It was the second week of the Plas Coch-Metropolitan face-offs and apart from a slam-dunk win by Lloyds Leviathans, the PC teams were a class above the Metro. The closest game of Week 7 was a 132.84-95.70 thumping, so while half the league went big, the other didn’t get going. Before we get into the autopsy of the least balanced slate of games in NPIFL history, in which every home team lost, let’s look at Nathan’s Pix and the Best Bench of the Week.
Originals head coach Nathan Adams went a remarkable 1-5 this week, bringing his season totals to 16-26. Adams has a long way to go but it is starting to look like .500 is beyond him not just in the NPIFL standings, but also in the Pix. The BBOTW went to You are in Chubble with 67.92 points and as YAIC scored the second-most points in the NPIFL this week, they are certainly near the top of the power rankings.
NPIFL Week 7 Roundup
SL Rams (5-2) 77.74 – 140.12 SW 49ers (6-1)
In the ‘Biggest NPIFL Game of the Week’ between 5-1 teams, the cracks that had been developing in the St. Lewis Rams’ lineup were magnified. The Metro-leading team suffered a hugely disappointing week, which was highlighted by the differences between them and the Plas Coch’s second-placed San Wrexham 49ers.
The Rams were not alone in their misfortunes this week, and you know you are in for a rough time when only Justin Jefferson (17.90) and Ka’imi Fairbairn (13) break 10 points. 5.24 points from Jayden Daniels and 1.80 from Antonio Gibson underline the issues St. Lewis has been dealing with and they will hope for better days in the near future.
Meanwhile, the 49ers were simply magnificent, with three players breaking 20 points (Josh Allen [21.02], Joe Mixon [25.40] & Amon-Ra St. Brown [21.20]), while Brian Robinson (13.10), the Bengals defense (15.00) and kicker Austin Seibert (16.00) all breaking 10 points. San Wrexham HC Chris Blockley told NFLFQS:
“Nothing but a farmers league and can’t wait to easily make it 7-1 this weekend.”
St. Lewis coach Lewis Done provided a lengthy statement:
“Tonight was a tough game for us, and the result is not what we hoped for. We faced a strong opponent, and unfortunately, due to injuries, we couldn’t execute our game plan as effectively as we needed to.
“One of the significant challenges we faced tonight was the injury crisis affecting our team. We’ve had several key players sidelined, which undoubtedly impacted our performance. It’s tough to compete at our best when we’re missing crucial members of our squad.
“Credit to our opponents; they are going to take some stopping and with WWC up next, I don’t see it happening.“
The Rams look to Week 8 with some anxiety as they take on a runaway Love Train on a two-game winning streak. As for the 49ers, they fancy their chances against a 2-5 WWC looking to end a two-game losing streak.
WWC (2-5) 95.70 – 132.84 ERS (2-5)
The WWC and ERS had the ‘Closest Game of the Week,’ which leads us to question what curious cosmic alignment led to so many mismatches in the NPIFL. The WWC saw good performances from QB Kyler Murray (20.20), and star WR Drake London (15.30), along with solid days from Chuba Hubbard (11.20), kicker Tyler Bass (10) and the Bills defense (11).
Four players failing to hit 5 points, including 0 from Tank Dell, will cause headaches for a HC who also lost Brandon Aiyuk for the season. Christopher Ward spoke to NFLFQS:
“Appalling stuff from the lads this week. Absolutely shocking. I locked them in the dressing room for an hour and a half giving them the hairdryer treatment. At least, I think I did. I don’t have any use for a hairdryer so I don’t have one.
“I tried to recreate the noise from piecing together childhood memories. They all looked at me kinda strangely. Anyway, Tank Dell has extra catching practice this week. I miss hair.“
ERS HC Dan Gittins was thrilled to see a big day from his team:
“Super happy with the performance this week. We need to keep this going all season, let’s see how we do.”
Meanwhile, the ERS put on a clinic, with Jahmyr Gibbs getting 30 points from 160 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs. With Joe Burrow (14.94), Alexander Mattison (13.80), Ja’Marr Chase (15.10), Mark Andrews (18.10) and Tyler Bass (13) all firing, this was the kind of week the ERS had been waiting for.
Santos XI (4-3) 99.34 – 161.50 Originals (2-5)
Santos XI fell to a bitter defeat against the Brymbo O’s, with HC Nathan Adams being vocally disrespectful in pregame interviews. The XI were missing some key pieces to bye weeks and while they did largely fail to deliver on the field, the O’s HC is talking a lot for a team with 5 early losses.
Santos saw some decent displays, with Drake Maye (20.84), Cade Otton (16.00) and the Broncos D (20) being the highlights. However, there were a lot of passengers and it wasn’t enough on a night where the O’s unlocked their potential.
Brymbo put up a lot of points, with Baker Mayfield (27), Josh Jacobs (17.70), Kyren Williams (20.60), Tee Higgins (16.20) David Njoku (19.60) and Kenneth Walker III (22.30) all breaking 15 points. This was the second-best performance of the 2024 NPIFL season (behind Brymbo Miners/Storm, 166.86) and HC Nathan Adams was delighted to be pulling his way back into the picture. He told NFLFQS:
“My team did the talking this week that’s all I have to say, The playoffs are seemingly out of reach for the 0’s for now but we intend to carry on picking at our competitors.”
Meanwhile, XI HC Christopher Faulkner told reporters:
“Injuries, byes and game time missed for HIAs did for us. We’re on the verge of a big season, but we could do with a nice run. I’m glad that most of our major byes are out of the way now.”
The O’s hope to go 3-5 against the Patriots in Week 8, while the XI take on the 2-5 ERS.
OE Pats (3-4) 74.08 – 156.24 YAIC (6-1)
The Old England Pats fell hard in Week 7, offering little resistance to a Chubble team featuring their talismanic running back, Nick Chubb. The return of Chub sent ripples across the league, and the Browns were sure to put him in the endzone in their 21-14 loss to Cincinnati.
Chubb was one of several players worthy of note for YAIC (9.70), with Lamar Jackson (34.94), Derrick Henry (24.70), Saquon Barkley (25.70), Tery McLaurin (12.80), George Pickens (19.60) and Julian Love (12.10) stomping on a Pats team that couldn’t get going.
Brock Purdy (17.18) and Bijan Robinson (23.80) were the only Old England players to break 10 points, and eight players hit 5 or fewer points (with 0 from kicker Dustin Hopkins). This was a week of low points for the Pats, as it was for multiple managers around the league.
NFLFQS was unable to reach either HC at first, but we heard Oliver Bailey mutter something about ‘Pickens pieces of the Pats from out of his teeth’ and that his ‘raging Chubble was rubbing against his jeans.’
Bailey returned to the media room and declared:
“Another week another win, had a few offers for players this week, but I feel, if something isn’t broken, why fix it? Important thing is not to be complacent, or overreact when we have a chubbling weekend…..and with mentioning Chubb, how breathtaking to see him back after so long (cry emotional face) Chubber chubb Chubb, thanks for the grubb.”
Brymbo Storm (4-3) 83.56 – 141.76 Leviathans (3-4)
The Brymbo Storm started Week 7 with a huge display from RB Javonte Williams (24.60). Fans felt this would paper over a poor 5.40-point day from Alvin Kamara, especially with Courtland Sutton hitting 0 for the Leviathans.
However, from there it was all one-way traffic, with only the Cplts D hitting 10 points or more for the Storm. It was plain sailing for the Leviathans, and just about everyone hit big for Lloyds. QB Jalen Hurts (22.76), Najee Harris (16.20), Rachaad White (26.10), Amari Cooper (14.60), A.J. Brown (17.40), George Kittle (12.20), the Eagles D (15) and DB Kyle Hamilton (10) completed the rout for the Leviathans.
Storm HC John Maxwell spoke to NFLFQS:
“What is there to say? While we are obviously displeased with the past two games, if our players are all going to misfire at once, let it be on a day like this where the other team goes big. Not sure we could expect to match 141 points with our matchups, but we fancy we might in Week 8, as it sure does look like rain.”
Leviathans HC Tom Lloyd, who was unreachable for comment after a defeat last week, was thankfully available after the win:
“‘It’s been a really rough start for the Leviathans this season, a few key losses have really hampered our progress. So it was nice to see an upcoming Brymbo matchup, an easy victory here and there can really be a shot of motivation for future tougher matchups. As such it was nice of the Storm to provide one for us.”
Tyreek or Treat (1-6) 71.74 – 122.70 Love Train (4-3)
Tyreek or Treat fell to 1-6 with barely a fight, with their defeat to the Love Train being their season low. The Treat are in real danger of being the first team eliminated from playoff contention if they can not turn it around fast, and an ankle dislocation for Chris Godwin is another problem the team really didn’t need.
Godwin (11.00) was one of only two players to break 10 points in Week 7, with kicker Cameron Dicker (19.00) as the other highlight. 1.80 points from Tyreek Hill underlines the issues the Treat are experiencing, and they will be hoping the return of Tua can unlock his high-scoring potential again. With Brian Thomas Jr. (19.60) likely entering the lineup, ToT will see a fading Storm as a potential game to kickstart their season.
Meanwhile, the Love Train put in a series of strong performances. Breece Hall was the highlight (23.10), but he was complimented by Jordan Love (16.80), Aaron Jones (19.10). DK Metcalf (17.90), Brock Bowers (15.30) and Chris Boswell (13), who let TLT to a comfortable victory.
NFLFQS spoke to HC Damen Griffiths after the game:
“I don’t think there was ever any doubt this week. It’s sad to see a fellow Fantasy Super Bowl winner so down in the doldrums but that’s just the nature of this league. Good luck to Jordan for the rest of the way, it would be sad to see such a promising manager propping up the league when all is said and done.
“Looking forward to a slightly bigger test this week. Our medical staff are doing everything they can to make sure our receivers out on another show for our fans, but even if they don’t make it, I feel confident in my ability to outfox a perennially middling manager this weekend. Choo f*cking Choo, full steam ahead.”
Can the Love Train stay on track against the Rams in Week 8, and will ToT manage to disperse the coming Storm? These questions and more will be answered next week.
NPIFL Standings post-Week 6
