#1 Phoenix Uprising vs #5 Margaritaville Parrots
Live Projections: PHX 221.84 over MPH 172.07
The Uprising had two players go last night, and played one: LB Alec Ogletree produced a useful if unspectacular 13 point line, while they kept WR Larry Fitzgerald on the bench where his 6.5 would have been a substandard score. However, it does leave the team short at the flex: If WR Andre Johnson is unable to take the field due to concussion, the team will have to rely on a jumbo set of TEs Travis Kelce and Jordan Cameron. On the flip side, the Parrots got an underwhelming performance from DL Robert Quinn; The subtext here is that Quinn was part of the mega deal that sent JJ Watt to the Uprising. Of the eight players included in the deal, only three are active for this matchup- the two defensive linemen, and tight end Heath Miller for M-Ville. The rest of the principles are gone: The Parrot's haul of Brandon Marshall and Ahmad Bradshaw both succumbing to injury, along with Phoenix WR Brandin Cooks. The final piece of the deal, WR Marques Colston, was dealt to New York for Joique Bell and eventually turned into WR Eric Decker and Cameron, both of whom could be involved in this week's matchup. Dividends!
If Margaritaville is going to upend the odds, that they will need huge weeks from their stars goes without saying. The wild card might be RB James Starks; if he sees a boon in totes this week, he could be a difference maker. But really, it will probably come down to Phoenix- they would need to suffer some monumental disappointments to fall within striking distance. If Andre Johnson and LB Lavonte David (both game time decisions) are inactive, that would be the first step to downing the defending champions. Without a true elite WR, a perfect storm of low yield production could further suck the wind from their sails. At the end of the day this is the Uprising's game to lose.
#2 South Park Cows vs #3 New York's Finest
Live Projections: NYF 189.48 over SPC 185.66
In a semifinal that has the potential to be one for the ages, South Park and New York go head to head with roughly even projections. The Cows struck the first jab, a glancing blow: RB Tre Mason, who had been a late season revelation, scored a measly 3.30, ceding the higher ground to the lower seed. If the Cows end up losing their playoff debut, they may rue the day they chose Mason over shrewd pickup RB Kerwynn Williams, who managed a respectable 10.6 on the bench. Alfred Blue and Shane Vereen will also have opportunities to undermine the Cows' decision making; However, the Mason choice was their optimal pick, and cannot honestly be second guessed. The Finest left TE Jared Cook on the bench, where he did nothing to make them regret the decision.
The X-Factor here might be the Quarterback matchup: Peyton Manning saddles up behind center for the Finest: The first overall pick represented a perception as the safest elite commodity, and while Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers have both been incrementally better, Peyton has not disappointed. On the opposite sideline, South Park had a wildly successful season relying on a QB by committee- a tactical optimization that allowed the Cows to load up on elite WRs, along with premier bellcow utility knife Matt Forte. Right now, Mark Sanchez is primed to take the snaps, but a last minute audible might stick Andy Dalton behind center. RGIII also looms, and the idea that the Cows may call on another name Sunday is not outlandish either. If their QB can give them a solid outing, the rest of their roster has the talent to outplay New York by enough to railroad their way into the finals. If Peyton puts on a clinic, they're likely headed for the bronze medal game, and the Finest can rest assured their safe play in August has paid off.
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