Fantasy Turned Reality: Magner Gets First Win As Banged Up Geno Falls Short for Adcock

Murky Depths: Balanced Nehikhuere Tops 127, Sinks Dunegan, Muddy Waters

Who is Aaron Jones manager Tosa Nehikhuere proved himself Houston’s true drip king in week 4, dispatching Sam Dunegan and his Galveston Bay Muddy Waters side with ease in a meeting between the last two league champions. The result sees Nehikhuere improve to 3-1 on the young season, while Dunegan falls to 1-3. 

Despite leaving Nico Collins and his 32.3 points on the bench this week, Nehikhuere still posted his best performance of the season with an impressive 127 points. Strong contributions from the Seattle D/ST (29 points) and Isiah Pacheco (23.3 points) headlined the victory for the pre-season favorite, while his 7 double digit scorers showed great balance across a lineup that is set to add Cooper Kupp back into the fold as early as this week. 

Over the past few weeks, Nehikhuere has been quick to heap praise on his lineup, who have performed very admirably in Kupp’s absence. However, the defending champion made his excitement to have Kupp back clear to the Platooner: 

“I want you to put the word out there that we back up.” Nehikhuere stated via meme. 

On the flipside, Galveston Bay manager Sam Dunegan continued to struggle without first round pick Austin Ekeler in week 4, as his lineup totaled just 85 points in the matchup. 

While Dunegan enjoyed solid wide receiver play from DK Metcalf (10.9 points) and Brandon Ayuik (17.8 points), the majority of his lineup fell flat in week 4. Even star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (13.22 points) and the Eagles D/ST (3 points) failed to generate much production for the HOA frontman, all but sealing his fate for the week. 

While absolutely anything is still possible in a league as wild as the PPL, it seems that major changes may be needed for the Muddy Waters to have a chance of competing for a playoff spot, which Dunegan commented on in his remarks to the Platooner following the matchup: 

“Here’s my comment about our performance- Honestly, can’t be disappointed with crappy players doing crappy things. We are looking to bring a new GM and Coach and Owner.” Dunegan remarked. 

Dunegan will look to get back on track in week 5 against Andrew Forey and his 4A-Not-4E unit, while Nehikhuere will look to remain at the top of the standings in a prime time matchup with Matt Stone’s Heaven Heroes. 

The Red Keep Has Fallen: Fields, Achane Help Clines Storm Kings Landing

The most highly anticipated matchup of the week turned out to be one of the least competitive, as Stephen Clines and his Can You Fields the Love Tonight team rolled Jake Sawyer’s previously unbeaten Kings Landing United squad in week 4. As a result, both teams find themselves at 3-1 on the season, with Clines edging out Sawyer in the standings on a points for basis. 

Even in spite of a huge week 3 performance, many around the league questioned whether Sawyer’s hot start could be sustained with his current roster as he failed to top 91 points in either of his first two matchups. Unfortunately for Sawyer, his lineup finally paid the price for a subpar performance, posting a league low 82 points on the week. 

Jalen Hurts (24.16 points) and Justin Jefferson (23.5 points) certainly held up their end of the bargain in week 4, but lackluster efforts from Amari Cooper (2.1 points), Kyle Pitts (3.1 points), and the San Francisco D/ST (1 point) proved fatal to Sawyer’s chances of success. 

When questioned by the Platooner about his thoughts on the matchup, Sawyer was quick to congratulate his opposing manager on the win, and even quicker to shift his focus to next week’s matchup: 

“If I’m gonna be real, I knew I was going to lose pretty quickly. Stephen has put together a very respectable team and they were just the better side. Hoping my boys take something from this loss and are able to shake it off to continue this good start to the season. 

But we’re still confident. We’ve got Cobra FC next week so we’re pretty much guaranteed a free win.” Sawyer commented. 

Meanwhile, Clines bounced back after a rough week 3 by scoring 111 points in week 4, good for fourth most in the league. With the win, Clines becomes the only manager in the PPL to have multiple wins over teams with winning records this season. 

Star quarterback Justin Fields (27.9 points) finally showed flashes of the elite fantasy potential that tantalized managers all summer long, while rookie running back Devon Achane (25.5 points) put up eye-popping numbers for a second consecutive week. 

Clines expressed his pleasure with his team’s strong start to the season, while commenting on his aspirations for continued success with the season of bye weeks now descending upon the league: 

“It feels good. I know it’s toxic, but when I’m behind I love bringing people down to my level, and that’s what I did this past week by bringing Jake down to 3-1. As we go into Bye season, I’m really gonna have to work around the margins, hope my bench guys can show up when it counts, and make sure my studs are showing up every Sunday (and occasionally Thursday or Monday).” Clines said. 

Clines will look to prevent Keaton Adcock and the Master Ballers from bringing him down to their level in week 5, while Sawyer looks ahead to what should be a very entertaining matchup with Coby Evers and Cobra FC.

Stairway to Heaven: Stone Beats Cantway, Ascends in League Table Despite AJ Brown’s Big Day

While the urban sprawl of America may have collected a nice win last week when Who is Aaron Jones defeated Cobra FC, small town USA is battling back as Royse City native Matt Stone and his Heaven’s Heroes side knocked off Mitch Cantway’s Houston based Sevin Dingleterry squad in week 4. As a result, Stone improves to 3-1 on the season, while Cantway stumbles to a 1-3 start. 

While it may not have been Stone’s prettiest victory of the season, it ended up being no less dominant than the others. Solid performances from Justin Herbert (23.38 points) and Marquis Brown (13.1 points) in the early window of Sunday’s action helped Stone control the matchup early, while another big day from the Dallas D/ST (26 points) all but solidified the win. 

In a week in which several key contributors such as Rhamondre Stevenson (5 points) and Tyreek Hill (8.7 points) had tough matchups, Stone still found a way to comfortably get the job done. But some around the league can’t help but wonder whether Stone’s hot start is the real deal, or fueled by matchups against inferior competition. When asked if he felt like his team has truly been tested this season, Stone replied: 

“Well, in this 12 team league, there are only 4 teams above .500, and only three of those teams are the real deal. But in this game, you aren’t tested by the teams across the ball from you. The real test is what is going on in your heart and mind and how you dominate the field according to your best abilities. So I would say we’ve been tested each week, and each week we’ve come back into our locker room with a laundry list of to do items as long as your arm. 3-1 is fine, but I’m looking at week 16.” 

Meanwhile, Cantway’s crew face planted in week 4 after a week 3 victory that seemed to signal the franchise turning the corner in terms of success. 

A monster day from wide receiver AJ Brown (34 points) and a valiant effort from quarterback Brock Purdy (21.32 points) ended in vain, as the other 7 starters in Cantway’s lineup combined for only 30 fantasy points. There is room for optimism going forward given the talent Cantway’s squad possesses, but the Sri Lankan international will need to make some adjustments to produce a more competitive side. 

Cantway criticized his managerial performance when questioned by the Platooner, but also provided a positive outlook for the future: 

“Losing in fantasy and getting my cheeks clapped by Matt are familiar feelings. I’m getting too comfortable, too complacent. Look for things to get shaken up going into week 5.” Cantway said. 

Cantway will look to shake off this performance and move on to greener pastures in week 5 against Kenny Turner and Flush Factory United, while Stone will match up with fellow 3-1 club Who is Aaron Jones and Tosa Nehikhuere. 

Blondes Do It Better: RB’s Run Wild as Tormey Clinches Rivalry Win Over Turner, Flush Factory

One of the most passionate rivalries in the league came to life in week 4 as Flush Factory United and manager Kenny Turner did battle with Hunter Tormey and Frosty Flights FC in the third annual El Blondico. As usual, the matchup was chocked full of action and drama, but this year it was Tormey who ended up securing the win, improving to 2-2 on the season. Turner on the other hand, falls to 1-3. 

Week 4 started out no kinder than usual to Tormey, who lost starters Luke Musgrave (.6 points) and Tee Higgins (2.9 points) to injuries, though neither are expected to miss much time. However, running back play ultimately proved the difference is this nail biting contest, as Josh Jacobs (23.9 points) and Kyren Williams (26.2 points) enjoyed big fantasy days when the club needed them most. 

It was actually quite difficult to hear Tormey’s comments to the Platooner originally, as passionate Frosty Flights fans (known locally as the Passengers), loudly and proudly debuted a new cheer as the team left the field. Set to the tune of Shakira’s Waka Waka, the chant went as follows: 

“Tsamina mina, eh eh!

Waka waka ehhhh ehh! 

A trade for Allen down the drain,

Josh Jacobs scores again!”

When Platooner sources were finally able to speak to Tormey in a more subdued setting, he made sure to revel a bit in this rivalry win: 

“Let me tell you this about Kenny Turner, he’s a hell of a manager and a great friend. But at the same time, I live in Dallas, he must live in Dallas. I name my team after Fortnite, he must name his team after Fortnite. I have blonde hair, he must get blonde hair. I win in fantasy football, he cannot afford. Great success!” Tormey said.

In the visiting locker room however, the mood was far from free-spirited and fun. Projected to win handily this week, Turner came up just 1.2 points short of victory in week 4, the slimmest margin of defeat across the league thus far. 

Newly acquired quarterback Josh Allen (36.5 points) quickly endeared himself to Flush Factory fans with an outstanding opening performance in the white and brown. However, the rest of Turner’s lineup was only able to muster one other touchdown, a 1 yard scoring plunge from Kenneth Walker (13.9 points) on Monday Night football. Walker’s efforts nearly allowed Turner to pick up the victory, but he ultimately could not secure the final 12 yards needed. 

Turner made it clear he’s potentially interested in shaking things up via trade once more in his weekly comments to the Platooner:

“Nothing is off limits with our team. All I know is the performances so far this season aren’t good enough. We gotta turn things around and get going in the right direction. On to the Dingleterrys.” Turner commented. 

Frosty Flights will look to string back to back wins together as they take on Mack Magner and the Fantasy Football Team in week 5, while Turner will look to turn things around against Mitch Cantway and his Sevin Dingleterry unit. 

Snakes in Washington: Cobra FC Batters Forey, 4A Not 4E With Masterclass Performance

Back in college, Cobra FC manager Coby Evers and 4A Not 4E manager Andrew Forey used to compete for the hearts and minds of female Ignite Texas staff members. Now however, their rivalry is played out on the fantasy football gridiron instead as Evers picked up a huge victory over Forey, scoring nearly 160 points in the process. 

After giving the defending champion a run for his money in week 3, Evers kicked his performance up several notches in week 4, posting a new league high 159.6 fantasy points in the process. Other than kicker Justin Tucker (4 points) every one of Evers starters scored in double figures on the week, with 3 starters scoring at least 24 points. 

Likely drunk with delight and Miller Lite, Evers declined to offer a comment to the Platooner after his dominant performance, but one can only assume he is confident in his team’s chances of success going forward. 

On the flipside, 4A Not 4E manager Andrew Forey did his best to field a competitive side in week 4, but he ultimately succumbed to Evers’ strong play. 

A 33 point outing from Stefon Diggs and a 23.1 point effort from DJ Moore hardly made a dent for the rookie manager, though his lineup did top 100 points for the third consecutive week despite the loss. Continuing to channel his inner Coach Prime, Forey had some choice words for any lingering doubters following his week 4 performance: 

“They better get me now in my first year, cause I got athletes coming. We’re only getting better from here. But yes this week was a tough one, bit of a reality check. Really came down to 2 things: bad QB play and bad defense. Two most important components of a championship team. This league is not easy, and our leader needs to step up. Embarrassing performance from Kirk. He needs to know he’s on the trading block now.” Forey stated. 

Forey will look to return to winning ways next week against Sam Dunegan’s Galveston Bay club, while Evers will duel with Kings Landing United and Jake Sawyer in week 5.