Tiiite End Jammers (8-5) vs Dirty Birds (7-6)
Jammers versus the Dirty Birds. We welcome both teams back into the playoffs after both missed last year. For the Birds, Jon's team has had one measly playoff appearance since 2009 while this is Lei's first since 2008. In fact, Lei has finished with the worst record in the IDK division an embarrassingly four times since 2009. 2013 is a new year. The Jammers are obviously locked and loaded and represent one of the top three teams in the league this year. With one of the deepest receiving cores, the Jammers have two of the top six receivers this year with Demaryius Thomas and Antonio Brown. On top of that, Pierre Garcon is a top fifteen receiver to boot. A solid run game is led by Demarco Murray and anchoring the number two scoring offense this year is the the #3 ranked QB this season, Matt Stafford -- who was a free agent pick up! The Jammers are just a solid team evidenced by their current six game winning streak punctuated by four straight weeks of 100+ points.
On the flip side, the Dirty Birds are a model of inconsistency. With their longest winning streak at three games, Jon has scored under 90 points four times as they've stumbled through the year. The Birds' starting roster is littered with glittering stars like Gronk, Fitzgerald, LeSean McCoy and of course, Dirty Bird stalwart, All-Day Peterson. However, the maddeningly inconsistent play of Matt Ryan and other fringe starters like Kendall Wright and rookie disappointment Tavon Austin have made the Birds one of the least dependable teams in the league. Also, was Jordan Cameron just a shooting star? Sure looks like it.
These two teams have already met twice this year with a match up just last week where the Birds lost by 20+ points. The Jammers are consistent and on a roll -- scoring 121 in both match ups -- and we think the Jammers will take this one again.
Predicted Score: 121 to 105
Spunky Misunderstood GeniusesBattle Angel (8-5) vs Philadelphia Phreaks (7-6)
This is a repeat of last year as well as last week. Last postseason, the Phreaks ran into the Angels in the wildcard round in 2012 and blew them out early. The Phreaks destroyed the Angels with a 40+ point beat down. This year may be different as home field advantage has swapped. The Angels started off the season mediocre but ended up back on top, anchored by veteran players like Drew Brees and Andre Johnson. Starting running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are not your typical bruising backs but both are top fifteen backs this year. While Johnson continues to be a top flight receiver, the Angels need their TE, Vernon Davis to score big if they are to have any chance. Interesting tidbit: this team is one of the most top heavy in the league, with Brees, Johnson, Bush, and Davis being the only players to contribute more than 4.5 average points per game.
As for the Phreaks, it's all about the youngsters. A surprising Nick Foles -- there's quite a bit of intrigue whether the Phreaks will stay with Foles or RGIII next year -- combined with super rookie Keenan Allen and an improving T.Y. Hilton really have the Phreaks in a strong position. Even losing Doug Martin and Steven Jackson to injuries, plus Justin Blackmon to multiple suspensions, hasn't slowed the Phreaks down too much. Marshawn Lynch cemented his status as a franchise caliber running back and old stalwart DeSean Jackson finished just outside the top ten receiving ranks. GM Ping was forced to adjust his roster on the fly a lot this season, but the results have been very good, with plenty of free agent success stories and a roster filled with both promise and competitiveness.
The Phreaks have won both H2H matchups this year but enter the matchup in quite a slump with a three game losing streak while Battle Angel is currently riding a very strong 5-1 winning streak. Could this be a vulnerable week for the Phreaks?
Predicted Score: Phreaks over the Angels, 110-87
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