Round 1 Match up - Avalon Park Assassins vs. Fighting Cocks

Avalon Park Assassins vs. Fighting Cocks

APA is, for the 2nd straight season, the highest scoring team in the league. Leaning heavily on the Houston Texans, APA also gets to unleash Chris Johnson every week. Mix in a few other middle tier players, and it usually turned into a “W” each week. Fighting Cocks on the other hand, is in the bottom half of the league in scoring. Thanks to a weak division, his decent team was able to clinch a playoff birth early. With an average point difference of 20 points per game between them, will this be the most mismatched playoff game of the week? Let’s take a look.


QB
Matt Schaub v. Phillip Rivers
Schaub is a top 5 fantasy QB. With the ability to get 300 yards each week, Schaub has been great this year. And he hasn’t been hurt like other years. Until now that is. He is listed as “questionable” this week with a dislocated non-throwing wing. He has a juicy matchup versus SEATTLE D/ST – but will APA take the risk and start him, knowing he has a pretty good QB (McNabb) on the bench? The resulting difference could be the difference between victory and defeat. Rivers has been great this season too and is playing better and better each week. Versus a suspect DALLAS D/ST, he could/should very well explode again for 50+ points.

Prediction – Schuab plays, but not up to his usual level. Count on 30ish points, but nothing more. Rivers will again need to lead the Chargers to victory and we’ll get 300 yards and 3tds in the process.

RBs
Chris Johnson / Jonathon Stewart v. Cedric Benson / Jamaal Charles
CJohnson could probably be the real life MVP if not for the play of some QBs this season. He has simply been unstoppable. Now with 7 straight 100 yard games, anything less than 25 points has to be a disappointment. Stewart proved his worth this past week, but might be in timeshare next week. Whether or not DeAngelo Williams plays, will be a huge plus or minus for the Assassins. Cedric Benson is the surprise fantasy player of the year. Even after he got hurt 2 weeks ago, he came back strong. His matchup against the vaunted MINN D/ST does not inspire confidence though. He will probably struggle in Round 1. Charles has been surprisingly red hot the past 2 weeks and his matchup (versus worst in the league Buffalo) might be able to make up for whatever Benson does.

Prediction – Chris Johnson once again dominates, expect close to 40 points. With Williams back, Stewart is barely worth the start. Benson has a solid game, but no bonus or score. Charles helps though with a bonus and 2 TDs.

WRs
Andre Johnson/Reggie Wayne/Donald Driver v Marques Colston/ Derrick Mason/Steve Smith (NYG)
APA invested heavily in 2 stud WR during the draft; they haven’t disappointed at all. But lately, things have been a little down. Andre has slowed down in recent weeks, but should be able to smoke the smaller SEATTLE DBs. Wayne too has slowed down with just 160 yards total in the past 3 weeks. He might run into trouble again with Champ Bailey locking down on him. Driver can bring the goods, but has been inconsistent, still worth starting though. Colston has seen his role diminish in recent as Robert Meachem has had the most targets on the team in the past 4 weeks, but his matchup versus ATL D/ST is filthy good. Mason can get lucky and explode or can disappear; not what you want in a #2 WR. Same for Smith, who started the year great but has fallen back to earth slightly. Versus Philly isn’t the best way to get back to star status.

Prediction – Andre will be huge, Wayne will get blanketed and have a fourth average game in a row. Driver proves to be average once again. Colson will match whatever Johnson does, but the rest of the WR starters will be pretty flaccid for the Cocks.

TEs
Brent Celek v. Vernon Davis
APA took a calculated risk when he didn’t drat a TE until late. He was rewarded with Celek, who has been solid, if not great from week to week. It wont matter who throws him the ball (evident by his Vick TD last week), Celek should once again be really good against the NYG; he laws last time (14 points.)Vernon Davis has surprised everyone by turning into the #1 TE in the league. Davis has four 25+ point games in his last seven and another big game is not of the question versus an ARI D/ST that is horrible against TEs.

Prediction – Both TEs bring their A” game, Davis will probably get an “A+” though. Expect a TD from both and a bonus from one.

D/ST
Tenn Titans v. Philly Eagles
4 months ago starting a TENN D/ST was a no brainer. 2 months ago, you would have laughed at someone who started them. Now? Well, it’s not the worst thing in the world. Especially against the laughable offense of the St. Louis Rams. APA has some other options (Colts, Giants, Bucs) but using Titans probably has the most upside. The Eagles allow some points, but also sack the QB and seem to get fumbles and INTs in every game. The also have 4 D/ST TDs this year. Facing a newly revived NYG team, they’ll need all the extra little things they can get.

Prediction – TENN has a great matchup, but still isn’t back to the dominate team they once were – expect a mediocre game; maybe 12 points. Philly is gonna get thiers- count a few sacks and at least 1 Eli Manning turnover; 15 points.

Kickers –
Shayne Graham v. Ryan Succop
Simply put, Graham sucked earlier in the year. After back to back great games and kicking indoors versus a MINN D/ST that will stymie some Bengals drives, he should be at least good once again. Succop kicks for the Chiefs, so it’s hard to count on anything great. But against a Buffalo team, he should at least be good.

Prediction – Graham will continue his hot streak with double digit points. Succop surprises and get 10 points as well.

FINAL PREDICTION – The Assassins’ are not stealthy; you know what you are going get – a score of 160+. Though their team has some tough matchups this week, you shouldn’t expect less. Fighting Cocks will need all things to come together for a victory to be his. I don’t see it happening. Avalon Park Assassins – 178 to Fighting Cocks - 149