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NFC: Cliburn's Rivalry Week Preview
By Arrogant Americans Manager Justin C. Cliburn
It took 12 weeks, but we finally have 2/3 of the playoff picture sorted out. Pyle, Cobb, Finch, and Cliburn have clinched playoff spots. Jessen, Trovillo, Bruesch, and Duffy are fighting for the final two berths. That makes this Rivalry Week incredibly important. Each of the four managers still hoping to clinch a playoff spot are in absolute must-win situations in this, the most important week of the season. Good luck to everyone but Duffy. Fuck Duffy, for this is Hate Week.
Head-to-head records in paranthesis
#4 Arrogant Americans vs. #8 Hangovers
(8-4)
Duffy has a very slim chance at the playoffs, even with a victory during Rivalry Week. So this game will be his OIL Bowl. Meanwhile, Cliburn has clinched a playoff spot. The 'Mericans are not as strong as their record indicates, but they're facing a Hangovers team that has battled injuries and disappointment all season. I am picking my 'Mericans to take back the crown in this grudge match.
#9 Dead Again vs. #1 Lucky Enuf
(8-7)
Although Schmidt has only made the playoffs twice in 11 seasons (counting this season), he has a winning record against Pyle. It truly is a rivalry game in every respect. Pyle needs a win if he is to match Cliburn's record for best regular-season record (12-1), but he already has the number-one seed locked up either way. I'm picking Schmidt to upset Pyle, as Lucky Enuf gets caught looking to the playoffs.
#14 Roughnecks vs. #3 Hard Targets
(2-3)
A lot is riding on this game for Finch's playoff positioning. Unfortunately, he's dealing with the bye week of DeMarco Murray this week. I'm picking Yancy to upset the Hard Targets.
#12 AMMODOGS vs. #5 DominationStation
(3-3)
Rogers has had bad luck all season, and now he has to face his biggest rival without three starters: Isaiah Crowell, Delanie Walker, and Tajae Sharp are all on bye. Look for Jessen to improve his playoff positioning with a win here. I would have called this a blowout, but Jessen is weakened by the loss of Rob Gronkowski for the rest of the season.
#13 Whackers vs. #11 Norman Nobodies
(5-7)
This matchup is all about pride. These two roomed together in Baghdad, and Morgan beat Leal in the 2007 OIL Bowl. But, this year, neither one will make the playoffs. I'm picking Leal's Nobodies to outlast the Whackers.
#10 DARC NARCS vs. #6 Dirty Hippies
(4-2)
Only one of these rivals has a realistic chance at the playoffs: the Dirty Hippies. With so much on the line, I'm picking Trovillo to knock off Henderson and clinch a playoff spot for the first time since his championship-winning 2014 season.
#7 SoonerJack vs. #2 Dogs of War
(4-7)
These two teams are in opposite positions. Cobb has nothing to lose, and Bruesch has everything to gain. Cobb's Dogs of War will clinch the number-two playoff seed whether they win or lose. Meanwhile, Bruesch needs a victory and some help from the teams above him in the standings to have a chance at the playoffs. Look for the hungrier team to win here. SoonerJack may not make the playoffs, but they'll finish with a winning season a year after their record third championship.
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