Divisional 2004 Rematch

Los Angeles, CA --
This weekend marks the Inscrutable Drama Kings Divisional Championship. It is also a rematch of the IDK DC from 2004. Once again, team Buffy will be taking on the Chunky Monkeys. In what has been the greatest season ever put together by a fantasy team, Monkeys are the clear favorites to win this match-up. The same thing was said of the Monkeys’ ’04 team as well. Following their bye week after posting a 12-1 regular season record, the Monkeys are ready to take on the winner of the wild-card game, Buffy. With a 7-5-1 regular season record, Buffy gave Tiiite End Jammers a 140-71 shellacking, for the dubious honor of taking on the Monkeys in the Divisional Championship game.

In 2004, the Monkeys boasted a lineup of Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Darrell Jackson, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Chris Chambers, and Andre Johnson. Buffy countered with Brian Griese, Corey Dillon, Michael Pittman, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Joe Horn, and Michael Clayton. Buffy was somehow victorious in the match-up, and now, two years later, the Monkeys team has been heavily upgraded and Buffy, well, they have a full roster of players.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s game:

QB
Arguably the best fantasy quarterback in league history, Peyton Manning has not been as spectacular lately, but is still a model of consistency, averaging close to 24 points each week. Carson Palmer on the other hand is not far behind. After a slow start to the season, he has exploded in the last weeks to help propel Buffy to contention. The Monkeys/Buffy game might just be decided on Monday night when Manning and Palmer face each other. EDGE: Monkeys

RB
On paper, LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson versus Willie Parker and most likely Ladell Betts is a joke. FWP has had a great season and Betts is coming to his own, but seriously, it’s LT and LJ! The same two backs that each put up 42 points Week 8. Can FWP and Betts score a few TDs to keep pace? They scored for 26 and 19 this past weekend, but that’s not going to be good enough. EDGE: Monkeys

WR
For the first time in CTDB history, the Monkeys boast a wide receiver core worth mentioning. Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, and Anquan Boldin, are in the top 20 in scoring for WRs; TO and AJ are in the top 8. Not too shabby. While Buffy counters with franchise player Torry “Big Game” Holt, Terry Glenn, and possibly Derrick Mason this weekend. Joe Horn will play if available. As explosive as Buffy’s WRs can be, they have not shown the consistency as the Monkeys’ core has over the course of the season. Although known throughout the years as a fielding the greatest aerial attack ever, Buffy looks like they are flying a bit low this year. EDGE: Monkeys

K
Buffy has ridden the leg of last year’s top kicker Neil Rackers all season long and has wanted to make a change, but decided to stick by his draft choice. He has pulled a last minute “Bill Parcells” move and replaced him with Josh Scobee. This move may hurt team chemistry, but it seems that a change was necessary. The Monkeys’ Nate Kaeding has been one of the most consistent kickers this year. EDGE: Monkeys

DEF/ST
Usually we don’t bother rating DEF/ST, but in this case, Buffy has da Bears D, which is the best defense unit out there. The Bears D single-handedly defeated the Monkeys in their second meeting this year putting up 23 points. And after posting 29 points in week 13, there is no doubt Buffy’s D is extremely explosive. The Monkeys’ have made a last minute change and are going with the Jaguars D. Releasing hometown Chargers D must have been heartbreaking, but it seems as though Monkeys GM Evan Shiue needed to make a change to help put the best possible team out there. EDGE: Buffy

MOJO
With the highest scoring team in league history, the best regular season record in league history, with most weekly high scores, it seems pretty obvious the Monkeys will be going to the big game. It is almost impossible to put together a better roster. However, Buffy is a two-time CTDB Champion. Buffy likes playing the role of underdog, and they have been riding a 5-game winning streak. Will the week off hurt the Monkeys team? Is Buffy in fact once again the true team of destiny?

Monkeys by 30.