Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Lobos Snap Streak, Jaybirds Soar, Troubadours Dominate, and Tacos Sneak By Muskies

As the HLC regular season enters its final four weeks, the playoff race is reaching a fever pitch. Teams are fighting to secure their spots, and the stakes are higher than ever. Week 10 delivered plenty of drama, statement wins, and even the end of a legendary win streak. We’ll break down the highlights, recap the key matchups, and take a closer look at the playoff picture as it begins to take shape.

Jaybirds Glide Past Tourists

The Jaybirds kept flying high, defeating the Austin Tourists 119-106. QB Joe Burrow had another stellar performance, racking up 428 total yards and four touchdowns for 33 fantasy points. Austin stayed competitive thanks to RB James Conner’s 22-point outing, but it wasn’t enough to ground the league-leading Jaybirds, who now sit at 8-2 and firmly in control of the HLC East.

Tacos Sneak Past Muskellunge

It wasn’t flashy, but the Tacos edged out the Muskellunge 101-90, moving into a virtual tie for second place in the HLC East standings. San Antonio’s TE Travis Kelce was the star, contributing 20 points, while Michiana’s TE TJ Hockenson put up a strong effort in defeat. The Muskies’ struggles continue, but the Tacos are keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Troubadours Dominate Robots

The Tortilla Flats Troubadours looked unstoppable in their 161-119 win over the i2^3∑π. QB Lamar Jackson led the way with 33 points, and the Troubadours had three additional players score 20+ points in a complete team effort. Notably, returning RB Christian McCaffrey was on the bench for this game, a luxury that gives Tortilla Flats backfield depth heading into the homestretch. The Robots saw bright spots in WR George Pickens (20 points) and RB Chuba Hubbard (25 points), but they couldn’t keep pace with the Troubs’ offensive onslaught.

Lobos Snap Leatherheads’ Streak

The Rockport Leatherheads’ eight-game winning streak came to an end as the New Mexico Lobos rolled to a 162-126 victory. WR Ja’Marr Chase was unstoppable, scoring a season-leading 55 fantasy points with 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns. The Lobos also got 30 points from QB Jalen Hurts and 20 from their defense, cementing their spot as the league’s top-scoring team once again. Rockport saw a solid 23-point outing from QB Brock Purdy, but it wasn’t enough to hold back the surging Lobos, who are now in hot pursuit of the HLC West crown.

Week 11 Matchups

  • Tourists at Lobos: The Tourists won their first matchup back in Week 4 by a score of 125-117, but the Lobos are red-hot heading into this rematch.
  • Muskellunge at Robots: These teams will meet again after the Robots claimed the first victory this season, 138-113.
  • Tacos at Troubadours: The Tacos will aim for a repeat of their Week 4 win, where they edged out Tortilla Flats 109-106.
  • Game of the Week: Jaybirds at Leatherheads: In a clash of the top two teams, the Leatherheads look to get back on track against a dangerous Jaybirds team. Rockport won the first matchup 123-112 in Week 4.

Player of the Week: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, New Mexico Lobos

Chase put on a clinic in Week 10, hauling in 11 of 17 targets for a jaw-dropping 264 yards and three touchdowns. His 55.4 fantasy points are a season-high for any player, making him the clear choice for Player of the Week.

ESPN Week 10 Power Rankings: Top 3

  1. Jaybirds
  2. Rockport Leatherheads
  3. New Mexico Lobos

Standings After Week 10

HLC East

  1. Jaybirds: 8-2
  2. Austin Tourists: 5-5
  3. San Antonio Tacos: 5-5
  4. Michiana Muskellunge: 1-9

HLC West

  1. Rockport Leatherheads: 8-2
  2. New Mexico Lobos: 7-3
  3. Tortilla Flats Troubadours: 3-7
  4. i2^3∑π: 3-7

Overall Standings Breakdown

As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The New Mexico Lobos lead the league in scoring with 1,388.7 points for (PF), powered by a dominant five-game win streak that has them surging in the HLC West. The Rockport Leatherheads, despite their first loss in eight games last week, remain the team to beat with a tied-for-league-best record of 8-2 and the second-highest PF (1,332.92). Close behind, the Jaybirds sit at 8-2 with 1,292.44 PF, setting up an exciting three-way race for the league’s top seed.

In the middle of the pack, the Austin Tourists and San Antonio Tacos, both at 5-5, are tied in the standings, but the Tourists’ higher PF (1,255.28 vs. 1,118.82) gives them a critical edge for tiebreakers. Further down, the Tortilla Flats Troubadours (1,217.06 PF) and i2^3∑π Robots (1,063.46 PF) remain mathematically alive but need to win out and get help from the teams above them. At the bottom, the Michiana Muskellunge (1,054 PF) face long odds after a tough season, exacerbated by a league-high 1,346.34 points against (PA).

Path to the Playoffs: What Each Team Needs to Do

With just four games left in the regular season and only four playoff spots available, the race is heating up. The playoff structure includes a two-week first round and a two-week championship, with seeding tie-breakers determined by total points for (PF). Here’s what each team needs to do to make the playoffs:

Rockport Leatherheads (8-2)

  • Current Position: 1st in HLC West, No. 1 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Leatherheads are nearly guaranteed a playoff spot. Winning two of their final four games locks up the division title. Their high PF (1,332.92) ensures they’ll win most tiebreakers, making them a strong contender for the No. 1 seed.

Jaybirds (8-2)

  • Current Position: 1st in HLC East, No. 2 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Jaybirds need just one more win to all but guarantee the division crown. Their strong PF (1,292.44) gives them breathing room in any tiebreaker, but with Rockport and New Mexico on their heels, seeding is the primary focus now.

New Mexico Lobos (7-3)

  • Current Position: 2nd in HLC West, No. 3 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Lobos’ league-leading 1,388.7 PF puts them in great shape to win any tiebreaker. A single win likely secures a wildcard spot, but winning three of four could push them past Rockport for the division crown if the Leatherheads stumble.

Austin Tourists (5-5)

  • Current Position: 2nd in HLC East, No. 4 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Tourists need at least three wins to solidify a playoff spot. Their solid PF (1,255.28) gives them an edge in tiebreakers against most mid-tier teams, but they’ll need to avoid low-scoring performances down the stretch.

San Antonio Tacos (5-5)

  • Current Position: 3rd in HLC East, No. 5 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Tacos are right in the mix but need to win three of four to feel safe. With a lower PF (1,118.82) than the Tourists, they’ll need to score big in the coming weeks to stay competitive in tiebreakers.

Tortilla Flats Troubadours (3-7)

  • Current Position: 3rd in HLC West, No. 6 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Troubadours are in must-win mode. Even if they win out to finish at 7-7, they’ll need the Tourists, Tacos, or Lobos to lose at least two games each. Their PF (1,217.06) keeps them in contention for tiebreakers, but their fate is no longer entirely in their hands.

i2^3∑π (3-7)

  • Current Position: 4th in HLC West, No. 7 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: The Robots are in the same position as the Troubadours. They must win all four remaining games and hope for major stumbles by the teams ahead of them. Their low PF (1,063.46) leaves little margin for error, as they’ll likely lose most tiebreaker scenarios.

Michiana Muskellunge (1-9)

  • Current Position: 4th in HLC East, No. 8 in Power Rankings
  • Path to the Playoffs: Mathematically alive but realistically eliminated, the Muskellunge would need to win out and see an improbable series of losses by nearly every other team. Their focus now shifts to playing spoiler and building momentum for next season.

Bottom Line

For the Leatherheads, Jaybirds, and Lobos, the playoffs are almost assured, with seeding and potential matchups taking center stage. The Tourists and Tacos are battling fiercely for wildcard spots, while the Troubadours and Robots must win out and hope for collapses from teams ahead of them. Meanwhile, the Muskellunge are looking to salvage a tough season and shake up the playoff race by knocking off contenders in the final stretch.