Now it's down to two. The laurel wreath will pass to one of two newcomers to the championship festival. And we'll get the two who've racked up the two most fantasy points overall on the season. In 14 games TakingTigerMountain has blasted their way to 1679 points, while BuildingDwellingThinking enters the finals with 1689 in 15 contests. As we have observed in the past the teams that make it this far are not necessarily the most powerful, most consistent, or the luckiest, but the teams with the most key parts still functioning at this late date. They met in Week 7 in an epic battle with The Mountain taking the victory after a shocking Ray Rice low-ball cast the the Heidiggerians into fantasy limbo. BDT, tested by hellfire, emerged stronger taking 7 of 8 since then and six straight. The Mountain has taken 6 of 7 getting the key pieces to continue eeking out enough production to capture the bye and a semi-finals victory. Gone from BDT's stable are Murray (IR), Davis (irie), and Turner (trade), but Wallace, Robinson, Harvin and Ivory have kept the Dwelling afloat on the playoff tide. The Mountain has scarcely a single piece without a dent or ding, but (knock wood) has lost no one to serious injury (and benefited from handcuff Bush since mid-season).
The Key Games
BDT
1. Dallas vs. Philly - It doesn't get any more key than Big D for the Heidiggerians. We've seen Romo grow into a true fantasy option over the course of the year. Facing division rivals at home they have a chance to light a triple titration fire under BDT's air attack. Is this finally the game that chases Dallas/BDT's recent penchant for spectacular failures?
2. Baltimore vs. Cleveland - Ray Rice is the number one fantasy back in the league. Attrition and excuses aside. This is a dream match-up for the championship. Cleveland is a below average on both sides of the ball. The only worry could be the Ravens' D putting the game out of hand before Rice has a chance to find the endzone. Already in the playoffs, a lead in the fourth quarter could mean the end of Rice's fantasy season.
3. Pittsburgh vs. St. Louis - The Dwellers have collected three of the best defenses in the game over the course of the mid-season bye weeks. And lately, they've played them on match-ups to great effect. With hapless St. Louis shutting down Bradford, this should be best paper play. BDT needs a statement victory, but again, at home against a weak opponent, the Steelers may not risk big plays if they can help it. There's also the chance that WR1 Mike Wallace gets into this one, but with the R-burger still ailing, he's an underdog to beat on Percy Harvin for the flex spot.
TTM
1.Saints vs Falcons - The Saints will draw their bitter rivals at home with both teams having loads to play for. With TTM now 6-0 when the Brees-Graham connection finds paydirt, the Tigers will hope for a repeat of November 13th when Graham went for 86 and a score. It's a razor blade that cuts both ways for the Tigers, the explosive New Orleans offense is predictable and turnover prone if they get down early, so look the first two drives could tell whether TTM is in the mix for a Monday Night Football comeback.
2.Baltimore vs. Cleveland - The Mountain is heavily invested in the Ravens D with the D/ST and two IDP. They need an adequate counter to Ray Rice in this game, and that means either points off of turnovers from the D/ST or multiple sacks for the IDP. Still, once that ball gets on the ground, it can as easily become Ray Rice's vulture from the 1 yard line.
3. Buffalo vs. Denver - Two of TTM's most important damaged goods will come head to head here. One hand Willis' match-up is a must start, if he's healthy. If questionable he could sit, in favor of a healthier back with a tougher match-up. And Stevie has performed at solid WR2 level lately, but a groin injury kept him out of the 4th quarter in Week 15. Even against a tough D, losing Stevie would be a legitimate downgrade for the Tigers.
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