Playoffs: Round 1

Shanghai, China

Fobsters (8-5) vs Fat Jubas (6-7)
Who would’ve thunk this. If it weren’t for an unbelievably easy season for Gang Green, Fobsters would’ve likely cruised to a first round bye in what is going to be their first playoff appearance as a franchise (including the former Skool franchise). This is the same Fobster franchise that has NEVER had a winning season. Fast forward to 2007 - the Fobster rolled out to a 8-3 start. Excluding a 2 game slide at the end of the regular season, the Fobsters had a terrific regular season. The franchise was the 3rd highest scoring team this seasons -leading to its best season as a franchise so far.

The Jubas on the other hand, stumbled into their third straight playoff appearance. Remember this is the defending Superbowl Runner Up from 2006. The team averaged less than 85 points per week and enters the playoffs with a sub .500 regular season record.

QB – No contest here. Fobster’s Tom Brady is the MVP this year. The guy is the man. He will be facing Jubas newly minted Derek Anderson. Sure Anderson has a good matchup this week against the Jets. The dude even has legit facial hair in his Sportsline image. But this ain’t even fair son. Make Brady play with his left hand! EDGE: FOBSTERS

RB – Its unknowns versus the even more unknowns. Outside of Reggie Bush, the other scheduled starters are Earnest Graham, Ryan Grant and Kolby Smith. Entering the 2007 draft, my guess is that 0 GMs in this league knew any of the three or even had any of them on their draft boards. Smith is a sleeper. He has looked legit in his recent games. Even Ryan Grant has been very solid. This could be a very underrated backfield for the Jubas. While Fobsters have the name, dig a little deeper and you’ll find that Mr. Bush actually has been quite ordinary. The man hasn’t had any signature long runs and really hasn’t produced like a top pick. EDGE: EVEN.

WR – This is where it gets interesting. The Fobsters have typically trotted out 2-3 tight ends as their featured receivers each week. This week will feature Winslow and Witten to go with CJ. Its worked as Winslow and Witten have been redunkulous this year. Outside of the re-emerging Colston, we like what the Fobsters have – especially against a weaker TE in Cooley and a slot pull in Dwayne Bowe. EDGE: FOBSTERS

Prediction – Jubas will play big this week. They have to. But it won’t be enough. Fobsters by 2 touchdowns.

Dirty Birds (10-3) vs Buffy (6-7)
The Dirty Birds gave up Moss and Brady and are still the second best team in the league (probably the best team at this point). This is a team that currently has Adrian Peterson, Plaxico Burress and Rudi Johnson on its bench. AP will likely start this one but we are talking about probably the most talented and deepest roster in the league this year. We haven’t even talked about the starters – SJAX, Fitz, Braylon, Jennings and Mighty Mouse Wes Welker. Sheesh.

Buffy is no slouch either. Forced to go away from his signature run n’ fun offense, Buffy has had an up and down season as well. Like Jubas, the benefited from a highly bifurcated division and enters the playoffs with a sub .500 regular season record. A 2 game win streak at the game locked up this slot for the Buffy team.

QB – Carson Palmer versus Ben Roth. This is a great great matchup. Carson is playing a terrible STL pass defense while Ben is playing NE. EDGE: BUFFY

RB – We’ll likely see the return of Rook Wonder, Adrian Peterson this week. With AP and SJax in the backfield, this is the best run game in CTDB in 2007. No question. Jamal Lewis and Fast Willie are fine – but they ain’t Peterson and SJax. EDGE: DIRTY BIRDS

WR – The Birds feature a receiver core that includes Braylon Edwards, Wes Welker, Greg Jennings, Larry Fitzgerald and Plax Burress. The Birds already have the best running game in the league – they also have the best passing game in the league. Torry Holt is still great but combined with D. Mason and Joey Galloway – the combined age of this receiving staff is near 100. This could get ugly really fast. EDGE: DIRTY BIRDS

Prediction – Neither game should be that close. There is a fairly big gap in terms of talent level here. Birds by 17 points.