Super Bowl XII

In a re-match of last year's Super Bowl, Fat Jubas faced off versus defending champion Buffy with all sorts of history on the line. Could Buffy become our first back-to-back champ? Could Fat Jubas be our first two time champion from Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses? First, let's take a brief look at how they got here.

Both Buffy and Jubas defended their divisional champions, and since they met each other in Super Bowl XI, it's obvious that they've been CTDB's best teams for two years running, at least. Eric's team served a quick slap down to the upstart Philadephia Phreaks, 128.85 - 60.1, in the divisional finals, while Roger snuck by Chunky Monkeys, 87.85 - 82.5. That sub-nineties score was the lowest Buffy had all year, so there was some cause for concern that a Super Bowl letdown was coming. But it wasn't like the Jubas were on fire, as they'd lost four in a row heading into the playoffs, before righting the ship in round one. This Super Bowl was going to be anyone's game!

Roger pulled an audible before the game, picking up Sam Bradford off the free agent heap to start the championship game, ahead of Andy Dalton and Joe Flacco. If that's not a bold move, we don't know what else would qualify. Matt Forte was also inserted into the lineup for Danario Alexander. All that lineup shuffling didn't matter much as Arian Foster laid an absolute egg, putting up only 1.9 points as he left the game with a literally weak heart. Sam Bradford did better than Dalton but not as well as Flacco, but it's hard to say if Mr. Baltimore would have gotten the call. Buffy got a great performance out of Wes Welker and his 10 receptions and two TDs, but A.J. Green and Victor Cruz combined for only 18.2 points.

Fat Jubas took advantage by cashing in 24.5 points from Cam Newton, 21.5 points from Eric Decker, and then unleashing a Bears defense for two defensive touchdowns and 25.0 points. That Bears defense was a key reason Fat Jubas won earlier this season, and despite late season stumbles, they recovered just in time to shut down their opponents for this fantasy championship week. Eric's running game absolutely flopped, as Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden only musterd up 11.4 combines points but in this new NFL, running isn't the only way to victory. As Sunday wound down, it was clear that the Fat Jubas were on their way to a championship -- their second overall.

While Super Bowl XII wasn't the barn burner that last year's was, the Jubas' 116.0 - 89.6 victory throws a wrench into the conversation for greatest ever. They are at the very least the new contender for best Spunky Misunderstood Genius team ever, as they now have two titles to Gang Green's one -- or half of one, as the critics like to say. It's been a long seven years for the Jubas franchise and after years of divisional titles and on the bubble contention, they've broken through and established themselves as one of the top teams in Catch the Damn Ball. Congrats!

Toilet Bowl III

Gang Green (6-8) vs Tiiite End Jammers (6-8)
The Greenies dusted off Dirty Birds 116.1 - 103.4 in the first round of the Toilet Bowl, with a pyrotechnic display that was out of character for both teams. Lei's Tiiite End Jammers also put up over 110+ points in their easy dismissal of the Fobsters. That set up a potentially very exciting matchup to determine who would win the #1 pick in 2013's draft.

Tony Romo has been on fire recently and he came up big for the Jammers with 29.05 points, and he had a huge running game to support him too, as DeMarco Murray and Knowshown Moreno combined for 36.8 points together. Broncos DEF came up huge too, with 16 points. However, the air attack sputtered as Marques Colston, Demaryius Thomas, and Kenny Britt put up sub par numbers.

That gave Greg's team the opening to seize the day. Despite a crappy day from Stevan Ridley, everyone else on the roster put up over double digits, led by Stevie Johnson and Aaron Hernandez's 20+ points. The receivers for Gang Green really put in work as Brandon Marshall had a nice day too. Throw in Bengals defense's 19 points and it was cruise control for Peyton Manning and the boys, as they dispatched the Jammers 108.5 - 93.85.

Who will be the first pick next year? We don't know but the onus will be on Greg to select right! Congrats!

Division Finals Previews

Fat Jubas (7-6) vs Philadelphia Phreaks (7-6)
The Phreaks dispatched the Battle Angels pretty easily in the first round. In fact, some pundits were hoping for a record level blowout, as consistently freshing the scoreboard showed that at one point, Ping's team had 100+ points to Vu's twelve or so. Now the Phreaks will face off against Fat Jubas, in a Stanford mini-bowl to determine who'll get to go to the final round.

Last week, the Phreaks had Robert Griffin III, Doug Martin, Mike Wallace, and Jeremy Maclin all eclipse the twenty points scored mark. Sitting on the bench was Marshawn Lynch and his 30.8 points too -- subbed out for Bryce Brown. Clearly this team is firing on all cylinders at just the right time. Aside from figuring out which two RBs to start, Coach Ping will keep a careful eye on RG3's status. It's likely he could miss this crucial matchup and if that's the case, there is currently no backup quarterback on the roster.

As for Fat Jubas, the reigning Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses champ, this could be the first step to a back-to-back Super Bowl showing. Having been in this exact position last year, the Jubas know that they'll need to put a great week together to fend off their challenger. Luckily, franchise QB Cam Newton has picked up his game at just the right time -- averaging 42.0 points over his last three games -- and he'll lead the way. The receiving corps for Jubas is a little suspect right now, as Jimmy Graham and Eric Decker have been erratic, while Vincent Jackson has a boom or bust pattern. The ground game featuring Chris Johnson and possibly a just returned Darren McFadden could also be dicey.

In fact, are we more excited about the underdog Phreaks than the Fat Jubas?! If RG3 can get onto the field, he will cancel out Cam's contributions, and the could lead to a historic win for Ping and his long suffering fan base. We're calling it right now: upsetsville, Phreaks to the Super Bowl!

Buffy (11-2) vs Chunky Monkeys (8-5)
In a huge game between our past two champions, there's more than the usual at stake in this divisional championships. The last time these venerable franchises faced off in this round was back in 2006, when the Monkeys annihilated Buffy 128-70 -- Roger took a 2004 matchup. However, times have changed, and Buffy has been the odds on favorite to repeat as champion since WK1.

Evan is looking to put up a stiff fight though, after throwing up a nasty 130.5 points and avoiding the incredible defensive effort put forth by Ante Up. With every player, save his kicker, putting up double digits last week, there's some concern that the Monkeys have peaked already. Then again, the team is on a six game winning streak and has been over 120+ points each time during that span. The Monkeys are more likely hot at just the right time. The Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson connection is back in a big way, and Trent Richardson and Jamaal Charles are doing just enough on the ground to keep the defenses honest. The game will likely be won depending on if Reggie Wayne, Julio Jones, and/or Pierre Garcon and Randall Cobb can get some big games in. Evan will have to decide which WRs to use outside of Megatron, as he's got a lot of dpeth at the position.

As for the defending champs, Buffy has stumbled a bit of late, if you can call going 2-2 after nine straight wins "stumbling." They still averaged over 100+ over those four weeks, so this matchup is guaranteed to be a high scoring affair. Arian Foster leads a run-and-shoot attack featuring AJ Green, Victor Cruz, Danario Alexander, and Wes Welker. Matt Forte could be subbed in for one of receivers but he's not necessarily better than any of them, as he's been very inconsistent this year. The key for Roger's team is if Joe Flacco or Andy Dalton can keep up with Stafford, even a little. Coach Roger has been going with Dalton for the stretch run, but now Flacco is doing slightly better. Having waited on a QB during the draft, could this finally be when not having a single franchise level signal caller hurts Roger? Sources indicate that the decision will be Dalton, so the groundwork is set for fireworks coming out of the Inscrutable Drama Kings Stadium. Our prediction? A win for Chunky Monkeys, as Evan gives 110% to prevent a repeat championship by Buffy. For pride!

Recap: Round 1

Chunky Monkey Holds Off Ante Up
In one of the craziest playoff games in recent history, the Monkeys found themselves moving on to a long anticipated divisional battle with Buffy this coming weekend.  On the flip side, after a brokering a (semi-crazy and very lopsided) deal with the Dirty Birds to bolster their playoff run, Ante Up suffered a crushing loss despite having the Seattle D, who likely scored a record breaking 37 points for a DST.  Coming into the matchup, the Monkeys had been one of the hottest teams in the league having scored 120+ points in four consecutive weeks. Week 14 proved no different. All Monkey starters, except for the kicker, scored at least 15 pts.  Every starter had at least one touchdown -- except for Megatron who only had 10 catches for 118 yards.  Even the Browns DST had a return touchdown to secure 17 pts for the Monkeys. All in all, despite not having any player score 25 or more points, the Monkeys put up 130.5 points.

On the flips side, Ante Up was the model picture of inconsistency. Three players failed to score over 6 points while there highest scoring player was the Seahawks D with a preposterous 37 points. Already surrounded in controversy entering the match up, Ante Up to go with CJ Spiller over Alf Morris and new free agent Josh Gordon over 2012 draftee, Brandon Lloyd. Those two lineup decisions proved to be the ultimate difference. However, the game came down to Sunday night between the Packers and Lions. Entering the game slightly ahead behind the backs of the SEA defense, Ante Up had Aaron Rodgers against the Monkeys' Stafford and Megatron. Ultimately, Stafford and Megatron both carried their fair share.  Stafford ended up accounting for two touchdowns while Megatron continued his march towards Jerry Rice's yardage record with another 110+ yards.

As a consolation prize, Ante Up seems to have expanded their talent base entering next year. With Spiller, White, Morris as likely new keepers, experts think that Ante Up has greatly improved the overall talent base of the team.  For the Monkeys, a date with Buffy awaits...

Phreaks Dominate Angels
This was a laugher from the beginning. The Angels had the most of their team playing in the afternoon and SNF and was behind basically the entire day. However, they never came close to being competitive.

Already a seemingly weak team entering the playoffs -- the Angels were the only sub .500 team in the playoffs -- the Angels suffered from weak performances across their roster. The Angels had 5 starters score under 5 pts. This included the likes of Fred Jackson, Sidney Rice, Greg Jennings and Blair Walsh. While Brees and Andre Johnson performed admirably, the Angels were barely able to score over 60 points.  On the other side of the field, the Phreaks put up another strong performance.

After scoring 106 against the Angels, the Phreaks now have 7 games of 100+ pts in the last 9 weeks.  Led by the new "phaces" of the Phreaks, freshmen RGIII and Doug Martin combined for 40+ pts.  While Bryce Brown was relatively quiet after two ridiculous weeks, Week 15 saw the return of Phreak captains, Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin.  Both combined for another 40+ points.

Playoff Previews

Ante Up (8-5) vs Chunky Monkeys (8-5)
These two teams aren't strangers to each other in the playoffs. In fact, the two met in a tight divisional match up back in 2010 -- Roddy White, now on Ante Up, was a key contributor for the Monkeys that weekend scoring 14 pts.  This year is likely going to be very different. Ante Up is totally retooled for the playoffs after trading away an injured Lesean McCoy for Roddy White, CJ Spiller, Alfred Morris and Cecil Shorts -- despite grumbling by multiple GMs. We'll likely see White (against his old team!), Spiller and perhaps even Shorts in the line up this weekend for Ante Up. Here are the key match-ups.

QB: Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford.  Despite having been relatively quiet in recent weeks, Rodgers is still the superior quarterback here capable of putting up 40+ on any given night. Stafford has picked it up in recent weeks after a ridiculously slow start to the season.  EDGE: Ante Up

RB: Folks are projecting for Rice to line up with Spiller this week (despite the presence of Morris) who will be matched on the other side with uber-rookie, Trent Richardson and Jamaal Charles.    Both teams have power and speed and both backfields can put up points in a hurry. On the year, Ray Rice and Spiller are the #4 and #6 backs in CTDB respectively while Richardson and Charles are #5 and #10.  Ray Rice is clearly the best back here and we think that gives Ante Up a slight advantage.  EDGE: Ante Up

WR: This is where the Monkeys have shined this year.  Megatron, Julio, Wayne, Cobb and a surging Garcon likely represents the top receiving stable in the league.  Its tough to project who will start behind Megatron and Julio but its likely going to be Reggie Wayne.  Garcon has been on fire since coming back so will likely command some consideration and of course, GM Evan will also have to consider Cobb as a hedge against A-Rod.  For Ante Up, we'll likely see newly acquired Roddy White and Cecil Shorts with Lance Moore.  Shorts is coming off of a concussion so we'll have to monitor his progress.  Otherwise, with Denarius Moore getting benched last week for poor performance and Brandon Lloyd MIA all season, we don't think there will many surprises here. EDGE: Chunky Monkeys

K/DT: Ante Up has one of the best kicker / DST combos in the league with Robbie Gould and the Seahawks.  As for the Monkeys, Matt Bryant is locked in as the kicker though defense will likely be a last minute decision.  The Monkeys have streamed defenses all year and we'll likely see a new defense this week.  EDGE: Ante Up

The trade has really bolstered Ante Up for the playoff run.  While the Monkeys might be the hottest team in the league right now having scored 400+ points in the last 3 games, Ante Up will likely pose match up problems for the Monkeys throughout the weekend.   The Monkeys will need their passing game (likely much of it on SNF where the Pack are playing the Lions).  We think this will be a high scoring affair and Ante Up might just have enough to come out on top.

Philadelphia Phreaks (7-6) vs Battle Angels (6-7)
The Phreaks are back in the playoffs after a two year drought.  They were within ~10 points of securing a top seed in last week's regular season finale against the Jammers but unable to score enough points or secure a win, the Phreaks find themselves locked in a battle against the Angels in what will likely be a very intriguing match-up.

QB: This is all about old school vs new school.  The Angel's will feature Drew Brees, a guy that will certainly look to air it out while the Phreaks will counter with the all-world rookie, RGIII.  RGIII has been awesome this year.  However, Brees is the top rated quarterback this year scoring 340 pts in 12 weeks or a ridiculous 28+ pts per week.  There will be plenty of fireworks in this match up and we like the young 'un in this one.  EDGE: Phreaks

RB: The Angels greatest weakness, the running game. The Angels sole running game is Fred Jackson and he's not even a full time back.  There's no one else worth mentioning as the Angels are certainly likely to feature 4 receivers this week.  On the flip side, the Phreaks will counter a pair of rookies in Doug "Muscle Hamster" Martin and Bryce Brown.  Martin has been a top 3 back all season while Brown has been the top back the last 3 weeks ever since McCoy went out with a concussion.  The Phreaks ground game has been as good its been since the days of Clinton Portis and we like this duo to carry the load throughout the playoffs.  EDGE: Phreaks

WR: Unlike the Monkeys / Ante Up match up, the receivers in this game will be a little bit more of an adventure.  For the Phreaks, with Wallace questionable to play (depends on if Roethlisberger plays) and Desean Jackson out for the year, we will likely see TY Hilton, Jeremy Maclin and probably Chris Givens (depending on how much Ping wants to roll with Blackmon).  For the Angels, the receivers will be led by AJ, Sidney Rice and then it gets really suspicious.  The Angels have been playing Vernon Davis and Greg Jennings though neither have really done anything (or have been healthy for that matter).  There really isn't a bench either here so I suspect that these are the receivers will see this week unless the Angels make waves on the waiver wire in the coming days. EDGE: Phreaks

K/DT: Blair Walsh and the Packers DST vs Janikowski and the Giants. We love Janikowski  EDGE: Phreaks

On paper, the Phreaks have a pretty clear advantage. The Angels also just suffered a huge defeat against the Monkeys in the week prior so are likely a bit demoralized.  We think this match will be over pretty quickly - and it won't be good for the Angels.

Final Standings 2012