News:

Apologies in advance for the Reader’s Digest newsletter this week. ‘Tis the season to be slammed by work, the added tasks that come with the holiday season and fairly persistent snowfall, which all need to take priority I’m afraid.

In Clan McDonald the final whistle has blown, the dust has settled and the harsh but thin line has been drawn between the top and bottom six combatants. As close as things have been all season and as few wins as there are separating play-off teams from non play-off teams, Week 14 actually didn’t provide an abundance of drama.

There was a bit in the match between Scott and Archie but ultimately I think Archie still would have finished 7th even if he’d won due to being behind Ceilidh in points. The other bit of drama was Andy’s bid to lock down 1st overall, which he accomplished owing as much to a bizarre and dreadful Eagles – Bolts game as any heroic effort.

Now the second season begins!

Random thought of the week:

Based on some exchanges between BigPlay and the Piper this week, I was reflecting a bit on the criteria for finishing last and I’ve decided I am undecided – or at the very least, willing to acknowledge there’s more than one way to look at it.

On one hand, the standings at the end of the regular season are an important benchmark. I only allow myself one goal at the beginning of a season and that’s to make the play-offs. To me it’s like making sure you catch the ball before you think about turning up field (or thinking about the hit that’s coming). If you think too far ahead, you’re liable to drop the pass and if you do that, nothing afterwards matters. In that sense, yes, your regular season standing is a measure of whether or not you achieved that goal.

On the other hand, I’m a full and enthusiastic supporter of the consolation bracket and the two to three additional weeks of fantasy it provides to everyone. Whether you view the winner of the toilet bowl as the manager with the best results between Week 15 and 17 or the one with the worst is also a matter for debate but I do like the idea of a clean slate and celebrating the one who gets that final win, salvages some dignity and ends the season on a positive note.

Shark move of the week:

Not sure I will give out an award this week but in no particular order, kudos to BigPlay for getting the most out of his roster this week and scoring 143.77 points. I’m not crazy about byes in Week 14 but no one asked what I thought.

Shout out to Scott as well who I think was deliberating between Tyrod and Herbert this week. Hard to believe Herbert threw for 140 yards and 1 TD yet was still overwhelmingly the right choice.

Ken posted high score this week due in part to the return of SuperJosh Allen (formerly known as “Simply Okay Josh Allen”). Nicely done there.

Last but not least, a tip of the cap to Andy who’s Week 14 MVP might be the Fish DEF for a cool 20.50 points. The Jets are in bad shape – not sure if they’re in “start Phil Rivers” bad shape but bad shape none the less.

Smack talk award of the week:

I think it’s fairly easy to bestow this one on the Piper for his fact-checking post and honestly, now that he’s mastered taking screenshots of his iPhone screen and stringing multiple emoticons together, I was fully expecting him to drop an Excel pivot table in the chat. Perhaps next week?

Welcome to fantasy hell award of the week:

In the broadest of terms, my condolences to everyone who’s quest to win a Plastic Helmet of Excellence will need to wait another year. More specifically, I couldn’t help but notice Tony Pollard waiting until Week 14 to do his Saquon imitation, which must have underlined a disappointing season for Doug.

Similarly, I’m sure Ayden had designs on playing the spoiler against Andy but unfortunately Jalen Hurts was busy playing the spoiler for the Eagles.

I suffered a few indignities of my own, like watching Hall, McConkey and the Browns DEF all limp into the play-offs without injuries. What perfect timing for a power outage, eh?

Anyway, good luck to all – whether you chase Helmet or Toilet!