Leatherheads and Lobos Clinch Playoff Spots, Jaybirds Shine, and Wildcard Race Heats Up

Tuesday, October 26th, 2024

Week 12 brought fireworks, milestones, and high-stakes showdowns as two more teams joined the playoff ranks. With the Jaybirds already securing their division, the Rockport Leatherheads and New Mexico Lobos punched their postseason tickets, leaving the rest of the league scrambling for the final spot. With only two weeks remaining, the playoff picture is taking shape, but the race for the wildcard is wide open. Here’s what went down:

Week 12 Highlights

Leatherheads Lock In Playoff Spot, Beat Tacos
The Rockport Leatherheads showcased their playoff potential, defeating the San Antonio Tacos 126-112 and locking in a postseason berth. QB Tua Tagovailoa led the charge, throwing for 28 points, while WR Cooper Kupp added a solid 20 points. With Tua and Kupp fully recovered from earlier injuries, Rockport looks poised for a deep playoff run. The Tacos got an 18-point outing from QB Baker Mayfield and a consistent performance from their defense but ultimately fell short. This loss puts the Tacos in a precarious position, needing a strong finish to stay in the wildcard hunt.

Tourists Handle Robots to Stay in Playoff Contention
The Austin Tourists kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding 146-117 victory over the i2^3∑π. QB Jayden Daniels shined with 30 points, and WRs AJ Brown and Courtland Sutton combined for over 50 points to fuel Austin’s win. The i2^3∑π saw glimpses of brilliance from QB Bo Nix (23 points) and rookie WR Puka Nacua (19 points), but their defense faltered. The win keeps the Tourists ahead in the wildcard race as they gear up for another pivotal game in Week 13.

Troubadours Defeat Muskellunge to Stay Alive
The Tortilla Flats Troubadours scraped out a gritty 103-83 win over the Michiana Muskellunge, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. QB Lamar Jackson paved the way with 22 points, while the usually reliable RB Christian McCaffrey had an uncharacteristically quiet week. The Muskellunge showed flashes of offensive firepower, with RB Jahmyr Gibbs leading the team with 24 points and TE TJ Hockenson adding 18. However, the rest of the lineup fell short, highlighting the inconsistency that has plagued their season. With this victory, the Troubadours remain mathematically in the playoff race, but they’ll need to win their final two games and rely on other teams slipping to have a shot at a wildcard spot.

Jaybirds Outlast Lobos in High-Scoring Thriller
In a clash of titans, the Jaybirds came out victorious, defeating the New Mexico Lobos 146-126 in an electrifying showdown. The Lobos got strong performances from RB Devon Achane (20 points) and TE Trey McBride (25 points), but the night belonged to Jaybirds RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley ran wild, tallying 255 rushing yards (the most in an NFL game since 2009), scoring two touchdowns, and racking up a staggering 46.2 fantasy points. The Jaybirds’ TE duo of George Kittle (20 points) and Zach Ertz (15 points in the flex) contributed to the league-leading team’s dominance. Despite the loss, the Lobos clinched a playoff spot thanks to their strong overall record and league-best PF.

Player of the Week: Saquon Barkley, Jaybirds

Barkley delivered a historic performance, rushing for 255 yards and scoring two touchdowns to post a league-high 46.2 fantasy points. He carried the Jaybirds to victory and solidified their status as the team to beat.

Week 13 Matchups

  • i2^3∑π at Jaybirds: The Robots need a win to stay alive, but the Jaybirds are unbeaten at home and won their first matchup 139-89.
  • Tacos at Lobos: The Tacos must win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the Lobos won their Week 6 matchup 129-111.
  • Leatherheads at Muskellunge: Rockport looks to solidify their seeding, while Michiana aims to end their season on a high note. The Leatherheads won the first meeting in Week 6 by a score of 136-79.
  • Game of the Week: Tourists at Troubadours
    This pivotal showdown features two teams battling for a wildcard spot and the chance to extend their seasons. The Austin Tourists dominated their first meeting back in Week 6 with a commanding 163-93 victory, but the stakes are even higher this time around. The Tourists can take a huge step toward locking in a playoff berth with a win, while the Troubadours, in a must-win situation, are fighting to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. With both teams needing this victory, expect a hard-fought and high-stakes matchup.

Playoff Picture and Scenarios

With three teams (Jaybirds, Leatherheads, Lobos) officially in the playoffs, the wildcard race is down to the Tourists, Tacos, Troubadours, and Robots. Here’s what each team needs to make the postseason:

Jaybirds (10-2)

  • Status: Clinched Division, No. 1 Seed
  • Path: The Jaybirds are locked in and focused on maintaining momentum heading into the postseason.

Rockport Leatherheads (9-3)

  • Status: Clinched Playoff Spot
  • Path: Rockport needs one more win to lock in the No. 2 seed. A loss and a Lobos win could drop them to No. 3.

New Mexico Lobos (8-4)

  • Status: Clinched Playoff Spot
  • Path: The Lobos can secure the No. 2 seed with a win and a Leatherheads loss.

Austin Tourists (6-6)

  • Status: Wildcard Contender
  • Path: The Tourists control their destiny. Winning one of their final two games gives them a strong shot at the wildcard. A Week 13 win over the Troubadours would almost guarantee their spot.

San Antonio Tacos (5-7)

  • Status: Wildcard Contender
  • Path: The Tacos must win out and hope the Tourists lose at least one game. Their low PF (1,320.32) puts them at a disadvantage in tiebreakers.

Tortilla Flats Troubadours (5-7)

  • Status: Wildcard Contender
  • Path: The Troubs need to win out and hope for losses from both the Tourists and Tacos. Their PF (1,451.92) keeps them competitive in tiebreakers.

i2^3∑π (4-8)

  • Status: Wildcard Contender
  • Path: The Robots must win their final two games and hope for a total collapse by the Tacos, Troubs, and Tourists. Their PF (1,308.46) makes this a long shot.

Michiana Muskellunge (1-11)

  • Status: Eliminated
  • Path: The defending champs are out but could still play spoiler in their final two games.

Week 12 Standings

HLC East

  1. Jaybirds: 10-2 (Clinched Division, 1st Seed)
  2. Austin Tourists: 6-6 (Wildcard Contender)
  3. San Antonio Tacos: 5-7 (Wildcard Contender)
  4. Michiana Muskellunge: 1-11 (Eliminated)

HLC West

  1. Rockport Leatherheads: 9-3 (Clinched Playoff Spot)
  2. New Mexico Lobos: 8-4 (Clinched Playoff Spot)
  3. Tortilla Flats Troubadours: 5-7 (Wildcard Contender)
  4. i2^3∑π: 4-8 (Wildcard Contender)

The playoff picture is almost complete, but Week 13 will be crucial in determining who secures the final spot. Can the Tourists hold on, or will the Tacos or Troubadours pull off a late-season surge? With Thanksgiving upon us, there’s no better time to sit back, enjoy some football, and watch the playoff drama unfold. Buckle up for an exciting finish!

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck!