Over the past few years matchup analysis has given way to our weekly "Power Rankings"; which is nothing more than another medium for us to trash one another. Power Rankings assuredly have their place (who doesn't love a ranked list?!) but it might be time to retire those rankings for the time being.
In any case this week I'm going to take a look at our two Round 1 - Playoff Matchups.
Best of luck to all these teams:
#3 Jesse (7-5) --vs-- #6 Mike (6-6)
Projections aren't perfect, not even close, but they can be an interesting data point heading into a matchup. Mike is currently favored by a VERY slime 3.5 points with just a few hour to go before TNF kicks off.
Some of Mike's biggest contributors are matched up against top defenses this week. Mark Ingram faces Carolina, Fitz takes on the Rams, Gronk heads to Buffalo, and Dalton/Green play host to the Steelers on MNF. One matchup very much in Mike's favor, Leonard Fournette against the Colts. The last time these two teams met Fournette was suspended for skipping out on the team photo. Even without their top offensive weapon the Jags smacked the Colts for 177 yards on the ground.
Russel Wilson and Carson Wentz are the top two fantasy scoring QBs this season; and while they face off this Sunday night, Jesse will rooting for both to have big games. Poor scores from Wilson and / or Wentz would spell doom for Jesse, while good scores would put the heat on Mike's Dalton/Green combo to perform on MNF. Also, look out for Mixon to possibly play spoiler to any offense Dalton and Green can generate.
My Pick: Mike struggles to put up a respectable point total after Winston leaves ANOTHER game early and Dalton/Green are unable to get anything going against the rival Steelers. Jesse wins easily.
#4 Dave (7-5) --vs-- #5 Eric (7-5)
Again, projections aren't perfect, not even close, but holy hell I've never seen a matchup THIS close! Eric is currently favored by one tenth of a point! We'll be telling our grand kids about this great moment in Fantasy Football history.
No team benefited more from scheduling luck than Eric, who out performed his expected record by 2 games. To keep this hot streak going, Eric will continue to lean on Cousins and Bell, and pray his opponent has a bad week. It appears Eric will roll with the struggling Dak Prescott over the red hot Case Keenum (bold move cotton gif). Well find out if this strategy pays off tonight as Dak and Cousins face off on TNF. This matchup could be over before we even get to Sunday.
Aside from a tough matchup for Brees against the Panthers and Kareem Hunts free fall from fantasy glory, Dave has little to be worried about this week. Mike Evans, Isaiah Crowell, and Phil Rivers all have great matchups and McCaffery looks to be at full health for Sunday.
My Pick: Eric's luck runs out after Dak lays another egg and Sanu / Evan Engram combine for 14 points. Dave's team manages a respectable number of points and wins easily.