My crappy Browns lost to the Ravens Sunday. The defense kept us in it but our 29th ranked run defense couldn’t contain Ray Rice.

Speaking of playoffs, they’re drawing close in my fantasy leagues. A few of my teams have better shots at making it than the Browns. A couple, such as my ESPN teams, have no chance, but some of the others are hanging in there.

Let’s see where we stand, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (7-6 – 4th Place in League) Angus’ No Stars 99, Wild Hanlons 109
Chix & Dix League: (8-5 – 3rd in Division, 10th Overall) Stratoblasters 165.60, Grogan to Morgan 213.58
Purple Pride League: (8-5 – 3rd in Division, 8th Overall) 4th And 10 257.95,  Minnesota Vikings 184.00
Panther Power:  (8-5 – 2nd in Division, 6th Overall) Tazo Zen 174.13, Redding Ramrods 210.16
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (6-7 – 4th in Division, 9th Overall) The New No. 2 120.83, So Jersey Eagles 129.01

NFL.com

League 337126: (7-6 – 6th Place) Ram Air 83.24, Green Machine 96.86
League 337241: (8-5 – 4th Place) Tazo Zen 96.98, Crucifixion 59.16

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-11 – 7th in Division, 15th Overall.  Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Lehigh Valley Genesis 85, The Blitz cousins 98
Football Paradise League: (4-9 – 5th in Division, 9th Overall. Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Vodka Martinis 69, Sarasota Caymans 119

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (4-9 – 8th Place. Week 1 Playoffs, Playing in Consolation Bracket) Martini Time 90.9, Andrew’s Team 89.6

So I’m a combined 3-7  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 63-67 for the season.

This season appears to be shot to hell.

Well, my Brownies played one of their best games of the year last Sunday. Decent offense, Hillis played strong in his return from a hamstring injury, and it appeared that we were on our way to upset the resurgent Cincinnati Bengals…until a botched snap on a field goal attempt deflated whatever air was in our balloon. The long snapper was waived, but we are no longer listed as “In The Hunt”, playoff-wise.

Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (7-5) Angus’ No Stars 63, Jayusmagnus’ Legion 82
Chix & Dix League: (8-4) Stratoblasters 137.97, New York Emperors 168.68
Purple Pride League: (7-5) 4th And 10 156.54,  Rufnek Raiders 201.64
Panther Power:  (8-4) Tazo Zen 159.28, German Panthers 147.60
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (6-6) The New No. 2 112.54, RoughRiders 134.88

NFL.com

League 337126: (7-5) Ram Air 85.74, SteelerTown 95.44
League 337241: (7-5) Tazo Zen 121.68, SEAHAWKS 86.28

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-10) Lehigh Valley Genesis 93, Team Khan 95
Football Paradise League: (4-8) Vodka Martinis 138, Team minnesota 64

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (4-8) Martini Time 90.7, Andrew’s Team 85.9

So I’m a combined 4-6  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 60-60 for the season.

Back to .500.  That sucks.

A short, to-the-point post, as I prepare for a four-day vaca. Happy Thanksgiving!

Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (7-4) Angus’ No Stars 83, RoughRiders 58
Chix & Dix League: (8-3) Stratoblasters 126.87, Flunkers 85.04
Purple Pride League: (7-4) 4th And 10 171.11,  Gold In Goof Furs 213.50
Panther Power:  (7-4) Tazo Zen 160.90, Claude Balls196.12
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (6-5) The New No. 2 134.02, RX Readers 137.32

NFL.com

League 337126: (7-4) Ram Air 86.20, New York Beasts 72.24
League 337241: (6-5) Tazo Zen 69.44, super batman team 98.66

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-9) Lehigh Valley Genesis 37, All Day Mafia 91
Football Paradise League: (3-8) Vodka Martinis 52, StL Buds 66

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (3-8) Martini Time 55.8, Some Ole Boys 117.8

So I’m a combined 3-7  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 56-54 for the season.

Blah. That didn’t turn out so well.

The headline read, “Browns Outplay Rams, But Lose”.  Need more be said? If nothing else, we always find new and unique ways to lose on our last play.

How about me? Did my fantasy teams choke as well? Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (6-4) Angus’ No Stars 75, RimRats 58
Chix & Dix League: (7-3) Stratoblasters 142.38, ALWAYS 185.98
Purple Pride League: (7-3) 4th And 10 182.67,  toby’s purps 189.31
Panther Power:  (7-3) Tazo Zen 128.08, BONECRUSHERS1 169.41
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (6-4) The New No. 2 164.38, Halifax Explosion 142.05

NFL.com

League 337126: (6-4) Ram Air 99.80, Luftpumpe 79.80
League 337241: (6-4) Tazo Zen 108.78, Swiftoo 93.78

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-8) Lehigh Valley Genesis 79, INMAN WILDDOGZ 91
Football Paradise League: (3-7) Vodka Martinis 66, MPLS itchfen 81

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (3-6) Martini Time 81.7, colt’s browns 78.9

So I’m a combined 5-5  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 53-47 for the season.

Next week should be interesting; I have Matt Shaub on a few of my teams, and no decent replacements to be found. And did I mention it’s also a Bye Week? Gah!

Although fantasy games can be a lot of fun, there’s nothing to match the excitement of last-minute, or even last-second, scores to win big games in RL football. Just ask the Ravens and Giants, both of whom won their respective games with touchdowns coming with :08 and :15 on the clock. My poor Browns scored a late touchdown against the Texans, but they were nowhere near a win.

Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (5-4) Angus’ No Stars 67, OM Rules 46
Chix & Dix League: (7-2) Stratoblasters 120.70, new orleans 124.32
Purple Pride League: (7-2) 4th And 10 171.62,  e’s raiders 117.92
Panther Power:  (7-2) Tazo Zen 168.52, She Gives Woodhead 161.30
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (5-4) The New No. 2 134.09, Jade’s Team 125.26

NFL.com

League 337126: (5-4) Ram Air 98.70, ray-ray52 83.56
League 337241: (5-4) Tazo Zen 84.0, BearsFAN 90.0

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-7) Lehigh Valley Genesis 72, Openacanof ???? Blue 78
Football Paradise League: (3-5) Vodka Martinis 62, MPLS itchfen 88

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (2-6) Martini Time 71.4, The Grizzlies 86.2

So I’m a combined 5-5  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 48-42 for the season.

Could be better, could be worse. I’ll take the half-full!

Despite injuries and the always-frustrating Bye Weeks, I actually made some progress this week. The same cannot be said, however, for poor Peyton Hillis, who just can’t seem to do anything right these days. The Madden Curse is real!

Let’s check my results, shall we?:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (4-4) Angus’ No Stars 76, Dundee’s Devils 55
Chix & Dix League: (7-1) Stratoblasters 261.19, wolves 122.73
Purple Pride League: (6-2) 4th And 10 204.21,  the assault 143.88
Panther Power:  (6-2) Tazo Zen 239.58, Hmongsters 93.56
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (4-4) The New No. 2 112.17, LG’s  Men of FF 88.23

NFL.com

League 337126: (4-4) Ram Air 92.70, Jake Lockouts 54.76
League 337241: (5-3) Tazo Zen 81.40, New York Beasts 52.22

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-6) Lehigh Valley Genesis 82 Winnersville Swag Team Baby 92
Football Paradise League: (3-5) Vodka Martinis 76, Maine PatsFan 69

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (2-5) Martini Time 77.8, Double Coverage 102.8

So I’m a combined 8-2  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 43-37 for the season.

Finally!  A good week, and I’m finally over .500! w00f!

Due to personal issues (about which I’ll post soon), this week’s update is late. So let’s get right to it, because I know you need to know.

This week’s results:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (3-4) Angus’ No Stars 37, Cassi’s Revenge 84
Chix & Dix League: (6-1) Stratoblasters 181.68, Thunder & Lightning 106.37
Purple Pride League: (5-2) 4th And 10 222.33,  Largo Fear 118.00
Panther Power:  (5-2) Tazo Zen 135.60, ChallengeThisBay-Bee 124.90
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (3-4) The New No. 2 125.10, Schmoe Buzzards 103.03

NFL.com

League 337126: (3-4) Ram Air 91.02, Nevada-PHD1 127.44
League 337241: (4-3) Tazo Zen 115.12, Stugots 2 84.04

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (2-5) Lehigh Valley Genesis 64 vegas vipers 58
Football Paradise League: (2-5) Vodka Martinis 34, Iowa Thunder 63

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (2-5) Martini Time 58.8, helm 6 153.4

So I’m a combined 5-4  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 34-35 for the season.

And now, time to hit the waiver wire. Again. *sigh*

As frustrating as bye weeks can be for a fantasy manager, there is something more insidious: injuries! It seems as though every time you get your roster just the way you want it (or at least the best you can hope for, considering the players you got saddled with in the autodraft), someone gets hurt. Sometimes it can be an inconvenience for a game or a few weeks; sometimes players get themselves really messed up and their season is over. Those expecting great things from Jason Campbell, Chad Henne  and other high-profile starters must now sift through the waiver wire, hoping to discover an overlooked gem that can help salvage their fantasy season.

Let’s see if injuries hampered my effort this week:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (3-3) Angus’ No Stars 45, Wild Hanlons 59
Chix & Dix League: (5-1) Stratoblasters 148.72, cardsallday 85.40
Purple Pride League: (4-2) 4th And 10 152.00,  Skins forever 134.76
Panther Power:  (4-2) Tazo Zen 223.28, New York Jets 204.53
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (2-4) The New No. 2 109.58, Jayus’ Jesters 122.02

NFL.com

League 337126: (3-3) Ram Air 100.10, Team DK V 89.02
League 337241: (3-3) Tazo Zen 79.22, Spartans 71.32

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (1-5) Lehigh Valley Genesis 58, It,s BEER time let’s PARTEY 63
Football Paradise League: (2-4) Vodka Martinis 62, Atomic Punks 102

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (2-4) Martini Time 119.6, STALIN’s Team 110.6

So I’m a combined 6-4  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 29-31 for the season.

And now, time to hit the waiver wire!

Bye Weeks have started! In RL, wonderful for the teams (my beloved Browns, for example, didn’t lose), but a terror for fantasy managers. Particularly in larger leagues where reliable replacements can come at a steep price, such as having to cut a decent starter to make room on your roster for the so-so running back to replace Peyton Hillis for a week.

Let’s see how the first bye week treated us:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (3-2) Angus’ No Stars 63, Jayusmagnus’ Legion 50
Chix & Dix League: (4-1) Stratoblasters 146.58, Pat’s Packers 106.54
Purple Pride League: (3-2) 4th And 10 181.74,  BONECRUSHERS 165.46
Panther Power:  (3-2) Tazo Zen 145.32, coyote ugly 187.36
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (2-3) The New No. 2 146.31, Project D 106.05

NFL.com

League 337126: (2-3) Ram Air 80.06, Rebels 88.74
League 337241: (2-3) Tazo Zen 87.04, Man of Steel 93.52

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (1-4) Lehigh Valley Genesis 102, Team Dillon 117
Football Paradise League: (2-3) Vodka Martinis 111, MPLS itchfen 56

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (1-4) Martini Time 82.5, Lost Gonzos 69.9

So I’m a combined 6-4  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 23-27 for the season.

It would be nice to be at .500 soon!

My Brownies went down in an ugly defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday. As exciting as they looked the first three weeks of the season, that’s how bad they looked against Matt Hasselbeck and company.

Would my fantasy teams fare as badly?

Let’s see how we fared:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (2-2) Angus’ No Stars 95, RoughRiders 80
Chix & Dix League: (3-1) Stratoblasters 247.40, Air it out | | 161.12
Purple Pride League: (2-2) 4th And 10 193.55,  Howlers 210.31
Panther Power:  (3-1) Tazo Zen 180.88, ALWAYS 167.85
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (1-3) The New No. 2 152.03, RimRats 94.66

NFL.com

League 337126: (2-2) Ram Air 80.64, Green Machine 131.48
League 337241: (2-2) Tazo Zen 123.34, Crucifixion 70.04

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (1-3) Lehigh Valley Genesis 70, Team Eger 34
Football Paradise League: (1-3) Vodka Martinis 71, Team minnesota 92

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (0-4) Martini Time 70.9, Andrew’s Team 121.2

So I’m a combined 6-4  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 17-23 for the season