"Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time... The stars wheeled overhead, and every day was as long as a life age of the earth... But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."
How did we get here?
The winding road that was TPD's 2024 regular season is almost too ridiculous to believe. But it happened. And now, after such turmoil and anguish, TPD is back where he truly belongs. The playoffs and East division champs. This marks TPD's 10th playoff appearance in 13 seasons of MFFL ball. He is back2back East division champs, marking the 8th time as East champs in 13 seasons. Let us take a look back so we may understand what just happened.
TPD started the season strong winning his first two match-ups. The team was playing well, and it appeared as though he was ready for another dominant season. It was not to last. TPD's brutal poor circumstance rang the door bell yet again, and he proceeded to lose 4 straight games, even though he was 2nd in points scored during that period. During his four game losing streak teams averaged 150 ppg against him. It was all too familiar, and TPD struggled to accept that his title as the league's unluckiest manager was once again his fate. He made moves as always and crafter a dominate team, but they simply struggled to piece it all together. CMC is the brightest example of that, as it took him until week 10 to return, and when he did, he played average, before getting hurt again. But before the all is lost moment, TPD won three straight games in weeks 7-9, scoring at least 147 in all 3 games, and 194 in one of them. He was right back to his old ways. The sky was the limit for this team. But then disaster struck. The team simply stopped performing, and CMC got hurt. TPD lost 3 of 4, scoring below 113 in all four games. TPD, realizing the dark reality of his fate spent $100 on CMC's replacement Mason. Only to watch in horror the very next day when Mason was put on IR. At that moment darkness took him, and he strayed out of thought and time.
The playoffs were still possible, but he did not control his own destiny. He would have to win out, and have others lose along the way. And in week 14 he would face LFB, who picked up the other 49ers RB, ready to take on a workhorse role. Things were bleak, but he relied on his hardened experience. He picked up elite handcuff RBs in case of injury. One of which being Charbonnet, who unexpectedly became the starter after a Walker injury. TPD now had his own back-up RB ready to take a lead role. Hope was restored and the team responded putting up a huge 175 points, Charbonnet getting 40 of them, setting the stage for an epic final week to the regular season.
Unbelievably the East had not been decided yet, and once TPD ran the numbers he realized he himself still had a chance to win it. LFB was on a losing streak and The Dingos were his opponent. He would need a victory over The Dingos, paired with a LFB loss. Even better was the fact that he could make the playoffs as a wildcard, if he were to win and Njokus On You were to lose. Now it was on, and TPD's lineup was getting hot at the right time. All TPD had to do was pick the right QB. Kyler had a great matchup and Hurts had a terrible one. TPD went with Kyler, and the results were terrible. Hurts went off, and Kyler scored 6 points. Such a microcosm of TPD's season. But fate it seems, is not without a sense of irony. For the rest of TPD's squad showed up in a big way. His star studded WRs all scored over 20, and Gibbs continued to beast. The stage was set for a crazy Monday night conclusion.
TPD needed to hold off The Dingos. Both he and Dingos had 3 players on Monday Night. TPD also needed Kyle Pitts to score below 11 points, in order for Coop to beat LFB. Such a circumstance never goes in TPD's favor, like ever. But TPD felt good all week. He enjoyed playing in the underdog role and had a good feeling from the jump. He got his game face on and watched every snap, never giving up. Fireworks started from the jump when JJ for TPD and London for Dingos each scored touchdowns. Things were looking down when the squad slowed after that point. But 3 catches on the final 1st half drive for Hockenson brought spirits back up again. The match-up would come down to the 2nd half of the final fantasy regular season game.
The rest as they say is history. TPD took control. He steadily racked up points from JJ, Hock, and Koo. He watched as he slowly built a lead, and over the course of the rest of the night, he separated himself from the Dingos. The final question was whether or not Pitts would score over 11. Pitts struggled early, but started getting catches in the 4th quarter. As the game was nearing its end, a Hail Mary could have forced the game into overtime. And from there a Pitts TD in overtime would have sent TPD into perhaps the darkest place of his fantasy career since his pre-title days. But luckily it did not come to pass. Pitts finished below 11 and TPD secured his playoff spot and the East crown. A shocking and most enjoyable result. TPD soared, feeling as light as a feather.
The anxiety packed final stretch is a legendary moment in TPD's already storied career. It is a comeback for the ages. And now this team feels a certain destiny about them. The playoffs are a reset. Throw the records out and the matchups out. History has proven that anything is possible and TPD is gaining momentum at the perfect time. He dares once more to reach towards glory blinding, star riched skies. It's the playoff baby. Never doubt this TPD's metal. He been through it all. The time has come once more.
