Three epic clashes are on the schedule this week in the JSFL
Packers WR Diontae Johnson has a new look for the second time this season as he is now wearing the purple and black after being traded to Baltimore.
There are a trio of epic games on the JSFL’s Week 9 schedule as the top two teams in the Silent Division, the division-leading Hermosa Recliners, take on the Chandler Rangers; the Shitty Division-leading Band Aids battle the Spread Beaters in one key inter-division standoff; and the Tirades and Invaiders tangle in another inter-division battle.
All three appear to be barnburners to keep us entertained as our favorite teams (the 49ers and Steelers) take vacation this week, and mend their beaten and battered bodies. Losers this week in two of those games might be on the outside looking in when the playoffs kick off in Week 16.
The best game of the three appears to be Bob’s Band Aids in a pick ‘em matchup with Pringle’s squad.
One last big wide receiver, Adam Thielen of the Panthers, appears to be on the trade block as Carolina is thinking of retooling for 2025, after dealing star WR Diontae Johnson (on Jeff’s roster) to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week. The NFL has its trade deadline to deal with next week, so, too, does the JSFL as its deadline looms at the end of November (midnight November 29).
Another Early Start
The NFL starts the week tonight with the Texans traveling to the Meadowlands to take on the Jets. Thankfully, we only have one Monday Night game this week (the Buccaneers at Kansas City).
Two teams take a powder in Week 9 (the 49ers and Steelers). Four teams take Week 10 off (Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas and Seattle) and Week 11 off (Arizona, Carolina, N.Y. Giants and Tampa Bay) before byemaggedons looms in Weeks 12 (Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans and N.Y. Jets) and Week 14 (Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, New England and Washington). Adjust accordingly.
Here's a look at the week nine matchups.
Game of the Week
Recliners (7-1) vs Rangers (6-2), Recliners favored by 7: The buzz around this one is palpable as one of the Presidential candidates is rumored to be stopping by to help with the coin flip Sunday morning. The Rangers, fresh off of a stunning loss to my Invaiders in Week 8, look to return the favor to Chris and square these two teams back in a tie for the division lead. And, it is not too far out of the realm of possibility of this matchup being a potential preview of the Super Bowl later this year. For the first time in my memory, John is not saddled with half of his team (the Steelers) taking the week off. There are only two Steelers (the team defense and kicker Chris Boswell) on the Ranger roster. Just let that sink in. And, that defensive position has not been swapped out. He has the Bills still on his defense playing host to Miami (projected to score 8 points). And neither has his tight end (George Kittle, yay, 49ers!). Dallas Goedert (carrying a questionable tag and a projected 5 points once started). Injuries, however, deal a bigger challenge for the Rangers as two standout wideouts (Nico Collins and Mike Evans) are ruled out of action this weekend. John currently has Amari Cooper (also questionable injury-wise and questionable to score) and Davante Adams in his starting lineup and DJ Moore at flex. ESPN currently still favors Chris at four positions, but once John swaps out his two guys on bye, he should be favored overall. Take the Rangers by 1, and another tie at the top of the division.
The Close Ones?
Spread Beaters (4-4) vs Band Aids (5-3), Spread Beaters favored by 1: Lock up the women and children in this one. This one could be the wildest match of the weekend. And, this is one of those two contests where the loser might be in a world of hurt moving forward. If Bob goes down, the Shitty Division likely is locked in a two-way tie with the resurgent Tirades (Nick Chubb back in action and Christian McCaffrey hopefully back soon after this week’s bye) looking like a beast down the stretch. If the Beaters get whipped up, Pringle likely faces no chance at the division and would be in a five-team scramble for the fourth and final playoff spot. Either way, it will be entertaining and Bob, fresh off his World Series gloating, will be bitching all weekend. ESPN favors the Beaters at RB (Derrick Henry and Tony Pollard) at tight end (Travis Kelce) and defense (the Chargers at Cleveland). Bob gets the nod at QB with Lamar Jackson, one of the wide receiver starters (Amon-Ra St. Brown) and his flex (Kareem Hunt. We love to listen to Bob bitch. Take Beaters by 1.
Invaiders (4-4) vs Tirades (4-4), Tirades favored by 5. OK, 38 years of battling twice each season takes it toll on a friendship. This is that “other” game where the loser is in deep doo-doo. The Tirades cannot afford to fall 2 games back of the Band Aids, and the Invaiders are waving good-bye to both the Rangers and Recliners. All of the positional edges go the Tirades’ way at quarterback (Josh Allen), tight end Kyle Pitts, Nick Chubb at flex and the Bengals’ defense. The Invaiders carry an edge at one of the RB matchups with Jonathan Taylor (who knew he could score?) and both wide receivers (CeeDee Lamb, who knew he could score? and Malik Nabers). The Tirades have too many more weapons for the Invaiders to deal with. Take the Tirades and 5.
WTNE (4-4) vs Gerbils (3-5), WTNE favored by 6: The two teams lurking on the outer edge of contention are these two. Both could keep realistic playoff hopes alive with a win this week. And a loss, like the Spread Beaters and Invaiders, could be kick in the nuts. Jordan’s WTNE comes into this one with positional advantages at QB (Jayden Daniels), both RBs (Saquon Barkley and Alvin Kamara), tight end (Trey McBride) and the Lions’ defense. Chuck gets the edge at both WR positions (Drake London and Tee Higgins) and his WR at flex (A.J. Brown). Take WTNE by 2.
The Blowout?
Who Dey (3-5) vs Packers (0-8), Who Dey favored by 4: Can The Pack get the monkey off its back, pull the upset and register its first win of the season? ESPN does not think so, and this is one of the closest “blowout” candidates we have had all year. With the tendency to underperform estimates, we think the Pack is headed to its ninth-straight loss. Out this week is star WR Deebo Samuel, leaving Jeff with the aforementioned trade target, Diontae Johnson, going from a 27-percent target share at Carolina to likely just a few bread crumbs and looks in Baltimore. The positional edges all favor Matty’s team with Jordan Love (injured and forced out of action last week but who is back at practice Thursday) at QB, free agent grab D’Andre Swift at RB, Justin Jefferson at WR, David Njoku at TE and RB James Cook at flex. Take Who Dey by 4.
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