Horsemen look to out the streaking Closet Hillbilly

 

It didn’t take much to unravel the playoff hopes of Straight Laced this week, as the Horsemen compiled less than half of their week 9 points in the victory. It would have been a bloodbath but the injury to Edelman early in the Patriots game led to the 3rd least points of the season by the Horsemen.

Straight Laced performed as expected. They’ve only scored more than 100 points twice (102 is their high), so why would anyone expect them to start competing now? Andy Dalton, the Red Ryder BB Gun, was a bust – while Eli Manning would have put up sufficient points for the win on the bench.

Antonio Brown face kicked owner, Dan Hurd.

Now Straight Laced is facing certain elimination and likely a portion of the year-ending bar tab… again. All to be expected.

In week 11 the Horsemen (6-3-1) meet the surging Closet Hillbilly (4-6). When I say ‘surging’ I mean whatever the exact opposite of that is. Since their surprise opening to the season at 4-1 they haven’t won a game. Of course, the 4-1 record was a bit misleading. They scored less than 90 in half of their wins and happened upon some underperforming competition at just the right time. In their current 5 game losing streak, 3 of the games have been decided by less than 5 points… but what a travesty it would be if this preseason #10 team were
7-3 instead of 4-5.

The Horsemen are riding a 2 game streak into the contest with both wins coming in completely different fashion – crushing the Baby Throwers’ soul and squeaking by the Laces. The Horsemen swept the 2014 series and the Closet Hillbilly look to return the favor after an 85-81 victory in week 4. The all-time series is tied at 3-3 with an average score of 92 to 91.67. Home field advantage may be a factor this week – the Horsemen perform markedly better at 63% (compared to 40% away) and are 2-1 against CH at home.

In the history of week 11’s, both the Horsemen and their opponent have average 91.67 points.

The Steelers bye week – paired with the Julian Edelman injury – leaves the Horsemen shorthanded at wide receiver. Concerns with the health of third stringer, John Brown, led the the desperation signing of Doug Baldwin to possibly fill in for the week. There are rumors circulating that trade talks for a more reliable option have all fallen through.

Frank Gore is looking to impress in his first start since week 7 and T.J. Yeldon, a game time decision due to a foot injury, is looking to make his second consecutive start.

The low scoring outing against Straight Laced looks to have derailed hopes of setting a new scoring record, but at 116.5 PPG they still lead the league.

A victory this week would clinch a playoff spot for the second consecutive year – as well as eliminate Closet Hillbilly. Next up are the last place Legs With Holes, followed by a game with huge personal and playoff consequences in the Battle of TC Jester against the Nosebleeds.