We had another week of strong performances as teams are starting to get into a groove after the cold start to the season.   Players and teams are growing into their roles and who they are.  It’s still early, though, but performance trends are developing, and we can begin to see who the standouts are.  Let’s see how teams stacked up!

This week’s Game of the Week was Jones Boys (1-1) vs. The Lion King!!! (1-1).  Jones Boys have had the King’s number for the last couple of years and was looking to keep that trend going.  He had a chance to jump out early as most of his players played first, while The Lion King!!! lounged around in his den on Sunday as most of his team played Monday night.  Jones Boys turned in a modest showing with just two players in double digits, led by Rome Odunze (14), and held a 46-13 lead by day’s end.  The stage was set for The Lion King!!! with Monday Night Football to, once again, display that explosive Lions attack.  And, he did not disappoint!  The Lion King!!! picked up four of his five double-digit scorers in this game, led by David Montgomery (25), and roared past Jones Boys, 83-53.  The Lion King!!! broke the losing trend against Jones Boys and is creating a dangerous trend this season of strong performances.  He is now the second highest scoring team in the league. 

The most explosive game this week was The Pug Mafia vs. Gotham City Enforcers.  The Pug Mafia has been steadily improving each week of the season and his work has built up to an explosive showing this week.  He managed this high output with just four players in double digits, led by Jonathan Taylor (30) and Jordan Mason (19).  The Enforcers tried to keep pace but was unable to fight off that dog pack.  The Pug Mafia (2-1) defeated the Enforcers (0-3) 96-63. 

The most competitive game this week was the NY KILLERS vs. The Folk Yo’ Couch Ninja!  These two battled the whole week!  They started off with their Thursday matchups, which ended practically even.  On Sunday, they kept going back and forth on the early games.  The KILLERS had five players in double-digits, led by Jordan Mason (19).  The Ninjas also got double digit performances by three players, led by that massive game from Jonathan Taylor.  Going into the Sunday night game, the Ninjas held a slim 75-74 lead with no one left to go while the KILLERS had one player left.  Everything came down to Malik Nabers, who was coming off a 25-point performance in Week 2.  But, this week ain’t last week and Nabers had a completely different outcome, scoring zero points!  The Folk Yo’ Couch Ninja! held on for the 75-74 win.  This was a key win as the Ninjas picked up their first division win. 

There were some other close games this week as well.  The Action Jackson (3-0) defeated 2TRILL Chevy Rider (1-2), 65-62, and Black Water (2-1) beat Deez Nuts (0-3), 58-55. 

Next week’s Game of the Week is Gatorbait (2-1) vs. West Point Green Waves (3-0).  This is a battle of 1^st and 2^nd place teams in the Errors & Omissions Division.  Both teams already have two division wins and a third win here will put one in the driver seat of controlling the division. 

See you next week!!! 

Lou Burger

PTI FFL Beat Writer