The Top Ten: Week 17
First, let’s talk turkey. A reminder of what’s at stake as we head to the playoffs:
Regular Season Payouts
Overall Champion: $560
Division Winner: $280
Division Winner: $280
Division Winner: $280
Playoff Prizes
First Place: $980
Second Place: $280
Third Place: $140
Note: Ties are broken by the franchise with the higher winning percentage. In the event of a tie, the wins/losses of the franchises in question will be recounted for ALL games in the 2010 season to make sure that the percentage number is accurate.
Note #2: The four division winners will make the playoffs, along with five wild card teams.
Note #3: A reminder that wild card bets cannot be carried over to the playoffs.
Now, on to the rankings…..
Commentary: T-Ferg knew he had to make his move – and boy did he ever make it. He won his big bet and went from having his season end to being in prime playoff position. The division leaders remained the same, and each has a different challenge heading into Week 17. There are still a handful of franchises alive for the overall title, as well as many in the mix for the playoffs. Anything can happen with one week to go.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. The Beard of Zeus ($2,400; 1)
The Beard eked out $100 and maintains the overall lead. He leads the rest of his division by $1,000, so it will be tough for him to lose the division, but anything is possible. He still has his wild card bet left if he wants to use it.
2. Mr. Marbles ($2,300; 2)
A big week for Mr. Marbles. He dispatched of Yaz and the other South wannabes, clinching the division with a perfect week. He could be the only representative from the division. Marbles also has his wild card bet on the shelf. He has nothing to lose since he has wrapped up the divisional crown, but now it’s just a strategic chess match for the overall title. Gold, Jerry, Gold!
3. Karl Farbman ($1,600; 3)
The tightest race is in the East, where Farbman won another $100 and kept his $300 lead on the rest of the division. He’s $800 off the pace for the overall lead, but in comfortable playoff position. He also still has his wild card bet. This could get interesting.
4. Ron Mexico ($1,400; 4)
Mexico is up $600 in the West, so he is in the catbird’s seat heading into the finale. As long as he can pick a few winners, the division is his. If he puts up a goose-egg, it will open the door for the rest of the division.
5. Kiko Garcia ($1,400; 6)
Kiko was one bad Eagles game from being third in the overall chase. Instead he’s in the number one wild card spot. He’s $1,000 off the division lead, so he’ll need a miracle to win that one. Starting with Kiko, none of the teams 5-10 have clinched a spot. Each could be on the outside looking in one week from now.
6. Bayonnaise ($1,300; 7)
Bayonnaise held serve and is still just $300 off the pace in the East. He’s holding the second wild card berth but can’t rest on his laurels in Week 17.
7. T-Ferg ($1,200; NR)
The hottest team in Funny Money, T-Ferg had a perfect wild card week. He won $1,000 and now sits in the third wild card spot. He’ll need another solid week to make the postseason, but he’s got momentum on his side.
8. Boss Hardigan ($800; 8 )
Hardigan can’t seem to put together a good week. He’s $600 off the pace in the division and holds the fourth playoff berth by virtue of a tiebreaker. He has some ground to make up if he wants cash for the regular season.
9. Babe ($800; 5)
Awful week from Babe. It looked as if he was going to coast into the playoffs. Instead, he loses $500 and is clinging to the final postseason spot. Could this be a repeat of the 2009 Week 17 debacle in which his picks were late? Time will tell.
10. Larisa Oleynik ($500; 9)
Larisa is $300 out of the playoffs right now, but the good news is that there are two franchises $300 ahead of her. Surpass one, and she’ll be dancing into January.
THE OTHERS – (BONUS COMMENTARY!): Those below the Top Ten but still with a fighting chance: Rick Moranis, who has come on strong the last few weeks and is at $400; Slovy Maximus, at $200 but still in it; The Notorious A.B.T., at $100, who was brutalized by having late bets last week; Teddy KGB at $0 who needs everyone to fall down in front of him, but still isn’t out of it; and The 21th Precinct, who needs a miracle, but still has his wild card bet so he can mathematically get in with everything going his way.
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Rick Moranis; Slovy Maximus; The Notorious A.B.T.
DROPPED OUT: Slovy Maximus
