Horsemen underdogs for first time in 2 years

In the first intradivisional game between Unpredictable and the Horsemen since 2012 (conference realignment sent Unpredictable to the Outer Loop from the Inner Loop in 2013), the Horsemen reminded them what it was like to be in a truly competitive division. No longer were they protected by the soft Outer Loop division, it was time to play with the big boys.

At least the Horsemen would do the kind thing and make it quick and painless.

A washed up Emmanuel Sanders and an undrafted rookie phenom would bring the thunder on Thursday night – Emmanuel putting up 26.3 points, enough to launch him to the overall WR3. There isn’t much to say other than the onslaught continued. Aside from kicker, the worst performance of the week was a 12.9 from Julio Jones on Monday Night Football – long after the match had been decided.

This wasn’t the flashy new rivalry that the fans were hoping for, but it was probably the one that they were expecting. With the loss, 3rd and Unpredictable have confirmed a definite downward trajectory, collapsing after a 3-1 start and losing 3 straight games to move to 3-4 and tied with 5th in the division. In this 3 game slide they’ve averaged 93.9 PPG. What’s worse is that all of their losses have come from division opponents (1-4) and they’ll be playing 2 of the teams that trounced them again in the back half of the season. Week 8 brings the first of such rematches, this one against the Nosebleeds – a loss here would put them in serious risk of falling out of the playoff hunt.

The Horses just keep tampling through opponents. They’ve increased their point total in every week since week 1 and are now averaging a league best 139.7 PPG. They’re also now one win shy of tying a franchise best 7 game win streak and, likely, clinching a playoff spot.

Week 8 brings very unfamiliar territory for the back to back to back defending COL champions. For the first time since week 7 of 2016 they come into a week as underdogs (+0.2). They’re 3-1 against Closet Hillbilly since 2016, with an average line of 19.8 and an average margin of victory of 42.75 – which includes the 12 point loss they suffered in week 11 of 2016. The last time they met, in week 12 of 2017, the Horsemen would set a league record for largest blowout – crushing the Hillbilly by 125. On the way to that huge victory they would also set a league record for most points scored in a game (191), which still stands despite the institution of 1/2 PPR.

Closet Hillbilly clocks in at 3rd in scoring thus far this year (124.9 PPG), led by some unlikely heroes. Electric Horseman, Le’Veon Bell, still hasn’t reported for duty – catapulting handcuff James Conner to RB6 and an every week start. Tarik Cohen, satellite back that was supposed to cede most of the Bears’ carries to Jordan Howard, has nearly breached the top 12 himself. David Johnson, despite still reaching the top 10 running backs, has been largely disappointing but looks to get things back on track with a new offensive coordinator. Adam Thielen, that white guy on the Vikings, is also the number 1 receiver in football.,

But, really… favorites? The Horsemen are led by the top running back and tight end, two top 12 receivers, one of the premier quarterbacks, and several emerging talents at running back. Yes, Julio Jones is on bye. And yes, prized keepers Leonard Fournette and Le’Veon Bell aren’t suiting up again… but the Horsemen have dominated despite what has seemed like a patchwork replacement squad at running back. Does Vegas know something we don’t?

Against all odds, the Horsemen have their sights set on going 7-5 all-time against Closet Hillbilly and sending them to the back of the Dainty pack. They are 0.2 point underdogs with a 48.9% chance of victory per ESPN and, strangely, a 65.4% chance of victory on Fantasypros.

Now 24-11 after a disappointing 2-3 week – but… we called the Heavy Pistols upset over Strictly Southern, so there.

• Nosebleeds @ 3rd and Unpredictable. This is a big one. With a win, Unpredictable is right back in the hunt – with a loss, they’re getting dangerously close to elimination.
• Drunken Aces @ Heavy Pistols. While some dreams are dying, the HEAVY PISTOLS’ DREAM LIVES ON.
• Straight Laced @ Legs With Holes. Loser takes sole possession of last place in the Dumpy division. It’s meant for Ted. It’s his rightful place
• Bumpy’s Berries @ Strictly Southern. A lot of me believes in the Berries keeping up their unexpected run toward the top of the division, and with this game for the outright lead it would seem like they’d have their A game. They just aren’t very good, though. They’ve scored less points than every team except Legs With Holes. We all want Strictly Southern to miss the playoffs because no one wants to face Mahomes… it’s just a dream, though.
• Dangerous Angels @ Extreme Baby Throwers. At one point it seemed like the Angels might make a run, but that ship seems to have sailed. The Throwers have been surprisingly good and their team management has put past years to shame other than dropping Josh Gordon. It probably won’t be very close.