BUFF League - Week#16, Playoff Preview

It's 1 Versus 2 for All the Marbles

by Paul Pearson

The spate of upsets in the BUFF League playoffs didn't last past the first round. Both favorites advanced out of the semifinals and now have one game left to show the world who truly rocks in fantasy football. The other two semifinalists duke it out to decide who has the most reason to feel bitter about that week 15 loss.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Motor Boatin' Sons of Bitches vs. Kickin Bart's Ass

The top-seeded Bitches (11-3) took care of business in a 107.3-92.1 victory over Polk High. The second-seeded Ass (9-5) took out the Rusty Kuntz by a score of 103.5-80.5. Vincent Jackson is heating up at the right time for the Ass, but Peyton Hillis may be limited with a knee injury, and Aaron Rodgers faces the old "How quickly can you really be effective after a concussion?" question, along with the new "Can any quarterback not named Vick stay upright against the Giants?" one. Roddy White of the Bitches is the third receiver in Atlanta Falcons history to catch 100 passes in a season, and Marshawn Lynch has four touchdowns in his last three games, but Dwayne Bowe is still not back to his usual fantasy self. The difference in this game is Brandon Marshall, who found the end zone against the Buffalo Bills and is a good bet to do the same against the Detroit Lions. It will be close, but Marshall's performance will lift the Bitches to the title.

THIRD-PLACE GAME

Polk High vs. Rusty Kuntz

The sixth-seeded Polk High (6-9) can rest assured that Peyton Manning won't be pulled in the first quarter to get rested for the playoffs. But Matt Forte has to find a way to break through the New York Jets defensive line. The fifth-seeded Kuntz (8-7) have Arian Foster making a case for Fantasy Player of the Year, but they also have Ahmad Bradshaw, who can't know whether or not he'll be the featured back from week to week. Both teams have receivers with tasty matchups (Wes Welker for the Kuntz and Mike Wallace for Polk High), but both also have injury issues (Malcom Floyd's knee vs. Santonio Holmes' toe). Only one side has Michael Turner, who gets the Monday night spotlight this week. Atlanta's strategy for this week has to involve keeping Drew Brees off the field as much as possible, and that likely means a steady diet of Turner handoffs. Al Bundy's alma mater should be proud to have gotten this far, but the Kuntz will prevail.