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PigSkin (5-2) at Poo Flinging Monkeys (1-6)   [History: 4-4, even]
This matchup has got to be one of the most unfair of the week. The PFM are playing at a high and consistent level of production with 5 of their 7 games 90 pts or better. PigSkin, on the other hand, has skated by on a wing and a prayer, dropping players before they perform well and starting them when they don’t. They rank last in almost every category except wins, which they are second. PigSkin will yet again be praying to the God of Matchups as they again field a list of no-names vs favorable DTs. J.Beck will be facing the sub-par Bills DT in his second straight start (a move, by the way, that did not work so well with M.Moore last week). Though the Colts have been abysmal this season, D.Carter had a good game last week and will face the bottom tier Titans. PigSkin has done quite well with their WRs this year and are ranked 2nd in receiving. Wallace, Jackson, Manningham, and A.Hernandez will all see bottom-10 defenses in their respective categories. But despite the match ups, DTs score a lot of points in this league and PigSkin is fielding a stinker this week in the Chargers. The Poo Monkeys’ record does not accurately reflect their 4th ranked scoring status. Roethlisberger will face a recently much improved Patriots Pass DT, but anything the Monkeys get here PigSkin hopes to poach with Wallace. Thus the Monkey addition of A.Brown. The Jaguars run defense is much better than people are giving them credit, so MJD may not get the high numbers predicted. Sproles really has been the X-factor for the Monkeys this year. Despite good match ups that seem offset elsewhere by the PigSkin roster, Sproles is the player the Monkeys will look to post their second win of the season.

Serenity Now! (3-4) at Dayton Dirty Diapers (6-1)  [History: 0-0, even]
Serenity Now! dominated their division right out of the gate. However they have been punished from games outside their division, which should give them some indication to the level of competition in the West. This week they get no love from the schedule as the League’s Best Dirty Diapers should hand them their 5th straight loss. The Diapers roster two of the best QBs and either will beat whoever Serenity decides to start. However Flacco is a decent option as the Cardinal corners are not as good as Sportsline gives them credit. McCoy and Forte have combined to give Serenity the top rushing attack in the SPL but Forte is on a bye-week. Thus P.Thomas gets the start vs the Rams. For the Diapers Helu and B.Jacobs have similar opponents so either will produce about the same. C.Johnson and J.Graham (along with the QB play) have been the life-blood of this Dirty Diaper team thus far, helping to make DDD the top receiving team in the SPL. Serenity Now! will try to counter with B.Marshall vs the Giants, P.Harvin facing the Panthers, and Gronkowski going up against the stout Steelers DT. Despite the Bills early success on defense, the Redskins have been pretty good at controlling the ball. Likewise the Seahawks have had several injuries on defense and face a Bengals offense that produces few turnovers. This game is all on Serenity. With the Diapers scoring 100+ in all games except one this year and Serenity struggling to get 80 pts, this one could be messy!

Cinci West Side Warriors (6-1) at Femme Fatale (3-4)  [History: 0-0, even]
For the second straight year the Warriors are contenders. At 6-1 they are tied for the league’s best record, second in points, and are poised to cruise to a second straight playoff berth. Femme Fatale has struggled greatly against competition outside the division with three straight losses and the Warriors in the wings. First in DST, second in passing and third in rushing, the Warriors are a formidable opponent for anyone this year! Brees was amazing last week and he has a chance at repeating against the Rams DT. It is possible for P.Rivers to counter him against the Chiefs, however the Chargers have had the unenviable ability to play down to their level of competition this year. Fred Jackson, the SPL’s second best RB, has been on fire and faces the ‘Skins coming off a bye, while Ray Rice sees the Cardinals. Wes Welker, also coming off a bye, has been a one-man fantasy dynamo, but has steadily declined each of the last 4 weeks. This is where the Femmes can make up ground. Though S.Jackson has not been spectacular, he has been consistent of late. And all three receivers (Austin, Floyd, and V.Davis) have been playing poorly but get good match ups they have a chance to exploit. The DST favors the Warriors. However if Femme Fatale can get the production from their players that each of them are capable of, there is a chance for an upset. Otherwise — not.

BrosBeforeShaincoes (2-5) at Miami Township Mummies (3-4)  [History: 0-0, even]
Tough matchup for both teams especially since the Guru is inflating some numbers. Brady has been excellent thus far in the season, but the Patriots are realizing the importance of a balanced attack to win. Toss in the Steelers revamped pass DT and Brady looks human. Unfortunately for the Mummies, the Jaguars have been equally stingy and may hamper Schaub. But that does not mean the Shaincoes’ A.Foster will benefit as the Jags have been just as good against the run. BBS will have similar difficulties as Bryant, Branch and Lloyd all see difficult pass DTs this week. Though the Mummies are ranked 4th in rushing, they will be without McFadden and Mendenhall will have to pick up the slack against a decent Patriots run defense. B.Scott gets the start against the Seahawks better than average run defense. Green, Maclin and Olsen should do fine against their opponents, with AJ.Green ending as WR1 for MTM this week. Both Novak and the Giants for MTM have the edge this week over B.Cundiff and the Lions DT, however the Giants tend to give up points and yardage in “garbage time.” If the Giants play with too big a lead in this one, that will hurt the Mummies. Regardless, Mummies notch another with for the North Division.

WhoopAssInc (4-3) at The Scrubs (4-3)  [History: 2-0, WhoopAssInc]
Maybe many expected this to be our GOTW since it is our only +0.500 matchup of the week, and it is also a matchup of two divisional leaders. WhoopAss is ahead in the East yet has struggled to get to 90 pts most weeks. The Scrubs have had similar problems but have been surging in the standings as of late. Yet it is the Scrubs who win the “Packers Bye Week” sweepstakes! With Rodgers and Jennings sitting, the Scrubs should notch their fourth straight win with a chance to make a statement. Unfortunately for WhoopAssInc, I have completely agree with the Guru’s assessment this week. This one could get ugly! WAI’s hold on the East is tenuous. However with their divisional rivals facing similar challenges, expect them to keep their first-place status for another week.

GAME OF THE WEEK:
Barbarians (3-4) at Red Birds (2-5)  [History: 4-3, Barbarians]
I am going out on a big-time limb here and declaring this one our Game of the Week! At the season mid-point, the Barbarians and Red Birds have had good players that just don’t seem to want to produce. With no trades on the horizon, you have to think that despite the numbers both are still confident their teams can rebound. Neither the East or West Divisions have a clear run-away leader right now so this week is crucial to a late season run. If it wasn’t for the records, this would easily be our GOTW without the gift. Fitzpatrick will be facing the Redskins top-10 pass DT, but he has been playing above his match ups lately. Conversely Romo is facing a bottom-10 pass DT in the Eagles who hope to right the ship after the bye week. Both Mathews and Gore have finally started playing up to their potential as of late, but the Red Birds will be blessed with C.Johnson vs the Colts Run DT and D.Murray (who set records for the Cowboys last week) facing the Eagles bottom-10 rushing DT. In receiving the Red Birds roster 3 of the leagues top-10 targeted receivers, struggling only with starting the right player during the right week. The Barbarians will make a stand with D.Jackson and F.Davis playing well and getting help from the schedule. With both defenses and whatever kicker the Birds roster will be a wash as each team will be facing some of the worst offenses in the NFL. Despite the Guru, from top to bottom the match ups heavily favor the Red Birds so look for a 10+ point victory as they move a game closer to .500.

Good luck to you all this Week!