Round 2

Trash Pandas(#4) 168.80 - Big Nix Energy(#5) 102.46

I've been saying it for a couple months now, but the 4 headed monster that Trash Pandas has at the RB position is going to cause problems. Those 4, Bijian Robinson, Travis Etienne, TreVeyon. Henderson, and Kyren Williams, were enough to win this game on their own. All 4 were over 20 points with Etienne leading the way with 30 points. They helped overcome bad games from Joe Burrow, Jayden Higgens, and Brock Bowers. Big Nix Energy didn't necessarily play a bad lineup either, they were just outmatched. Justin Jefferson is someone that you need to be able to rely on, but he's been bad(for his standard) all season. Elite receivers are supposed to make bad QB play passable, and Jettas hasn't been able to do that. Quinshon Judkins has been frustratingly inconsistent and picked a bad week to have his worst game of the season. Unfortuantely for BNE this is where their season screeches to a halt, but even an ideal lineup wouldn't have saved them, so there's that.

Powderhoundmals(#6) 105.04 - Bart Was The Best(#3) 97.22

Easily the closest matchup of the week. Starting with the losing side, its tough to single out one "bad" lineup decision. I don't think there's a manager on Earth that would sit Tet McMillan for Luther Burden and even that wouldn't have tilted this matchup in BWTB's favor. If you wanted to point out an underperformer maybe you look in the direction of San Francisco's D/ST. On paper a dream matchup, but the 49ers logged no defensive stats. Goose eggs in sacks, turnovers, and 4th down stops. Powderhoundmals escaped by the skin of their canine teeth. But like Dominic Toretto once said, "It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning's winning." The Hounds were led by Chris Olave, who is quietly having a wonderful season(current WR #8 on the year) with 17.5 points and Brandon McManus who took advantage of all 5280 feet of elevation, also finishing with 17.5 points. 

Pack Attack(#8) 136.06 - Team Cotch11(#12) 96.28

An unbelievably rough season is coming to an end for Cotch11. One more matchup to decide the draft order for 11/12 looms next week. Guys we came into the season expecting to be rockstars, such as Chuba Hubbard, have simply underperformed and were passed by their backups months ago. Evan Engram(1.7 points this week) was expected to show out with a change of scenery to Denver and that just hasn't happened. Pack Attack made the questionable decision to give Amon-Ra St. Brown the week off. Sun God went off with 34 points on the bench. For points that counted, James Cook put up 30 in a tough matchup against New England. Trey McBride continues to be one of the only bright spots for Arizona this year, finishing this week with 31.4 points. Baltimore D/ST also pitched a shutout against a spicy Bengals offense. 

Peeping Thomas(#11) 125.90 -  Pinche Bendejo(#10) 108.00

Drake Maye did his fantasy damage on the ground. The franchise QB had 2 TDs on the ground, more than making up for a just OK day through the air. Breece Hall's career in New York is fizzling, I think I speak for everyone when I say I can't wait to see him in another uniform next season. Derrick Henry had an excellent NFL game, but it only translated to 10 fantasy points. Game script did not help King Henry either. The big star of the day was Courtland Sutton, who had 20.8 points against a tough Packers D. Pinche Bendejo didn't have any huge blunders. Ladd McConkey continues to be a conondrum, this week finishing with just 3 points. Kenneth Gainwell, 16 points and Javonte Williams, 15 points, did everything they could, but it wasn't enough to push Pinche Bendejo into the next round. 

Joe Buck Yourself(#1) - Powderhoundmals(#6)

David vs Goliath? Maybe. But ultimately it doesn't matter what the pre-game says, what matters is how the players play. Sleeper projections aren't live yet, as the matchups aren't finalized until early tomorrow morning. I suspect Joe Buck Yourself will be a sizable favorite over The Hounds. 

Players to Watch:
Josh Allen(Joe Buck Yourself): Allen has a VERY tough matchup against the tough Cleveland Browns defense. I'd suspect the Bills win the game handily, but Josh Allen's uniform will not remain clean, especially with Myles Garrett closing in on the single season sack record.
Woody Marks(Joe Buck Yourself): If you can point at a weak position for the #1 seed, its RB. Marks has been decent all year, but currently has an ankle injury. The bench is deep for Joe Buck Yourself, so I doubt he's sweating this one too much.
Dallas Pass Catchers(Powderhoundmals): Pickens and Ferguson were held in check last week, and they have another tough matchup next week. Both have fared well even against bad matchups, so if I'm a betting man, they'll bounce back.
Whichever QB starts: The ongoing tale for the Hounds. Which QB gets the start? Lately its been Jordan Love, but the Packers lost Christian Watson last week and that spells trouble for J-Love. But its Toyotathon and a rivalry matchup against Chicago. Who get the start? Love or Caleb Williams?

Why They'll Win?
Joe Buck Yourself: Depth. Manager Andy has put together an incredible deep team, with options like Brock Purdy, Mike Evans, and Tyrone Tracy all on the bench last week. A starter deemed out during the week is just a speed bump at this point.
Powderhoundmals: Jonathan Taylor finding his early season form. We've all seen the gaudy numbers Taylor has put up, if he can find that form again the Powderhoundmals have a chance at the upset

The Salty Spitoon(#2) - Trash Pandas(#4)

Brother Bowl 2.0. A revenge game for Manager Sam who was recently eliminated by Commissioner Dan in a dynasty league. 

Players to Watch:
Jahmyr Gibbs(The Salty Spitoon): Gibbs was not great last week. One of his worst performances of the season thusfar. He does have a dream matchup this week though, against the battered Pittsburgh defense. If there's ever a get right week this is the one.
The Starting QB(The Salty Spitoon): Will it be Jacoby Brissett or Bo Nix? Brissett has been unbelievably consistent since taking over at the helm in Arizona. His ceiling, however, is limited. The high ceiling, lower floor, pick would be Nix. He's got 30+ ceiling games and dreadful sub 10 point floor games.
All of the RBs(Trash Pandas): They're inevitable. The odds of all 4 having bad games in one week is near zero. I truly believe worst case scenario would be 2 of them having 7-9 point games. I fully expect to see at least 60 points from the 4 of them.
Brock Bowers(Trash Pandas): Bowers is good, obviously. But he's got a tough matchup against Houston and when he's held in check he's in the 5 point range. 

Why They'll Win?
The Salty Spitoon: CeeDee Lamb and Jahmyr Gibbs perform like the elite players they are. CeeDee is coming around a bit in the last 3 weeks, whereas Gibbs was the opposite twice in the same timeframe. They'll set the tone for the fantasy week.
Trash Pandas: The Four RB Horsemen. I've harped on it over and over, but if Trash Pandas takes home the Superb Owl it will be on the backs of the RBs they have. 

Muddy Bananas(#7) - Peeping Thomas(#11)

The Battle for Hartford is back again! This time in the postseason. The winner of this matchup sets themself up well already for next year's draft, with the potential for full control if they win next week.

Players to Watch:
De'Von Achane(Muddy Bananas): The Dolphin's RB is having a great season. His floor is high, as is his ceiling. The biggest question mark may be what happens if the Dolphins make a change at QB.
Davonte Adams, or whomever replaces him(Muddy Bananas): Adams slowed down a bit the past couple weeks and picked up a hamstring injury last week. Prior to that he's lived in the endzone. If he's back and finds the endzone it could spell victory for the Bananas.
49ers Pass Catchers(Peeping Thomas): Starting Ricky Pearsall last week was a bold move that paid off, however he's injured and might miss this week. That could spell more targets for George Kittle who is still a very dangerous weapon at 32 years old.
Courtland Sutton(Peeping Thomas): Sutton is quietly having a WR1 season, currently WR #12 on the year. Sutton is Bo Nix's favorite target and had his best game of the season last week. The Broncos are still fighting for the #1 seed, so expect a full slate of targets for Sutton.

Why They'll Win?
Muddy Bananas: De'Von Achane takes advantage of a dream matchup against Cincinnati. The Bengals have been beat up most of the year, and if this turns into a shootout you've gotta expect Achane to benefit.
Peeping Thomas: The team namesake has another good game. Brian Thomas, Jr. has been rough this year. The last couple weeks have been decent, but he has a tough matchup against Denver. Trevor Lawrence has been playing well, and if he's started by Muddy Bananas the damage could be limited both ways if Thomas is a popular target.

The Bearded Clams(#8) vs Pack Attack(#9)

On paper an even match, both teams finished with similar records in the regular season. We'll see what sort of start/sit decisions come into play this week.

Players to Watch:
Kyle Pitts(The Bearded Clams): Pitts went nuclear last week(40.1 points) and unfortunately for the Clams they were off. Is that the real Kyle Pitts we've all waited to see, or was that a flash in the pan.
RBs(The Bearded Clams): Christian McCaffrey and Josh Jacobs(who is currently questionable) are a scary duo. CMC has been healthy all season and Josh Jacobs is clearly not. He's been ridden like Seabiscuit but has been living in the endzone this season.
Trey McBride(Pack Attack): McBride has been great, and will continue to do so unless the sky falls down. He has a favorable matchup against Atlanta this week, even though he's been matchup proof this season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown(Pack Attack): He'll be one to watch...if he starts. He was left on the bench last week, which was a head scratcher. One would expect to see him starting this week.

Why They'll Win?
The Bearded Clams: Elite players. CMC and Josh Jacobs are top tier players and if they both play they're a great base to work with. Jaylen Waddle isn't elite, but he's also not a schmuck. He had a bad game this week, but should be a popular target for whatever QB is under center for Miami.
Pack Attack: Starting the right QB. Pack Attack has two solid QBs, Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson. If Pack Attack picks the right one they'll be setting themselves up for success this week.