Every season, every team looks at the schedule and circles one or two games.
Division rivals. Defending champions. Tough matchups.
These games are the ones that any given team take more serious than any others.
It's their "grudge match" so to speak.
Every year, my grudge match happens to come against my girlfriend, Megan. We talk a TON of trash throughout the year (all in good fun, of course) until the week where we inevitably play each other.
Last year, for example, she posted on my Facebook wall her team was projected to beat mine. When my team actually pulled off the win, I posted the picture of my win to her Facebook wall.
Last week was, of course, my grudge match: Megan vs. me.
Almost predictably, given the way this season has gone, I lost.
My two running backs, Oakland's Darren McFadden and Atlanta's Steven Jackson combined for 60 yards and two completions for eight points.
One of Megan's running backs, Kansas City's Jamaal Charles, had at least eight points in the first quarter of his 159 yard, two touchdown day.
Had I managed to win my grudge match this week, I might be able to salvage the season in one league. However, at 4-7, my dreams of the playoffs have been dashed.
It's extremely important to win grudge matches. They might count the same on the score sheet, but man is it gratifying when you can beat a rival and frustrating when you can't manage a win.
In another league, a poor Sunday Night Football showing from Colt's quarterback Andrew Luck brought me to the very edge of elimination.
Two other strong victories solidified my place in the second season.
I finished the week with yet another average 3-3 week. With the playoffs fast approaching, I need my teams to start getting things together, or it's going to be a short stay in the postseason for me.
How did you fare in your grudge matches this season? What's your playoff picture looking like? Email me at [email protected]!
Nick's Waiver Wire Picks of the Week
1) Jonas Gray, New England Patriots Running back
Have yourself a day Jonas Gray. Did anyone see his four-touchdown day against the Colts coming? I sure didn't. Gray just established himself as a dominating force on a New England team that is banged up at running back. He'll step into the feature back role from now on, and my bet is he will do very well. He's still around in 41 percent of leagues, but I can guarantee you he's one of the hot items on the waiver wire this week.
2) Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver
Lost in the Eagles' crushing defeat to the Green Bay Packers is that Matthews had another good game with Mark Sanchez throwing him the football. In the last three weeks, Matthews has caught 15 balls for just under 280 yards and FOUR touchdowns. Somehow Matthews is still around in 45 percent of leagues. If he is in yours, grab him.
3) Alfred Blue, Houston Texans Running Back
So long as Arian Foster is sidelined with a groin injury, Blue is the way to go. Blue exploded for 150 yards last week against a decent Cleveland Browns team. With two dates against Jacksonville and another against Tennessee, Blue might become the next Ben Tate of the Houston Texans. In other words, a great change of pace back, capable of stepping into a number one runner spot if Foster gets hurt. Blue can still be found in 44 percent of leagues, so grab him now while you can.
Good luck Fantasy experts! and may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.
Division rivals. Defending champions. Tough matchups.
These games are the ones that any given team take more serious than any others.
It's their "grudge match" so to speak.
Every year, my grudge match happens to come against my girlfriend, Megan. We talk a TON of trash throughout the year (all in good fun, of course) until the week where we inevitably play each other.
Last year, for example, she posted on my Facebook wall her team was projected to beat mine. When my team actually pulled off the win, I posted the picture of my win to her Facebook wall.
Last week was, of course, my grudge match: Megan vs. me.
Almost predictably, given the way this season has gone, I lost.
My two running backs, Oakland's Darren McFadden and Atlanta's Steven Jackson combined for 60 yards and two completions for eight points.
One of Megan's running backs, Kansas City's Jamaal Charles, had at least eight points in the first quarter of his 159 yard, two touchdown day.
Had I managed to win my grudge match this week, I might be able to salvage the season in one league. However, at 4-7, my dreams of the playoffs have been dashed.
It's extremely important to win grudge matches. They might count the same on the score sheet, but man is it gratifying when you can beat a rival and frustrating when you can't manage a win.
In another league, a poor Sunday Night Football showing from Colt's quarterback Andrew Luck brought me to the very edge of elimination.
Two other strong victories solidified my place in the second season.
I finished the week with yet another average 3-3 week. With the playoffs fast approaching, I need my teams to start getting things together, or it's going to be a short stay in the postseason for me.
How did you fare in your grudge matches this season? What's your playoff picture looking like? Email me at [email protected]!
Nick's Waiver Wire Picks of the Week
1) Jonas Gray, New England Patriots Running back
Have yourself a day Jonas Gray. Did anyone see his four-touchdown day against the Colts coming? I sure didn't. Gray just established himself as a dominating force on a New England team that is banged up at running back. He'll step into the feature back role from now on, and my bet is he will do very well. He's still around in 41 percent of leagues, but I can guarantee you he's one of the hot items on the waiver wire this week.
2) Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver
Lost in the Eagles' crushing defeat to the Green Bay Packers is that Matthews had another good game with Mark Sanchez throwing him the football. In the last three weeks, Matthews has caught 15 balls for just under 280 yards and FOUR touchdowns. Somehow Matthews is still around in 45 percent of leagues. If he is in yours, grab him.
3) Alfred Blue, Houston Texans Running Back
So long as Arian Foster is sidelined with a groin injury, Blue is the way to go. Blue exploded for 150 yards last week against a decent Cleveland Browns team. With two dates against Jacksonville and another against Tennessee, Blue might become the next Ben Tate of the Houston Texans. In other words, a great change of pace back, capable of stepping into a number one runner spot if Foster gets hurt. Blue can still be found in 44 percent of leagues, so grab him now while you can.
Good luck Fantasy experts! and may my teams lose, so yours don't have to.