Playoff Preview - Week 14

#4 Nauts vs.  #5 Girlz  - A stand off between immovable objects from the Eleatic 

Regular season:
AEthernauts 2-0 vs. Girlz.  Week 1 - 126.8-75.4 and Week 8  - 96.2 - 79.8 - the Girlz won five straight before the week 8 streak breaker and two straight after that.  
 
AEthernauts - .  The Aeros have averaged 107.8 over the 13 week regular season, buoyed by a recent updraft (3 straight games over 110).  The Nauts have looked strong with Bryce Brown dominating in relief of L-Mac.  If McCoy manages to return and cloud the Eagles backfield, it could give the Explorers a mild downgrade.  But that seems unlikely to be a problem in week 14.   With Brown, Sproles, Turner and Ridley the Nauts have a wealth of ground game, but getting the right three in there is another matter.   Turner and Ridley have become the TD hawks, while Sproles is a pass catcher in Brees' aerial offense.  The truly elite element of the Nauts is their Johnson & Johnson receiving corps.  Calvin has been catching fire lately, but the Nauts need Andre to find the endzone to extend Schaub's QB2 value.  If the Nauts roll with the Browns DEF, they'll square off against a broken KC squad - if they start to rack up the turnovers it could get out of hand quickly.


Phat Girlz - The Girlz are back to their Phat ways with a 2012 return to the playoffs after a year dieting in the consolation.  But they're still one of the lighter teams in the playoffs, averaging only 100.6 ppg.  They've been below 100 two out of the last three weeks, and come in with the second lowest points total among playoff teams.  The Girlz have been hurt by the Steelers' passing woes without R-burger, Mike Wallace has been a risky WR3.  If Big Ben is back, the Girlz could thicken up with a quickness.  With two Saints passing pieces (Graham and Colston) Monique's club needs to hope  that Brees and company pull it together against the G-men.  S-Jax and Lychm0b are both low risk bellcows with limited upside.  After three straight weeks of single digits, Eli how has two straight over 20.  He needs to keep up the attack agains the Saints. Houston's DEF has been one of the best in the league, but against the Pats on Monday, that could all come crashing down.  Will they jump ship for Pittsburgh vs. the Chargers?


#6 Ferries vs. #3 Bloodz - An inter-division trap game.

Regular Season - Bloodz 1-0 - Week 10 - 100.8-68.8 - The Ferries have won 3 straight since dropping a clunker against the Spinners in week 10, and they had a three game streak before that.   But they're a different squad since the RG3 trade.

SanFranciscoFerries - the Ferries picked up their key eighth win and head into the playoffs on the heels of a three game winning streak. They've been in triple digits every time, but have topped out at 126 this year.  They'll bring the second lowest points (101.6 ppg) scored total into the playoffs to face the top scorer.  But the match-up isn't as one sided as it sounds.  The Ferries will pin their upset hopes on RGIII eating up Baltimore's defense, which is (currently) a counter-titration for them.  The Muscle Hamster dipped below double digits in week 13, but he should have an easier time against Philly's run defense.  Beanie was practically non-existant against the Jets defense, and it's hard to see things improving against the Seahawks.  Run DMC is on track to return, which comes not a moment too soon. Because the Ferries will limp into this contest with Shorts and Johnson (?) potentially sidelined.  Crabtree and/or Smith might see time in their place(s).

HomeSpunNeckBloodz - the Bloodz rev'd over 100 for the ninth time last week.  It's a good thing, because three of their four losses have come below the triple digit line.  The Cyclotron will carry the highest points total into week 14, averaging 115.4 per contest.  So, how will the Spinners turn another high card in the playoffs?  It starts with Peyton, who picks up the Raiders, for a handy playoff match-up.  Peyton has picked up the 5th most fantasy QB points, in a spectacular comeback year.  Forte's timely return to action along with Cutler should promote general health in their Bears offense that could carry Marshall along with it.  CJ?K's single digit day should cause a little hand-wringing here, if only for the memory of how worthless he was in the early weeks.  He'll have a more generous opponent in Indy for week 14.  The Bloodz got burned by a spot play at DEF in week 13, so they'll need to go to the wire to batten down the team D.   The big question mark here is Harvin, who's missed three straight games - even if he's back can you trust him?  Probably not, which means Boldin or Williams as high risk WR3 or Ingram as a low ceiling split time RB.