By: Colin Thompson
Key Week 13 Matchups
Piece of Ice defeated Team XXX
Team XXX was pretty much in the clear last week whether they won or lost because they were going to most likely get into the playoffs based on total points. They still however showed how dangerous they can be getting 29 points from the explosive Greg Jennings and 22 from Mr. Consistent, Arian Foster. As good as those performances were however, nobody was going to deny Piece of Ice a playoff berth. They would dominate for a 127-90 victory moving to 7-6 and getting 3rd place in the ANAL division. Almost every player on their starting roster got into the end zone and when you do that you are tough to beat.
Little Italy defeated Testi Cool
This battle of 6-6 teams was an important contest in the ANAL division playoff race. Little Italy was able to snag the second seed with a 120-96 win over Testi Cool, knocking them out of the playoff picture. Kyle Orton really let down Testi Cool with his 1 point which was 23 points off of his average for the year. Even playing the benched LeGarrette Blount and his 21 points wouldn’t have made a difference in this one, Little Italy was too strong. Playing on a hunch they started Sidney Rice and boy did it ever pay off with a dominant 27 point performance. Three members of Little Italy scored multiple touchdowns on this day and that was more than enough to cruise into the postseason.
Playoff Preview Round 1
(3) Beach Bums vs. (6) Team XXX
The task for Team XXX this weekend will be to defeat the highest scoring team in the entire league. That certainly won’t be easy as Beach Bums has averaged over 112 points per game this season. Michael Vick, Maruice Jones-Drew, Calvin Johnson and the Steelers defense all rank in the top 10 at their respective positions for points scored. If they have one decision it might be whether to bench star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald who just hasn’t been able to get on track this season. Beach Bums however could be running into a buzz saw in the form of one of the hottest teams in the league. Team XXX boasts the number 1 player this season in Arian Foster and an elite receiving core that is incredibly hot right now. If fully healthy Antonio Gates and Roddy White teamed up with Greg Jennings, whose averaged 28 points the last 3 weeks, can take over this game and win it for Team XXX.
(4) Little Italy vs. (5) Piece of Ice
Two 7-6 teams lock horns when Little Italy meets Piece of Ice this weekend. Little Italy’s X-factor is certainly WR Sidney Rice who is fresh off a 27 point night in just his 3rd game back from injury. Speed is the name of the game for this team as two of the fastest playmakers in the league reside on their team. Chris Johnson has been relatively quiet the last few weeks but can explode at any time and WR Mike Wallace is a big play waiting to happen. Piece of Ice will need its two best players, QB Philip Rivers and WR Brandon Lloyd to bounce back after terrible outings last week. Despite their RB Ahmad Bradshaw getting into the end zone twice last week, bench RB Thomas Jones has averaged nearly 3 more points per week in the last 3 weeks and has been far more consistent than Bradshaw. These are the tough questions to answer during playoff time and playing quality matchups will be vital.
Playoff Round 1 Predictions
Team XXX shocks Beach Bums – Having Arian Foster on your team plus three deadly receivers like Jennings, White and Gates who are all hot right now might just be enough to pull off the huge upset.
Little Italy defeats Piece of Ice – Speed kills and Little Italy has plenty of it, watch out because there could be some big plays to be had.
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