Week 9 is in the books and the playoff stretch run is in front of us. Here’s the annual reminder that kickoff week 12 is the trade deadline. This is also the cutoff for protecting 2024 players — they must be rostered continuously after week 12. (In other words, players “added” after kickoff week 12 are not eligible to be protected for 2024 season.)

So with 2 weeks before the trade deadline and 5 weeks left in our regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape.

Our two Fantasy Bowl teams from last year — Armadillos and Muffdivers — are both 7-1 this year and share the best record in the league. Mark your calendars for week 10, when Dallas and Miami face off head to head. Miami holds a 2-game lead over the Froglickers (5-3) in the Cappelletti Division. Dallas holds a 3-game lead over the Big Bang (4-5) in the Paterno Division.

This year’s biggest surprise is probably Orange County. For the past two consecutive seasons, the Beach Dudes have had the league’s worst record. But at 6-3, the Dudes hold a 1-game lead over the Mud (5-4) in the Engle Division.

Playoff hopes have mostly slipped away for the Longfellows (1-7), Violence (2-7) and Wildcats (3-6), and the remaining teams — Blowfish (4-3-1), Griffins (4-5), Mustangs and Thorobreds (both 3-5) will need to string together some wins ASAP to be in the playoff conversation.