Somerville Spartans (9-4) vs. Toronto Argonauts (8-5)
The Spartans make their first trip to the playoffs in franchise history while the Argonauts are back for the third consecutive time, but for the first time out of the Wild Card. The Spartans started strong, faded a bit and really came on late with 4 straight wins to take the division easiliy. The Spartans have been impressive this year but face a tough task where they will try to win for the first time against Toronto. The Argonauts lost out on their division, but have to feel good winning the points title this year. They endured a couple critical losses which allowed the Wolverines to take the division. The Spartans are getting healthy at the right time, putting a team on the field that was a favorite for the title in the pre-season. The Argonauts have Tom Brady. This year, that has been enough. It will be up to the Spartans to prove they are for real and not just the lucky team that came out on top of a weak division.
All-Time Series: 3-0 Toronto
This Season's Matchup: Toronto Argonauts 127.90 - Somerville Spartans 83.61
Detroit Wolverines (10-3) vs. Pirates (6-7)
Every year a team playoff team finishes 6-7, but each has a chance in the last week to go 7-6, and that continues with the Pirates. But last year's champ is not already doomed going up against a 10 win juggernaut, winning two of their last three and making a strong run just to make the playoffs. They have been getting the job done lately, hope they can make a strong run again this year. The Wolverines are back for their second year in the playoffs and have their first division title. They were unstoppable down the stretch winning 5 in a row, including a win over the Argonauts. However, their only loss in the last 10 weeks of the season came at the hand of the Pirates. The Wolverines have an unstoppable duo at running back in Peterson and Gore, plus that Peyton Manning guy at QB. The Pirates hope to counter with Chad Johnson and the suddenly hot Marques Colston.
All-Time Series: 3-0 Pirates
This Season's Matchup: Pirates 102.33 - Detroit Wolverines 71.85
NFC:
Anal at Bandcamp (11-2) vs. Flaming Stewies (7-6)
The best team in the league this year goes up against the one that struggled most down the stretch. However, this is no ordinary matchup. These two teams have faced off in each of the past two NFC Championship games with the Stewies going on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. AABC made an impressive run this year with 7 straight 100 point games on their way to the best record and second most points in the league. The Stewies have held strong in the past matchups, including this year, but was while the Stewies were playing much better. They lost three in a row to close out the season while AABC has been on an 8 game tear leading up to the playoffs. AABC is in good shape with Palmer and T.J. Housh going up against a weak defense while the Stewies have some tougher matchpus on key players. These two teams had a record breaking matchup in week 2, and look forward to another pair of great playoff performances.
All-Time Series: 4-1 Stewies
This Season's Matchup: Flaming Stewies 157.54 - Anal at Bandcamp 148.77
Denver Roncos (10-3) vs. N.E. Chowderheads (9-4)
This has been a breakout season for both of these teams with the Chowderheads making history as the first team in the NFC West to win a Wild Card berth. The Roncos are also in the playoffs for the first time, knocking off the former division champ for their first division title. The Roncos have done a good job all year watching the waiver wire and picking up solid player and looks to ride those guys into the playoffs for a deep run. The Chowderheads benifited from the resurgence of Brett Favre who will be in line for a strong week coming up against Oakland. The Roncos do have Jennings who can offset Favre, so look for the Chowderheads to need production out of their other players.
All-Time Series: 1-0 Denver Roncos
This Season's Matchup: Denver Roncos 75.89 - N.E. Chowderheads 64.82.
Rk Lst Rk
#1 #1 Anal at Bandcamp (11-2) - Finished at the top of the league and set up for a very strong playoff run
#2 #2 Detroit Wolverines (10-3) - Best in the AFC this year and right now a favorite for the Super Bowl
#3 #3 Denver Roncos (10-3) - Strong season in breakout year after strong rebuild
#4 #4 Somerville Spartans (9-4) - Took care of the Pirates to end the year and dominated their division
#5 #5 N.E. Chowderheads (9-4) - Another breakout team in the playoffs and eyeing the upset
#6 #7 Toronto Argonauts (8-5) - Rebounded after loss, but had the best season points-wise
#7 #8 Pirates (6-7) - Did just enough to make the playoffs and still in the hunt for a repeat
#8 #11 Pat's Dynasty (5-8) - Got a bad rep this year with a bad record despite finishing 7th in points
#9 #9 Flaming Stewies (7-6) - Really struggled down the stretch after a promising start
#10 #13 Vilma=God (6-7) - Got back to respectable with the record, but not close to the playoffs this year
#11 #14 Hotsauce (4-8) - Only spoiled their own pick for the rookie draft, but shows signs of improvment
#12 #9 Capt. Acorn (4-8) - Really disapointing year from a playoff team from a year ago
#13 #12 Bush City Baby Eaters (5-7) - Overacheived in terms of wins, but not in points at 14th in the league
#14 #11 Columbus Liquid Courage (3-10) - Had a rough year, but is on the way to McFadden
#15 #15 Kellen Kunt Krushers (3-10) - This team was terrible before and after ownership change this year
#16 #16 El Paso Bandits (3-10) - By far the most disapointing team, just about everything busted