The Top Ten: Week 16
Commentary: Week 15 is in the books and a few franchises took a shot at the big money and lost. Yaz dropped $1,100. Stick a fork in him. He’s done. Rick Moranis had a glimmer of hope but went down with dem Rayyyvens. Thanks for playing. Gordon Bombay lost his wild card bet but some crafty wagering cushioned the blow for him, so he’s not out of it yet. We saw the lead change in one division, and things are getting crowded at the top of the overall leaderboard.
Two weeks left, and here’s who still has that wild card bet available:
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ
North: The Beard of Zeus
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Will Cover
West: none
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,900; 1)
Farbman only won $100 and is hanging onto the overall lead by way of the winning percentage tiebreaker. He increased his lead in the East to $1,400, but still isn’t out of the woods yet, as The People’s Champ still has his big bet on the shelf.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($2,900; 2)
A big week for Larisa, as she wins $500 and grabs a share of the overall lead. She’s up $1,600 in the North over two franchises, and The Beard of Zeus looks like the only one that can catch her, if he dares make his wild card bet.
3. Bud Fox ($2,600; 3)
Bud improved on his portfolio by winning $100, but only has a $500 lead in the West. He’s $300 behind for the overall title, but one wonders if his inexperience could hurt him down the stretch amongst a crowd of veteran Funny Money franchises.
4. Blossom Russo ($2,100; 7)
Blossom seems to be playing her best ball in December. She won $500 and is all of the sudden a force to be reckoned with in the West and in the overall title chase. She has the top wild card berth right now, $800 above the playoff cutoff.
5. Don Mattingly ($1,800; NR)
No one benefited more than Don Mattingly in Week 15. He won $1,000 and took the lead in the South. Characteristic of one of his owners, he has a “slim” lead in the division. A few good weeks and he’ll be in the money, but a few bad weeks and he could be bounced from the playoffs.
6. Will Cover ($1,700; 6)
Will has been stuck in neutral the last few weeks and lost his lead in the South division. He still is in great position to make the playoffs, and has his wild card bet available. But as of now, he’s in a tough spot. He has more to lose than to win if he takes a chance and is unsuccessful.
7. Ron Mexico ($1,700; 5)
Ron was bit by the early deadline in Week 15, and won $100, but was also fined $100, so he stays at $1,700 overall. $900 back in the division but currently in comfortable playoff position.
8. The People’s Champ ($1,500; 4)
The Champ dropped $300 and lost the momentum he had charging at Karl Farbman. Much like Will Cover, the Champ is in an interesting spot. He’s in playoff position with his wild card bet remaining. He could take a shot at the money and make a run for the East, but if he’s wrong, might not be in the postseason.
9. Babe (1,300; NR)
Babe wins $500 and jumps back into the playoffs by way of the percentage points tiebreaker. It doesn’t look like he can make a run at Larisa for the North title, and will have to hold off a few teams to get into the postseason dance. Week 16 is crucial.
10. The Beard of Zeus ($1,300; 8 )
Suddenly, The Beard is on the outside looking in. If the season ended today, he’d be the last team out. With his big bet still in his back pocket, this might be the time to take it. If he wins it, he’s a shoo-in for the playoffs.
Others receiving votes: The Notorious A.B.T.; Gordon Bombay; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
Dropped out: Gordon Bombay; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
