Semi-Final Preview

When any beloved entity loses one of its signature members unexpectedly at the end of a season, it's a tough moment. When that member is vital to the organization's identity and provides its members and followers with both joy and pain, sometimes simultaneously, it's that much harder. Needless to say, this past weekend we all experienced one of those moments. Of course I am talking about the events that went down during the season finale of Boardwalk Empire. I won't say any more for those who haven't seen it yet or inexplicably don't watch the show.

As for our league, well let's just say that every miracle run must come to an end. Now I'm speaking about both our former commissioner, former league-member I guess, and our mostly-automated defending champion.

Bitching About Kicking

QB - Rodgers 18, Vick 11 - Experts 320, Random 178
Difference per game of 10.14
RB - Rice 18, Helu 12 - Experts 228, Random 130
Difference per game of 7
WR - Calvin 3, Walter 13 - Experts 171, Random 123
Difference per game of 3.43
TE - Gronk 28, Graham 5 - Experts 152, Random 73
Difference per game of 7.18
Kicker - Akers 14, Barth 2 - Experts 115, Random 91
Difference per game of 1.71
Defense - Ravens 10, Lions 27 - Experts 138, Random 145
Difference per game of -0.5

Consolation Prizes

Donaldson

Unfortunately I have no idea how much losing affects you. I am willing to bet that less than 1% of your emails to the listserve have referenced fantasy football, whether you include the F8's or not. What I do know is that you suffered an even bigger loss this week in the form of a video being taken off Youtube. While I cannot rectify that situation, I can offer this gif, which is sure to make you smile.

Joseph

If you had missed the playoffs while having the most points scored, I can see wanting to take a year off. But you made the playoffs. Barnard missed thanks to losing both starting RBs in the same week, Zacherman easily has a case for making the playoffs, and I would likely be in your place if a rash of injuries didn't rape my team all year. So although Monday night was a truly excruciating way to end your season, I think this retirement talk is a bit of an overreaction. Your consolation prize is this movie that Larry David directed that no one ever saw.

Semi-Final Preview

Matchup 1 - Esco vs. Ajay

Quick Summary: This is the matchup of the best drafted team against the best managed team. Esco dominated draft day, no question about that. The depth of his team allowed him to make risky trades at will, knowing he had a solid group to fall back on if it didn't work out. Ajay on the other hand drafted a group of under-performing receivers, non-performing backs, and two legitimate starting QBs. He flipped Stafford for Gore, then worked the waiver wire so well that he now has some extremely tough roster decisions to make.

QBs: With Big Ben either out or severely banged up, Esco is forced to start Michael Vick. Yes, forced to start the man Matthew Berry wrote 2,000 words about as the #1 overall pick, and Gutman decided to spend nearly a quarter of his budget on during the draft. Vick faces a Jets D that has been surprisingly vulnerable this year, last week notwithstanding. While he could put up good numbers, Romo gets to feast on a Bucs D that is probably the worst in the league. Edge: Ajay

RBs: Ajay has some decent matchups here, and his backs are pretty much the only options on their respective teams, but he can't compete with Esco's stable of Rice, Bush and Hillis. And for those of you asking yourselves "Wait, didn't you trade him Hillis?," my response is that he would have had Benson who gets to run train on the Rams pathetic excuse for a run defense. Edge: Esco

WRs: This is obviously where Ajay's team shines, but the decision between Austin and Robinson could be the difference between winning and losing. Good luck. Esco if I were you I would want Ben to sit. If he plays, they'll likely attempt to run on San Fran, but if he sits I can easily see Chuck Batch throwing bombs to Wallace and Brown all day. Edge: Ajay

TEs: If Gresham scores, he's startable. If not, you're getting three points. Jimmy Graham is probably Esco's best receiver. Big Edge: Esco

Defense: Ajay is starting a shitty defense against a shitty offense. Esco is starting a great defense against a great offense. Basically a coin flip, but I think Patrick Peterson is due again. Slight Edge: Ajay

Owner Awareness: These are the two owners who have been the most aware all season long. Ajay has managed his team better during the season, but to give him the edge would be an insult to Esco's draft and his lack of needing to manage the team. Edge: Even

Final Verdict: Based on regular season scoring, this should be no contest. But Ajay is peaking at the right time, and Esco had a rough week last week. With Roddy and the Cowboys playing before Sunday, Ajay will likely be up 40+ before Esco even takes the field. But the Wallace/kicker combo on MNF should be enough to have Esco prevail by a slim margin. Winner: Esco

Matchup 2: Billy vs. AGD

Quick Summary: AGD was one of my sleepers during the season, their consistent production was never spectacular but it got the job done. You could always count on them to break 80, but they would rarely break 100. Unless of course they were facing Nick in a win-or-go-home situation. As for Mr. Lutz, he has the benefit of being the newcomer to the league. Two years ago Alan won in his first year, last year Donnie and Yahoo won in their first year. So there is certainly precedent. Does lightening strike thrice?

QBs: Going into the season Brees vs. Eli would have been a no-brainer. And this season Brees has been his usual, dominant self, even cutting back on interceptions. But Eli's play has been truly amazing. He has single handedly won the G-Men a few games, and more surprisingly, hasn't lost them any. Part of this is due to the sudden collapse of their running game, but Eli's play has definitely hit a new level. Even so, he's no Brees. Edge: Billy

RBs: I can't believe this is the case, but Foster/Bush looks poised to put up more than MoJo/Turner/Tolbert. The matchups and current play of the backs make this pretty clear cut actually. MoJo is the wild card here. If he puts up 20+ again, then AGD has a chance, but I can't imagine the Falcons not putting 10 in the box tonight. I can easily see Arian putting up 30 on Carolina, even if they put 10 and Cam in the box. Slight Edge: Billy

WRs: The receivers in this matchup are a pretty pathetic group overall, especially for a Semi-Final matchup. Honestly, I don't think it's even worth discussing. Edge: Even

TEs: This is pretty much the same situation as the receivers, but I think Keller has the much higher ceiling. Edge: AGD

Defense: Bears D has a better matchup, but if they continue to be incapable of moving the ball on offense, Seattle will score some points. The thought of Alex Smith against the Steelers is too appetizing to pass up. Edge: AGD

Owner Awareness: Neither of you made too many moves during the season, which is just not fun. I'll give this one to AGD thanks to their blackmailing trade strategy. Whether it was successful or not, it made the league more entertaining. Edge: AGD

Final Verdict: Looking above, Billy has the edge in QB and RB, which makes sense due to his Brees/Foster dream team. Any advantages AGD has won't be able to compete with that. At least you guys knocked Nick into retirement, like that Bills backer did to Favre last year. Winner: Billy

See you next week for the Stevens Bowl Preview!