Round 1 Playoff Preview

"No matter how noble and special people want to make the playoffs out to be... it's a crapshoot."
-Orel Hershiser


Well said Orel.  While we have a neatly divided 1-4 seeds to play a final four tournament for the championship, the reality is anybody could win.  If we played them 4 times we might get four different winners.  But here's who's favored in the 2nd and 3rd most important games of the season...

RIP Al Davis has been great all season.  He went on a particularly frightening tear mid-season when his amazing duo of LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte (AKA Fort McCoy, obviously) were scoring 25 apiece every week.  Now Forte is out and the team's top wideout Greg Jennings is done for the year.
Donkey Power has ended the year 8-4 after losing his first two games of the year.  Led by State Farm's favorite son, Aaron Rodger's has been the ideal fantasy quarterback this season.  If Donkey Power has any weaknesses, it appears to be his wide receivers, who are talented but inconsistent.

Quarterback:
Eli Manning may have been one of the best value picks of our draft.  Going in round 8, little Peyton is the 6th best quarterback in our league and has been amazingly consistent from week-to-week.  Aaron Rodgers was never the problem, but the packer's record could be here for Donkey Power.  Last week Rodgers played 2 1/2 quarters and scored an un-Aaron like 17 pts.  The Packers play the underwhelming Chiefs this week, and the team has already wrapped up home field for the playoffs.  (Advantage- Donkey Power)

Runningback:
Team RIP lost a big edge here with Forte out, but McCoy should be as good as ever with Vick expected back in the lineup.  Reggie Bush as the 2nd back is decent, and he should get enough action to near 10 fantasy points.  Donkey Power counters with Mendenhall and Matthews.  Mendenhall will have it tough against probably the best rushing defense in the league against the 49ers.  Ryan Matthews doesn't have it much better against the Ravens D.  The M&M boys are talented, but will be outscored this week by McCoy and Bush. (Advantage- RIP Al Davis)

Wide Receiver:
Greg Jennings out here also changes the scenario a great deal.  Not only does it hurt team RIP but Donkey Power's Jordy Nelson could see more targets because of it.  If Eli Manning can get a touchdown or two to Manningham or Cruz rather than another Giants receiver, it would be a huge swing of momentum for team RIP.  Along with Nelson, Dwayne Bowe and Plaxico Burress have decent matchups and any of the 3 could go off for a big game.
(Advantage- Donkey Power)

Tight End:
This needs no dissection.  Witten's a solid tight end.  Gronkowski and his 15 touchdowns are superior.
(Advantage- Team RIP)

DEF/Kicker:
You could call this one a push, however that would be taking the easy route.  The kickers are a wash, both defenses are playing against a newly named starting quarterback.  One defense is better than the other though.
(Advantage- Team RIP)

VERDICT?
Donkey Power wins by 8

Our second playoff matchup features a rematch from last week.  And what a rivalry this is.  I mean, these guys really hate each other.  My Team -, aka "the eliminator" will do his best to subtract the #2 seed right into the consolation bracket.  

Quarterback:

Rookie sensation Cam Newton has been the best free agent acquisition of the year.  After being forgotten about in fantasy drafts around the country, Cam has the 2nd highest total fantasy points of any player.  He goes up against an above-average Texans defense.  The only question here is whether or not he adds 1 or 2 rushing touchdowns to a couple of passing ones.  Drew "cool" Brees goes up against the Vikings who are 32nd against the pass.  Both teams rack up 20+ here.

(Advantage- Hunk Hoisters)

Runningback:

Arian Foster has a nice matchup vs. Carolina and Maurice Jones-Drew is coming off a 37 point-performance 4 days ago.  MJD should have a rougher go of things against Atlanta's rush defense. We'll find out in about 2 hours when he suits up.  Shonn Green has filled in admirably after Fred Jackson's injury and should have a productive day against the Eagles.  Willis McGahee should get the yards versus the Patriots.  If he can get to paydirt, the minus has a chance to outscore the hoisters in this position.

(Advantage- Hunk Hoisters)

Wide Receiver:

Calvin Johnson and Mike Wallace have been extremely average the last few weeks and Brandon Marshall has quarterback problems.  Despite that, the Hoisters will stick with what got them here and hope one or two catch fire.  Steve Johnson and Jabar Gaffney are predicted to have big days for My Team -.  Laurent Robinson is always a threat for a big day.  I honestly don't know whats gonna happen with these 6 spots.

(Advantage- EVEN)

Tight End:

Tony Gonzalez has been the much more consistent Tight End.  Gates has been great since he's been back from injury, however he'll be going against Baltimore's D this week.

(Advantage- My Team -)

DEF/K:

Rick did the wisest thing a fantasy player can do; drop your defense and pick up the team thats playing against the Colts.  The Titans should feast on winless Indianapolis and score a few more than their predicted 7 points.  A better defense is going against a better offense when the 49ers try to stop Pittsburg on Monday night.  Big Ben's health will have a lot to do with the outcome.  Kickers are kickers, both are accurate and on good offenses.  All I can say is I hope there's a blizzard in Denver Sunday evening.

(Advantage- EVEN)

VERDICT?

Hunk Hoisters wins by 11