With the regular season settled and everyone in their respective places it is time to take a shot at figuring out which team has the best chance of knocking off Money Team and winning the title.
Week 1 Playoff Schedule
A Playoffs
8am Suicide Squad v The Replacements - I can remember 12 weeks ago when Suicide Squad was on Facebook looking for players to fill out their roster. Fast forward to the end of the season and they have won their division for the 3rd time in four seasons. You don't hear much from them, but it certainly seems like they belong here. What can I say about the Replacements that has not already been said. Actually, other than the conversation I had with the guys at the preseason MEETING where we unilaterally changed the rules I really don't have anything to say. They are good dudes and clearly, an above average football team. I haven't watched one snap! Based on the last three weeks they have clearly figured out how to play defense so this should be a good game. It is playoff time baby. With the two teams this close I like to take the experience. My experience says Suicide Squad moves on.
9am Nukes v Miami - this looks like it will be fun. These two managed to avoid playing each other this season. It took a while, but Miami finally found the desire to show up with enough people to win games late in the season. The Nukes proved to be one of the big boys this season. When you look at the quarterbacks with championship pedigrees they beat this season (Sasso, Klose, Feinstein), one has to believe the Nukes are on the precipice of a championship run. To do it they will need to beat Miami. This should be a closely contested game, but outside of their run in the B's Miami has a history of going deep in the playoffs. I think they make more history with a win this week.
10am Money Team v Lions - living with a target on your back is never an easy thing to do. Money Team not only lives with it, they relish in it. This team isn't prolific on offense, but that defense is 2nd in Mercer which says something considering that they play the elite teams week after week. Experience is a plus which helps them win the close games. I also think their ability to successfully run the onside kick is an advantage no one else can deliver. This season has been a season of what ifs for the Lions. There was no shortage of games that saw the Lions miss opportunities in closely contested games. These two played earlier in the season with Money Team coming away with a two score win. Now that they're in the playoffs I fully expect to see the Money Team playoff team and avoid a first upset, by the first round upset masters Matthew Pramberger and the Lions.
Field 2
8am Crimson Tide v Saints - HAHAHAHAHA. This is great. Imran Huq is a lot of things starting with F (Father, friend, football fplayer - the f is silent), but his greatest F is forcing Brandon to play at 8 on Thanksgiving weekend. This makes him a Fucking prick! The Tide have managed to secure their division with a less than secure roster coming into the playoffs. For that he is my GM of the year. The runner-up for GM of the year is the not so tiny hiney of Brandon Fein-ee. He managed to convince all of the old players who weren't good enough to play with the old team to come back and "play" with him this season. If you count coming to six games as playing. Regular season doesn't matter when you're playing for titles. For as good as it has been for the Tide, the season ends with margaritas at on the Border.
9am Overachievers v Irish - Another rematch. In spite of their week ten hiccup, the Overachievers have been one of the most dominant teams in Mercer this season. The 131 points allowed is astounding when you consider the level of competition they faced this year. Having Sasso for the full season made an impact for the team as they look like the team to beat on their side of the league. The Irish finished with an identical record as the O's, but took a loss in their head to head matchup. Much like Richard Wright's other team iterations the Irish sport one of the most athletic teams in any league. Should be another tough and hard fought game, but I think the cohesion of the Overachievers overcomes the athletes on the other side.
10am Elite v Team USA - Elite lived up to the moniker this season as Charlie Klose has molded this new crew into a contender in a post-Charger world. Not sure if this season's version has what it takes to take home a title in their first season, but I am not one to bet against Charlie. Team USA is back in the A's with a 5-5 record. This time a year ago the Patriots were playing in the Semi-finals against the Cardinals! What they lack in roster numbers they more than make up for with the most dedicated fans in Mercer. BTW they might have the best jerseys in the league. I bet they would have looked great in the Spring. Will also be the next time I get to see them.
11am Wildcats v HMC Elite - I love how people in the league are openly celebrating John "spygate" Wilson's taping endeavors. The Wildcats have come down a little from consecutive 9-1 seasons which saw them fall short each season. However, it probably should have been expected considering the loss of Randy, Brett, and Jazz from those two teams. Still a formidable team especially coming off of a 7-3 season. HMC Elite has been a case study in team schizophrenia. When they've played well they have allowed 0, 2, 6, and 8 points in their games decided on the field. We haven't played in two weeks so who know how we will look coming into this game. These two teams played early in the season resulting in a win for HMC Elite. Anyone who knows me knows about my disdain for rematches. I expect the Wildcats to be motivated and well prepared to play us this week
11am Commission v Bulldogs - this game is actually on field one, but I know Chew only reads up to his prediction and ignores the rest of the blog. I say fuck you, read the whole goddamn thing. This is a rematch of an upset win by the Bulldogs over the Commission. That win had people both mocking the Commission and wondering if they were legitimate. The Bulldogs have not been the same since that week 7 win. They are coming into the playoffs having lost their last 3 games against teams they will have to face if they want to win the league. Sadly for them, they will have to knock off the Commission to do that and the ugly combination of Falkowski and Chew will overcome the even uglier combination of Turner and Heninger.