Playoff Preview!- 5th Place Game!

EMP and the Nauts both took tough losses last week.  Speaking from experience, I know it's tough to lose in the first round of the playoffs.  But, it is a mighty honor just to be invited to the big dance.  And we all know how fickle the gods are in doling their favors on fantasy mortals, week to week.  That being said, winning the fifth place game is quite an achievement -- it sends a message to the rest of the league, perhaps "Look out for me next year!" or "συλλάψιες· ὅλα καὶ οὐχ ὅλα, συμφερόμενον διαφερόμενον, συνᾷδον διᾷδον καὶ ἐκ πάντων ἓν καὶ ἐξ ἑνὸς πάντα".  EMP drew some tough match-ups, and titrated their lowest score since week 2.  The Nauts were within victory range but a brace of injuries handcuffed them to an elimination anchor and dragged them  full fathom five. But as the poet says "we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind."

Location:

Vail Commons

 

EMP - No doubt last year's champion had entertained visions of a repeat this year, but a single rough week can ruin you this time of year.  That being said, even averaging in last week's p

erformance they're still at 108.5 ppg, good for 2nd in the league (assuming you count PG's bye performance).  And of course, we all remember their record setting performance in Week 11. No matter what happened last week, the odds-makers have to favor EMP in this match-up.   They walked all over the Nauts in Week 6, and even without touching their line-up they're scheduled for over 100.  That being said, they'll face a few tough looks this weekend.  A hungry Jets D will be out to stop the R-burger and Wallace combo.  Foster faces up against a tough Titans ground D.   And it looks like Jennings will be without Rogers at QB in the frigid New England weather.  But, Mike Williams and Tamme are both due for big days against soft coverage, so maybe everything evens out and the Little Worlders hit their average one last time this season.

Int'l Necronauts - Everybody's favorite comeback kids stormed into the playoffs on a 6 game

 winning streak (like EMP) and dropped their first since week 8 to get knocked out.  But even going into Monday night, the Nauts had a good chance to walk out victors.  Unfortunately a run of injuries skewed them off course.  Cassel's appendectomy, Manningham, Peterson's freak collision.  Still even after their lowest score of the year, they're at 97.9 ppg.  It's worth remembering that halfway through the season, nobody thought this team was bound for the playoffs at all.  Through their storied 2nd half, they captured the imaginations of the PSAS.  Even if Cassel doesn't return there are still plenty of ways the Nauts can get into this fight.  AP is facing a midwest snow bowl with a third string QB, meaning he could get 30+ touches.   Benson and Choice both have favorable matches.  And if Rogers is truly out, New England's D could be in for a landmark day against the pass-first Pack.