Playoffs: RD 1 Previews

Jedi Knights (10-2-1) vs Ann Arbor Bamfers (5-8)
By sneaking into the playoffs with a losing record, Randy's Bamfers have the opportunity to get a huge upset. Are the Jedi Knights quavering in their boots? Not likely, as they have a cool headed Peyton Manning leading the way. Unfortunately, Peyton only scooped up 14 points on Thursday, leaving the door open for younger brother Eli -- captain of the Bamfers -- to engineer a sibling take down. The Bamfers have the stronger ground game too, with Frank Gore and C.J. Spiller leading the way (versus Alfred Morris and Alex Green). However, the Jedis have the superior aerial attack, with Wes Welker and Marques Colston both capable of big games. Overall, the Bamfers haven't gotten more than 77+ points since WK7 while the Jedis haven't lost since WK6. Prediction: Jedi Knights squeezes by in a close first round game.

100 Acre Wood Pooh Bears (10-3) vs Italian Stallionz (9-4)
This is the game of the week, featuring the streaking Pooh Bears versus a Stallionz team that has scored 94 points in back-to-back weeks, but that resulted in two losses. Heck, just two weeks ago, J dusted Porta to the tune of 112-94. Will this be the Stallionz time to avenge that loss? The talent is certainly there, as Tom Brady, Stevan Ridley, Reggie Wayne, Demaryius Thomas, and Tony Gonzalez all pretty much all consistent double figure scorers. The problem is, the Cam Newton to Dez Bryant connection has been lethal for the Pooh Bears, and J's team has won seven games in a row, with their two most recent weeks coming in at a 106 point average. Prediction: Pooh Bears are the favorites to take the 2012 Maize and Blue crown. A tough matchup shouldn't slow them down.

Mandalorian Warriors (10-3) vs Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (8-5)
After a dominating regular season, Matt's Warriors are limping a bit into the playoffs, after only scoring 46 points in a loss to Wayne State Tartars in WK13. Mike's Paper Company has been very consistent through the back half of the season, so if the Warriors stumble at all, they could be in for a short post-season run. Losing LeSean McCoy and Rob Gronkowski for the playoffs -- plus an injured Jordy Nelson really hurts the Warriors' all in strategy, but Drew Brees and Roddy White can't possibly have two straight horrible weeks. Can they? If Matt had known he'd be starting Brandon Gibson for a crucial game at flanker three months ago, he might have fainted. For Dunder Mifflin, Tony Romo has been on fire and he'll have Arian Foster and Chris Johnson to balance the attack. Prediction: Upset city. Just kidding Matt! Maybe?

Another Bad Creation (7-5-1) vs MoRRie's Pogiboys (7-4-2)
Back in WK8, these two squads played to a 65-65 standstill. So let's consider this the extra periods to determine who's should have win then. The Pogiboys actually haven't lost since that matchup, and they don't fear anyone with Megatron on-board. However, Josh Freeman has been slumping, and there might not be another double digit scorer aside from rookie Trent Richardson. Luckily, Oliver's team has ice cold Vincent Jackson, up and down Andre Johnson, and franchise QB Aaron Rodgers going through a weak couple of weekends. Basically, both owners will be paying extra close attention to the Detroit-Minnesota matchup this weekend, as Alvin has Calvin Johnson, Mikel Leshoure, and Jason Hanson on his roster. Prediction: Alvin hasn't faced a 100+ point opponent all season, and they are coming off their lone century game from last weekend. That spiritual boost will give them an easy win versus an erratic ABC, who have scored 107-51-111-69-65 in recent weeks.