The Finals
#1 Billy is trying to repeat his brother's Wedding + Brown Jacket combo while #2 Birdman tries to join a very exclusive club of 2 time winners.
#1 Rise of the Militant Left Owner: Billy Brown 2017 Season: 11-3 2017 PPG: 490 Playoffs: 1-2 Championships: 0 H2H v. Birdman: 3-3 Best Matchup in Finals: LeSean McCoy @NE Worst Matchup in Finals: Robby Anderson v LAC As Billy said himself, 'The monkey is off my back.' That might be so, but now a giant Chicagoan gorilla is climbing up the Willis Tower trying to take Billy's Brown Jacket. Can Billy shoot him down and claim what has felt is rightfully his since the Militant Left ascended to #1 in the Power Rankings all those weeks ago? Billy would be wise to think positive thoughts of his brother Andrew's 2016 season in which the Seals won the Brown Jacket instead of Andrew's 2007 season, in which he lost in the Finals... to Birdman.
Quick rundown of Billy's possible lineup:
QB: Russell Wilson (@DAL) will need more firepower than what he mustered in week 15. RB1: The Real McCoy (@NE) must remain real good, anything < 100+ yards in Foxboro is a disappointment. RB2: Lamar Miller (v PIT)? He hasn't run for more than 61 yards since week 5. (RB2 is also a weakness for Birdman). WR1: Michael Crabtree (@PHI), he Crab-walked on a Monday Night to a 2012 DelFL Championship (Commissioner over Bo). Crabtree again plays on Monday night. Billy, much to Abby's chagrin, will hope to be on all fours crab walking around the Christmas tree. WR2: Robby Anderson (v LAC)? He has not played well in the playoffs & has a tough matchup against LAC. Decisions, decisions. WR3: Rishard Matthews (v LAR)? Matthews had a big game in week 15, but has been hot/cold all year. Good news is Matthew Berry is down on him this week. TE: Travis Kelce (v MIA), no question marks here. Kelce has been one of the Militant Left's sturdiest performers of the year. A big game in Arrowhead would go a long way. D/ST: Ravens D/ST (v IND), very juicy indeed. This easily could be Billy's top scorer (again). K: Ryan Succop (v LAR)? Can someone explain why Billy has two kickers?
v. #2 Team Birdman Owner: Tyler Birchmeier 2017 Season: 11-3 2017 PPG: 432 Playoffs: 4-4 Championships: 1 H2H v. Billy: 3-3 Best Matchup in Finals: Greg Olsen v TB Worst Matchup in Finals: Samaje Perine v DEN
Slow and steady wins the race. Nothing flashy, Birdman has planned his path to the finals meticulously. But Birdman can't stay under the radar anymore. The spotlight is on, and he has to keep those feathers from fraying. Boner described Birdman's winning methodology in other terms, "what he does in fantasy is what he does with girls. He spends months and months building a foundation. Vacuous & tedious text messages and phone calls week by week. Then, months later, he will finally seal the deal (only once) and subsequently drop all communication. This season has been such a classic Birdman." I cannot verify Boner's analogy, but Birdman certainly has been making savvy moves all year that have led him to this moment. He might be the #2 seed, but he is not the underdog here. Can he seal the deal?
Quick rundown of Birdman's lineup:
QB: Drew Brees (v ATL), the Falcons secondary is shaky, but Brees has had only a modest year. Birdman is hoping for a shootout in the Superdome. RB1: Alvin Kamara (v ATL), one of the main reasons Birdman is where he is. The rookie has been electrifying, but can he handle DelFL Finals pressure? RB2: Samaje Perine (v DEN)? The weakest talon in the Birdman claw. Bird is just looking for more production than Lamar Miller (and James White) WR1: AJ Green (v DET), Xavier Rhodes to Darius Slay. Touch matchups has put Green in a slump. Birdman needs him to be his regular Pro Bowl self. WR2: Tyreke Hill (v MIA), had only 6 yards receiving in 2nd half. Chiefs might put it on early against the Dolphins, Bird better hope some go to Hill before it becomes the Hunt show in the 2nd half. WR3: Corey Coleman (@CHI)? The first away game on the roster (or does Bird go with Sammy Watkins?). If it's Corey, Bird needs Kizer So-so to sling it his way. TE: Greg Olsen (v TB), is back! Both teams have top TEs (lesson for DelFL next year?), the Finals might be a question of which TE has the better day. D/ST: Steelers (@HOU), are hoping Macho Man Tommy Savage ins't so macho on Christmas Day. K: Justin Tucker (v IND), the best kicker in the game looks to make it 2 straight DelFL Championships (another lesson for DelFL next year?).
