The Top Ten: Week 17
Commentary: A push in the San Francisco/Seattle game resulted in some odd totals for Week 16 and some interesting scenarios with one week to go. We’ll get to the division races and the overall title chase in The Top Ten, but now is the time to talk about the wild card berths. Right now, the final spot is held by The Beard of Zeus at $1,200. The next closest competitor is at $800 (Babe), followed closely by Gordon Bombay and The Notorious A.B.T. at $700. There are four other franchises that are not technically eliminated from playoff contention since you only need to be within $1,000 of the final playoff spot to have a chance. The most dangerous of these bubble teams is Boss Hardigan, who won $500 last week and sits at $400. He still has his wild card bet on the shelf and could sneak in with a solid finish. The rest will need the current teams to drop back in order to have a chance at getting invited to the dance. Anything can happen.
Since there were no wild cards bet last week, we still have six franchises with the big bet available going into the final week:
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ
North: The Beard of Zeus
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Will Cover
West: none
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Larisa Oleynik ($3,100; 2)
Larisa surges into the number one spot after notching $200 last week. She has a $200 lead on the two franchises below for the overall title. With a $1,900 lead on the rest of the North, she has clinched the division crown and a playoff spot. She will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
2. Karl Farbman ($2,900; 1)
Farbman had one win, one loss, and one push last week and stayed at $2,900. He’s been stuck in neutral the last month or so and it has finally caught up with him as now he trails Larisa and is tied with Bud. The good news is he’s up $1,500 in the East and has a high winning percentage if any tiebreakers are necessary.
3. Bud Fox ($2,900; 3)
Bud keeps on chugging along and won another $300 to pull into a tie for second place in the overall title chase. The rookie has clinched a playoff berth and has a $900 lead on the rest of the West. As long as he doesn’t lose $500, he will have the division locked up.
4. Will Cover ($2,220; 6)
Will made sure that Don Mattingly’s reign over the South Division was short-lived. WC won $500 and took control of the South, now with a $700 lead. Will has an outside shot at the overall title if the top teams all fall, but all he needs to do to win the division is not lose $200 or more in Week 17. Will also has his wild card bet still available, but given his situation, he has more to lose if he bets it than he has to win. He has also secured a playoff spot.
5. Blossom Russo ($2,000; 4)
The bad news is that Blossom lost $100 and is a long shot to win the West Division. The good news is that she clinched a playoff spot and after a strong second half of the season, she will be one of the favorites in the playoffs.
6. Ron Mexico ($1,800; 7)
Ron won $100 and holds onto the second wild card berth. He doesn’t have a chance to win the division, but because of his winning percentage, Ron is just about a lock to make the playoffs. As long as he doesn’t lose $500, he’s definitely in.
7. Don Mattingly ($1,500; 5)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Last week, as visions of a division title danced in Don’s head, he dropped $300 and now needs Will Cover to falter in order to have a chance at winning the South. On a brighter note, he still is in position to make the postseason. If he wins at least $100 in Week 17, he’s in the playoffs. If not, others (including Boss Hardigan) can catch him. He’s especially vulnerable because of his low winning percentage.
8. The People’s Champ ($1,400; 8 )
The Champ is in a similar situation to Don. If he wins anything in Week 17, he’ll be back in the postseason dance. If not, two franchises would have to pass him in order for him to be bounced from the playoffs. He does have a winning percentage advantage over most of the other wild card contenders (except Gordon Bombay). The Champ also has his wild card bet available and is $1,500 out of the lead in the East. Long story short, if he wins $100, he’s in.
9. The Beard of Zeus ($1,200; 10)
Much like The People’s Champ, the Beard still has his wild card bet available. He’s not as safe as the Champ, however, as he needs to win $300 or more to guarantee himself a playoff spot. He’ll need to hold off Babe and Boss Hardigan, among others, but boasts a solid winning percentage. It’s his spot to lose.
10. Babe ($800; 9)
Babe picked a bad time to drop $500. He fell out of the playoff picture and now needs to win $500 and hope to pass one of the current playoff teams to make it to the show. He also needs to root against Boss Hardigan in Week 17.
Others receiving votes: Gordon Bombay; The Notorious A.B.T.; Waldo Geraldo Faldo; Boss Hardigan; Mr. Marbles; Yaz
Dropped out: none
The Top Ten: Week 16
Commentary: Week 15 is in the books and a few franchises took a shot at the big money and lost. Yaz dropped $1,100. Stick a fork in him. He’s done. Rick Moranis had a glimmer of hope but went down with dem Rayyyvens. Thanks for playing. Gordon Bombay lost his wild card bet but some crafty wagering cushioned the blow for him, so he’s not out of it yet. We saw the lead change in one division, and things are getting crowded at the top of the overall leaderboard.
Two weeks left, and here’s who still has that wild card bet available:
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ
North: The Beard of Zeus
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Will Cover
West: none
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,900; 1)
Farbman only won $100 and is hanging onto the overall lead by way of the winning percentage tiebreaker. He increased his lead in the East to $1,400, but still isn’t out of the woods yet, as The People’s Champ still has his big bet on the shelf.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($2,900; 2)
A big week for Larisa, as she wins $500 and grabs a share of the overall lead. She’s up $1,600 in the North over two franchises, and The Beard of Zeus looks like the only one that can catch her, if he dares make his wild card bet.
3. Bud Fox ($2,600; 3)
Bud improved on his portfolio by winning $100, but only has a $500 lead in the West. He’s $300 behind for the overall title, but one wonders if his inexperience could hurt him down the stretch amongst a crowd of veteran Funny Money franchises.
4. Blossom Russo ($2,100; 7)
Blossom seems to be playing her best ball in December. She won $500 and is all of the sudden a force to be reckoned with in the West and in the overall title chase. She has the top wild card berth right now, $800 above the playoff cutoff.
5. Don Mattingly ($1,800; NR)
No one benefited more than Don Mattingly in Week 15. He won $1,000 and took the lead in the South. Characteristic of one of his owners, he has a “slim” lead in the division. A few good weeks and he’ll be in the money, but a few bad weeks and he could be bounced from the playoffs.
6. Will Cover ($1,700; 6)
Will has been stuck in neutral the last few weeks and lost his lead in the South division. He still is in great position to make the playoffs, and has his wild card bet available. But as of now, he’s in a tough spot. He has more to lose than to win if he takes a chance and is unsuccessful.
7. Ron Mexico ($1,700; 5)
Ron was bit by the early deadline in Week 15, and won $100, but was also fined $100, so he stays at $1,700 overall. $900 back in the division but currently in comfortable playoff position.
8. The People’s Champ ($1,500; 4)
The Champ dropped $300 and lost the momentum he had charging at Karl Farbman. Much like Will Cover, the Champ is in an interesting spot. He’s in playoff position with his wild card bet remaining. He could take a shot at the money and make a run for the East, but if he’s wrong, might not be in the postseason.
9. Babe (1,300; NR)
Babe wins $500 and jumps back into the playoffs by way of the percentage points tiebreaker. It doesn’t look like he can make a run at Larisa for the North title, and will have to hold off a few teams to get into the postseason dance. Week 16 is crucial.
10. The Beard of Zeus ($1,300; 8 )
Suddenly, The Beard is on the outside looking in. If the season ended today, he’d be the last team out. With his big bet still in his back pocket, this might be the time to take it. If he wins it, he’s a shoo-in for the playoffs.
Others receiving votes: The Notorious A.B.T.; Gordon Bombay; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
Dropped out: Gordon Bombay; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
The Top Ten: Week 15
Commentary: Overall, Week 14 saw little jockeying for position, with most franchise totals going slightly up or down. No one took a chance with a wild card bet, so there were no big swings. The playoff bubble is right at $1,400, with two franchises in at $1,400 and two out at $1,300. Three franchises sit in waiting at $800, needing a big boost or some big losses to move up.
Since no wild card bets were made last week, we still have eleven franchises that have not used it yet with three weeks to go.
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ
North: Mr. DeBlasis; The Beard of Zeus; Yaz
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Don Mattingly; Rick Moranis; Will Cover
West: Gordon Bombay
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,800; 1)
Farbman dropped $100 and had both his division and overall lead trimmed down. He’s now up $1,000 in the East and $400 for the overall crown. He still has his wild card bet left.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($2,400; 2)
Larisa squeaked out $100 and kept things going in the North, maintaining a $1,000 lead. However, the second and third place teams in the division both have their wild card bets on the shelf, meaning her lead needs to be more than $1,500 to be safe.
3. Bud Fox ($2,300; 3)
Bud won $100 and has a $600 lead on the rest of the West. The only franchise in the division that has his/her wild card bet remaining is Gordon Bombay, who is $900 behind and very much alive.
4. The People’s Champ ($1,800; 7)
A big week for the Champ as he won $300, but more importantly, got within a grand of the division and overall lead. He’s fourth overall and has his wild card bet remaining. But the playoff race is tight and he’s only $500 ahead of the last team out of the playoffs. He’ll need to keep it going this week and hope some others falter.
5. Ron Mexico ($1,700; 5)
Ron is hanging in there and is holding onto a ticket to the postseason. He’s $600 back in the division, and last season he started to peak right about now, so Bud Fox might want to be worried.
6. Will Cover ($1,600; 6)
Will is still ahead in the South and has a $800 lead on Don Mattingly. There’s a lot to be decided in this division, though. The top four franchises in the South all have their wild card bets left. Rick Moranis and Boss Hardigan ($1,500 and $1,800 behind Will, respectively) should probably pull the trigger this week or next week, because by Week 17 it could be too little, too late.
7. Blossom Russo ($1,600; 8 )
That temptress Blossom is also hanging around, and would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. One franchise in the West will surge in the last three weeks, and I wouldn’t count Blossom out, just $700 back of the leader.
8. The Beard of Zeus ($1,400; NR)
A huge week for The Beard, as he was one of only a few franchises to win $500. He leapfrogged Yaz in the North, and is now within shouting distance of the division leader. He is currently the owner of the final playoff berth.
9. Gordon Bombay ($1,400; 4)
Bombay has gone from playoff lock to bubble team after another losing week. He dropped $300, but still is in line for the postseason. It’s worth noting again that he is the only franchise out West with an available wild card bet.
10. Waldo Geraldo Faldo ($1,300; NR)
A big week for W.G.F. He was perfect and is now knocking on the door of the playoff party. He’ll need a strong finish, and Week 15 will be critical to determine his strategy as we head to the finish line.
Others receiving votes: The Notorious A.B.T.; Don Mattingly; Babe; Yaz
Dropped out: Yaz; The Notorious A.B.T.
The Top Ten: Week 14
Commentary: The two most popular bets in Week 13, Dallas and Atlanta, went down in flames. Thus, few in the league won $500 this week. Those that did made up a lot of ground or increased their leads. With four weeks to go, there are still 11 wild card bets remaining, and most of those bets belong to contenders, so it will be an interesting final month to the season.
Once again, here are the franchises that still have their wild card bet available:
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ
North: Mr. DeBlasis; The Beard of Zeus; Yaz
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Don Mattingly; Rick Moranis; Will Cover
West: Gordon Bombay
Four weeks left.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,900; 1)
Farbman won $100 and maintains a $600 overall lead. His lead in the East was trimmed to $1,400, and interestingly enough, the top two franchises in the division both have their wild card bets left.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($2,300; 2)
A Monday night win by the Chargers saved Larisa’s week, as she split her bets and won $100. She is up on the rest of the North by $1,000, but as stated before, the two franchises closest to her in the division have their wild card bets available. The North will be decided when those big bets come out.
3. Bud Fox ($2,200; 4)
Diversify. Diversify. Diversify. Bud bet four teams last week and won $100. The West was hit hard by Atlanta and Dallas both losing, so Bud rose to the top and now has a surprisingly comfortable lead, with the closest competition $500 behind. He’s $700 back for the overall crown.
4. Gordon Bombay ($1,700; 6)
Last week, treading water by Bombay made him sink down the standings. This week, treading water allowed him to rise up the standings, back to second in the West. He’s the only West franchise with his wild card bet still available, so he can’t be counted out for the division or overall title.
5. Ron Mexico ($1,600; 3)
After assuming the lead in the West for a week, Ron dropped $500 and is back down to third place in the division. He’s $600 and needs a strong Week 14 to get back into the mix. However, he still has a grasp on a playoff spot.
6. Will Cover ($1,500; NR)
What’s this? Someone from the South in The Top Ten? Will comes through with a dynamite week and is suddenly in the hunt for the overall standings. He has a $600 lead in the division, but the South is loaded with five franchises (included Will himself) that are yet to use their wild card bet.
7. The People’s Champ ($1,500; 10)
The Champ got back into playoff position with a perfect week. He also still has his wild card bet, and when he uses it will probably depend on how this week shakes out. If he has another strong week, no reason to use it until the end of the season. But if he struggles in Week 14, he might need to pull it out if he wants to make a run at Farbman and to cement his place in the playoffs.
8. Blossom Russo ($1,500; 5)
A poor showing by Blossom this late in the season, as she lost $500 and slipped back to fourth in the West. If the season ended today, she’d be in the playoffs, but is creeping closer towards the bubble.
9. Yaz ($1,300; 8 )
Yaz split his bets in Week 13 and by virtue of the winning percentage tiebreaker is holding onto the last wild card spot. He still has his big bet available, and most likely will hold it as long as he can.
10. The Notorious A.B.T. ($1,300; 9)
The A.B.T. dropped back to the three spot in the East and is on the outside looking in of the playoffs right now. One hot week and he can jump up the standings, but one cold week and he could spiral out of contention.
Others receiving votes: The Beard of Zeus; Babe; Don Mattingly; Waldo Geraldo Faldo; T-Ferg
Dropped out: The Beard of Zeus
The Top Ten: Week 13
Commentary: What a difference a week makes. In Week 11, only two franchises won $500. In Week 12, 13 of the 28 Funny Money franchises won at least $500. If you split your games or lost $500, you fell woefully behind this week. Babe and Bud Fox both won their wild card bets, but Bud was perfect for the week and Babe split. The playoff picture is murky out West, where we have a new leader and a group of four at the top. The wild card berths are up for grabs, with a gaggle of franchises on the bubble.
Before we get to The Top Ten this week, by popular demand, here are the franchises that still have their wild card bet available:
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ; The Phoenix
North: Mr. DeBlasis; The Beard of Zeus; Yaz
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Don Mattingly; Rick Moranis; Will Cover
West: Gordon Bombay
Five weeks to go. Winter is coming.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,800; 1)
Farbman keeps on rolling. He won all three of his bets last week and maintains his lead in the East and overall. With the league doing so well, he didn’t pull away, but didn’t let anyone catch up either.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($2,200; 3)
Larisa came back from a disappointing Week 11 to win $500 and stay atop of the North. She’s up by $800 on the rest of the division and only back $600 for the overall crown. Interesting that her two closest competitors in the North both still have their wild card bets.
3. Ron Mexico ($2,100; 4)
A big week for Ron as he wins $500 and takes over the lead in the West. Currently, he owns the tiebreaker (winning percentage) over Bud Fox. For now, he’s holding off the rest of the division and still has his sights set on the overall title.
4. Bud Fox ($2,100; 7)
The unorthodox $600-$200-$200 bet pays off for Bud Fox, as he wins all three and moves up the leaderboard. One or two more good weeks and the rookie will be a lock for the playoffs.
5. Blossom Russo ($2,000; 5)
Blossom throws her flowered hat into the mix in the West as well, winning $500 and just $100 back of the leader. She’s only $800 from the overall leader right now.
6. Gordon Bombay ($1,800; 2)
The good news is that Gordon won $100 in Week 12. The bad news is that the rest of his division excelled and he went from first to fourth. It’s worth noting that Gordon is the only franchise in the West that is yet to use his wild card bet. It might be too early to use this week, but he’s got it in his back pocket.
7. The Beard of Zeus ($1,400; 9)
The Beard won $500 and jumped back up to second in the North. He’s got a hold on one of the playoff berths if the season ended today, and still has his big bet on the shelf.
8. Yaz ($1,200; 6)
Yaz split his bets, but is still hanging around in the North. Historically (and given his age, there is a long history to reflect on) he thrives during the stretch run, so he’s definitely a dangerous franchise with five weeks left.
9. The Notorious A.B.T. ($1,200; 10)
A.B.T. bounced back and didn’t let Farbman get any farther away in the East. Notorious is still $1,600 behind, and would be the last man out if the playoffs started today. Week 13 will be crucial for his postseason chances.
10. The People’s Champ ($1,000; NR)
The Champ won $500 and stayed relevant in the East and in the playoff race. He’s still got his big bet left. Come on, Champ, get it over with. We all know it’s coming: $800 on the Giants this week.
Others receiving votes: Face; Will Cover; Babe; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
Dropped out: Will Cover
The Top Ten: Week 12
Commentary: With over half of the league betting on the G-Men on Sunday night, it was sink or swim for most of the FMFL. Vince Young sank a lot of franchises, but most of The Top Ten stayed intact. Blossom Russo was the only franchise with a wild card bet in Week 11, and she used it well, getting closer to the division lead in the West. With six weeks to go, 14 franchises have used their wild card bet, and 14 still have it available. The bye weeks are over, and many will be pulling the trigger on the big bet soon, jockeying for playoff position.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,300; 2)
Farbman started the week $400 behind overall leader Larisa. He pulled off a $1,000 swing with a perfect week and is now $600 up on the rest of the league and has a $1,600 lead in the East.
2. Gordon Bombay ($1,700; 3)
Bombay only dropped $100 and maintained the lead in the West, but a host of franchises are right behind him. There are four franchises in the division within $600.
3. Larisa Oleynik ($1,700; 1)
A rare -$500 week for Larisa dropped her out of the overall lead, but she still is up in the North. Her division lead was trimmed to $400 after starting the week with a $1,100 advantage over Yaz.
4. Ron Mexico ($1,600; 6)
Ron was the only other franchise besides Farbman to have a perfect Week 11 and he’s nipping at the heels of Bombay. His strong winning percentage is proof that he should be in it for the long haul.
5. Blossom Russo ($1,500; 10)
Blossom got wild and crazy and hit her big bet on Chicago, but lost the little one, netting $600 for the week. She’s $200 out of the lead in the West.
6. Yaz ($1,300; 5)
Yaz won one and pushed one, inching him closer to Larisa. He has a firm grip on a playoff spot right now and still has his wild card bet on the shelf (Larisa already used her big bet).
7. Bud Fox ($1,100; 7)
Bud eked out $100 and is in the mix in the crowded West and is in playoff position, but might have to get more aggressive if he wants to make a run for the division crown.
8. Will Cover ($1,100; NR)
Will had a solid week to overtake Moranis in the South. He has a $500 lead on the rest of the division. Week 12 could be his chance to break away from the pack.
9. The Beard of Zeus ($900; NR)
The Beard is hanging in there and is only $800 out of the lead in the North, and is clinging to the final playoff spot.
10. The Notorious A.B.T. ($700; 4)
A disappointing week for the A.B.T., who dropped $500 and fell out of playoff position. He’ll need a big Week 12 to get back into the mix.
Others receiving votes: The People’s Champ; Face; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
Dropped out: Rick Moranis; The People’s Champ
The Top Ten: Week 11
Commentary: Week 10 was good to the FMFL, with four franchises winning their wild card wagers. All four bet the same way, and eked out a win with Pittsburgh. With seven weeks to go, 15 of the 28 franchises still have their wild card bet available. The division leaders all stayed the same this week, but there was some shuffling on the second level, with a few teams entering and exiting the playoff picture.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Larisa Oleynik ($2,200; 1)
Larisa squeaked out $100 last week and stays on top of the league. With a $1,100 lead in the North, it looks like it’s her title to lose, but there are a number of dangerous franchises in the division.
2. Karl Farbman ($1,800; 3)
A big $500 week for Farbman vaults him into the number two position. He now has a $600 lead in the East and still has his wild card bet available.
3. Gordon Bombay ($1,800; 2)
Bombay dropped $100 but is still setting the pace out West. He’s up $700 on familiar foe Ron Mexico, with a herd of franchises right behind him. This is still a wide open division.
4. The Notorious A.B.T. ($1,200; NR)
A big week for the A.B.T.! He hit his wild card bet and jumped up to second in the East behind Farbman. Would have been a $1,000 week if the Chiefs hadn’t been Tebowed.
5. Yaz ($1,100; NR)
Yaz won $500 and moved into second in the North. He’s still a bit behind Larisa, but has his wild card bet on the shelf and might need to use it in the next few weeks if he falls more behind than he already is.
6. Ron Mexico ($1,100; NR)
Ron bet the Steelers and Jags and it paid off, as a perfect week got him back near the leader in the West. He’s in playoff position if the season ended today.
7. Bud Fox ($1,000; 6)
Bud went with the conservative five-teamer last week, losing three and winning two. This sound financial-minded two-headed monster better start upping the ante if they want to be in the postseason.
8. Rick Moranis ($1,100; 8 )
Rick pulled away from the field in the South with a $300 week. He’s $500 from his nearest competition and still has his wild card bet.
9. The People’s Champ ($1,000; 4)
How does the Champ only drop $100 and plummet five spots in The Top Ten? It was a good week for everyone else and the league passed him by. He’s still in line for a postseason berth, but the clock is ticking.
10. Blossom Russo ($900; 7)
Blossom split her bets, and just stayed in The Top Ten. She is in the weeds right now, waiting to strike.
Others receiving votes: The Beard of Zeus; Waldo Geraldo Faldo; Will Cover
Dropped out: Face; The Beard of Zeus; Will Cover
The Top Ten: Week 10
Commentary: Now that we are past the halfway point, some franchises are dropping out and calling it a season. Teddy KGB dropped his wild card bet and $1,000 on the week, falling back to -$1,900. Stick a fork in him, he’s done. Kimmy Gibbler lost her wild card and still has an outside chance if she can get hot, but it’s a tough road back now at -$600. T-Ferg squeaked out his WC bet and went from last in the North to knocking on the door of the playoffs. Overall, the league is still thriving, with the majority of franchises on the positive side of $0. Eight weeks to go.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Larisa Oleynik ($2,100; 2)
Just like that, Larisa takes over the overall lead. Another $500 week has her on top and with a $1,400 lead in the North Division. It’s worth noting that Larisa is the only division leader that has already used his/her wild card bet.
2. Gordon Bombay ($1,900; 1)
Gordon grabs another $100 in Week 9 and is still leading the West by $800, but lost his grasp on the overall lead, for now. The West Division is an astonishing +$5,400 after nine weeks. There should be at least three teams (maybe four, maybe five) from the division that make the playoffs.
3. Karl Farbman ($1,300; 3)
Once again, Farbman went 1-1 and failed to increase his lead in the North. He won $100, but is falling out of the picture for the overall title and has a slim lead for the division.
4. The People’s Champ ($1,100; 4)
The Champ won $100 last week and held serve in the division, staying $200 behind Farbman. He also is at the top of the crowded wild card playoff race for the moment.
5. Face ($1,100; 7)
“Primetime” strikes again! Baltimore and Chicago came through for Face. He won $500 and is now in second in the West and would be in the postseason if the season ended today.
6. Bud Fox ($1,100; NR)
Bud was a solid 3-for-3 last week and joins the crowd above $1,000. Another solid week and we could be talking about Bud for the overall title.
7. Blossom Russo ($1,000; NR)
Blossom won $500 and has won $800 over the last two weeks to return to her old form. She’s in line for a playoff berth and is one wild card bet away from challenging for the division lead.
8. Rick Moranis ($800; NR)
Could it be? Back from the dead, Rick won $500 and attempted to pull away from the rest of the crowd in the South. It’s gut check time, and R.M. looks like he’s in for the long haul.
9. The Beard of Zeus ($700; 8 )
The Beard is staying alive, but just barely. He’ll have to make up some ground and soon if he wants to keep pace with Larisa and fend off the rest of the crowd vying for the last few playoff spots.
10. Will Cover ($700; NR)
Two teams from the South in The Top Ten? Inconceivable!?! Will won $500 and is right behind Moranis, and is also making a name for himself this season.
Others receiving votes: Ron Mexico; The Notorious A.B.T.; Yaz
Dropped out: Kimmy Gibbler; Boss Hardigan; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
The Top Ten: Week 8
Commentary: For some, Week 7 was outstanding, with a few key division leaders winning $500 and a few cellar dwellers making big leaps with perfect weeks as well. However, the two most popular bets of the week, Green Bay and Baltimore, were both losing wagers. A lot of franchises lost $500 or dropped back because of the Pack and dem Rayyvens. We’re almost at the halfway point of the season. Traditionally, Weeks 8-12 are very popular for wild card bets. By Week 13, we are in December and the “contenders” and “pretenders” are more clearly separated from one another.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Gordon Bombay ($1,700; 1)
Gordie scratched out $100 and still retains the overall lead for the FMFL. He also increased his lead in the division, and all this without having pulled the trigger on his wild card bet.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($1,600; 2)
Larisa had a perfect week and is nipping at the heels of the overall leader. More importantly, the rest of the North Division faltered severely. She now has a $1,300 lead on the rest of the pack.
3. Karl Farbman ($1,300; 4)
Farbman made a little noise by winning $500 and shoving his way into the overall leader picture. He’s $400 back of Gordon and $400 on the rest of the competition in the East.
4. The People’s Champ ($900; NR)
A big week for the Champ. He won $500 and moved right behind Farbman in the East. He also claims that he’s cracked Karl’s “strategy” so there’s no stopping him. He’s hoping for the best for the rest of the season.
5. Ron Mexico ($600; 6)
Ron is back in second place in the West even though he lost $100. He’s the closet competition to Gordon right now, but seems like he is miles away.
6. Kimmy Gibbler ($500; 8 )
Kimmy dug in and held her ground and is still in position for the playoffs if the season ended today. She’s $800 back of Karl in the East.
7. Face ($500; 3)
The streaky Face had his luck run out in Week 7. He rose quickly to the top and then dropped $500 to fall back to third in the West.
8. The Beard of Zeus ($300; 5)
Just when it looked like the Beard was going to give Larisa a run for her money, he drops $500. Zeusy is still in second place, but $1,300 off the pace for the division.
9. Boss Hardigan ($300; NR)
The South Division has quickly turned into the NFC West of Funny Money. This division winner probably won’t contend for the overall regular season crown, but a division title is a division title. Hardigan’s had his cold hands on first for the last few weeks, but all seven franchises are within $700 of each other.
10. Waldo Geraldo Faldo ($300; NR)
Even though W.G.F. lost $100 on the week, it was good enough to crack the Top Ten. He’s weathered the storm thus far and isn’t out of it yet in the West.
Others receiving votes: Bud Fox; Don Mattingly; The Notorious A.B.T.
Dropped out: The Phoenix; Art Schlichter; Babe
The Top Ten: Week 7
Commentary: Week 6 was a fruitful one for the league, as many franchises cashed in and went from negative money into the positive. Of the 28 franchises, only six are in negative money. The East and West divisions have every franchise over $0. There are a few that seem to be breaking away from the pack, and then it gets crowded. With a long way to go, it’s anyone’s game.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Gordon Bombay ($1,600; 1)
Gordon won $300 and now has a $600 lead over the rest of the West. He has won over 70% of his games at this point and looks unstoppable.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($1,100; 3)
Larisa stays on top in the North by winning $500. She has a few teams close behind, and already used her wild card bet, but is setting the pace right now.
3. Face ($1,000; 7)
Face’s meteoric rise to the top continues. “PrimeTime” has won $1,500 in the last two weeks by only betting the Sunday night and Monday night games. It’s surprising that a man of his advanced age can stay up late enough to see the kickoff, let alone cash in on two perfect primetime weeks.
4. Karl Farbman ($800; 2)
Farbman slipped this week, the first all season in which he lost money. He still holds the lead in the East, but all seven franchises are within $700 of each other, so one week could completely shake up the division.
5. The Beard of Zeus ($800; 8 )
The Beard is back after a perfect week. He stays on the heels of Larisa and has started to capture the foresight that led him to the 2010 regular season title belt.
6. Ron Mexico ($700; NR)
Ron won $500 after losing his wild card bet in Week 5 and taking a step back. His winning percentage this season is nearly 67%. Yet, he’s $900 off the pace in his division. He’ll look to inch closer in Week 7.
7. The Phoenix ($600; 5)
The Phoenix eked out $100 this week and is $200 behind Farbman for the lead in the East. He had a chance to grab first place, but alas, it was not to be.
8. Kimmy Gibbler ($600; 6)
Ditto for Gibbler, who also won $100 and stays tied with The Phoenix.
9. Art Schlichter ($500; 4)
Art dropped $100 and went from second to fourth in the ultra-competitive West division. Collectively, the franchises in the West are +$4,500 on the year. If the playoffs started today, Art would be on the outside looking in.
10. Babe ($400; NR)
Babe sneaks into The Top Ten. After being left for dead three weeks ago at -$1,100, Babe has won $500 each of the last three weeks to jump back into contention.
Others receiving votes: Boss Hardigan; Waldo Geraldo Faldo; The People’s Champ
Dropped out: Will Cover; Bud Fox
