Playoff Week 1 Recap

That was fun - the games with stakes were very exciting. Let’s break it down

Battle on the Rock

The first matchup, featuring #3 Erik vs #2 Ryan was a surprising blowout. Erik’s team of misfit toys were led by Travis Etienne and Courtland Sutton. I don’t think I had Broncos and Jaguars leading the way on my bingo card. Jalen Hurts tush-pushed his way to almost 24 points in a blowout against the Raiders and the rest was generally…fine. Meanwhile, Ryan had equally good performances from JT and his collection of down-ballot randos. The difference? Lamar and JJettas were utter disappointments.

The second matchup was #1 Samantha vs #4 Blythe. It was definitely the more exciting of the two matchups. Samantha saw decent performances across the board - the scores were good for players not named CMC. Breece Hall ran into the sudden juggernaut that is the Jaguars and Mahomes pulled a Peter Griffin.

On the other side - it was all TLaw. He went full Herbal Essences and ended with 45 points. Combined with Bijan, Dike, and some table scraps - that was enough to get the W.

That sets up the Battle for the Rock - Blythe is after her first title since 2017 (second overall), and Erik wants an undisputed, unasterisked ring. Blythe won the regular season matchup by over 20 points and the early money is headed her way. Blythe has the stars, but with some terrible matchups (Denver, Houston, Carolina, and Kansas City defenses are NO JOKE) while Erik’s no-name brigade is slightly better off. Keys to the game? Trevor Lawrence. Can he overcome Erik’s Broncos defense - if so, TDs will be worth more. If Denver clamps the Jags - Erik wins.

Prediction: Jacksonville does just enough and Bijan makes the difference: Blythe by a TD

Bottom of the Barrel in Bend

On the other end of the bracket - both Jon and Shannon threw down. Shannon had the highest score of the week (165) while Jon put up 138.1 (just behind Blythe’s 138.7). For Shannon, that’s her best by 40 points, while that’s Jon’s best score since his Week 3 game against…Shannon. Unexpected? Yes. JB and Julian put up solid numbers…but it just wasn’t enough. Survive and advance.

The Bend boys are goign to duke it out in a rematch of Week 11. That game didn’t go super well for either team - Julian scratched out a 99 - 93 victory. JB’s an 11-point favorite - but I don’t really know if there’s any truth to those numbers. JB has a meme for a QB, an MVP candididate for his WR, and running backs playing teams counting down to vacation. Julian has the presumptive MVP at QB, a disgruntled diva at WR, and CeeDee Lamb. The x-factor is Houston vs the team cosplaying the Raiders. Geno loves taking sacks, and if the Texans take one to the house…I don’t know if JB has enough upside to handle that.

Prediction: everybody on the roster disappoints, Julian wishes he started Caleb Williams, and JB escapes with a W in a 75-80 victory

For clarity - if Julian repeats, he does not get to pick his own punishment.

Schedule Notes