquered (6-7, 1,479.98) as the playoffs kick off this week. With a predicted margin of victory of 52.66 points, updated projections have this one as a cakewalk for I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks.

Neither team will see action in tonight’s game.

I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks has the biggest advantage at the RB position, where Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy are projected to outscore Steven Jackson and Fred Jackson, 43.90 – 15.10. For Hakeem I Saw I Conquered to compete, they’ll need to capitalize at the DB position, where Patrick Peterson and Mark Barron are expected to beat DeAngelo Hall and Tyrann Mathieu, 19.20 – 9.00. I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks has two players (Delanie Walker and Vincent Jackson) facing a top-10 defense while two more (Steve Smith and Andrew Luck) face a bottom-10-ranked defense. Hakeem I Saw I Conquered also has two starters (Steven Jackson and Fred Jackson) going up against a top-10 defense and four (Cam Newton, Torrey Smith, and two others) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks has stood pat on their lineup since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hakeem I Saw I Conquered made two pickups, adding Brent Celek (3.80 projected points) and Steven Hauschka (9.00 projected points) while dropping Garrett Graham (5.50 projected points) and Mason Crosby (6.00 projected points). They’ve also made two changes to their lineup, starting Mark Barron (7.00 projected points) and Kyle Williams (0.00 projected points) while placing Chris Long (4.00 projected points) and Richard Sherman (5.00 projected points) on the bench.

#5 BUCKNASTY’S BOYS vs. #4 NC Bad Boys

X-Factors:

BUCKNASTY’S BOYS: Marshawn Lynch-RB (22.90) / NC Bad Boys: Antonio Brown-WR (24.10)

The playoffs start this week as Darren Sproles and No. 4-seed the NC Bad Boys (7-6, 1,689.98) go up against Marshawn Lynch and No. 5-seed the BUCKNASTY’S BOYS (8-5, 1,681.50). Sproles, the projected No. 3 RB this week, is expected to score 21.20 points, while Lynch, the projected No. 2 RB, is predicted to score 22.90. This match up is still winnable for the BUCKNASTY’S BOYS, with the NC Bad Boys favored to win by 17.86 points.

Neither team has players taking the field in tonight’s game.

The NC Bad Boys has a considerable advantage at the WR position, where they are projected to outscore the BUCKNASTY’S BOYS, 56.10 – 42.30. The NC Bad Boys have one player (Brandon Marshall) facing a top-10 defense while two more (Rob Gronkowski and Calvin Johnson) face a bottom-10-ranked defense. The BUCKNASTY’S BOYS has three starters (Chris Johnson, Martellus Bennett, and Alshon Jeffery) facing a top-10-ranked defense.

The NC Bad Boys made two pickups since Tuesday, adding Corey Graham (4.00 projected points) and Jordan Todman (2.90 projected points) while dropping Justin Houston (3.00 projected points) and Bilal Powell (2.40 projected points). They’ve also made two changes to their lineup, starting Greg Hardy (7.00 projected points) and Darren Sproles (21.20 projected points) while benching Ryan Mathews (7.50 projected points) and DeMarcus Ware (5.00 projected points).

The BUCKNASTY’S BOYS have not made any changes to their lineup.

#6 Clam Diggers vs. #3 St. Pete ConVICKS

X-Factors:

Clam Diggers: Dez Bryant-WR (27.40) / St. Pete ConVICKS: Matthew Stafford-QB (21.06)

No. 6-seed the Clam Diggers (7-6, 1,772.80), winners of their last two, meet No. 3-seed the St Pete ConVICKS (7-6, 1,697.00), in the opening round of the playoffs this week. This match up is still winnable for the St Pete ConVICKS, with the Clam Diggers favored to win by 12.12 points.

Neither the Clam Diggers nor the St Pete ConVICKS have players playing in tonight’s game.

The Clam Diggers have three players (Adrian Peterson, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Zac Stacy) facing a top-10 defense while two more (Wes Welker and Coby Fleener) face a bottom-10-ranked defense. The St Pete ConVICKS have two starters (Matt Forte and C.J. Spiller) going up against a top-10 defense and two (Matthew Stafford and Vernon Davis) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

The Clam Diggers have not made any lineup changes since Tuesday, but still has Michael Johnson (0.00 projected points) in their starting lineup.

Meanwhile, the St Pete ConVICKS have made one change to their lineup, starting Kenny Stills (2.90 projected points) while placing DeAndre Hopkins (1.80 projected points) on the bench.

#7 Pick 6’n vs. #2 Weapons of Mass Production

X-Factors:

Pick 6’n: T.Y. Hilton-WR (22.70) / Weapons of Mass Production: DeSean Jackson-WR (31.40)

No. 2-seed Weapons of Mass Production (9-4, 1,783.64) puts their two-game win streak on the line against No. 7-seed Pick 6’n (7-6, 1,797.64) in the opening round of the playoffs this week. Thursday projections have this one as potentially winnable for Pick 6’n, with Weapons of Mass Production favored to win by 13.12 points.

Both teams have one starter in action in the game tonight. Weapons of Mass Production suits up J.J. Watt (7.00 projected points), while Pick 6’n will play Andre Johnson (14.00 projected points).

Weapons of Mass Production has a considerable advantage at the WR position, where they are projected to outscore Pick 6’n, 71.20 – 53.90. For Pick 6’n to play well, they’ll need to capitalize at the TE position, where Jimmy Graham is expected to score more than Julius Thomas, 14.80 – 2.20. Weapons of Mass Production has three players (Eric Decker, Julius Thomas, and Peyton Manning) facing a bottom-10-ranked defense this week. Pick 6’n has two starters (Andre Johnson and Josh Gordon) going up against a top-10 defense and three (Ray Rice, Frank Gore, and T.Y. Hilton) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

Weapons of Mass Production picked up one player since Tuesday, adding John Cyprien (0.00 projected points) while cutting Alterraun Verner (3.00 projected points). They’ve also made two changes to their lineup, starting Eric Decker (17.80 projected points) and Julius Thomas (2.20 projected points) while benching Scott Chandler (2.60 projected points) and Michael Floyd (12.30 projected points).

Meanwhile, Pick 6’n added one player, picking up Jared Allen (5.00 projected points) while dropping Cameron Wake (9.00 projected points). Pick 6’n has not made any changes to their lineup.

***Around The League – Origins***

• From a projected points perspective, Weapons of Mass Production has the top-ranked QB (Peyton Manning) and WR (DeSean Jackson) in the league this week.
• I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks hopes to top their projections this week. It has been a tough run of eight straight weeks where they have not hit their estimated point production.
• LeSean McCoy of I Got Sacks On Sacks On Sacks has the most projected points of any RB in the league this week. Surprisingly, teams have won just 37.5% of the time this season when starting the top-scoring RB.
• Peyton Manning of Weapons of Mass Production has the most projected points of any QB in the league this week. It hasn’t made a clear difference in the win column, as teams have won 57.1% of the time this season when starting the top-scoring QB.
• The Clam Diggers hope to top their projections this week. It has been a tough run of six straight weeks where they have not hit their estimated point production.
• DeSean Jackson of Weapons of Mass Production has the most projected points of any WR in the league this week. On the season, teams have won 100.0% of the time when starting the top-scoring WR.
• Three teams (Pick 6’n, BUCKNASTYS BOYS, and St Pete ConVICKS) are expected to lose while scoring at least 90% of their opponents’ points this week. This season, that type of small underdog has won 53.8% of the time.
• Hakeem I Saw I Conquered is expected to lose while scoring between 70% and 80% of their opponent’s points this week. Underdogs of that magnitude have won the game 50.0% of the time this season.

***First Round Playoff Previews (Class of 2013)***

#8 The Wilkesboro Boxers vs. #1 PizzaFreak

X-Factors:

The Wilkesboro Boxers: Darren Sproles-RB (21.20) / PizzaFreak: Dez Bryant-WR (27.40)

No. 1-seed PizzaFreak (11-2, 1,730.76), winners of their last five, meet No. 8-seed The Wilkesboro Boxers (5-8, 1,538.94), who have lost three straight, in the first round of the playoffs this week. According to projections, it has the makings of a win for PizzaFreak, who is favored to win by 40.26 points.

The Wilkesboro Boxers has Garrett Graham (5.50 projected points) and Case Keenum (5.06 projected points) playing tonight. All of the players in the starting lineup for PizzaFreak won’t play until later.

PizzaFreak has two players (Harry Douglas and Brandon Marshall) facing a top-10-ranked defense this week. The Wilkesboro Boxers has three starters (Garrett Graham, Case Keenum, and Bobby Rainey) going up against a top-10 defense and three (Demaryius Thomas, Andre Brown, and Rueben Randle) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

There haven’t been any lineup changes in the match up since Tuesday.

#5 F-U-Pay-Me vs. #4 Cinderella

X-Factors:

F-U-Pay-Me: DeSean Jackson-WR (31.40) / Cinderella: Mike Wallace-WR (22.00)

No. 4-seed Cinderella (7-6, 1,577.44) meets No. 5-seed F-U-Pay-Me (6-7, 1,565.10) in a playoff-bracket match up this week. The outcome isn’t etched in stone, with Cinderella favored to win by 13.92 points according to recent projections.

F-U-Pay-Me has Cecil Shorts (7.50 projected points) playing in tonight’s game. All of the starters for Cinderella are scheduled for later in the week.

Cinderella has a considerable advantage at the RB position, where Matt Forte and Alfred Morris are projected to outscore Fred Jackson and Adrian Peterson, 33.50 – 22.40. Cinderella has one player (Matt Forte) facing a top-10 defense while three more (Brandon LaFell, Cam Newton, and Greg Olsen) face a bottom-10-ranked defense. F-U-Pay-Me has three starters (Tony Gonzalez, Fred Jackson, and Adrian Peterson) going up against a top-10 defense and two (Cecil Shorts and Torrey Smith) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

Cinderella has made one lineup change since Tuesday, starting Brandon LaFell (13.00 projected points) while benching Chris Ivory (5.40 projected points).

F-U-Pay-Me has kept their lineup the same, but still has Ndamukong Suh (0.00 projected points) listed as a starter.

#6 Eventual Champions vs. #3 The Pride of Detroit

X-Factors:

Eventual Champions: T.Y. Hilton-WR (22.70) / The Pride of Detroit: LeSean McCoy-RB (26.90)

Two teams headed in opposite directions meet in the playoffs this week, as No. 3-seed The Pride of Detroit (8-5, 1,807.10), winners of their last four, meet No. 6-seed Eventual Champions (6-7, 1,598.88), who have lost two straight. According to recent projections, it should be smooth sailing for The Pride of Detroit, who is favored to win by 41.38 points.

Neither team has players on the field tonight.

The Pride of Detroit has one player (Cordarrelle Patterson) facing a top-10 defense while three more (Knowshon Moreno, Matthew Stafford, and Wes Welker) face a bottom-10-ranked defense. Eventual Champions has three starters (Chris Johnson, Jordan Cameron, and Zac Stacy) going up against a top-10 defense and two (Ray Rice and T.Y. Hilton) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

The Pride of Detroit has not made any changes to their lineup since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Eventual Champions has made one lineup change, starting Pierre Garcon (14.60 projected points) while benching Ted Ginn (9.50 projected points).

#7 Hero7861 vs. #2 DeSeantourage

X-Factors:

Hero7861: Peyton Manning-QB (24.76) / DeSeantourage: Drew Brees-QB (22.08)

No. 7-seed Hero7861 (6-7, 1,740.80) rides a two-game win streak into their playoff match up against No. 2-seed DeSeantourage (10-3, 1,639.60) this week. Recent projections have this one as a potential nailbiter, with Hero7861 favored to win by only 1.68 points.

DeSeantourage has Keshawn Martin (11.70 projected points) playing in tonight’s game. All of the starters for Hero7861 will play later this week.

Hero7861 has two players (Alshon Jeffery and Josh Gordon) facing a top-10 defense while three more (Shane Vereen, Vernon Davis, and Peyton Manning) face a bottom-10-ranked defense. DeSeantourage also has two starters (C.J. Spiller and Keshawn Martin) going up against a top-10 defense and one (Reggie Bush) against a defense ranked in the bottom 10.

Hero7861 picked up one player since Tuesday, adding Olivier Vernon (4.00 projected points) while cutting Bobby Wagner (9.00 projected points). They’ve also made one change to their lineup, starting Riley Cooper (11.50 projected points) while benching Jerricho Cotchery (11.50 projected points).

Meanwhile, DeSeantourage has made two lineup changes, starting C.J. Spiller (15.70 projected points) and Jared Allen (5.00 projected points) while benching Darren McFadden (3.20 projected points) and Connor Barwin (6.00 projected points).

***Around The League – Class of 2013***

• Falling short of their projected score for 10 weeks in a row, Cinderella hopes to live up to the hype soon.
• DeSeantourage hopes to top their projections this week. It has been a tough run of nine straight weeks where they have not hit their estimated point production.
• Peyton Manning of Hero7861 has the most projected points of any QB in the league this week. Teams have won 87.5% of the time this season when starting the top-scoring QB.
• Hero7861 outperformed their point projection by 73.3% last week, the highest mark in the league this season.
• With 208.42 points last week, Hero7861 had the highest single-week score in the league this season.
• LeSean McCoy of The Pride of Detroit has the most projected points of any RB in the league this week. On the season, teams have won 66.7% of the time when starting the top-scoring RB.
• A pair of teams (F-U-Pay-Me and DeSeantourage) are expected to lose while scoring at least 90% of their opponents’ points this week. This season, that type of small underdog has won 31.0% of the time.
• Two teams (The Wilkesboro Boxers and Eventual Champions) are expected to lose while scoring between 70% and 80% of their opponents’ points this week. Underdogs in that tier have won the game 33.3% of the time this season.