LARKSPUR BOWL IX:
QUARTERBACK
PHX: It appears the Uprising will dress QB #9 in the championship game, as Aaron Rodgers' cameo will be one and done with his tender collar bone (and context) sending him to injured reserve. So it looks like Nick Foles or Blake Bortles will be the pick! No one would have predicted either in the championship game, but each has a plum matchup. The decision could be make or break for Phoenix.
HCM: Dak Prescott has been the man in Ho Chi Minh this year, and should be behind center again, one last time. The tough matchup he sees is deceiving as injuries to the legion of boom have left the team susceptible. There have been highs and lows this year- but with Zeke, Dak was in 7 of 8 games: And now he is back to deliver residual effects beneath the tree.
ADVANTAGE: TOSS-UP!
WIDE RECEIVER
PHX: The Uprising WR crew survived their old comrade Alshon Jeffery, but really could use him at the flex this week.. instead they'll be looking to injured Amari Cooper or DeVante Parker or healthy Dede Westbrook or Kendall Wright. Their other three spots are fairly settled (Dez Bryant, Brandin Cooks, Josh Gordon) so again, it will likely come down to coaching decision.
HCM: Tyreek Hill is the one Lead Farmer receiver that seems to make something happen week in and week out- sometimes in the passing game, sometimes, in the return game, occasionally taking a hand-off. After that you have a gimpy Desean Jackson, and Golden Tate and Danny Amendola coming off ho-hum performances. Not inspiring, but it has gotten them this far.
ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX
RUNNING BACK
PHX: Kenyan Drake has developed into an electric starter with a healthy workload, establishing his claim on one spot- the other starter will probably be Samaje Perine or Jamaal Williams, both capable workhorses. Kerwynn Williams has replaced Adrian Peterson due to injury, but suffered an injury of his own and is unlikely to get the call.
HCM: Le'veon Bell is one of the best there is, and has been the very best in the game over the past month. His workload is only going to increase in the finale, and he's bound for a big day. Phoenix cannot hope to stop him, only contain him- keeping him out of the end zone multiple times will be key. Lamar Miller is coming off a quiet game but is likely to rebound- if not, Buck Allen and Peyton Barber are competent second fiddles.
ADVANTAGE: HCM CITY
TIGHT END
PHX: Jimmy Graham had a long stretch of high-end consistency, so of course he has been almost invisible in each of the past two weeks. Phoenix has survived his drought, but three strikes and they'll be out.
HCM: Gronk is the best there is when healthy (and not suspended) so expect him to be doing Gronk things; Jason Witten could get tabbed for jumbo flex duty again, a spot where his production is mostly contingent upon red zone looks at this stage of his career.
ADVANTAGE: HCM CITY
DEFENSIVE LINE
PHX: Khalil Mack has a five week sack streak going on and betting against him would be unwise. Rejuvenated since the bye his high motor skillset will need to be at its best in week sixteen to score a win.
HCM: Melvin Ingram's matchup should give him a very high floor- and the Lead Farmers have to be expecting a lot more than that from their consummate pass rusher. If he fails to register multiple disruptions it will be a let down.
ADVANTAGE: TOSS-UP!
LINEBACKERS
PHX: The Uprising have had a total overhaul at the position, and probably not for the better in terms of top end talent. However, Preston Brown, NaVorro Bowman, and Deone Bucannon are all every down players with considerable pedigree: Tackle machines with the capacity to produce in all phases.
HCM: Alec Ogletree is the biggest name in the game, but Wes Woodyard and Christian Kirksey have quietly been among the most efficient in the game, ranking 7th and 10th on the year in overall points, mostly on their propensity for bringing runners to the turf.
ADVANTAGE: HCM CITY
SECONDARY
PHX: Reshad Jones, Keanu Neal, Jalen Ramsey, and Marcus Peters have all taken their positions and held them for the duration: 14, 10, 9, and 6 games in a row at some of the more volatile positions in the game. All elite talents and playmakers, they'll need to come together for fifty plus points to give Phoenix a sporting chance.
HCM: Malcolm Jenkins, Sean Davis, Kyle Fuller, and Damarious Randall have a great chance to be the clinchers in this one. Any one of them could break the game open with a gamechanger- if one (or two!) of HCM's secondary score in the 20s, that should be all it needs to claim its first title.
ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX
THIRD PLACE GAME:
The bronze medal is scant consolation, but it's all these teams have got to play for. Deputy won this game in 2013; Savannah lost it in 2014. The winner of this game will draft 11th next year; the loser behind them in the 12 spot.
CONSOLATION BOWL:
The top overall pick in 2018 is at stake here. 2016's consolation winner (HCM) rode the top pick to the championship game this year; 2015's consolation winner (HVM) took the trophy after doing the same. One of these teams will look to keep the tradition going into a third year! The loser of this game will pick second overall.
NINTH PLACE GAME:
Hill Valley's inglorious title defense ends here, the trophy forfeit. They'll play Mar-A-Lago in a ninth place game, where the winner drafts third and the loser drafts fourth.
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