The Craziness Continues in the Bush League

by Chris Ryan

The first round of the playoffs were even wilder than expected in the Bush League. The top-seeded NY MazManiacs cruised to an easy victory, and UGotBeat ByAGirl upset the #2 ranked Team Redman in devastating fashion, 97-47. The real excitement came in the other two games. Upstate Flavor got seven points from Neil Rackers on Monday night to squeak by Team Thirdball 62-61, while Morgan Dollar and the LA Arsonists finishing tied at 92 all, with Morgan Dollar advancing on a tiebreaker. It was an especially devastating loss for the Arsonists, as they actually held the lead until Matt Schaub’s interception in overtime. Expect more craziness this week, as four teams compete for the right to call themselves the smartest owner in the Bush League.

Let’s break it down position-by-position:

#1 NY Mazmaniacs vs. #4 Morgan Dollar

QB: Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady

-Ah, a classic matchup between elite QBs. Brady has notoriously gotten the better of Manning in real football, but that doesn’t matter for our purposes. Both will no doubt have big games, but in the weather-less confines of Lucas Oil Stadium, in a must-win game against a bad secondary, Manning will have the bigger of the two.

Advantage: NY MazManiacs

RB: Steven Jackson/Brandon Jackson vs. Arian Foster/Ahmad Bradshaw

-This is a no-brainer. Foster has been the top fantasy back nearly all season, and Bradshaw is thriving despite not technically possessing the starting job. Steven Jackson, on the other hand, has not lived up to his draft status, and Brandon Jackson has virtually no value without Aaron Rodgers taking the pressure off the running game. LaDainian Tomlinson could get a look in his place, but the Pittsburgh matchup is not enticing.

Advantage: Morgan Dollar

WR: Hakeem Nicks/Jeremy Maclin/Pierre Garcon vs. Mike Williams/Vincent Jackson/Danny Woodhead

-Garcon has come on strong of late, and should have an excellent game against the Jags. Nicks is finally healthy, and Maclin has been solid, making for a strong wideout group for the MazManiacs. Morgan Dollar doesn’t have the name value or recent track record, but big Mike Williams is slated to play for the Seahawks this week, and Vincent Jackson looks poised to return to fantasy glory after contributing positively in Week 14. Danny Woodhead, who obviously isn’t a true wideout, is always a solid contributor.

Advantage: NY MazManiacs (but it’s closer than it appears)

PREDITCION: The biggest advantage comes at the RB position, in favor of NY, and considering they’ve have been fairly dominant all season, I’d be hard pressed to pick against the #1 seeded MazManiacs.

#3 Upstate Flavor vs. #7 UGotBeat ByAGirl

QB: Aaron Rodgers/Jon Kitna vs. Kyle Orton/Joe Flacco

-Upstate Flavor is praying Rodgers can see his way out of the fog and onto the field this Sunday, but it’s not looking likely. Kitna has been steady, and has a good matchup against the Redskins, but he’s no Rodgers, that’s for sure. UGotBeat has big decision to make. Go with the Orton, who was awful last week but as a huge upside, or employ the steady presence of Flacco.

Advantage: Tie. Too many variable to give either side an edge.

RB: Matt Forte/Ronnie Brown/Fred Jackson vs. LeSean McCoy/Thomas Jones/Mojo

-The LeSean McCoy/Mojo pairing is one the best in the league, and Thomas Jones will have a solid game assuming Brodie Croyle isn’t under center. It’s pretty hard to top that threesome, but Upstate Flavor has three solid guys as well. Forte is a consistent RB2 performer, and Jackson has turned into a real workhorse of late. Brown is the wildcard. The Bills are the worst rush defense in the league, but Brown hasn’t given any indication he’s ready for a breakout.

Advantage: UGotBeat ByAGirl

WR: Michael Crabtree/Calvin Johnson vs. Reggie Wayne/Deion Branch

-Calvin is hindered by the Stanton factor at the QB position, and Crabtree has completely disappeared at times. Wayne and Branch, on the other hand, are top options on top offenses with elite QBs. This is an easy one.

Advantage: UGotBeat ByAGirl

PREDICTION: The underdog squad led by the lady of the league will keep on rolling against the #3 seeded Upstate Flavor. And it won’t be close.