Tuessday,November 19th, 2024

Lobos Roll, Jaybirds Clinch, Troubadours Triumph, and Robots Rebound

As we approach the home stretch, Week 11 brought drama, tight battles, and outstanding performances—especially from the tight end position. In a league where most fantasy owners would be thrilled with 10 points from a tight end, we saw some historic outings, with two teams fielding TEs scoring over 30 points each— and neither was named Travis Kelce. With playoff implications looming large, every matchup is under the spotlight. Let’s break down the action!

Lobos Dominate Tourists

In New Mexico, the Lobos continued their offensive onslaught, taking down the Austin Tourists 161-108. QB Jalen Hurts chipped in 18 points, and WR Ja’Marr Chase racked up 13 receptions for 2 touchdowns and 26 points. But the real star was newly acquired TE Taysom Hill, who did it all—catching 8 passes, rushing for 138 yards, and finding the end zone 3 times for an eye-popping 41.52 fantasy points.

The Tourists fought back with strong efforts from QB Josh Allen and RB Josh Jacobs, who each scored 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to slow the surging Lobos, who remain one of the league’s highest-scoring teams.

Robots Power Past Muskellunge

The i2^3∑π bounced back with a 127-113 win over Michiana, thanks to new QB Bo Nix stepping up in Trevor Lawrence’s absence. Nix totaled 307 yards and 3 touchdowns for 28 points, while WR Puka Nacua contributed 25 points. The i2^3∑π defense added 17 more points to seal the victory.

The Muskellunge leaned heavily on their running backs, with Breece Hall and Jahmyr Gibbs combining for 50 points, but they couldn’t overcome the Robots’ consistent attack.

Troubadours Best Tacos in Shootout

The Tortilla Flats Troubadours defended their home turf, defeating the San Antonio Tacos 161-119 in a high-scoring showdown. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the charge with 21 points, while RB Joe Mixon exploded for 35 points with 3 rushing touchdowns.

The Tacos got strong efforts from QB Jordan Love (20 points) and WR Ladd McConkey (18 points), but the Troubadours’ balanced offense proved too much to handle.

Jaybirds Soar Past Leatherheads, Clinch Division

The Jaybirds are officially playoff bound. Traveling to Rockport for a heavyweight showdown, the Jaybirds delivered a statement win, defeating the Leatherheads 172-139 and asserting their dominance in the HLC East. While Rockport put up a valiant fight with standout performances from WR Cooper Kupp (28 points) and TE Brock Bowers (31 points), it wasn’t enough to overcome the Jaybirds’ offensive onslaught.

QB Joe Burrow threw for 3 touchdowns, racking up 29 points, while RB Saquon Barkley bulldozed his way to 146 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 33 points. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown added to the fireworks, hauling in 11 receptions for 38 points. In a week where tight ends stole the spotlight across the league, the Jaybirds made a bold statement: they didn’t even field one. With George Kittle sidelined by injury, the team left the position empty and still posted the week’s highest score.

The victory not only showcased the depth and versatility of the Jaybirds’ roster but also secured their spot atop the HLC East Division, cementing them as a top contender heading into the playoffs.

Player of the Week: Taysom Hill, TE, New Mexico Lobos

Hill did it all in Week 11, catching 8 passes, rushing for 138 yards, and scoring 3 touchdowns for a total of 41.52 fantasy points—the highest score by a tight end this season.

Week 12 Matchups

  • Robots at Tourists: The Robots won the first meeting this season 110-105.
  • Leatherheads at Tacos: Rockport took the first matchup 130-113, but San Antonio will look to rebound at home.
  • Troubadours at Muskellunge: Tortilla Flats dominated their first game against Michiana, winning 159-89.
  • Game of the Week: Lobos at Jaybirds
    The two division leaders will clash in what could be a preview of the championship game. The Jaybirds edged out the Lobos 141-131 in their Week 5 matchup.

Let’s Do the Numbers: Standings Breakdown after Week 11

As we close out Week 11, the playoff picture is becoming clearer. The Jaybirds are the first team to officially punch their ticket to the postseason, while the Lobos and Leatherheads are on the verge of joining them. The wildcard race is heating up, and teams on the bubble need to deliver big performances to stay in the hunt.

HLC East

  1. Jaybirds (9-2)
    • Clinched Division: The Jaybirds are officially the HLC East champs, securing the first playoff spot of the season. Their consistent offense and three-game win streak make them one of the favorites heading into the postseason.
    • Points For (PF): 1,464.98 (3rd overall)
  2. Austin Tourists (5-6)
    • Wildcard Contenders: The Tourists are tied with the Tacos but have a higher PF (1,363.46) for tiebreaker purposes. They’ll need to finish strong to secure a wildcard berth.
  3. San Antonio Tacos (5-6)
    • On the Bubble: The Tacos’ lower PF (1,207.66) puts them in a tougher position for tiebreakers. Consistency and a strong finish are crucial to keeping their playoff hopes alive.
  4. Michiana Muskellunge (1-10)
    • Eliminated: Officially out of contention, the Muskies will now look to play spoiler for teams fighting for playoff spots.

HLC West

  1. New Mexico Lobos (8-3)
    • 99% Playoff Chance: The Lobos are in prime position to clinch a playoff spot soon. They lead the league in PF (1,550.46) and are riding an impressive six-game win streak. Winning just one of their remaining games will almost certainly secure their spot.
  2. Rockport Leatherheads (8-3)
    • 99% Playoff Chance: The Leatherheads are on the verge of locking up a playoff berth but have stumbled with two straight losses. Their PF (1,472.18) keeps them competitive in tiebreakers. A win in Week 12 should seal their playoff fate.
  3. Tortilla Flats Troubadours (4-7)
    • Hanging On: The Troubadours remain alive in the playoff hunt but must win out to have a shot. Their PF (1,348.04) gives them a slim edge in potential tiebreakers, but they’ll also need losses from the Tacos and Tourists to make a run.
  4. i2^3∑π Robots (4-7)
    • Slim Odds: The Robots face the same uphill battle as the Troubadours. With a lower PF (1,191.04), they’re at a disadvantage in tiebreakers and need near-perfect play in the remaining weeks.

Power Rankings: Week 11

The Power Rankings highlight the league’s momentum shifts. Here’s how the top teams stack up:

  1. Jaybirds
    • Trending Up: Clinching their division and boasting a three-game win streak, the Jaybirds hold the top spot.
    • PF: 1,464.98
  2. New Mexico Lobos
    • Trending Up: With a league-leading PF (1,550.46), the Lobos are surging at just the right time, winning six straight.
  3. Rockport Leatherheads
    • Trending Down: Two consecutive losses have knocked the Leatherheads out of the top seed, but their PF (1,472.18) keeps them firmly in contention.

Final Thoughts

With the Jaybirds already in, the Lobos and Leatherheads are all but assured playoff spots, while the wildcard race remains wide open. The Tourists and Tacos have a clear shot at the fourth playoff spot, but the Troubadours and Robotsstill have slim chances if they can win out and get some help. Meanwhile, the Muskellunge are officially eliminated but could spoil playoff hopes for other teams.

Every point—and every game—matters as we head into the final stretch of the regular season!