City of Champs League Playoff Report

By Colin Thompson

Round 1 Results

Beach Bums defeated Team XXX

The Beach Bums were able to overcome some disappointing wide receiver play to upend Team XXX 105-76. Hines Ward and Santana Moss combined fro 30 points but were left on the bench in favor of Larry Fitzgerald and Mike Williams who only managed 8 combined. Great teams win in spite of poor play and that’s exactly what Beach Bums did. Michael Vick continued to roll as he had 25 points and the hottest RB in the league in Maurice Jones-Drew tallied 22. Team XXX was victimized by their wide receivers as well; the difference was that they relied more heavily on them than Beach Bums did. Roddy white and Greg Jennings both finished with less than 8 points each which just wasn’t enough to overcome the onslaught from their opponent.

Little Italy defeated Piece of Ice

The thriller of the opening weekend of the playoffs took place between these two teams. They went back and forth all day and eventually Little Italy edged out Piece of Ice 109-108. Little Italy made it a  lot closer than it had to be as they benched QB Matt Schaub, WR Derrick Mason and RB Ryan Torain who would have added another 55 points to their total. The Packers D and Chris Johnson performed up to expectations though and were able to help their team edge a close one out. Piece of Ice left it all out on the field and their RBs nearly carried them to the semi-finals. Ahmad Bradshaw and Michael Turner accounted for 57 of their team’s points but in the end the WRs hurt yet another team. Anquan Boldin and Brandon Lloyd did not perform up to expectations with only 7 points combined.

Semi Final Preview

(4) Little Italy vs. (1) Big Ben’s Bathroom

The overall number 1 seed will be looking to hold off a Little Italy team this week that with the right moves can put up 150+ points on anyone. Big Ben has some critical decisions to make at the receiver and tight end positions. Jacob Tamme and Marcedes Lewis have both had excellent seasons but both remain on the bench right now while Malcolm Floyd and Louis Murphy remain in the starting lineup. Floyd is questionable and plays Thursday night so if they are going to remove him it has to be quick. Dwayne Bowe has had two straight weeks with no points after a torrid pace prior to that, whether he regains his form is another question. Little Italy has a roster full of players that are all playing well at the same time. Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub are both viable options at QB but only one can start. Tight end Jason Witten is fresh off a 2 TD performance but Sidney Rice currently holds that position in the starting lineup. It’s going to be interesting in this one.

(3) Beach Bums vs. (2) Tig ManBitties

Tig ManBitties comes into this semi-final showdown with a few questions of their own. Star running back Adrian Peterson is coming off of a dismal 2.6 point performance and will need to be on his game if they stand a chance of advancing. Tom Brady is still at the helm for them and when all else fails he hopefully can take charge and lead them to the win. Beach Bums is looking strong and even though they are the lower seed they might have more firepower than their opponent. Hakeem Nicks was a recent pickup who adds plenty of explosive ability and Jonathan Stewart is back in a starting role and fresh off his best game of the year.

Semi-Final Predictions

Little Italy defeats Big Ben’s Bathroom – Too much depth for Little Italy to lose this one.

Beach Bums defeats Tig ManBitties – Two upsets in one week, Beach Bums has a loaded roster that is coming together at the right time. They meet Little Italy in the finals.