In the Larkspur Bowl IX bracket #1 Deputy Van Halens (10-3) and #2 Phoenix Uprising (9-4) are both on bye. In the Consolation Bracket, #7 Pawnee Pride (7-6) and #8 South Park Cows (6-7) wait another week as well, each guaranteed a top four pick in next year's draft. Both Canadian Teams #13 Toronto LTP (3-10) and #14 Manitoba Moosecrew (3-10) have been eliminated; Toronto will pick 7th in next year's draft, while Manitoba will select 8th.
Let's take a closer look at this week's matchups:
QUARTERBACK
SAV: Alex Smith has been a double digit performer every week, but had dwindled down to his floor in recent weeks before lighting up the scoreboard as the player of the week in the regular season's conclusion. He's got a great matchup and a lot riding on his performance this week.
BIN: Cam Newton is a unique weapon at quarterback- perhaps the single most potent weapon in the game. His matchup is tough whether he ends up using his arm or his legs, but regardless of what happens, game flow goes through him and
ADVANTAGE: TOSS-UP!
WIDE RECEIVER
SAV: Julio Jones and Alshon Jeffery are as good a 1-2 punch as there is in this league, but after that is a bunch of mediocrity- Mike Wallace is alright, and if Robert Woods is back, that's something! If not, the team will be forced to play Jaron Brown or Tyrell Williams at the flex, and each are merely dart throws on a hope and a prayer.
BIN: AJ Green is an upper echelon weapon,but the rest of the group is fairly pedestrian, especially with rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster suspended. If his appeal goes through, that's something! Mohamed Sanu, Josh Doctson, and Dontrelle Inman are all fine possession guys, and the Snipers will hope they can each muster 8 to 12 points.
ADVANTAGE: SAVANNAH PETES
RUNNING BACK
SAV: Christian McCaffrey has established himself as a weapon, figuring prominently into the gameplan each week despite a lack of traditional volume. The thunder to his lighting, Joe Mixon, broke out in the penultimate week, only to suffer a scary concussion late. If he cannot go, Frank Gore is ole reliable, while LeGarrette Blunt and Chris Ivory are goalline hammers depending on chance.
BIN: Alvin Kamara has been a rookie sensation- it's been him (rather thank top pick Jordan Howard) who has been Mark Ingram's ace compliment. Ingram is dealing with a toe injury, but with Howard and Dion Lewis both in reserve, the Snipers have all good Options
ADVANTAGE: BINGHAMTON SNIPERS
TIGHT END
SAV: Austin Sefarian Jenkins and Eric Ebron have both had their moments, but neither has really seized them. ASJ has a good matchup in this one, and probably won't have a THIRD touchdown overturn on a blown call by refs this year!
BIN: Kyle Rudolph has been an underrated asset, getting solid targets and plenty of redzone looks. He's rarely a gamebreaker, but he'll do his part week in and week out.
ADVANTAGE: BINGHAMTON SNIPERS
DEFENSIVE LINE
SAV: After holding out through week one, Aaron Donald has a predictably slow start but has come on very strong as the season has progressed. Young and hungry, look for him to keep building up to his player of the year caliber.
BIN: Calais Campbell has been very good this year, a disruptive playmaking force that has his numbers skewed a little bit by his four sack performance all the way back in the season opener. He's got a tough matchup despite a sever height advantage.
ADVANTAGE: SAVANNAH PETES
LINEBACKERS
SAV: Luke Kuechly insured his home through GEICO and is also one of the very best linebackers in the game. Tahir Whitehead and Bernardrick McKinney are more role players than impact players, but offer solid production- the question at hand is if the Petes risk that surety to unleash Von Miller's top end pass rushing upside.
BIN: The Snipers revolving door of linebackers has done nothing but produce, a plug and play system that is at the heart of the team's point scoring prowess. The current unit of Joe Schobert, Paul Posluszny, Danny Trevathan, and Jon Bostic is plenty potent.
ADVANTAGE: BINGHAMTON SNIPERS
SECONDARY
SAV: Harrison and the Honey Badger are an elite combo of safeties, both capable of racking up tackles and making plays on the ball in bunches. Neither have tough matchups, and each is playing 'to win' so look for each to show up. Darius Slay and Casey Hayward are both quality corners in pass heavy matchups.
BIN: Kenny Vaccaro is PERHAPS the league's best playmaker, but the mercurial talent's playing time has been yanked around, as his discipline is often found wanting. Neither Budda Baker and Jahleel Addae are established difference makers, but each offers some floor. Jalen Mills has a tough matchup, while EJ Gaines came back to earth following a couple of stellar games. He's healthy now!
ADVANTAGE: SAVANNAH PETES
QUARTERBACK
NYF: Suffice to say, Big Ben has his mojo back. After a five interception performance mid season had him questioning himself, Roethlisberger has been locked in and throwing the ball with authority A LOT. Like 40+ times each of the past three weeks. A tough matchup awaits.
HCM: Dak Prescott bounced back from back to back negative performances (and four yuck days in five weeks) to post a respectable line last week. Headed into an inviting matchup and "fine" despite his hand injury, The Lead Farmers are relying on their young leader to deliver in the playoffs.
ADVANTAGE: NEW YORK'S FINEST
WIDE RECEIVER
NYF: After Odell Beckham went down and with Sammy Watkins floundering, this looked like on of the worst position groupings in the league. But Devin Funchess has elevated his game with an increased role, Marquise Goodwin has put four nice games in a row, and Sammy Watkins has turned things around a bit. The best that can be said about Kenny Britt and John Brown is that they are both alive.
HCM: Tyreek Hill has shown he can be more than a home run hit, amassing a lot of volume over the past several weeks. Golden Tate and Desean Jackson have both been quietly competent the past few weeks, but each is poised for a breakout game in what should be a shootout. Danny Amendola or Deonte Thompson is probably going to have to play, which isn't great.
ADVANTAGE: NEW YORK'S FINEST
RUNNING BACK
NYF: Todd Gurley is a monster that will be happy to eat you whole for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Rex Burkhead has really come on as of late, though he's fraught with some gameplan risk- the safer option might be Jonathan Stewart who has has three sturdy floor outings in a row. Doug Martin is concussed and had worn down after a good month upon returning from suspension. Jamaal Charles has just not seen the touches to be relevant this year.
HCM: Le'Veon Bell is a monster that will nibble at you with quick strike gashes and leave you to die. Lamar Miller is a high end floor option, producing quality results every week this season. Buck Allen is on the roster- he was a very good bye week option, but he's not going to play in this one barring an injury in practice.
ADVANTAGE: HCM LEAD FARMERS
TIGHT END
NYF: Evan Engram returned threefold after a couple of forgettable games and should be featured again. The fiery rookie will likely team with Jared Cook in a jumbo package- Cook has shown up a few times this year, but was a ghost in each of the past two weeks. It's a tough matchup, but one Cook mastered earlier in the year. The Finest could really use a big game from both of them.
HCM: The Gronk lost his appeal and will be suspended for the big game, costing HCM their best weapon in their biggest game. Jason Witten is a dependable weapon in a great situation, but he is no longer the game break Gronk is. Ben Watson could get the call if the Lead Farmers go to their Jumbo package- ut it's just in the hope that he can scavenge a red zone grab or some outlet targets.
ADVANTAGE: NEW YORK'S FINEST
DEFENSIVE LINE
NYF: Everson Griffen was a steady source of pressure early in the season, but has only one good game in his last four. He should get some opportunities at the QB, but it is no gimme matchup.
HCM: Melvin Ingram hit a lull midseason, bookending his bye week with some forgettable efforts, but has been back on the path of righteousness and has a very juicy matchup impending.
ADVANTAGE: HCM LEAD FARMERS
LINEBACKERS
NYF: Zach Brown was seen in a walking boot last Thursday, but played through the injury and had a ten day layoff; Missing this game would be catastrophic, but appears unlikely. Christian Jones rarely reaches his stupid high projections... but he's been a major player after being reduced to a bit role earlier in the season. Ryan Kerrigan doesn't have an ideal matchup for pass rushing, but has been pretty good down recently.
HCM: Alec Ogletree's injury could throw the Lead Farmers into flux, as he is an unreplaceable part. Day to day, his status is imperative; Wes Woodyard and Christian Kirksey are both steady double digit producers but have shown some signs of fatigue. Hayes Pullard is a on the team but has not made any noise since October.
ADVANTAGE: TOSS-UP!
SECONDARY
NYF: Landon Collins has heated up as the season has gone on, while rookie Jamal Adams may have hit a wall. Veteran Tre Boston is ready to step in if need be, but nothing jumps off the charts about him making a difference. Darqueze Dennard and Patrick Robinson have been quiet lately and neither have matchups that seem inviting.
HCM: Malcolm Jenkins should have plenty to do this week, while Sean Davis is unlikely to have many opportunities unless the game gets out of hand. Neither are elite players- Jenkins on the end of his prime, Davis just getting to it. Malcolm Butler and Damarious Randall both have juicy matchups and the resume for playmaking- Kyle Fuller has been the hot had. A pick six would weigh heavily on this matchup.
ADVANTAGE: HCM LEAD FARMERS
CONSOLATION BRACKET MATCHUPS:
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