2007 IFL Playoff Preview

Thanks to the Wo-Man for putting this together since I slacked. I piggybacked on to his analysis, but in order to get this out before Sunday, I only had time to handicap the Central Division and the playoff predictions. I could have worked on it a little longer and finish it, but I wanted to spark one up, sit back, and watch Oklahoma handle their business vs. Texas Tech. (Pick to the house as I type this - 7-0 Sooners) Have fun....


CENTRAL DIVISION

Napalm Death - 8-2 (5-1 div)
Power ranking: 3rd
Remaining Games: PTP, Meatballs, Ballbusters

• Key Wins: CTRU
• Key Losses: BCB, CTRU

Wo says: The Trade That Keeps On Giving (TTTKOG) is the story here – they netted McNabb, Chatman, and B.Marshall – filling the huge void this team had at QB. Sure they had to give up Wayne and Lee ‘Second half’ Evans, but they got Starvin Marvin sittin on the bench getting healthy for the playoffs.

Prediction: Ho-hum, another 10-3 season, division crown, and first round bye. But then in December. ... McNabb gets benched, Westbrook pulls a hammy and Devo vows never to draft an Eagle again!!!!

BW says: The Napalm Dragons (all 4 players rec’d in their deal w/ Dragons should probably be starters on ND now) have the best record in the league, but they’ve faced little resistance this year, other than their loss to BCB in Week 1 and their two games with CTRU. For instance, Shu put up a combined 140 in his 2 losses to Devo. But this is a damn good team, a key could be if Harrison comes back and regains form. If not, Crayton and Marshall have been pretty solid, but a prime Harrison would make this team tough to beat. However, their last 3 games could be hellacious, as they take on a red-hot PTP team in Week 11, then close it out vs. the tough Ballbusters. Let’s face it, the winner of this division will be the #1 seed, whoever’s team stays healthier between ND and CTRU will likely get the bye and the $175. The game of the year was last week, though, and Devo’s win gives him the huge advantage here.

Chinese Toys R Us – 7-3 (4-2 div)
Power ranking: 1st
Remaining Games: Meatballs, Dead Beats, 9 Fingers

• Key Wins: ND, Ballbusters (2x), Meatballs, Dragons, Razen Kanes
• Key Losses: ND, 9 Fingers

Wo says: Highest scoring team in the league!!! Still don’t know how they drafted Romo, Bush, Welker, TO, Boldin, and Winslow. This offense is simply stacked. Unless injuries strike this team in a few places – they are the favorite to take home the IFL Chalice.

Prediction: finish 10-3, lose division on div record, and take the long road the IFL immortality!!!!

BW says: I appreciate the kind words, but I am one injury away from a repeat of the 2002 Splif Smokoroba debacle (where McNabb and Faulk got hurt for me, I ended up getting stuck with the 3 seed, and I lost to Mike P. in Week 13 and Week 14. What a disgrace). Thanks to the Ronnie Brown and Lamont Jordan injuries, there is no depth whatsoever here. The starters are spectacular though, with Romo as a godsend, and he is giving TO the best season of his career. Welker has been outstanding, let’s hope he can keep it up. I do think Bush is going to finish huge, despite continuously being ripped by Johnny E. What the hell does he know anyway? The problem here is…if CTRU doesn’t win the division, they’re looking at the 4 seed, which could mean a likely date with #1 seed ND in the semis. Could be good or bad though…

9 Fingers – 5-5 (2-4 div)
Power ranking: 7^th
Remaining Games: Ballbusters, Dragons, CTRU

• Key Wins: CTRU, Meatballs, PTP, BCB
• Key Loss: ND (2x), Meatballs, Ballbusters

Wo says: Three bad losses in a row has put Shu in dire straits. The division is out of reach, the #1 WC is a longshot, and that stupid tie in the East could force the Fingers to miss the playoffs. The decision to trade Bulger back in week 8 and not pickup another QB at the FA deadline, going only with Cutler and Griese, could be the nail in the coffin.

Prediction: loss in week 13 to CTRU will be painful, and eliminate 9s from the playoff race. (finish 6-7)

BW says: Shu was the class of the league through 4 weeks, even beating BCB in a game that was supposed to be a finals preview in Week 4. Since then, he’s 1-5 and falling fast. Moss (god), Chad, and MBIII have been the only thing worth a damn on this team. Rudi (1^st rounder) has been hurt, and his handcuff (Watson) has been inconsistent. He’s been relatively inactive in free agency and trading, and this stagnation could be his downfall. With Cutler as his only QB (Griese is benched), things could get ugly for the Heeb Wop. It would be hard to believe that he could be Bowling in Week 14 after the start he had, but I can see it happening.

Mighty Meatballs – 5-5 (1-5 div)
Power ranking: tied for 11^th
Remaining Games: CTRU, Napalm Death, RVG

• Key Wins: Kanes, PTPs
• Key Loss: Ballbusters twice (incl. the Favre game)

Wo says: When you look at their team, you are hard-pressed to find anyone ‘good’ after the top two players (Brees and Addai). The meatballs pulled a few upsets mid-way through the season, but like the Eagles of 2006, will a late winning streak hide from management the deficiencies in the front office? Has Joey finally caught on to life in the IFL or will he revert back to a 3-10 team in 2008?

Prediction: Nice run, but with the top two teams on the schedule the playoffs are a near impossibility – 6-7 finish.

BW says: I concur, this team is rather fraudulent. They have the 2^nd least points scored in the IFL. Perhaps the fantasy luck has finally been on the side of Meatball (he should be 6-4 if not for the Favre game, but then again, he just won a game scoring 79 pts), but no way this team has enough in the tank to get in the big dance. His team looks nothing like the one he drafted (only Brees, Reggie Brown, and V. Davis remain), but all those moves did not net a good roster. His 1-5 division record is hideous, but the good news is he has wins over Kanes and PTP, who he could be fighting for a wild card spot. Ah who are we kidding, I’m going to slam the door on his chances in Week 11.

Ballbusters – 4-6 (3-3 div)
Power ranking: 5th
Remaining Games: 9 Fingers, Kanes, N Death

• Key Wins: twice over Meatballs, one over 9 fingers
• Key Loss: Dragons

Wo says: The week 10 loss to CTRU is the stuff dreams (nightmares?) are made of. All their wins were convincing this year, and we saw AP mature as a top 5 fantasy pick in future years . . . then he got hurt. Kind of an odd year as Peterson and Holmes brought old man Favre to the fountain of youth in Blue Dog land. But, you win some (MNF win over Meatballs) and you lose some (2 five point losses this year – ouch). The Fantasy gods must have something great instore for Mr Snyder, just not sure who will still be around to see it someday.

Prediction: 3 teams on the schedule trying to get to the post-season, with each week progressively harder. Can’t see more then one win, then the pain is over, at least Addai will be home for the IFL playoffs too.

BW says: Ballbusters are the antithesis of Meatballs. They have the 2^nd most points in the IFL. They have the 2^nd highest points against. They lost a game 205-192 (sorry). Since Week 1, all of their opponents have scored at least 110, so no gimmes. Bob has been a class act throughout, however, and he even volunteered to wipe the sweat off my brow during my playoff games. The Addai-Parker deal was a blockbuster, but Meatball got way the best of it (Addai has outscored FWP 94-50 since the trade), and while it hasn’t cost him a game (yet), Addai’s outlook is better for the stretch run. Ballbusters are going to be a tough out in the IFL-BCS though.

EAST DIVISION

Bucks County Bombers – 6-4 (4-2 div)
Power ranking: 2^nd
Remaining Games: Lizard Kings, RVG, Hit Squad

• Key Wins: N Death, PTP
• Key Losses: Dragons, 9 Fingers

Wo says: Last month this team was the favorite to win it all and repeat – but since then we have seen some chinks in the armor: Eli is not Peyton, Gore has been slowed by injury, Plaxico does not practice due to his injury, and K.Jones realized he has one of the most brutal second half schedules in the league (and the Lions cannot run anyway). Still, they have drafted talent and proved that they are a franchise to be respected year-in year-out. Oh yeah, and Patriots Defense – what a draft!!!

Prediction: Might run the table, in fact, I think they will – but then a tough loss in week 15 looms. Now give the trophy back!!!

Mud Dogs - 5-4-1 (4-1-1 div)
Power ranking: 4th
Remaining Game: Dead Beats, Hit Squad, Lizard Kings

• Key Win: RVG, due to the stupid tie they have the tiebreaker
• Key Losses: Loss to BCB first time they played, could be in sole possession of first place!!

Wo says: Tom Brady is da man!! He should be a first round pick in every league next year, maybe top 3. He has 371 IFL points this season and accounts for 29% of the Mud Dogs points this year (fyi, the second leading scorer is Romo at 300, less then 20% of CTRU’s points). Is S.Jax finally back? The #2 pick? That should be enough for the Mud Pups to get into the playoffs.

Prediction: win enough to get into the playoffs, the #2 wildcard, but they run into the CTRU buzzsaw then . ..

Notorious RVG – 4-5-1 (2-3-1 div)
Power ranking: 8th
Remaining Games: Hit Squad, BCB, Meatballs

• Key Wins: Ws vs CTRU and BCB show they can hang with the elite
• Key Losses: Mud Dogs (gives MDs edge in tie-breakers)

Wo says: Monster seasons from TJ and B.Edwards almost make up for the flop that is Shaun Alexander. Palmer has had a good year when you look at it overall – but you got to think the struggles in Cincy has brought his numbers down a little.

Prediction: Should squeeze out two more wins, but unless they can beat BCB in week 12, they will not make the playoffs.

Hit Squad – 4-6 (3-2 div)
Power ranking: 13th
Remaining Games: RVG, Mud Dogs, BCB

• Key Win: RVG
• Key Losses: Dragons, Meatballs, PTP (all teams one games ahead in WC race)

Wo says: Another team trapped with a top pick which flopped – L.Johnson was not productive before he went down with the foot injury. Great find in D. Anderson coming along to QB this team, but a lack of a clear #1 WR (a WR who could explode for 40) made this team beatable if you put up 125.

Prediction: Better luck next year in the lottery that IS, the I F L Draft!!!

Dead Beats – 3-7 (1-6 div)
Power ranking: 14th
Remaining Games: Mud Dogs, CTRU, Razen Kanes

• Key Win: PTP ? (best team they beat)
• Key Losses: swept in the division by Hit Squad and BCB

Wo says: Interesting philosophy at the draft to take a QB, RB, WR, etc from the same team – but the team was not New England or Indy. It was SD. Rivers has been a disappointment and LT has been stuck in mud all year because his QB can’t open up any lanes. With the #1 pick – you have to take LT though, then wait as 26 other players go off the board, too bad T.Jones was still on the board – he practically has entered the witness protection program as he is still looking to find the endzone for the Jets.

Prediction: Doesn’t matter, they have 3 championships. The odd year tradition is broken though.

WEST DIVISION

Razen Kanes – 6-4 (4-1 div)
Power ranking: 6th
Remaining Games: Dragons, Ballbusters, Dead Beats

• Key Wins: Dragons, Lizard Kings (sweep gives them a strong divisional record)
• Key Losses: ND and CTRU

Wo says: Despite the complete collapse of their receiving corp (S.Smith, Walker, Holt), the Kanes find themselves in position in week 11 to almost wrap up the division due to their strong divisional record. A HUGE game with the Dragons in that a win gives them a 5-1 Div Record and two sub .500 teams left on the schedule. Weakest of all the schedules for the playoff contending teams. If they lose in 11, they will fall into a dead heat, possible 3 way race for the division, and a cut-throat race for one of two wildcard spots.

Prediction: Kanes finish 7-6 and win the division on tiebreakers.

Dragons – 5-5 (2-2 div)
Power ranking: 9th
Remaining Games: Razen Kanes, 9 Fingers, PTP

• Key Wins: BCB, Ballbusters
• Key Losses: Kanes, PTP

Wo says: After a pathetic start, TTTKOG has turned around this team’s season and they find themselves in a position to take control of the division in week 11 if they can beat the Kanes. Problem is, even if they pull off the miracle, they still have 2 teams left on the schedule who are hunting for the playoffs.

Prediction: Bulger gets hurt after the win in week 11, and they lose in weeks 12 and 13 to finish in the BCS bowl in week 14 with a 6-7 record.

Part Time Pimps - 5-5 (3-1 div)
Power ranking: 10th
Remaining Games: Napalm Death, Lizard Kings, Dragons

• Key Wins: Dragons, R Kanes (split)
• Key Losses: 9 Fingers, Meatballs

Wo says: The Pimps has reverted to Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant playing a key role down the stretch for this team. Somehow Baran has coaxed this team into the playoff hunt while Maron-ey is still trying to find the endzone and Andre Johnson has been PMS’ing since week 2. BIG week 11 game vs the current #1 seed, if they can pull off the upset they might win this division.

Prediction: Finish with two strong wins to make the playoffs (again) at 7-6, dark horse to make some noise in the playoffs.

Lizard Kings – 2-8 (0-5 div)
Power ranking: tied for 11th
Remaining Games: BCB, PTP, Mud Dogs

• Key Wins: 9 Fingers (it hurt the Fingers more then helped LKs)
• Key Losses: 0-5 in the division, not good

Wo says: They scored more points them some teams with 4 or 5 wins, just a tough year schedule wise. Some of the numbers put up by his opponents this year: 136, 165, 186, 165 (that was the first 4 weeks of the season!!!), 175, 146, 143. Time to get a new defensive coordinator!!!

Prediction: Although they still have a potent lineup, the Lynch injury is going to hurt. Facing 3 teams vying for playoff seeding – I see the Kings finishing 2-11, and losing the BCS bowl in week 16!!

Wo's Post season Predictions:

Week 14:
CTRU over Mud Dogs
Razen Kanes over PTP

Week 15
Napalm Death over Razen Kanes
CTRU over BCB

Week 16
Napalm Death VS CTRU

CTRU in a blowout!!!

BW's Playoff Predictions:

1. Napalm Death
2. BC Bombers
3. Razen Kanes
4. CTRU
5. Mud Dogs
6. Dragons

Dragons over Kanes
CTRU over Mud Dogs (no way I lose to Cowboy again)

ND over Dragons
BCB over CTRU

ND over BCB in the ultimate championship of all time, 83-78

Devo joins the ranks of the 3x Dopes

Ballbusters win the IFL-BCB
Part Time Pimps win the Week 16 $20
Hit Squad wins the Dogshit Classic