181.3 points separate first and second place in the West Division after nine weeks of football. That amount of points seems almost insurmountable, conjuring images of a powerhouse running over everyone in their sights... Only in this case that number represents how many more points second place in the West has scored than the first place team. Forsett Down Her Throat has relied on what some may see as a considerable amount of luck to reach a 6-3 record, 5-2 in the division, and a first place slot with only seven weeks to go. In part one of this week's featured content, we analyze how this first place team found itself on top of the heap out West.
Week 1 vs. Show Me Your TD's
In what has ended up being the difference in the standings, Gas failed to understand the potential of some players, resulting in an embarrassing defeat that saw two players on the bench score more points together than his entire starting roster combined. Not to mention the neglect of finding an available Utility player, thus leaving his tenth slot open and accepting a zero. This loss in the division turns the TD's into the second place team, making Forsett the leader.
81.85 - 67.6
Week 2 vs. Pissing Excellence
A solid victory over a full squad this week, as the studly combination of Andre Johnson and LeSean McCoy posted 52.6. This was a good division win early in the season, that began the early season burial of a rival and boosted Jared's squad to a perfect start.
101.9 - 85.8
Week 3 vs. My Team Blows Again
The pre-blockbuster trade Blow-holes failed to score 100 points, but won in blowout fashion. Just over ten more points could have been gained with a maximized point-output roster for the Forsett's, but that still would have resulted in a nearly 30-point loss. Only one player, Favre at QB, in double-digits can't cut it in this league and clearly didn't this week.
59.05 - 98
Week 4 vs. Wacco For Flacco
A bye week battery this time, catching Kyle's squad without studs Adrian Peterson and Miles Austin. Even so, a huge week by the New England Defense, netting 24 points took this team to another division victory and a very strong 3-1 start.
99.25 - 71.95
Week 5 vs. I Stiff Armed Your Mom
A second strong week in a row went unrewarded as Jared's crew ran into a buzz-saw lead by Matt Forte. The benching of Michael Crabtree and Felix Jones, while not ill-advised in any sense, ended up being costly for the Forsett's, seeing the winning differential as a possibility in hindsight. A tough loss to a worthy opponent, but another good showing and still in great shape at 3-2
119.7 - 98.15
Week 6 vs. Show Me Your TD's
This one clinched the head-to-head tie-breaker for the Forsett's, and rang in at a third straight performance near 100 points by going over just enough for the victory. Utility uses for each team lead to a tight one, but Jared's phenomenal receiver output carried the day for a margin of victory just over six points. 4-2 atop the West Division.
106.45 - 100.25
Week 7 vs. Wacco For Flacco
Inconsistency struck again in Week 7 against a familiar foe. Kyle's squad went off with a full roster, and could have tallied an even bigger win if it weren't for Kenny Britt's 45.5 points being stuck on the bench. Regardless, this game was a blowout from end to end and dropped the Forsett's to 4-3 in brutal fashion.
145.5 - 77.5
Week 8 vs. Angry Asians
A great game to pay attention to against Wong came down to just a 3.45 point difference. Andre Johnson, Ryan Mathews, and Marcedes Lewis lead the Forsett's with strong play as the Asians tried to cope with the loss of Michael Vick unsuccessfully. Each team was able to play the "what-if" game as they saw strong production sitting on each bench. 5-3 the hard way, once again atop the division.
86.9 - 83.45
Week 9 vs. Pissing Excellence
Burial complete in the eyes of many. A roster maintenance blunder results in a win here as was documented in the league blog. The dropping of Derrick Mason in favor of Patrick Crayton may be the right play as we move forward in the season, but in this situation where the move did not afford the team a full roster of three wide receivers it cannot be ignored. It is easy to say in hindsight, but Derrick Mason in the WR3 slot alongside the new arrival Crayton would have resulted in a desperately needed victory for J.J. against the Utility-lead Forsett squad. A return to 100 points and another win to go to 6-3 atop the division and tied record-wise for the league lead.
101.7 - 95.45
We can see that this team has caught a few lucky breaks, with some breakout days sitting on the bench for other teams, as well as bye weeks playing a big role. However, this is by no means a bad team albeit inconsistent at times. The 2010 Forsett Down Her Throat squad is a great reminder that margin of victory does not count for everything, it's all about getting the "W".
Next time we will take a look at the leader in the East.
-Commish
