CFFL 2021 Playoffs and FB XXXVII Preview

 The semi-final round of the CFFL playoffs were not exactly very exciting, as each game wasn't really close.  We do have a match up of prior Fantasy Bowl Champions and another chance for a Cherry to hoist the CFFL Fantasy Bowl Trophy...

Here is how the games finished up...

Animals 41  Sinistars 25 - At a cold and windy day at Orchard Park, NY the Animals managed to defeat the Sinistars by 16 points!  The Sinistars did have a lead to start the game, and at one point it looked like they might pull it off, but Animals Tee "Mrs Sue" Higgins put an end to that with 2 scores.  They also went with Jalen Hurts and he had 8 points versus Sinistars' Carr's 4.  Defense was huge but not needed.  With a 29-25 lead the Animals would get 12 more from their Dallas D on Sunday Night.

Higgins hauls in 2 TDs for the Animals

 The Sinistars may finally rethink their philosophy on QBs as has been mentioned in this blog several times.  They never really could settle on a solid QB and finished the year with Carr and Mac Jones.  I did like their RB by committee Broncos.  But their year comes to an end and the Animals move on to play in only their 2nd Fantasy Bowl since entering the league in 1999.

Carr finishes season one game short

Krauts 44  Whales 29 - On a snowy night in Berlin, the Krauts were victorious defeating the Whales and moving onto the their 3rd Fantasy Bowl since entering the league in 2002.  With the Whales getting Hill and Antonio Brown back, plus Mahomes and McLaurin it would appear the Krauts might be in trouble.  Rodgers would get things started on Christmas day with a 12 point day.  Mahomes would match that 12 points, but didn't get that 10 point connection to Hill.  The Krauts then just hit on all cylinders. Montgomery scored.  A.J. Brown was back and scored.  Andrews scored.  Schultz scored.  When the dust finally settled the Whales were harpooned.  

Rodgers and a 12 point Christmas Day for Krauts

The Whales orchestrated a first ever draft day trade to get Tyreek Hill and for the most part it worked out and it won more than a few games throughout the season.  Mahomes, while definitely not a weak point, had a moment mid season that slumped a bit, but showed up for the playoffs. If there was a weak link with this team it was the RBs with Hunt the anchor, he was injured throughout the season and the Whales never really found a solid duo.  Whales will be back...

Fantasy Bowl XXXVII Preview

Kretz Krauts at Alex Animals

The stage is set for the 37th edition of the CFFL Fantasy Bowl!  It will be played in Orchard Park, New
York at Highmark Stadium as the Alex Animals from the North welcome the Kretz Krauts all the way from Berlin, Germany.  This international showdown will pit two teams that have undefeated records in the Fantasy Bowl.  The Animals defeated the Killers in FB XXXIII 28-21 in their only trip to the Fantasy Bowl.  The Krauts are 2-0 in Fantasy Bowls defeating the Ferrets 38-28 in FB XXIII and the Wrecking Crew 38-23 in FB XXV.  If this is any indication that the Krauts are North killers than the Animals might be in trouble.  

Quarterbacks - Rodgers vs. Hurts

Clearly the advantage here goes to the Krauts.  Rodgers, even with his Sgt. Hulka Toe issues can easily score double digits and gets a revenge game against the Vikings.  Hurts can surprise sometimes with his legs.

Advantage Krauts

Kraut General Rodgers

Running Backs - Montgomery/ Penny vs. Chubb

With the injury to Robinson for the Animals, this puts the team with just one back playing.  Now that one player is one of the best RBs in the league in Chubb "Chubb, Chubb".  Montgomery scored last week and Penny has scored 3 times in past 3 weeks.  Now Penny is playing the Lions, but I'm not making that mistake again and saying that should be easy (see Crew Round 1 Cards vs Lions). Even short handed Animals might have slight edge

Advantage:  EVEN

Chubb will be key to an Animal victory

Wide Receivers - Brown/Andrews/Schultz vs. Higgins/Gronk/Henry/Waller?Moore?St. Brown "Eye"?

Krauts having A.J. Brown back certainly helps.  Will Waller be back for the Animals?  Can Andrews and Schultz keep up their recent production?  Higgins is definitely the best of this group but will be facing the Chiefs in a let down spot for the Bengals.  Slight advantage goes to the Krauts with A.J. Brown back.

Advantage:  Krauts

Brown is Back

Kickers - Prater vs. Folk

Prater has been a head case lately and missed field goals and XPs last week.  Folk will be playing the Jags.  Enough said!

Advantage: Animals

Nick "The Dick" Folk

Defense/ST - Vikings vs Cowboys

Vikings will be playing the Packers, while the Cowboys will be playing the Cards and have ball hawk Diggs.  

Advantage: Animals

Can Cowboys score twice again?

Outlook:  Sunday night has Vikings/Packers, meaning the Animals will be hoping for a big lead before that game.  However, Monday night has Browns/Steelers giving the Animals a last chance for the victory with their best player on the team, Nick Chubb.  Chubb may need a 12 point game to pull this win off.  Krauts to get their 3rd title and move into a tie for second place with the Crew in championships with 3. 

Prediction:  Krauts 39 Animals 36   

Happy New Year everyone!!!