CFFL40 Playoffs Round 2 and FB XL Preview

 What a semifinal round!  Two close games!  One coming down to a final kick!

Krauts 43  Cheislers 40

It didn't look good for the Chislers most of the game.  The Krauts came rumbling down the streets in their Panzer tanks and blitzkrieged the Chislers.  Mahomes had 10 points followed by 12 big points from Bijian Robinson.  In fact almost all of his players scored, getting TDs from Adams and Williams.  Before you knew it, it was 43-18. 

But not to fear, the Chislers had Superman Josh Allen.  The past two weeks Allen scored 20, 30, and 20 points!  However this week he would struggle getting only 4 points.  However one of his passes went to James Cook for a big sideways 10-point connection!  Smith-Njigba would score late and suddenly they were only down 4 points!  Could Allen throw one more?  He heaved it into the end zone, but the receiver dropped the potential game winning score.  

The Chislers quest for Number 8 will have to wait another year.  The Krauts move on to play in their 4th Fantasy Bowl and looking to go 4-0 in the title game.

Animals 32  Warbirds 31

The Warbirds started out pretty strong getting 12 points from Joe Burrow plus a TD from Brian Thomas Jr.  The Animals countered with 10 points from Kyler Murray and a TD from "Flying" St. Brown.  But after a 50 yard TD run by Achane and 7 points from their kicker Carlson (he also missed a FG) the Warbirds led 31-22.  

The Animals were not dead yet with "A, B,"CeeDee Lamb left Sunday night and their kicker Monday night.  CeeDee Lamb caught a bomb and appeared to score, but was actually down just short.  The remainder of the game Lamb would not find the end zone.  So the Warbirds still held onto the 9 point lead.  Animals kicker Brandon McManus started kicking XPs.  One, two, three. Then a FG.  Score was now 31-28.  It was squeaky bum time for the Warbirds.  Then late in the 4th McManus kicked a 46 yarder to tie the game!  Then with just over two minutes left he would kick the game winning XP!  

With the Animals making it to the Fantasy Bowl, both top seeds will face off in Fantasy Bowl XL.  This is the Animals 4th trip to the Fantasy Bowl as well, looking to earn their 3rd title.  

1st Round Pick Tourney:

Crush 25  Wrecking Crew 22

Legion 42  Sinistars 21

Crush play Legion for the Number 1 pick in next years draft.

Fantasy Bowl XL

So here we are.  The 40th Fantasy Bowl in history of the Cherry Fantasy Football League.  The Animals will fly to Berlin to take on the top seeded Krauts.

Past Fantasy Bowls:

Fantasy Bowl I:  Crickets 34 Scumbags 11

Fantasy Bowl II:  Stooges 17  Maulers 9

Fantasy Bowl III: Jewels 35  Bums 29

Fantasy Bowl IV: Astronomicals 40  Jewels 17

Fantasy Bowl V:  Mooches 38  Maulers 27

Fantasy Bowl VI: Mooches 14 Twins 2

Fantasy Bowl VII: Wrecking Crew 32  Jewels 16

Fantasy Bowl VIII: Jewels 36  Whammers 23

Fantasy Bowl IX:  Maulers 42  Power 40

Fantasy Bowl X: Geriatrics 26  Mooches 16

Fantasy Bowl XI:  Chislers 42 Twins 29

Fantasy Bowl XII:  Bombers 34  Twins 20

Fantasy Bowl XIII: Twins 17  Apes 7

Fantasy Bowl XIV: Maulers 43  Chislers 27

Fantasy Bowl XV: Power 31  Chislers 26

Fantasy Bowl XVI: Power 45  Twins 34

Fantasy Bowl XVII: Crickets 26  Bums 12

Fantasy Bowl XVIII: Bees 24  Chislers 23

Fantasy Bowl  XVIV: Wrecking Crew 36  Chislers 33

Fantasy Bowl XX:  Mafia 28 Crickets 27

Fantasy Bowl XXI: Chislers 41  Strikers 26

Fantasy Bowl XXII: Crush 41 Wrecking Crew 37

Fantasy Bowl XXIII: Krauts 38  Ferrets 28

Fantasy Bowl XXIV: Yard Dogs 32  Chislers 30

Fantasy Bowl XXV: Krauts 38  Wrecking Crew 23

Fantasy Bowl XXVI: Mayhem 22 Mafia 19

Fantasy Bowl XXVII: Chislers 55  Wrecking Crew 39

Fantasy Bowl XXVIII: Chislers 32 Bees 25

Fantasy Bowl XXIX:  Wrecking Crew 35  Bums 23

Fantasy Bowl XXX:  Chislers 30  Crush 13

Fantasy Bowl XXXI: Crush 28  Juggernauts 26

Fantasy Bowl XXXII: Mayhem 46 Mafia 42

Fantasy Bowl XXXIII: Animals 28  Killers 21

Fantasy Bowl XXXIV: Chislers 46 Cocktails 31

Fantasy Bowl XXXV: Sinistars 34  Cocktails 18

Fantasy Bowl XXXVI: Chislers 69  Dragons 28

Fantasy Bowl XXXVII: Krauts 51  Animals 22

Fantasy Bowl XXXVIII: Whales 39  Crush 23

Fantasy Bowl XXXIX: Animals 58  Sinistars 32

Fantasy Bowl XL Preview:  Alex's Animals (-4) at Kretz Krauts

Weather shouldn't be a factor in Berlin for Fantasy Bowl XL with temperatures in the low 40s with little chance of precipitation.   So let's take a look at this match up.

QB:  Animals' Kyler Murray vs. Krauts' Patrick Mahomes.

Clearly the advantage goes to the Krauts Mahomes.  Murray can certain put up comparable points, but you can't go against Mahomes.

Advantage: Krauts

RB:  Animals' Joe Mixon and Tyrone Tracy vs. Krauts' Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson.

Pretty good match up between RBs here.  Mixon has 72 points on the year, but has only 1 score in the past 5 weeks.  Tracy has been a surprise getting 3 scores in past 4 weeks.  Henry similar to Mixon as he has 90 points but hasn't scored a TD since week 11.  Robinson has been lighting it up though for the Krauts.

Advantage: Krauts

WR:  Animals' Lamb, St. Brown, and Andrews vs. Krauts' Adams, Williams and Worthy.

Another close one.  Veterans Lamb and Adams pretty much a wash.  Then you have St. Brown and Williams both for the Lions.  Both pretty even.  Andrews has scored in 4 straight games.  Worthy is a dangerous 10 point connection.

Advantage:  Even

Special Teams and Defense:  Animals' McManus and Bengals vs. Krauts' Butker and 49ers.

Another hard call here.  McManus was the hero for the Animals last week.  Butker is back from being on IR and Christmas could be a big day for the Krauts with the Chiefs playing...

Prediction:  I would take the points and the Krauts.  Krauts could win outright in a tough match up of top seeds in Fantasy Bowl XL!  Krauts 38 Animals 36

Merry Christmas!!