Bush League Week #14, Playoff Preview

by Chris Ryan

The time has finally come. It all began way back in early August, as you sat through preseason games and read all the training camp stories you could without losing your job or your spouse. Then came the draft -- which was a success if you're still playing -- followed by 13 grueling weeks in which you rooted, cursed, and drank your team to the position they're in now: three wins away from being declared the best of the Bush League. Let's take a look at what the all-important first round games have in store for Week 14.

#1 NY Mazmaniacs vs. #8 Birch Boys

When you have Drew Brees, you have a chance. That's what the Birch Boys keep telling themselves. Brees leads a crew that consists of the steady Rashard Mendenhall, the wildly inconsistent Anquan Boldin and Braylon Edwards, and the damnable Jonathan Stewart. Will that be enough to pull off a monumental upset by unseating the top-seeded NY Mazmaniacs? You know what, it might just be. The Mazmaniacs will need Peyton Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson to revert to prior form, and for somebody to step up among the receivers. The status of Hakeem Nicks could play a huge role in determining the outcome of this first round playoff game.

PREDICTION: Birch Boys. Crazy things happen in fantasy football this time of the year.

#4 Morgan Dollar vs. #5 LA Arsonists

Both teams entered the final week with a 7-5 record, Morgan Dollar won, Arsonists lost, and in the end, it didn't much matter. With a chance to advance to the second round and face the top-seeded NY Mazmaniacs (or the upset-minded Birch Boys) at stake, this is about a close a matchup as it gets. For the Arsonists, Matt Schaub has been better of late, and Peyton Hillis draws a lip-smacking matchup against the Bills. Tony Lee has a big decision between Fat Mike Tolbert and Brandon Jacobs at the RB2 spot. Personally, I'm going with Jacobs to counter Morgan Dollars' Ahmad Bradshaw. As for the Dollar, they'll again be led by Tom Brady and Arian Foster, but the key to their success rests in the hands of the receivers.

PREDICTION: LA Arsonists. Better matchups, better depth.

#3 Upstate Flavor vs. #6 Team Thirdball

Team Thirdball limped into the playoffs on a two game losing streak, while Upstate Flavor blasted Team Redman in the final week, the league's second best team. The QBs hog the spotlight in this matchup. Both Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers will be expected to pace their teams with 20-plus point games, but the real battle will be fought in the trenches. ThirdBall has great matchups with his two RBs, and the Miles Austin/Roddy White/Brandon Lloyd trio is scary as can be, even if they've been a little down of late. Upstate Flavor counters with surging backs in Shonn Greene and Matt Forte, along with the beastly Calvin Johnson and the solid Michael Crabtree. PREDICTION: Team ThirdBall. There's just waaaay too much talent on this team for them not to win (which of course means they're definitely going to lose).

#2 Team Redman vs. #7 UGotBeat ByAGirl

The only thing worse than losing in the first round of the playoffs, is losing in the first round of the playoffs to a team managed by a girl. That's the scenario Team Redman faces as they head into their first round game with the 7th seeded UGotBeat ByAGirl. Erica Tiso has an interesting dilemma at the QB spot with both Orton and Flacco facing abominable pass defenses. Orton has the nod right now, but that'll be a debated decision up until Sunday's kickoff. With LeSean McCoy, Tommy Jones, Mojo, Reggie Wayne and the rejuvenated Deion Branch, UGotBeat ByAGirl packs plenty of potential for an upset. Redman has the always sketchy Jay Cutler, but Ray Rice draws a great matchup, and the Bowe/Owens receiving combo always has the potential for a huge freakout.

PREDICTION: Team Redman. I can't predict four upsets, that would be ridiculous (although I kinda think Beat ByAGirl is going to shock the Bush League).