SMG Playoffs - Rd 1

Fobsters (7-6) vs Gang Green (5-8)
We've seen this matchup before. In 2007, Gang Green and the Fobsters faced off, with Greg having the higher seed and squeaking by Jimmy in a tight matchup. This year, things look to be a bit different as they are definitely headed in opposite direcitons heading into the playoffs. The Fobsters are riding a three game win streak while Gang Green has lost four in a row. They only got into the playoffs because the Phreaks and Jubas are both on three losing streaks as well. Let's take a look at the matchups.

Quarterback
Normally Tom Brady versus Matt Schaub would be a no brainer but Brady hasn't been the steadiest of quarterbacks and Schaub is the seventh ranked QB this year. Looking into the stats however, Brady is superior and much steadier than Schaub, who is in a three week decline that has him scoring 27, 20, and 14 points recently. Maybe Greg will find another QB for this week but either way, Tom Terrific should be worth 20 points. Edge: Fobsters

Running Back
Brandon Jacobs and Thomas Jones, Greg's Big Apple combo hasn't been quite as effective as in years past. Jones is still a Top 10 back but he's topped twenty points only twice this season and has been averaging closer to 13 points the past six weeks. While Jacbos has underachieved all season, he's hot now after a a 23 point performance last week, but most of that was from a 70+ yard TD reception. I guarantee that's not happening again. Greg really missed Ronnie Brown, who was so hot to start the season.

Of course, it's not like the Fobsters have much of a ground game either. Does Laurence Maroney and Kevin Smith scare you? Maroney has actually been pretty good the past few weeks but turned up a dud last weekend (with four points). Smith has been erratic but occassionally breaks out and has accumulated enough points to be the thirteenth best RB this year. He seems to be trending up and will serve as the Fobsters driving force on the ground. Side note, how far has Reggie Bush fallen? He used to be a decent fantasy play but is almost useless nowadays. Sad. Edge: Fobsters

Wide Receiver
Speaking of falling off, how about that Calvin Johnson? Much like the sequel, this Transformer has been just terrible, barely ranking in the top 25 of wide receivers. He's been injured and unproductive but the good news is that he's had two huge weeks in the past four, so he could really help Jimmy out in the passing game. And Pierre Garcon, Jimmy's great FA pickup, has been scoring 12, 13, 14, 16 points in recent weeks, as he learns to connect with Peyton Manning. Even Jason Witten, with a down year, has had two 100+ yard games in a row and is peaking at just the right time. This all sounds great for the Fobsters right?

Not so fast. Greg's team is stacked at the receiver position. Deep threats Vincent Jackson and Randy Moss anchor the team and Randy is capable of exploding at any time (he's the second best WR this year, with four 20+ games). Jackson had four 20+ games up through WK 9 but none since. In fact, Jackson hasn't topped double digits since then so there's a little bit of concern. However, he's still capable of contributing at any time. It may not matter though because Jackson is really the number three receiver on this team, if you can believe it. FA pickup Sidney Rice has been a top ten WR this year and is exactly in the mold of Ross and Jackson, boom or bust deep threats. For example, the past four weeks have resulted in two 23 point games and 11 and 10. That's steady enough and we like Greg's chances for two of his guys to go big. Edge: Gang Green

Defense & Kicker
This is always an overlooked portion of matchups. Usually it's not a big deal as they should cancel each other out. But it boggles my mind that both GMs are going with defenses that are doing horrible the past three weeks. Sure the Ravens and Titans may sound like big names but neither of them have even put up five points in recent weeks. Greg's kicker, Nick Folk, has missed four field goals in four straight games and has scored 14 total over that span. Meanwhile, Jimmy's kicker has been the hottest in the game. David Akers has been in double digits most weeks and could provide a nice five or six point cushion over Folk's "work." Edge: Fobsters

Fearless Forecast
The good news for Greg is that he's actually outscored Jimmy this season (who has been the lowest scoring team in the league). The bad news is that Jimmy is heating up at the right time and has strung up games of 91-94-121 recently while Greg has been sub 80s, barring one 106 explosion -- which he lost. So I'm gonna go with the hot team here, Fobsters by fourteen.