Week 17 Lines
Note: Bets must be placed by Saturday night at midnight in order to be considered on time.
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
Week 17 Standings
East
| Karl Farbman | $2,900 |
| The People’s Champ | $1,400 |
| The Notorious A.B.T. | $700 |
| The 21th Precinct | -$200 |
| Kimmy Gibbler | -$500 |
| The Phoenix | -$1,500 |
| Teddy KGB | -$2,100 |
North
| Larisa Oleynik | $3,100 |
| The Beard of Zeus | $1,200 |
| Babe | $800 |
| Yaz | $200 |
| Mr. DeBlasis | -$300 |
| T-Ferg | -$600 |
| Kiko Garcia | -$2,500 |
South
| Will Cover | $2,200 |
| Don Mattingly | $1,500 |
| Boss Hardigan | $400 |
| Mr. Marbles | $300 |
| Rick Moranis | $0 |
| Slovy Maximus | -$700 |
| Bayonnaise | -$1,300 |
West
| Bud Fox | $2,900 |
| Blossom Russo | $2,000 |
| Ron Mexico | $1,800 |
| Gordon Bombay | $700 |
| Waldo Geraldo Faldo | $500 |
| Face | -$700 |
| Art Schlichter | -$1,300 |
Overall Leader
| Larisa Oleynik | $3,100 |
| Karl Farbman | $2,900 |
| Bud Fox | $2,900 |
| Will Cover | $2,200 |
| Blossom Russo | $2,000 |
Wild Card Standings
| Blossom Russo | $2,000 |
| Ron Mexico | $1,800 |
| Don Mattingly | $1,500 |
| The People’s Champ | $1,400 |
| The Beard of Zeus | $1,200 |
—————————————–
| Babe | $800 |
| Gordon Bombay | $700 |
| The Notorious A.B.T. | $700 |
| Waldo Geraldo Faldo | $500 |
| Boss Hardigan | $400 |
| Mr. Marbles | $300 |
| Yaz | $200 |
Week 16 Picks
Week 16 Lines
Note: Bets must be placed by Friday night at midnight in order to be considered on time.
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
Week 16 Standings
East
| Karl Farbman | $2,900 |
| The People’s Champ | $1,500 |
| The Notorious A.B.T. | $1,200 |
| The 21th Precinct | $300 |
| Kimmy Gibbler | $0 |
| The Phoenix | -$1,400 |
| Teddy KGB | -$2,200 |
North
| Larisa Oleynik | $2,900 |
| Babe | $1,300 |
| The Beard of Zeus | $1,300 |
| Yaz | -$300 |
| T-Ferg | -$400 |
| Mr. DeBlasis | -$500 |
| Kiko Garcia | -$2,400 |
South
| Don Mattingly | $1,800 |
| Will Cover | $1,700 |
| Boss Hardigan | -$100 |
| Slovy Maximus | -$200 |
| Mr. Marbles | -$200 |
| Rick Moranis | -$500 |
| Bayonnaise | -$1,400 |
West
| Bud Fox | $2,600 |
| Blossom Russo | $2,100 |
| Ron Mexico | $1,700 |
| Gordon Bombay | $900 |
| Waldo Geraldo Faldo | $800 |
| Face | -$100 |
| Art Schlichter | -$1,400 |
Overall Leader
| Karl Farbman | $2,900 |
| Larisa Oleynik | $2,900 |
| Bud Fox | $2,600 |
| Blossom Russo | $2,100 |
| Don Mattingly | $1,800 |
Wild Card Standings
| Blossom Russo | $2,100 |
| Ron Mexico | $1,700 |
| Will Cover | $1,700 |
| The People’s Champ | $1,500 |
| Babe | $1,300 |
—————————————–
| The Beard of Zeus | $1,300 |
| The Notorious A.B.T. | $1,200 |
| Gordon Bombay | $900 |
| Waldo Geraldo Faldo | $800 |
| The 21th Precinct | $300 |
Week 15 Picks
Week 15 Lines
Note: Bets must be placed by Friday night at midnight in order to be considered on time.
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.
