Semifinal matchup - Legend of Bo vs. Avalon Creek Assassins

Legend of Bo vs. Avalon Creek Assassins
From 1860 – 1865 this country embarked a conflict so fierce and so personal it would take decades to even start to repair the wounds. This semi-final matchup might very well inflict the same long term hurt. Brother versus brother; it gets no more serious than that. The winner? A chance at the league championship. The loser? Months of mental torture at the hands of a close loved one. Both teams can look at the past 13 weeks and see glimpses of a championship caliber team. But who matches up best when it counts the most?

QB
Aaron Rodgers v. Matt Schaub
One is coming off their worst week. The other is fresh off one of the best. Rodgers faces a PITT D/ST that would have been scary in week 1. Without Hand and Shoulders Troy P, they have looked at best, average. Rodger should have no problem with this matchup Schaub was supposed to be hurt last week. Nope. Look for another school yard game with lots of points

Prediction – Rodgers bounces back in a big way, at least 40 points. If Schaub doesn’t get 50, the ACA might be pouting a little bit

RB
MJD/A Fosters v. Chris Johnson
Both teams find themselves at a weird spot this late in the playoffs; without a decent #2 RB. Of Bo has chosen to reach into the depths of waive wire. ACA just said screw it. MJD has been lacking in the bonus department for a while, not since week 10. Foster is the “Flavor of the Week” in Hou, but facing a STL D/ST, he’ll be steady. What more can be said about Chris Johnson? He’s good.
Prediction – MJD scores 2 TDs but again misses the bonus. Foster is average, 60 yards, but nothing to write home about. Johnson does what he do – 140 total yards and a TD.

WR
Boldin/Jackson/Steve Smith (Car) vs. Andre Johnson/Reggie Wayne
The past few weeks, the trio of WR from Of Bo have been better and better. That trend should continue with good matchups for everyone. ACA, once again, bucks convention, and goes with a less than need set of players. But that duo is hard to beat, even with Reggie doing his best Houdini act lately.

Prediction - Boldin explodes for a bonus and a 2 TDs. The other do less impressive, but still okay; 75 yards apiece. Johnson and Wayne show up big this week, bonuses and TDs for all!

TEs
Kevin Boss v. J Finley/Brent Celek
Kevin showed it was he, not Mona or Tony that was the boss last week. He brought the goods against the WASH D/ST last time (week 1) and should again. Finley is a high risk / high yield play. A risky move that could pay off when your opponent has the QB throwing to him. Celek should have no problem against a soft SF D/ST.

Prediction – Boss will get the yardage and the catches, but no TD when facing an improving WASH D/ST. Finley surprises but is no way a good replacement as a #3 WR. Celek, though, makes up for it with a big game, close to bonus and a TD.

D/ST
Chiefs v. Giants
Even facing an awful Cleveland team, the K.C. D/ST is a bold choice. The team is capable of a good game, but not great. A home game for the Chiefs makes the decision rather good overall. NY Giants were supposed to be the savior for the ACA team back when they got them as a buy low. They team never turned it around, gave up 45 points last week and now face a rather hot offense in the Redskins.

Prediction – Kansas City shows up big and keeps the yardage and points low. But the INTs or fumbles never come. The Giants do just the opposite, lots of yards and points, but also lots of fumbles and INTs.

K’s
Has a kicker even the difference in a fantasy playoff matchup? Josh Brown plays for an awful offense with a new QB that could be worse than a 65 year old Jim Everett. Hartley gets to kick for one of the highest octane O’s in the past 10 years. Hmm? Who does better?

Prediction – Josh Brown sucks. I hate that traitor. No wonder he doesn’t get more than 4 points. Hartley will get a few XPs until the 4th quarter when N.O. stops trying and just lets him kicks FGs. He’ll break 10 points easy.

OVERALL PREDICTION -
On paper, the ACA should run, not walk to the Championship game. But they actually do have play the games still. Both teams have great matchups and poor matchups. The difference maker will come down to how Schaub, Finley and the Giants D/ST. Those players should do enough over their counterparts to provide a buffer in the points. Sorry Legend of Bo, the storybook season ends here.
Avalon Creek Assassins 152 – Legend of Bo - 137