Well, This is Boring

With two weeks left to go in the 2011 TTFFL regular season, the playoff picture is --- really, really straightforward, actually.  Surprisingly, there is almost nothing interesting about it.

There are only 4 teams in the league with a record above .500: YAC Attack, who clinched a playoff spot last week, then the surprising River Horses at 8-4, and finally Strike Team and Suspended Atomnation at 7-4-1.  Four teams above .500, 4 playoff spots, pretty easy to do the math on this one.

There are only two other teams in contention for a playoff spot --- not surprisingly, those would be the only two teams in the league AT .500.  Specifically, Leviathans and Screaming Eagles, in that order.  Each of these teams could, theoretically, sneak into the playoffs, but it would require:

1. Victories in both of their remaining games.  This would seem to be within Levi's grasp, with remaining matchups against Strike Team and Golden Graham's, but rather more of a stretch for Jason, who faces the neglectful Team Datanator next week before running into the buzzsaw that is Taylor week 14.  Then again, Taylor proved to actually be mortal this week with the loss of Fred Jackson, so never say never.
2. One of River Horses, Strike Team or Suspended Atomnation losing both of their remaining games.  Again, we should never say never --- and Levi actually controls his (and Jason's) destiny a little bit with a remaining game against Strike Team.

Actually, if it shakes out that it's River Horses who lose both remaining games and one of Levi or Jason wins out, then it would come down to a question of who scored the most points on the season.  But if Strike Team, River Horses and Suspended Atomnation all win either one of their remaining games, then the only remaining question concerning the playoffs is the seeding.

So.  Not too much in the way of intrigue, etc.

On a completely unrelated note, Your Esteemed Commissioner will miss the playoffs for the first time ever.  What do you guys do when you don't make the playoffs?  Do you have a potluck or something?  Do you all, like, get together on game day and watch the cool teams win?

Update: Oops, my bad.  Technically, Merrill still has a shot at playoff glory, too.  He needs to win out --- with victories over Taylor and Aaron to finish the season, good luck with that --- and finish 7-6-1, and he needs Aaron and Adam to both lose both of their games, AND he needs Levi and Jason to both lose at least once.  So, not real likely.  On the other hand, it would be pretty epic if it happened, so I'm going to cheer him on!  That's right, Merrill!  I'm rooting for ya, buddy!