The Playoffs, Part 3
Playoffs, Round 3
Another tremendous set of games, including two decided by fewer than five points. And just to show how variable things are, the teams in the consolation bracket outscored those in the championship bracket 481.81 to 367.86, an average of nearly 30 points/team higher. That’s a lot of teams that would like rematches.
The surprising similarities to last year’s playoffs are also apparent; in addition to the exact same seeds winning thus far, we also note that (1) despite being the dominant regular season team, the Blitzers/Pwners are playing for 7th place, (2) the Squirrels are back in the championship, and (3) an expansion team looks like the favorite.
Looking back to last week:
Consolation Bracket
True to form, the two highest scoring teams in the league put on a show. And for the second straight week, the Blitzers lost; the difference this time was that the opposing team that had a surprisingly good performance, nearly their best of the season. It’s scary to think the Schmuckernators didn’t even have all that good of an effort from the WRs and so there’s room for improvement. Meanwhile, the Blitzers got great production up and down the lineup and still lost by 35 – they caught the wrong opponent in the wrong week.
In the other matchup with great QB play, the Manning and the No-Studs took down the Runnings in a tight one. For the second straight week, the Runnings left a ton of points on the bench, making them a near-lock for the unluckiest manager of the year. While they did acceptably well in this past game, the Daisies might also be in trouble if Manning becomes a part-time player this week.
Championship Bracket
In the week’s ugly game, the Squirrels managed to squeak by the Cupcakes on the strength of the Giants defense Monday night. The eighth seed magic continues! And the Cupcakes lose-win streak (dating back to week 5!) continues! Both teams had an unsightly goose-egg marring up their tallies in addition to inconsistent play; and both will need to do better to win next week.
Finally, the Cats easily took down the Wilikers in perhaps the most by-the-numbers game of the week. The Cats have looked the best of any team these first two playoff weeks; can they keep it going for one more? Meanwhile, the pedestrian talent of the Willikers looked downright awful after last week’s shocker.
*****
Predictions:
I was a solid 0-4 prediction-wise last week, bringing my total to 2-6. Clearly, there is some sort of karma at play for my making fun of last week’s terrible picker. I will therefore refrain from any judgment of anyone else trying to figure out what’s going to happen.
7th Place Game
(1) Ritzy Blitzers vs. (6) Cool Runnings
Neither expected to be here; who will finish the season with a win? The Blitzers have already lost more games in the playoffs than they lost all regular season. On the other side, the Runnings should probably change their name to the Cool Passings; the inconsistency of their running backs has been their Achilles’ heel.
Prediction: The Blitzers finally unleash their inner ritz and take down the Runnings.
5th Place Game
(4) The Schmuckernators vs. (7) Granite Daisies
For the 3rd time in four years, the Daisies have a shot at 5th place. The problem is they have to go through the red-hot Schmuckernators to do it. We’re long past the stage of thinking it’s impossible; it is highly unlikely, however.
Prediction: The Schmuckernators complete their redemption with their 8th win in 9 games over the Daisies.
3rd Place Game
(3) Kenny Gee Wilikers vs. (5) Cupcakes of Doom!
Two disappointed teams face off for a podium spot. The Cupcakes have Chris Johnson and are due for a win. The Wilikers have Quinton Ganther aren’t really due for anything. Looks like a pretty easy call, but then again, nothing is ever quite that simple in the playoffs.
Prediction: The Cupcakes put the icing on a very nice season with a win over the Wilikers.
Championship Game
(2) Fat Cats vs. (8) Blinder Squirrels
The two Adjective Animal teams took care of business. After a slow start to the year, the Squirrels come in as winners of 5 of their last 6 and find themselves with a chance to finally win a championship after three years of upper division finishes. In the other corner, the Fat Cats have won 4 of 5 and have had the look of a champion most of the season.
Both teams had their high output of the season way back when the met up in week 6; unfortunately for the Squirrels, it was a record setting day for the Cats who demolished the single game scoring record. We can only hope the rematch provides those kinds of offensive fireworks.
The Squirrels have the slight edge at running back; the Cats have moderate edges at wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and defense. The quarterbacks are a wash, but the Cats also appear to have the more favorable matchups at key positions. It looks like all signs are pointing toward…
Prediction: The Fats Cats pounce on the Blinder Squirrels to claim the 2009 championship!
Another tremendous set of games, including two decided by fewer than five points. And just to show how variable things are, the teams in the consolation bracket outscored those in the championship bracket 481.81 to 367.86, an average of nearly 30 points/team higher. That’s a lot of teams that would like rematches.
The surprising similarities to last year’s playoffs are also apparent; in addition to the exact same seeds winning thus far, we also note that (1) despite being the dominant regular season team, the Blitzers/Pwners are playing for 7th place, (2) the Squirrels are back in the championship, and (3) an expansion team looks like the favorite.
Looking back to last week:
Consolation Bracket
True to form, the two highest scoring teams in the league put on a show. And for the second straight week, the Blitzers lost; the difference this time was that the opposing team that had a surprisingly good performance, nearly their best of the season. It’s scary to think the Schmuckernators didn’t even have all that good of an effort from the WRs and so there’s room for improvement. Meanwhile, the Blitzers got great production up and down the lineup and still lost by 35 – they caught the wrong opponent in the wrong week.
In the other matchup with great QB play, the Manning and the No-Studs took down the Runnings in a tight one. For the second straight week, the Runnings left a ton of points on the bench, making them a near-lock for the unluckiest manager of the year. While they did acceptably well in this past game, the Daisies might also be in trouble if Manning becomes a part-time player this week.
Championship Bracket
In the week’s ugly game, the Squirrels managed to squeak by the Cupcakes on the strength of the Giants defense Monday night. The eighth seed magic continues! And the Cupcakes lose-win streak (dating back to week 5!) continues! Both teams had an unsightly goose-egg marring up their tallies in addition to inconsistent play; and both will need to do better to win next week.
Finally, the Cats easily took down the Wilikers in perhaps the most by-the-numbers game of the week. The Cats have looked the best of any team these first two playoff weeks; can they keep it going for one more? Meanwhile, the pedestrian talent of the Willikers looked downright awful after last week’s shocker.
*****
Predictions:
I was a solid 0-4 prediction-wise last week, bringing my total to 2-6. Clearly, there is some sort of karma at play for my making fun of last week’s terrible picker. I will therefore refrain from any judgment of anyone else trying to figure out what’s going to happen.
7th Place Game
(1) Ritzy Blitzers vs. (6) Cool Runnings
Neither expected to be here; who will finish the season with a win? The Blitzers have already lost more games in the playoffs than they lost all regular season. On the other side, the Runnings should probably change their name to the Cool Passings; the inconsistency of their running backs has been their Achilles’ heel.
Prediction: The Blitzers finally unleash their inner ritz and take down the Runnings.
5th Place Game
(4) The Schmuckernators vs. (7) Granite Daisies
For the 3rd time in four years, the Daisies have a shot at 5th place. The problem is they have to go through the red-hot Schmuckernators to do it. We’re long past the stage of thinking it’s impossible; it is highly unlikely, however.
Prediction: The Schmuckernators complete their redemption with their 8th win in 9 games over the Daisies.
3rd Place Game
(3) Kenny Gee Wilikers vs. (5) Cupcakes of Doom!
Two disappointed teams face off for a podium spot. The Cupcakes have Chris Johnson and are due for a win. The Wilikers have Quinton Ganther aren’t really due for anything. Looks like a pretty easy call, but then again, nothing is ever quite that simple in the playoffs.
Prediction: The Cupcakes put the icing on a very nice season with a win over the Wilikers.
Championship Game
(2) Fat Cats vs. (8) Blinder Squirrels
The two Adjective Animal teams took care of business. After a slow start to the year, the Squirrels come in as winners of 5 of their last 6 and find themselves with a chance to finally win a championship after three years of upper division finishes. In the other corner, the Fat Cats have won 4 of 5 and have had the look of a champion most of the season.
Both teams had their high output of the season way back when the met up in week 6; unfortunately for the Squirrels, it was a record setting day for the Cats who demolished the single game scoring record. We can only hope the rematch provides those kinds of offensive fireworks.
The Squirrels have the slight edge at running back; the Cats have moderate edges at wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and defense. The quarterbacks are a wash, but the Cats also appear to have the more favorable matchups at key positions. It looks like all signs are pointing toward…
Prediction: The Fats Cats pounce on the Blinder Squirrels to claim the 2009 championship!
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