Highest Scoring Team ($15)
The Control Room
Coach Jord (2nd time this season)
152.94 pts
Highest Scoring Player ($7)
THE GROOVERS
Coach Hunt (3rd time this season)
Jonathan Taylor - 41.3 pts
WOW. WOW. WOW. Our highest scoring semifinal round since 2021 featured one of the most epic comebacks the IFL has ever seen, and who else could be the architect of such a comeback outside of the Miracle Man himself, Jord.
Everyone that was paying attention saw Jord’s odds dip as low as 20% chance of victory at the height of Jonathan Taylor’s 41.3 point performance in the early slot of games, and I personally had Hunt in the Superbowl based on the numbers at that point, but unfortunately for Hunt, the Commanders / Eagles game just NEVER ENDED, and Himmy Daniels scored nearly 20 points, in the 4th quarter and overtime of that game, which gave Jord a chance. That chance was all De’Von Achane needed, and after what witnesses are calling the greatest halftime speech in sports history from Coach Richards, Achane ripped the 49ers defense for 31 points increasing Jord’s odds to about 40%. To really have a chance though, Jord would have to survive the Sunday Night gauntlet of Dowdle and Mike Evans, who have averaged 17.2 PPG and 21.6 PPG over the previous 4 weeks. Incredibly the pair would score just 19.25 points combined, meaning Jord would need 10.3 points from the Packers DST in MNF to get himself to the 2024 Superbowl. The anxiety rollercoaster Jord was riding was further amplified and self-inflicted as he swapped the Packers DST for the Bengals DST 15 minutes before kickoff Sunday, and the Bengals DST had scored 21.5 points, meaning that had Jord not touched his lineup, he’d have won the game Sunday night. Alas, the drama continued into Monday Night, but really there was never any question. The Packers absolutely dominated the Saints, and made poor little Spencer Rattler look like… Spencer Rattler. Jord would complete the comeback and earn his bid to his 2nd ever IFL Superbowl. Hunt, who falls short yet again on a 10-win season. He has had three 10+ win seasons in the last four years, and the most wins of any coach in that time period with 44. Impressive stuff, but I’m sure he’d much rather have the hardware to go with that.
On the other side of the bracket, the drama was not quite as dramatic. Brady shot up early in the projections thanks to 27 points from Will Lutz and Mark Andrews, but Jack came roaring back after 27.5 points from the Falcons DST and 41.6 points from his pair of Lions - Williams and LaPorta. However, that was offset by a 30-burger for Brady from his Sleevan Allen. The deciding game between our vice assistant to the principal and our esteemed doctor had to be the Bills / Patriots matchup. Jack’s Josh Allen had averaged 42 PPG over the last 3 weeks, but would be limited to just 11.7 points this week, and meanwhile, Brady’s James Cook would put up 27.1 points. Alas, 20 points from Calimari and 23 points from AJ Brown would put Brady up 3 with still Josh Jacobs yet to play Monday Night, and with Jack exhausting his entire roster, Brady would clinch his second ever Superbowl berth, and a chance to pick up his second ring. The Doc will end his campaign falling short of his third Superbowl appearance, which is a big sigh of relief for me personally, as god only knows what powers a man would inherit if he should ever dawn three rings. Jack is the fifth consecutive regular season champ to not win it all.
We have on our hands a Brady v Jord Superbowl. Buckle up, gentlemen! And Merry Christmas!
Austin continues his heater again in the Consolations, this week upsetting Jesse 125-113, and fighting his way to the Consolation championship, where he’ll meet TC, who would easily move past Ewoldt 138-120. Both TC and Austin will now enjoy boosted draft odds to 2025, but a win in the ‘Ship will double their odds yet again.
Amazingly, the unending rivalry between Curtis and Nick has Nick’s team escape the Toilet Bowl’s final battle. Despite coaching what may be the worst team in IFL history, he has escaped eternal shame by beating Curtis this week 118-98. Curtis will slide into the deepest rungs of this here toilet to face the Scallon Express, who would lose a heartbreaker 80-82 this week to Chris. Scallon has been on whatever the opposite of a heater is, now having lost 5 straight games. Scallon and Curtis will meet this week to determine who the worst coach in the IFL is for 2024.
With the bonus points ramping up, your Commish’ hits 3 for 4, and extends his lead. Bonus points will bump up again, and there will be 17 points up for grabs, which puts TC, Chris, Curtis, Jesse and Qualley all in the mix. Good luck, gents!
