14 weeks of competition wasn't enough for The Dog League to have a definitive playoff picture, as 5 teams head into the final week with a realistic shot at claiming the 4th seed. Only one can take it, though, so for these 5, plus Rascal and Rare Woofs at the top, this is by far the most important preparation of the year.
Growlers
Current Record: (5-9, 8th Place)
Growlers scored well in Week 14, topping 150 points, but stood no chance against Tug of War's fiery output. This week, Growlers are back at the bottom, and that allowed them to claim the top running back available, Rashaad Penny, dropping Alexander Mattison. Penny won't start this week, though Growlers do make two changes to their lineup, starting the Dolphins defense over the Saints, and acquiring a new kicker, dropping Greg Zuerlein to add Nick Folk.
UPDATE: Growlers will start Darnell Mooney over Cole Beasley.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Leaping Girl)
RB Austin Ekeler
RB Cordarrelle Patterson
WR Mike Williams
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR Darnell Mooney
TE Dalton Schultz
RB Javonte Williams
K Nick Folk
DEF Miami Dolphins
Leaping Girl
Current Record: (5-9, 7th Place)
Emma's chances to make the playoffs were badly damaged by a heartbreaking Week 14 defeat, as she came within a point of beating Bark Force, as Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins just couldn't get over the hump. She should get stronger this week, with Dallas Goedert and Michael Pittman back from bye, and D'Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson possible to play, though only the former two are in her lineup as of now. She adds extra depth in her running back corps, dropping Jared Cook to add Darrel Williams, and brings in another new defense, dropping Seattle to acquire Cleveland.
UPDATE: With DeAndre Hopkins shut down, Leaping Girl will start Michael Gallup again this week.
UPDATE: Leaping Girl has placed Hopkins in reserve, adding Marvin Jones, and she will now start Jones over Michael Gallup.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Growlers)
RB Alvin Kamara
RB Josh Jacobs
WR Mike Evans
WR Michael Pittman
WR Marvin Jones
TE Dallas Goedert
RB Ezekiel Elliott
K Ryan Succop
DEF Cleveland Browns
Canine Comets
Current Record: (5-9, 6th Place)
Two weeks ago, it looked like a sure thing that the Comets were destined for the playoffs, but their roller-coaster debut season continued to confound last week, as they disappointed in a loss to Tailwaggerz that leaves their prospects cloudy. This week, they bring back Jaylen Waddle, benching DK Metcalf, and add a new kicker, as Robbie Gould was dropped for Matt Gay.
UPDATE: Waddle is now on the COVID list, so Metcalf is back in the starting lineup, with DeVante Parker taking the open roster spot.
UPDATE: The Comets will look to take advantage of Damien Harris being ruled out, starting Rhamondre Stevenson over Devonta Freeman.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Ridiculous Rascals)
RB Nick Chubb
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
WR Diontae Johnson
WR Chris Godwin
WR DK Metcalf
TE Travis Kelce
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
K Matt Gay
DEF Buffalo Bills
Tug of War
Current Record: (6-8, 5th Place)
Tug of War has gotten hot at exactly the right time, now right in the mix for the final playoff spot with Bark Force, only trailing the tiebreaker by 2 points, giving them a golden chance to complete an unlikely run to the postseason. This week, they could face an interesting logjam at running back, with the potential for returns from Eli Mitchell, Miles Sanders, and Michael Carter, though none are ready to start just yet. The starters don't budge an inch for Tug of War right now, though in addition to the uncertainty at running back, there's also a chance that Marquise Brown might be benched, as he plays a tough Packers secondary, and could be going without Lamar Jackson.
UPDATE: Tug of War has sent Jarvis Landry (COVID) to the reserve, adding A.J. Green.
UPDATE: Michael Carter returns from reserve, resulting in D'Onta Foreman being dropped and Carter taking the flex spot, while Chase Claypool starts over Marquise Brown.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Tailwaggerz)
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Aaron Jones
WR Amari Cooper
WR Tee Higgins
WR Chase Claypool
TE George Kittle
RB Michael Carter
K Tyler Bass
DEF Green Bay Packers
Bark Force
Current Record: (6-8, 4th Place)
Bark Force snapped their horrific seven-game losing streak in dramatic fashion against Leaping Girl, as Sony Michel and Odell Beckham Jr. did just enough to secure victory, propelling Bark Force back into the playoff race. This week, the task looks insurmountable, as they have to face the seemingly unstoppable Rare Woofs, and they enter with major question marks at quarterback, as both Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers are banged up. Bark Force sends Myles Gaskin to the reserve to add Tua Tagovailoa as an insurance policy, and also adds the Chiefs defense, dropping the Ravens. Bark Force makes one change to the starting lineup, benching Jeff Wilson for DeVonta Smith.
UPDATE: Bark Force benches Odell Beckham (COVID) for Christian Kirk.
UPDATE: Odell Beckham and Darrell Henderson both return from reserve, sending Tua Tagovailoa and Jeff Wilson to the waiver wire. Both will start, as DeVonta Smith and Sony Michel head to the bench.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Rare Woofs)
RB James Robinson
RB Darrell Henderosn
WR Davante Adams
WR CeeDee Lamb
WR Odell Beckham
TE Tyler Conklin
WR Christian Kirk
K Daniel Carlson
DEF Denver Broncos
Tailwaggerz
Current Record: (8-6, 3rd Place)
Tailwaggerz' win over the Comets guaranteed that they have nothing to play for this week, as they are the only team in the league that can't move anywhere in the standings, and has absolutely nothing to fight for. They do have the chance to harm Tug of War's playoff hopes by beating them, which would be worthwhile considering how well that team has been playing recently, so Tailwaggerz will at least be present this week, if a little unfocused. They bring James Conner, Matthew Stafford, and Jalen Guyton into their lineup for this week, though Guyton is likely to be dropped if Keenan Allen can get cleared.
UPDATE: Keenan Allen is cleared, so Jalen Guyton has been dropped, allowing Allen to re-take his spot in the starting lineup.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Tug of War)
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Najee Harris
WR Cooper Kupp
WR Keenan Allen
WR Van Jefferson
TE Kyle Pitts
RB James Conner
K Greg Joseph
DEF Arizona Cardinals
Ridiculous Rascals
Current Record: (10-4, 2nd Place)
Rascal's chances of winning his second regular season title took a serious hit last week in a decisive loss to Rare Woofs, who are firing on all cylinders right now. Rascal needs to take a big swing to recapture momentum, and luckily for him, he gets a critical piece back as Jonathan Taylor returns from bye. Rascal will take a chance to two new starters, as he starts Brandin Cooks and brings in Jimmy Garoppolo, a hero of years past for Rascal who is called upon in a dire situation. Carson Wentz was dropped again.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Canine Comets)
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Joe Mixon
WR Tyreek Hill
WR Ja'Marr Chase
WR Hunter Renfrow
TE Zach Ertz
WR Brandin Cooks
K Justin Tucker
DEF San Francisco 49ers
Rare Woofs
Current Record: (11-3, 1st Place)
What Rare Woofs have accomplished in their Dog League tenure thus far is nothing short of exceptional. In 2018, they made the title game, upsetting Rascal in the first round, before narrowly losing out to Tailwaggerz. 2019 was a cakewalk for them, dismantling everyone in their path on the most dominant title-winning campaign we've ever seen. 2020 saw Rare Woofs struggle for consistency for much of the season, only to catch fire at the end, unexpectedly claiming another trophy, and now in 2021, they are back in first place, have by far the strongest roster in the league, and are on a seven-game winning streak. Rare Woofs have truly become the "evil empire" of The Dog League, and with a couple more key wins, a three-peat would be in store. It's a level of success that I truly never thought was possible, and it's impressive and terrifying in equal measure. Anyway, this week, Rare Woofs start Tyler Lockett over Chuba Hubbard, drop Dontrell Hilliard to add surging rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown, and add a new kicker, dropping Chris Boswell to add Harrison Butker.
UPDATE: Tyler Lockett (COVID) heads to reserve, leaving Rare Woofs to start Chuba Hubbard, and use the open roster spot on Duke Johnson.
Week 15 Starting Lineup (vs Bark Force)
RB Leonard Fournette
RB David Montgomery
WR Justin Jefferson
WR Deebo Samuel
WR Stefon Diggs
TE Mark Andrews
WR Tyler Lockett
K Harrison Butker
DEF Dallas Cowboys
- Henry
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