Week 14 - It's nearly over

[The Immortal Ramirez]

Sorry for the delay...busy at work:

Four days, including today, before many a owner curl up under their blankets, scribbling madly on their 2005 crib sheets with a wad of used tissues collected on the floor. For them, there is no next week – only what ifs, I should’ves, and if onlys.

Yet, for four teams, they will be reviewing historical data, current hot streaks and injury reports to set the best line-up for heading to the Super Bowl.

East
Indiana Undead (7-6) at the Philadelphia Freedom (5-8).

Jones and Johnson both had bad weeks as RBs for the Undead last week. I think both will do fairly well this week. Harrison, playing with his new $66 million contract, plans on showing off the good and helping Manning break the record this week. Chad Johnson will once again have a pretty solid week, even against the NE DT. Freedom look to have a good outing this week against Chicago. Martin will have a tough day against the Steelers. Bruce is going into Carolina with Chris Chandler as his QB.

Prediction: Double dipping on the Jags (Leftwich / Smith) won’t be enough to keep the Undead from winning their last game of the season.

Parkwood Predators (9-4) at Royal Hawaiian Opihi (7-6) :

What was supposed to be a block-buster season finale, has turned out to be an irrelevant game with the Opihi’s playoff hopes being dashed last week.

Predators are looking for LT2 to go off against TB, but Pittman will have a down day against those same SD ‘super chargers’. Johnson will do well against the Colts, while Walker should have a great bounce-back game against the Lions. Baltimore will look to take out frustrations from their embarrassing loss last week to the Bengals out on the Giants… Opihi will be between Palmer or Green as their QB (both have hot hand) since Bulger is out. Droughns and Goings actually are both poised for good weeks. Holt actually had a great week with Chandler and are hoping for a repeat. Seattle, however, will not do well against the Vikings.

Prediction: This actually ought to be a pretty close game. I’m actually going to be a pain and pick this as my upset (simply on the shot of irony sticking it to the Opihi "look you beat Predators in last game…if only you…")




MidWest
Liquid Swords (9-4) at Jersey Toxic Waste (5-8):

Waste have McNabb looking to repeat last week’s record performance. Muhammad & Wayne should have great weeks, while James continues to run well (note – no comment on William Green). McCardell will struggle against TB. Swords are riding high, after toppling the Mutts last week. And are playing for Division Title (they’re in the playoffs no matter what happens). Culpepper will do well against weak Seattle DT. Ahman Green should rebound from last week’s debacle and run well against Detroit. McGahee will also have a better week. I don’t think Horn or Kennison will repeat last week’s numbers (they will do well, but not THAT well). NE is walking into a trap with…with…the Bengals?? Yup, they’re the hot team right now. Patriots may over look them.

Prediction: This will definitely be a high scoring game. I think Swords will continue on to make this playoff exciting and barely edge out Waste.

Wonder Mutts (10-3) take their league best record to face Soap Box Derby Cars (3-10):

Mutts are wondering if Favre can bounce back like he did after the spanking Gb took at the hands of the Titans several weeks ago – because if they lose, they are opening the door to have the Swords take the division title. Chris Brown played, but did not play well last week. TO and Gates should both rock (as they have). Tough question for him this week is whether to start Corey Dillon or not… Another question is, do you start Antonio Bryant or is this the week he falls back to oblivion. Debry Cars are looking forward to Manning breaking Marino’s record this week. Hicks will be starting with Barlow out, but don’t expect great numbers. Westbrook is also going against a tough DT. Curry’s lost to IR, however Morton and Rice should do well.
Prediction: Peyton Manning is great, but he’s not going to be able to stop the Mutts by himself…well, maybe he can, but I don’t see it happening. Mutts take the division title!


West
Nittany Dodgers (7-6) are on the road for the third week in a row at Bay Area Bloodsucking Insects (5-8)

Dodgers are looking to take the West by storm. If they win, they’re in…plain and simple. If they lose, they need the Ragers to lose as well to back into the play-offs (they have H2H with Ragers). They look forward to Julius Jones goes off again against 32^nd ranked NO DT. Delhomme seems to be on a run and not a bad match-up. Tony G is always solid. His main concern is the WR (will they show up this week?) Insects are looking to play spoiler. Collins lost his #1 WR with Curry going down. Alexander should once again produce some good numbers, while Portis looks to continue his roll from last week. Like their opponent, the WR here are the main concern (are they even going to score).
Prediction: This actually should be a close game as well. I think the Dodgers earn a playoff birth this week with a victory

Urza’s Ragers (7-6) are at Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers (4-9):

Ragers are going to be watching the score board closely this week with the Dodgers/Insects game. They need to win this week and have the Dodgers lose to win the division, which is the only way to get in to the playoffs this year. Drew Brees looks to have another rough week against TB. Frad Taylor, however, should be better off than last week. Wells probably won’t even play. Chambers seems to have taken over to be the only player on Miami worth any fantasy value (used to be McMichael). Witten is a solid TE. Chasers looking for Hasselbeck to get into a shoot-out with the Vikings. Moss should put up some more numbers. Faulk is out and Jordan is splitting time with Martin (bad enough, but they also play the Steelers). Houshmandzadeh is burning up the field and will try to make up for the lack of RB.
Prediction: I don’t see enough points to make up for the lack of RBs, Ragers win this but may face elimination anyway because I see Dodgers winning as well.

I’ll be back next Tues with the wrap-up and more playoff talk…

[Preds]

Excellent Preview Steve, very well done (even though you picked aginst the champs this week ;))!

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

Great pick going with the OPIHI... we're the team to beat this week (and the Preds ain't gonna beat us!)... and we've jettisoned the S'Hawks D... and imported the Predators' backyard "homies" - the BUFFALO BILLS D/ST! Yesiree... we're pulling out all the stops this week, as the Opihi look to embarrass the Preds going into the playoffs.

Jump on the Opihi band wagon now, boys... 'cuz we're going off this week!

[Preds]

Originally Posted by Royal Hawaiian Opihi

Great pick going with the OPIHI... we're the team to beat this week (and the Preds ain't gonna beat us!)... and we've jettisoned the S'Hawks D... and imported the Predators' backyard "homies" - the BUFFALO BILLS D/ST! Yesiree... we're pulling out all the stops this week, as the Opihi look to embarrass the Preds going into the playoffs.

Jump on the Opihi band wagon now, boys... 'cuz we're going off this week!

Ah shucks, I'll be so disappointed with a loss... my players are RESTING this week for the REAL GAMES next week as we (and not your Opihi) will be moving on to the post season and will defend our Frenzy Title!

We are openly looking past the Opihi this week. THe Preds have checked into our hotel in the Islands, opened our champagne (so generously donated by the Opihi) and kicked back in the sun at the beach and by poolside. Thanks for the refresher Jim, just helping us recharge as we head into the REAL season next week! We're far to busy scouting our potential playoff opponents to get to worked up over this minor meeting this weekend... plus, as I recall, aren't the Preds 6-1 against the opihi? Do we REALLY have to put much effort into beating you, or should we sit back and watch you beat yourself? ;)

Again, thanks for the Champaigne, looking forward to the hula girls and a night on the town, all graciously donated by our hosts!

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

Muha-ha-ha-ha!!!! :drinktoge :helmet :thumbsup

[Liquid Swords]

Let's go Derby Cars!!!



<--- topless cheerleader