Tuesday December 3rd, 2024

Final Showdown: One Playoff Spot Up for Grabs in Last Week of the Regular Season

As the HLC enters its final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape, but the fight for the final wildcard spot remains a fierce and unpredictable battle. With the Jaybirds, Rockport Leatherheads, and New Mexico Lobos already securing their places in the postseason, four teams—the Austin Tourists, Tortilla Flats Troubadours, San Antonio Tacos, and i2^3∑π—find themselves vying for that coveted fourth spot. Week 13 delivered its share of drama, including stunning upsets and critical victories that set the stage for an electrifying conclusion.

The Tortilla Flats Troubadours kept their playoff dreams alive with their 4th straight win—a gritty 143 to 136 victory over the Austin Tourists. Led by a balanced attack featuring RB Bijan Robinson, who racked up 25 points, and QB Lamar Jackson, who added 25 more, the Troubs managed to edge out the Tourists in a high-stakes showdown. RB Joe Mixon also contributed significantly with 21 points. The Tourists, despite strong performances once again from players named Josh—QB Allen (28 points) and RB Jacobs (21 points)—fell just short in their quest to secure a playoff berth. The win keeps Tortilla Flats in the hunt and sets up a pivotal Week 14 for both teams.

In an unexpected twist, the i2^3∑π pulled off a 123-95 upset over the league-leading Jaybirds. WR Mike Evans stole the spotlight with 25 points, while WR Puka Nacua and RB Jonathan Taylor each added 17 points. The Jaybirds, who had already clinched the East Division, struggled offensively, with RB Saquon Barkley managing just 19 points—which would normally be considered a solid performance, but compared to his 46-point explosion the week before, somehow felt like an uncharacteristically quiet outing. For the Robots, the win was crucial in keeping their slim playoff hopes alive, though their path to the postseason remains a long shot.

The San Antonio Tacos delivered one of the biggest surprises of the week by defeating the New Mexico Lobos, 132-112. RBs Bucky Irving and Kyren Williams were standout performers for the Tacos, scoring 27 and 18 points respectively, while WR Ladd McConkey had a breakout game with 20.7 points. The Lobos, already playoff-bound, saw solid contributions from TE Trey McBride (21 points) and RB Devon Achane (21 points), but their offense faltered against a determined Tacos squad. This victory keeps San Antonio’s postseason hopes alive, though they face a steep uphill battle in Week 14.

Meanwhile, the Rockport Leatherheads showcased why they remain a top contender with a commanding 156-99 win over the Michiana Muskellunge. TE Brock Bowers was the centerpiece of Rockport’s offense, delivering a monster performance with 30 points. QB Tua Tagovailoa added 25 points, while WR Nico Collins contributed 19. Despite another strong showing from WR Tyreek Hill (20 points), the Muskies were unable to mount any significant challenge. With this win, the Leatherheads have firmly secured their status as one of the league’s top teams heading into the playoffs.

Player of the Week: Brock Bowers, TE, Rockport Leatherheads

Brock Bowers delivered a standout performance for the Leatherheads in Week 13, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier tight ends. Bowers hauled in 10 receptions on 14 targets for 140 yards and a touchdown, amassing an impressive 30.2 fantasy points. His dominance on the field played a crucial role in Rockport’s commanding victory over Michiana and serves as a reminder of his ability to be a game-changer heading into the playoffs.

Week 14 Matchups and Potential Playoff Paths

As the curtain falls on the 2024 HLC regular season, Week 14 promises to deliver high drama with playoff hopes hanging in the balance. Three teams—the Jaybirds, Rockport Leatherheads, and New Mexico Lobos—have already secured their postseason tickets, leaving one wildcard spot up for grabs. Four teams remain in contention for that final berth: the Austin Tourists, Tortilla Flats Troubadours, San Antonio Tacos, and i2^3∑π.

Let’s take a closer look at the key matchups and the potential paths to the playoffs.

The Austin Tourists enter Week 14 with a clear objective: win and you’re in. However, their task is far from easy as they face the top-seeded Rockport Leatherheads, who have already clinched their playoff spot but show no signs of slowing down. The Leatherheads are coming off a dominant Week 13 win over the Muskellunge, fueled by standout performances from TE Brock Bowers and QB Tua Tagovailoa. For the Tourists, Josh Allen, A.J. Brown, and Josh Jacobs will need to deliver in a must-win game. A loss doesn’t automatically eliminate Austin, but it opens the door for both the Troubadours and Tacos to overtake them. Rockport won the first matchup back in week 7 by a score of 126-114.

In another high-stakes matchup, the San Antonio Tacos take on the i2^3∑π. The Tacos kept their playoff hopes alive with an upset victory over the Lobos last week, thanks to standout games from WR Ladd McConkey and RB Kyren Williams. To stay in contention, the Tacos must secure a win and hope the Tourists lose to the Leatherheads. Meanwhile, the Robots are hanging on by a thread. Even with a win, they’ll need every other contender to lose and a significant boost in Points For (PF) to leapfrog the competition. It’s a long shot, but Week 14 is where miracles happen. The Tacos came away with the victory, 115-84, when they met the Robots earlier this season.

The New Mexico Lobos, comfortably in the playoffs, face the struggling Muskellunge, who are looking to end their season on a high note. With seeding implications still in play, the Lobos will lean on their stars, including QB Jalen Hurts and WR Ja’Marr Chase, to secure a strong finish. For Michiana, WR Tyreek Hill and RB Jahmyr Gibbs will aim to spoil the Lobos’ momentum and provide a silver lining to an otherwise tough season. The first time these teams met this year, the Lobos came out on top 138-119.

The Troubadours find themselves in a do-or-die scenario against the league-leading Jaybirds. The Troubs’ balanced attack, led by RB Bijan Robinson and QB Lamar Jackson, has kept them alive this long, and a win here could propel them into the playoffs. However, they’ll need the Tourists to stumble against Rockport to claim the wildcard spot. The Jaybirds, who have already secured the HLC East, may use this game as an opportunity to fine-tune their lineup before the postseason but remain a dangerous opponent. When these two teams clashed back in week 7, the Jaybirds flew away with the W, 133-112.

Playoff Picture Summary

  • Austin Tourists: A win guarantees their playoff spot, thanks to their league-leading Points For (1,646.58) among wildcard contenders. A loss leaves them exposed, relying on both the Troubadours and Tacos to falter.
  • Tortilla Flats Troubadours: A win against the Jaybirds, combined with a Tourists loss, secures their playoff berth. Their PF (1,595.9) gives them a significant tiebreaker advantage over the Tacos, but they must take care of business first.
  • San Antonio Tacos: The Tacos need a win against the Robots and losses by both the Tourists and Troubadours. Their PF (1,452.42) leaves them at a tiebreaker disadvantage, meaning they’ll need a little chaos to sneak into the playoffs.
  • i2^3∑π: Mathematically alive, the Robots require a win, losses by all three teams above them, and a major PF surge to claim the wildcard. With just 1,431.82 PF, their playoff hopes are slim but not entirely extinguished. As i2^3∑π owner Kate Dean said last week, “I haven’t lost faith. We have a whole 1% chance of making the playoffs! We’re not out yet.”

Current Standings

HLC East

  1. Jaybirds (10-3) – Clinched Division
  2. Austin Tourists (6-7) – 55% Playoff Chance
  3. San Antonio Tacos (6-7) – 14% Playoff Chance
  4. Michiana Muskellunge (1-12) – Eliminated

HLC West

  1. Rockport Leatherheads (10-3) – Clinched Playoffs
  2. New Mexico Lobos (8-5) – Clinched Playoffs
  3. Tortilla Flats Troubadours (6-7) – 30% Playoff Chance
  4. i2^3∑π (5-8) – 1% Playoff Chance

Final Regular Season ESPN Power Rankings

The last week of the regular season brings with it one final set of Power Rankings. Here’s how the teams stand now, compared to their preseason rankings:

  1. Rockport Leatherheads (Preseason: 8th) – Rockport’s rise from last place in the preseason rankings to the top spot has been nothing short of remarkable. With a 10-3 record and standout performances from players like Brock Bowers, the Leatherheads are peaking at the perfect time.
  2. Jaybirds (Preseason: 7th) – After clinching the East Division, the Jaybirds continue to impress. Despite a Week 13 stumble, their 10-3 record and balanced roster keep them in prime contention.
  3. New Mexico Lobos (Preseason: 2nd) – The Lobos have lived up to expectations, securing a playoff spot and continuing to post strong performances. Their star-studded roster ensures they remain a championship threat.
  4. Austin Tourists (Preseason: 6th) – The Tourists have clawed their way into playoff contention and control their destiny heading into Week 14. Their ability to perform under pressure will determine their fate.
  5. Tortilla Flats Troubadours (Preseason: 3rd) – The Troubs’ late-season resurgence keeps them in the mix, but they’ll need everything to break their way to secure the final playoff spot.
  6. San Antonio Tacos (Preseason: 5th) – The Tacos’ playoff hopes are slim, but their upset over the Lobos in Week 13 shows they’re capable of surprises.
  7. i2^3∑π (Preseason: 4th) – A win over the Jaybirds last week was impressive, but the Robots’ playoff hopes remain faint due to their low PF and poor early-season form.
  8. Michiana Muskellunge (Preseason: 1st) – A tough, injury filled season has landed the preseason favorites and defending champs in last place, though standout performances from Tyreek Hill have been a bright spot.

Week 14 is shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. With high-stakes matchups across the board, fans can expect nothing less than fireworks. Whether it’s the Tourists holding their ground, the Troubadours pulling off an upset, or the Tacos capitalizing on an opening, the battle for the last playoff spot is set to go down to the wire. Buckle up, because this week is what fantasy football is all about.