De-Buffed

Chunky Monkeys (128) vs Buffy (70)

There was a palpable sigh of relief from Monkey management Monday night - the team had finally beat long-time divisional rival, Buffy. Despite being the odds on favorite for this matchup after what has largely been considered the greatest regular season of all time, the Monkeys were nervous about the match up.

Entering the playoffs, Buffy was the only team to hang a loss on the Monkeys in the regular season. Despite the Monkeys scoring 149 in week 6, Buffy surmised almost superhuman abilities to run their score to 163 and handed the Monkeys their only (and likely the highest scoring) loss during the regular season. Despite averaging a pedestrian 103 pts per week during the regular season, Buffy had shown the most explosiveness as does the typical run n gun Buffy team does. With scoring outbursts of 163 (6), 149 (10) and 140 (Wild Card game) - Buffy had the weapons to displace the juggernaut also known as the Monkeys.

Even more serious was Buffy's franchise record in the playoffs - this was the FIRST ever playoff loss for the franchise since the inception of the league. Buffy, the only two time league champion, has only made the playoff twice before this year and won both times. As such, the Monkeys' confidence was noticeably more muted this week during practice.

But thats why they play the game. The Monkeys played a typical Monkeys game which featured 3-4 offensive explosions - this time led by team captains, Peyton Manning (39) and Ladainian Tomlinson (32). Manning and Tomlinson are the only two current members on the team that were part of the initial draft class in 2001. Despite unexpected slow games by Larry Johnson and Quan Boldin, the Monkeys almost matched their regular season average of 135 points.

Buffy suffered offensive letdowns from a traditionally strong passing game. While Willie Parker and Ladell Betts (who?) combined for 35, Carson Palmer, Torry Big Game Holt, Terry Glenn and Marty Booker combined for only 25. The team only managed 70 total points.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen - "The Monkeys had Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods on the same team this week. Tomlinson and Manning were ridiculous. With so much talent on the offensive front, this team seems like they had a breakout week. It remains to be seen whether the Monkeys can shake the superbowl ghosts of years past next week at the big game."