The Games that Mattered and Playoff Preview
Somerville Spartans (9-4) 103.84 over Patriots Dynasty (6-7) 63.32
The Dynasty needed either a win or a good point total this week. Instead, after earning niether, they are out of the playoffs after holding the second wild card spot for most of the season. It would have been the first playoff berth for the Dynasty. As for the Spartans, they have another strong game to set the tone for their playoff run. They have lost Plaxico due to legal/idiocy troubles, but still have a bunch of talent ready for a better post-season than 2007 when they went 1 and done.
Mill Creek Bulldogs (6-7) 85.60 over Toronto Argonauts (8-5) 78.09
The Bulldogs came surging out of nowhere for the first playoff berth under new ownership. It was a long road after a disapointing 1-4 start, but played just good enough to make the playoffs and now are set for more. With Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson, this team is capable of major upsets. As for the Argonauts, they did not really need this win, but a win would have changed their first round matchup. Instead of a rematch with the Bulldogs, they will now face the El Paso Bandits in the first round.
Somerville Spartans (9-4, 1316.51) vs. Mill Creek Bulldogs (6-7, 1026.64)
The AFC West Champs sliced up their division after a rough start, and ended up winning the division for a second time easily. The problem facing the Spartans how is that their team is not 100% with Plaxico already out. Also, Brandon Jacobs and Steven Jackson have faced injuries lately and while they will play this Sunday, their roles could be limited. Look for Larry Fitzgerald's performance to make or break the Spartan's game as if he does not go big against St. Louis, the Spartans may not have anyone else able to do so this week. The Spartans did beat the Bulldogs this year, but the Bulldogs did play them close.
This Year's Matchup: Week 10, Spartans 107.56 - Bulldogs 97.10
All Time Matchup: 1-0 Spartans
Toronto Argonauts (8-5, 1337.88) vs. El Paso Bandits (7-6, 1085.92)
This AFC East matchup is a rematch of the first AFC Conference Championship game in which the Argonauts prevailed. That game was also the Bandits' last playoff game. Since then, the Argonauts have been strong, winning 1 division title while the Bandits have been finishing at the bottom of the division the past 2 years. The Bandits have been streaky, but have only broken 90 points twice in the final 6 weeks of the season. El Paso will need more than that this week if they hope to win. Look for his success to bank on Michael Turner who has been either huge or insignificant. As for the Argonauts, they had a dismal week, but don't expect it to happen again. Favre, Boldin, Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez all have good matchups this week, so they should have a good week and advance to the AFC Title game for the third time in four years. The Argonauts took both regular season matchups which just extended their dominance over the Bandits as Toronto has never lost in 4 years to the Bandits.
This Year's Matchups: Week 3, Argonauts 98.72 - Bandits 88.55
Week 11, Argonauts 99.11 - Bandits 77.93
All Time Matchup: 9-0 Argonauts
Anal at Bandcamp (10-3, 1299.83) vs. Vilma=God (8-5, 1238.85)
Vilma reaches the playoffs for the first time in their 4 year history, but they have to face an opponent they have never beaten. In fact, no team in the NFC West had beated AABC until Week 13, 2008, when AABC dropped a very close game to the last place Cowboyz. While it may look like an opening for Vilma, AABC still racked up 116 in th eloss and finished 4th overall in points. Vilma does look strong this week with Aaron Rodgers and Matt Forte facing good matchups. However, they do need production from Willis McGahee if they think they have a shot. AABC does have some tough games ahead, but has been big week after week this season and has just too much star power to be stopped.
This Year's Matchups: Week 9, AABC 83.02 - Vilma 70.27
Week 11, AABC 107.05 - Vilma 97.54
All Time Matchup: 8-0 AABC
Flaming Stewies (9-4, 1383.43) vs. Denver Roncos (9-4, 1252.31)
The Roncos always seem to go big for their matchups against the Stewies as they have beaten them four times during the regular season. This year, the Roncos played well against the Stewies in both wins, but the Stewies still gained 90+ points. This is a rematch from last year's NFC title game with the roles reversed, this time the Stewies are the divison champ while the Roncos are the wild card. The Stewies have been plauged by inconsistent play from the QB and RB all year and will need good games from especially Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker for a win this week. As for the Roncos, they also have their attention fixed on the QB position with Tony Romo facing off against the Steelers. Also, the Roncos can do some real damage with Clinton Portis, who is up against Baltimore, the Stewies defense. Look for the outcomes of the Pit-Dal and Bal-Was games to decide this matchup.
This Year's Matchups: Week 3, Roncos 95.95 - Stewies 90.67
Week 13, Roncos 148.06 - Stewies 90.63
All Time Matchup: 4-1 Roncos
Rk Lst Rk
#1 #1 Anal at Bandcamp (10-3) - If you're going to lose, scoring 116 is the way to go down
#2 #3 Somerville Spartans (9-4) - Best record in the AFC is just hoping for a healthy December
#3 #2 Flaming Stewies (9-4) - Dropped a playoff preview game, but still took the points title
#4 #7 Hotsauce (8-5) - Best team not in the playoffs, would have easily won an AFC wild card
#5 #9 Denver Roncos (9-4) - Went off with 140+ and is plenty ready for a big playoff run
#6 #4 Toronto Argonauts (8-5) - Fell flat in week 13, but looks to be 10-0 vs. the Bandits after this week
#7 #5 El Paso Bandits (7-6) - While meaningless, the loss to CLC still hurts
#8 #6 Vilma=God (8-5) - Dropped a close one, still had a good week overall
#9 #11 Mill Creek Bulldogs (6-7) - The dark horse made it and could be a bracket buster
#10 #12 N.E. Chowderheads (6-7) - Got a little bit of respect in week 13 after a disapointing season
#11 #8 Patriots Dynasty (6-7) - The finish hurts, but things do look good for next year
#12 #15 Cowboyz (3-10) - Snapped the 23 game divisional winning streak from AABC just barely
#13 #13 Columbus Liquid Courage (5-8) - This is a turnaround from 3-10 last year
#14 #10 Capt Acorn (6-7) - A respectable record to go with a not so good point total
#15 #14 Pirates (3-10) - Yeah, they won last week, but they only had to beat the Gappers' 44
#16 #16 Georgia Gappers (1-12) - Nowhere to go from here but up