Playoffs 2006 - Round I

Well, the bye weeks weren't hard to figure out. The Monkeys had that locked up about 4 weeks ago and enters their first week bye with a record breaking 12-1 record in the regular season. The (defending champion) Jubas on the other hand lived off their nine game win streak and enters the playoffs with a commanding two game lead despite dropping the last two. So lets talk about the real matchups!

Inscrutable Drama Kings Division

Tiiite End Jammers (7-6) at Buffy (7-5-1)

Buffy revived their season entering the first week on the heels of a four game win streak. Just four weeks ago, Buffy was 4.5 games out of first and 1.5 games out of playoff contention. But the revival of Carson Palmer has enabled Buffy to rally into the second seed. A key stat here is that Buffy has won the championship ring ever year the team has made the playoffs. For the Jammers, this is their first foray in the playoffs since their triumphant appearance in the 2003 CTDB Championships. As they say, never underestimate the regular season. The Jammers took care of business and won their last game and despite being in a virtual tie in terms of overall standings and head-to-head record, the Jammers outscored Ante Up by nearly 100 points which means they, and not Ante Up, will still be playing in December. New blood has been the key for the Jammers. With the re-emergence of Vick, the explosion of rookie Addai and the solid play of what is probably the most underrated recieving core of Harrison, Jackson and Javon Walker. The team isn't extremely deep here with Fargas, Sammy Morris, Leon Washington and Deion Branch riding the pine but the starters are definitely capable.

Prediction: This will go to the team that wants it more. Buffy has the hotter streak but we can see an upset happening here. Jammers by 5.

Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses Division

Battle Angels (6-7) at Philadelphia Phreaks (7-6)

You know its a good year when you finish the regular season under .500 and still make the playoffs. The stars are aligned. You lose your last game but your divisional rivals goes and loses 6 in a row and right out of playoff contention. Go back to Week 7. Green Team was sitting pretty in second, one game back of the Phreaks with a 5-2 record. A six game slide helps no one. The moral of the story? Battle Angels in at 6-7. Now, this doesn't mean the Angels don't have a shot.

Any team with Drew Brees and Steve Smith could easily have a 60 point base on any given week. The question is what can Maroney, Ahman, Reggie Brown and Galloway do in the playoffs? On the flip side the Phreaks are reeling from the loss of #5 - McNabb. He's actually still the QB. Its unclear whether GM Shen is doin this for morale reasons or if he is just taunting Vu and the Angels. But the Phreaks were the leaders in the SMG for a good part of the season - and for good reason.

With a healthy Donte Stallworth, an emerging Roy WIlliams and a solid TJ Houshmandzadeh. The loss of CP and the emergence of Marion Barber over Julius Jones has hurt the Phreaks but M. Jones Drew and Kevin Jones are no slouches.

Prediction: With McNabb = Angels by 10, With a McNabb sub = Phreaks by 10.