On the weekend of the NFL Championship games, let's take a moment to celebrate our 2024 league champion: Joel (Face Planting)! This championship has been a long time coming, and your persistence, strategy, and never-say-die attitude have finally paid off. From the early days of roster tinkering to the stress inducing playoff push, you stayed committed, and it paid off in the biggest way possible.
You nailed the draft with key picks like Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, Ja'Marr Chase, David Montgomery, and DeVonta Smith. Major kudos for navigating your injuries and snagging clutch players like Zach Ertz and Demario Douglas —they came through bigly down the stretch.
Your journey to the top is a testament to resilience and dedication. We all tip our caps to you—this victory wasn't a fluke; it was the culmination of years of effort and smart decisions that paid off this year. For those of you who don't know him, Joel knows football. It's great to see that knowledge finally pay off. Now, if only Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen could do the same!
To commemorate his victory, Joel chose a throwback Jerry Rice jersey—a timeless classic. You can never go wrong with a GOAT pick. Or maybe you've fallen victim to the NFL's subliminal snack campaign—next thing you know, you're craving wings and nachos at 10 a.m. Well played, sir. Matthew McConaughey would approve! Here's your trophy Joel!
This marks the first time in league history that the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from the regular season have gone on to battle in the championship and finish first and second overall. Typically, the fantasy fates have had other plans—injuries, bad matchups, and butt-fumble meltdowns usually find a way to derail the contenders. But this year, order was restored to the universe, proving that sometimes the best teams do rise to the occasion when it matters most. Let's hope that applies to the Bills this weekend!
This is me making a plea to let the Bills win the Super Bowl this year. Let’s restore some order to the universe and make nearly the entire country happy!
I’d have to think the feeling is something akin to finally beating Mike Tyson in Punch-Out!—rare and incredibly satisfying.
In all honesty, I had a lot of fun this year. After migrating from NFL.com to Sleeper, I took on the endeavor of capturing as much historical data as possible in an Excel sheet—probably more than any sane person should. I spent way too much time on it, but hey, I’m a football degenerate and a sports junkie, so what else would you expect?
So let’s take a stroll down memory lane and appreciate just how far we've come and what everyone has accomplished since we started this journey—way back when Osama Bin Laden was taken down, Charlie Sheen was “winning,” and Aaron Rodgers was hoisting a Super Bowl trophy while Clay Matthews crowned him with a Discount Double Check belt.
Here are some interesting trends and fun facts that are worth a closer look:
All-Time Win Percentages:
| Owner | Wins | Losses | Games | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick | 120 | 68 | 188 | 64% |
| Josh Herrud | 91 | 66 | 157 | 58% |
| Blair | 107 | 81 | 188 | 57% |
| Jeff | 106 | 82 | 188 | 56% |
| Joel | 75 | 74 | 149 | 50% |
| Kaitlyn | 21 | 21 | 42 | 50% |
| Brian | 90 | 98 | 188 | 48% |
| Bradley | 89 | 99 | 188 | 47% |
| Josh Jenson | 85 | 103 | 188 | 45% |
| Drew | 58 | 76 | 134 | 43% |
| Jaxson | 59 | 90 | 149 | 40% |
Observations:
- Nick (Kelly Tough), with a league-best 64% win percentage, continues to cling to relevance like a washed-up athlete refusing to retire—like Vince Carter hanging around for decades, still trying to dunk on everyone. Enjoy it while it lasts.
- Kaitlyn (Joe Buck Yourself)'s small but mighty sample size keeps her batting at a respectable .500—proving that sometimes, less really is more. Just ask Kawhi Leonard's load management schedule.
- Jaxson (Texasforever)... well, there's always next year, buddy. Hope springs eternal. Go Cougs!
- Blair (Atwater) has quietly been one of the most consistent managers in league history. He’s the John Elway of our league—the model of consistency. Always a tough matchup, it just took a while to finally bring home that elusive championship (or two).
- Josh Herrud (jdherrud) keeps knocking on the door of greatness, and with two championships under his belt, he's like the early 2000s Spurs—quietly dominant, always in the mix, and just when you forget about him, he's back taking another shot at the title.
- Bradley (SnickleFrits)'s 47% win percentage screams ‘underdog,’ but his 7 top-3 finishes say he’s the fantasy equivalent of Ryan Fitzpatrick—just when you count him out, he’s back lighting up the scoreboard.
- Joel (Face Planting)'s win percentage is as balanced as his roster—right down the middle at 50%. His lifetime average suggests he’s basically the Jeff Fisher of our league: consistently .500, and somehow, we’re still not sure if he’s good or not.
- Brian (Khaki Kommandos) has the uncanny ability to hover just below average—always in the mix, but never quite in the conversation for greatness, like a team perpetually drafting in the middle of the pack.
Let’s dig a little deeper and take a look at the fantasy league’s Hall of Fame and Hall of Shame. Who’s dominating? Who’s just happy to be here? And who’s setting up permanent residence in the basement? Let’s break it down.
The Reigning King and Some Other Guy Who Got Lucky:
At the top of the fantasy throne sits Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill). He started out strong with back-to-back championships in our inaugural seasons—just like Bart Starr. Then came his Brett Favre-like dominance, culminating in him becoming the league’s first three-time champion. Jeff’s consistent success and sharp roster moves have solidified his place as the league’s gold standard—everyone else is just trying to keep up. However, recent history suggests that his reign may be facing some turbulence... Will we see a Jordan Love-style resurgence?
Meanwhile, somehow Kelly Tough also has 3 titles—though we all know I probably lucked into most of them through questionable trades and waiver wire miracles. I’m basically Steve Tasker—small, scrappy, and just annoying enough to stick around and make an impact.
Right behind us, Bradley (SnickleFrits) and Josh Herrud (jdherrud) have each secured 2 championships, proving they actually know what they're doing. Whether it’s skill, luck, or some dark fantasy arts, they’ve found a formula that works—and the rest of us are still trying to crack it.
And let’s not forget Joel (Face Planting) and Blair (Atwater), who each managed to sneak in a title and can proudly say they’ve tasted fantasy glory—at least once.
Frequent Podium Visitors (Who Always Find a Way to Stay Relevant):
Bradley (SnickleFrits) leads the way with 7 top-3 finishes, proving that while first place hasn’t always been in the cards, he’s an elite perennial contender who knows how to stay in the fight. But here’s the kicker—Bradley also holds the dubious honor of being one of the most frequent bottom-3 finishers in league history, 5 times in total. He’s what Chris Davis was for the Orioles—when he connects, it’s a home run, but when he misses, it's an absolute whiff.
Meanwhile, I’m not far behind with 6 podium appearances, which—let’s be honest—means I’m either a master of consistency or just really good at finding new and creative ways to fall short when it matters most. Just like the team I follow...
Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill) and Josh Herrud (jdherrud) each boast an impressive 5 top-3 finishes, cementing their legacy as more than just “in the mix”—they're elite contenders year in and year out. With multiple championships under their belts, they’ve consistently proven they have what it takes to close the deal when it matters most. Whether it’s their strategic brilliance, unwavering determination, or just an uncanny ability to outmaneuver the competition, these two always find their way to the top of the heap. Simply put, when you're up against them, you're facing fantasy royalty.
The Basement Dwellers (Better Luck Next Year... Again):
Everyone loves an underdog, but some of us have spent a little too much time at the bottom. Drew (Uncle Jrue) leads the league with 3 last-place finishes, earning himself a VIP parking spot in the cellar. But don’t count him out—I have a feeling that, just like the Seahawks under Pete Carroll, Drew has a way of bouncing back when you least expect it. Beastquake might be coming...
Meanwhile, Jaxson (Texasforever), Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill), Joel (Face Planting), and Josh Jenson (Rafi Bomb) have all taken their fair share of trips to the league’s basement—each landing in last place twice. It’s proof that even the best can stumble, whether it’s bad luck, poor management, or just a fantasy football curse that won’t let go.
Jaxson seems to be locked in an endless cycle of “next year is my year,” while Josh Jenson has perfected the art of hovering just enough to avoid permanent residency at the bottom. But you’ve got to hand it to them—persistence is a virtue, and they’re living proof that hope truly does spring eternal. Respect.
And yes, even Jeff, our original fantasy royalty, isn’t immune to the occasional misstep—because sometimes, even kings drop their crowns.
The Great Escape Artists:
When it comes to dodging disaster, Blair (Atwater) is the league's escape artist, having never finished in the bottom 3—a true model of consistency. Meanwhile, his brother, Jaxson (Texasforever), has found himself in the bottom 3 a painful six times. It’s a true tale of sibling rivalry—one brother soaring to consistent respectability, the other just trying to avoid another basement visit. But hey, turnarounds happen all the time—I mean, look at my Bills! Maybe next season will be Jaxson’s Josh Allen moment.
D****raft Insights: The Myth of the #1 Pick
If you think securing the #1 overall pick is your golden ticket to fantasy glory, think again. In our 14-year league history, not once has the top pick resulted in a championship. That’s right—zero titles. Zilch. Nada. Picking first is a lot like being The Bachelor—it probably feels great at first, but deep down, you know it’s not going to end well. Whoever lands it might as well start planning for next year, because history suggests it's more of a curse than a blessing. At this point, the first pick has become our very own Madden or Manning curse. Who will be the first to break it?
Instead, it turns out that drafting later might just be the secret sauce to success. The eventual league champion has drafted 10th or later in 6 of the 14 seasons, proving that patience—and a knack for finding those mid-round gems—can turn a the percieved disadvantage into a championship title.
The highest draft spot to ever take home the title? That honor, believe it or not, belongs to the now-defunct RavingChiefs, who somehow stumbled his way to glory from the #2 spot in 2016. It’s a record that still stands, much like the man himself—gone, but not forgotten, haunting the league like the dude who auto-drafts and still somehow wins. We may never know if it was skill, luck, or just blind ignorance, but one thing’s for sure—he’s not here to defend it.
But hey, records are meant to be broken... so who's going to step up and finally scrub his name from our history books? Seriously... someone do it.
If you're looking for the sweet spot in draft success, history says it's pick #8—the Goldilocks zone of fantasy football. Not too early, not too late, just right. But if you’re feeling superstitious, you might want to aim for the 9th or 12th spots. Those positions have produced league champions a whopping three times each, making them the closest thing we have to a rabbit's foot.
Moral of the story? Don’t sweat your draft position too much—unless you’re picking first. In that case... time to channel your inner Ted Lasso—believe, even when no one else does.
Points For, Points Against: The Tale of the Tape
When it comes to scoring points, some of us have been lighting up the scoreboard, while others have been getting steamrolled week after week. Let’s break down the numbers and see what they reveal about our league’s history.
**The High-Flyers: **Some owners know how to put points on the board year after year, and leading the way is:
🏅 Nick (Kelly Tough) – 23,139.86 total points scored
- Years Played: 14
- Conclusion: Either a brilliant offensive mastermind... or just the guy who keeps stumbling into breakout players like Forrest Gump running into historical events.
🥈 Blair (Atwater) – 22,333.92 total points scored
- Years Played: 14
- Conclusion: Quietly racking up points without making enough noise—maybe he’s not the John Elway of our league... more like Dan Marino. Still impressive, but I can't help but wonder if the fantasy football gods are still punishing you for that Joseph Addai trade.
🥉 Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill) – 22,135.53 total points scored
- Years Played: 14
- Conclusion: Always reliable, always in the mix, and putting up numbers like a true fantasy veteran. Jeff approaches fantasy football with the kind of consistency and discipline that would make Vince Lombardi proud—minus the motivational speeches, but with just as many wins.
Total Points Against: The Punching Bags
On the flip side, some owners have faced nothing but weekly gauntlets. Here are the ones who've had the toughest schedules:
🥇 Josh Jenson (Rafi Bomb) – 21,602.21 points against
- Years Played: 14
- Conclusion: If fantasy football were a game of dodgeball, Josh would always be the first one out—getting hit with a wrench by Patches O’Houlihan before he even knows what’s happening. “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball” doesn’t seem to apply here. What do you think Cotton?
🥈 Drew (Uncle Jrue) – 18,984.83 points against
- Years Played: 10
- Conclusion: Drew has taken more hits than Rocky Balboa going the distance with Apollo Creed, but he keeps answering the bell. He may not always come out on top, but you gotta admire his stamina—because in fantasy football, just like in boxing, it ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. Or as Mickey would say, “You’re gonna eat lightning and crap thunder!”
🥉 Brian (Khaki Kommandos) – 21,668.00 points against
- Years Played: 14
- Conclusion: Brian is a true magnet for high-scoring opponents—if there's a career game to be had, you can bet it’s happening against him. At this point, it’s almost impressive how consistently the fates seem to have it out for him, weaving his fantasy misfortune with precision and spite. Even here, I’ve got you sitting in third place. Sorry, bro!
Takeaway: In fantasy football, sometimes it's not about how well you play—it's about how brutally unlucky you are with matchups. It’s an unpredictable beast, and no one knows that better than these three.
Fantasy Feats of Strength: The All-Time Performance Showdowns
Every season, someone manages to have that week—the kind where everything clicks, their lineup explodes, and they leave their opponent questioning their choices in life. Let’s take a look at some of the most legendary fantasy team performances and individual player explosions in our league's history.
The Weekly Blowout Hall of Fame (Top Team Performances)
Some weeks, fantasy football feels easy. These were those weeks:
🏆 Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill) - 2019, Week 5 – 218.32 points
- A performance so dominant, even his bench was probably outscoring most teams. (Just kidding—he left no points on the bench that week.) This remains the gold standard for fantasy greatness. Drew (Uncle Jrue) might remember this one all too well. An undefeated Over the Taysom Hill rolled into Week 6 and put on a show. Drew put up a respectable 135 points, but it’s hard to overcome 30 points from Russell Wilson, 45 from Christian McCaffrey, 33 from DJ Chark, and a ridiculous 47 from the Eagles Defense. Sheesh!
🥈 Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill) - 2017, Week 11 – 209.64 points
- A reminder that Jeff doesn’t just win—he wins big. He took this week by a whopping 115 points, leaving no doubt who was in charge. Jeff’s squad put up monster numbers, with 36 points from Antonio Brown, 35 from Keenan Allen, 20 from the Steelers D, 20 from Carson Wentz, and 20 from Alec Ogletree at LB. Good thing Shawn isn’t in the league anymore to reminisce about this one. Actually, I think he moved to Finland just to escape the memory of this loss.
🥉 Josh Herrud (jdherrud) - 2020 (Week 3): 204.18 points
- This was a unique beating I took that week. I felt like James Bond when he mentioned having an itch... down there (Casino Royale, for anyone who may not be a Bond fan—maybe my favorite movie line ever). I lost by nearly 100 points, as Josh’s squad put up 20+ points at almost every position, featuring Dak Prescott, Dalvin Cook, DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Gallup, Zach Ertz, James Conner, James Robinson (JAX), Mason Crosby, and the Colts D.
Other notable performances include:
- Bradley (SnickleFrits) in 2024 (Week 2): 199.82 points – Came this close to breaking into the 200 club. You probably remember this one—26 points from De'Von Achane, 43 from Alvin Kamara, and solid contributions across the board from the rest of the lineup.
- Nick (Kelly Tough) – 2016, Week 1: 200.40 points – Kicked off the season with a bang, thanks to big performances from Andrew Luck, Spencer Ware (RB for the Chiefs), Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Brown, and Brandon Cooks. And to top it off, I even left Ameer Abdullah sitting on the bench with 20 points.
Takeaway: If you're facing Jeff in Week 5... brace yourself. History suggests it’s less of a matchup and more of a scheduled beatdown.
Fantasy Fireworks: Best Individual Performances
Sometimes, one player goes nuclear and carries an entire fantasy team on their back. Here are the top showings of all time:
🔥 Aaron (Anderson Allstars, 2013, Week 15) - Jamaal Charles: 59.5 points (Full PPR)
- Five touchdowns and a performance so good, it should have come with a warning label. Charles was on another level, turning every touch into a highlight reel. Remember how good he was? I’m beyond relieved he’s not on the Chefs today.
🔥 Nick (Kelly Tough, 2020, Week 16) - Alvin Kamara: 54.7 points (Half PPR)
- Six touchdowns on Christmas Day—Kamara was basically Santa in cleats, and he wasn’t handing out gift cards; he was dropping six-packs of fantasy greatness. Seriously, Drew Brees threw 2 interceptions and no touchdowns, and the Saints still put up 52 on the Vikings. Unreal.
🔥 Kaitlyn (Joe Buck Yourself, 2022, Week 9) - Joe Mixon: 53.1 points (Half PPR)
- A rare Mixon explosion where everything clicked, and the scoreboard lit up like a Steph Curry heat check. You just had to sit back and enjoy the show—unless, of course, you were on the receiving end, in which case it felt more like a prime Shaq dunking on you repeatedly.
Other jaw-dropping performances:
- Josh Herrud (jdherrud) - Le’Veon Bell (2016, Week 14): 49.8 points – Vintage Bell doing what he does best—patiently waiting behind the line, then exploding for chunk gains and fantasy glory. The good old days before his stupid holdout ruined him.
- Jeff (Over the Taysom Hill) - Josh Allen (2024, Week 14): 51.88 points – The face of the Bills franchise, my only hope for a Super Bowl, and the fantasy MVP of the week. This performance had it all—rushing TDs, deep bombs, and the only thing missing was one of his signature hurdles.
- Blair (Atwater) - De’Von Achane (2023, Week 3): 49.3 points – The rookie breakout no one saw coming—except Blair, of course. The only others who might have? Die-hard Dolphins fans and a few lucky souls who drafted him on a whim. While the rest of us watched in disbelief, Blair sat back and enjoyed every glorious point.
Takeaway: When your opponent has a player on this list... thoughts and prayers. Or better yet, just log off, take a long walk, and check back next week. Nothing good ever comes from being on the wrong side of a historic performance. Whether you're the one setting records or getting steamrolled by them, fantasy football always finds a way to keep us humble... or insufferable.
Wrapping It Up
As we close the books on another unforgettable season, I want to thank everyone for making this league what it is—incredibly competitive, everyone willing to put up with my ridiculousness, and always entertaining. Whether you were hoisting the trophy or just trying to avoid fantasy infamy, every week brought something interesting and enjoyable, and that's what keeps us coming back.
Looking ahead, there are some potential changes on the horizon—I'll be posting at some point in the offseason to gauge interest in ideas like FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget), Best Ball, and continuing to fine-tune our IDP scoring. Stay tuned for those discussions, and feel free to bring your suggestions (or complaints) to the table—I’m always open to making this league even better... or at least more interesting.
Running this league is truly a blast, and I’m already looking forward to another fun ride next season. Thanks for making it such an enjoyable experience, and congrats again to Joel (Face Planting) on his long-awaited championship. Enjoy it now, because we’re all coming for you next year. And… I’m hungry again!
Let’s run it back in 2025! I’m challenging everyone who has yet to claim a title to come prepared and make this next season your year. Let’s get your name in our record books.
As always, Go Bills!