The 2015 EBFL regular season is in the books, and we have the 6 teams set to compete in the Igloo Bowl play downs. It’s been another action packed season with several surprises, both in the standings and on the field. Hopefully the playoffs prove to be just as entertaining. Congrats to the Idiots, Snappers, Ballers, Chalupas, Nagintas, and Bandits for making the playoffs.
At the bottom of the standings, we have WDJFS, Stache, Boners and Rexes trying to avoid following in the Snappers footsteps as Frittata Bowl ‘winners’. This is the first Frittata Bowl for each of these teams, leaving only 4 squads that haven’t been in one yet. They can all take solace in the fact that 3 of last years participants are playoff teams this year.
Playoff Preview
Last year we had Month (Loose Bandits GM) give us his semi-biased predictions, but he’s in the show this year, so we head over to the Yobagoya division and Bobber (San Juan Bananas) to give us his Igloo Bowl predictions:
Wildcard Round
#3 Knuckle Ballers vs #6 Loose Bandits
Ballers get in as the 3 seed for winning their division, but are the first team in EBFL history to make playoffs with a record under .500 (5-8). That said, they are coming off a solid win against the Dancers in a week13 tilt that decided the champ of the Taco Corp division. One could argue that they are the underdog coming into this matchup vs the 6 seed Bandits. Three weeks ago, a chunk of the league was writing off the Bandits, and not thinking they had the legs to make the playoffs, but very solid wins against divisional foes (Chalupa’s & Nagitas) got them to their 1st ever playoff birth. I think Brady is going to be in FU mode after last week, and put up a big number for the Ballers, and that will get them into the semi’s.
#4 Long Snappers vs #5 Deadly Nagitas
Another team making their playoff debut, Snapper have built a strong team around their WR corps…perhaps learning from Rick’s very powerful WR core. These teams come in with completely different momentum…Snappers have won 3 of their last 4, while Nagitas have lost 2 in a row, and fell from division leader and #2 seed, so the #5 seed. That said, Nagitas are an incredible 6-1 outside their division. Lots of bragging rights on the line in this one, as the Snappers seem to be really upping their smack talk towards Roddy after finding out the seeding. I feel Roddy’s WR (after struggling the past couple weeks) come up bigger, and get him the win. Plus, I find it real hard to be standing behind a team with Tyrod Taylor as my QB.
Semi-Finals
#5 Deadly Nagitas vs #1 Shiano’s an Idiot
The 3rd team to make their playoff debut had the luxury of waiting until Semi-Final weekend to play, as the Idiot’s made one of the best single season turnarounds we will ever see in this league. Our kids kids may talk about the 2015-16 year when the Idiot’s went from 14 VP last year to 47 VP this year. They have 5 of the Top10 weekly high scores, they will set a league record for most points scored in a single season, and they are one win off tying Chalupa’s for most wins in a single season (13). These two teams did not play each other during the regular season, and my prediction is whoever wins this matchup will be the NEW EBFL Champion. With Shiano’s team, and the amount of quality guys on the IR, he will be back in this situation next year, but I am actually predicting the upset here, and say that Roddy and his envious group of WR get back to the EBFL finals and take down the juggernaut Idiots.
#3 Knuckle Ballers vs #2 Chalupa Batman
Last year Mo predicted a Nagitas and Ballers final…the only thing stopping me from taking the Ballers is that their defence scares me…or lack of defence is what I should say. These teams matchup pretty evenly in my opinion, offences are solid on both sides, but I have to give the edge to Chalupa and their defence, which is headed by two DPOY candidates (RJones & TSmith). Chalupa’s lost in the semi’s last year and this is their chance for redemption.
Finals
#5 Deadly Nagitas vs #2 Chalupa Batman
This will be another excellent finals, hopefully Roddy’s team doesn’t crap the bed like they did in last years finals where they only put up 136pts. The difference for me is the QB’s…Brees is at home vs the Jags, whereas Rodgers is on the road in Arizona to play the Cards. A significantly tougher matchup, and I ultimately think that is where the difference will lie. With how the league is setup, the balance is incredible, and we could very well have two new teams in the finals next year (I predict we will).
Ed. – Another season, another predicted championship for the Nagintas. It didn’t work out last year, and as much as I’d like to see it, I’m not to confident the’ll do it this year. Basically what I’m saying is you pricks need to stop picking my team to win!
Year End Award Preview
As we near the end of the season, it’s time to start seriously thinking about award winners for this year. There have been numerous outstanding performers this year, but these few names stand out up to this point. With 3 weeks to go, anything can happen. Heck, last year’s ROTY wasn’t even on the preview!
Offensive Player of the Year
Tom Brady – A pissed off Tom Brady is a fun to watch Tom Brady. The Pats have been losing guys left and right all season and he just keeps putting up numbers. He’s led the Ballers to a division title in what was supposed to be a retooling year.
Cam Newton – Cam Newton is getting NFL MVP and EBFL OPOTY consideration, hanging with Tom Brady, also despite a lack of real weapons outside of TE. Newton is finishing strong, with 3 30 point games over the last 5.
Antonio Brown – Brown has again been the key to the Chalupas season. He started hot then trailed off for about 5 weeks, but he’s been a monster over the last 4 weeks with Le’Veon Bell being unavailable to the Steelers.
DeAndre Hopkins/Julio Jones – These two have been neck and neck all season as the top receiver until recently when Brown took off. Both are likely dark horse candidates at this point, and will need a big finishing kick to get them there.
Devonta Freeman – Freeman has come out of nowhere this year to put himself in the OPOTY running. He didn’t even earn the starting spot in the Atlanta backfield, only getting a look once Tevin Coleman went down. He’s been lights out in the Falcons offense, but has slowed down in recent weeks. He’s still the top scoring runner, which will always garner some votes.
Defensive Player of the Year
JJ Watt – Watt hasn’t been as dominant as he was last year, but he still deserves consideration as the top scoring DL. Watt had a surprising 5 weeks where he scored single digits, making him no longer the absolute beast he was in 2014.
Telvin Smith – Leads all linebackers in scoring, and only has one single digit performance (by only .25). He’s helped shore up a weak Chalupa defense and put them in serious championship contention.
D’Qwell Jackson – The Colts have been terrible, and Jackson has taken advantage, putting up solid stats in the heart of their defence. If not for a 1.75 in week 9, he’s likely right with Smith.
Reshad Jones – It’s tough to seriously consider a DB for the award, but Jones has been a beast for the Chalupas forming a sick 1-2 punch with Smith.
Rookie of the Year
Jameis Winston/Marcus Mariota – The quarterbacking duo have been been solid on the season, and lead rookie scoring in straight points, but neither are currently a QB1, but they could get there with a strong finish.
Todd Gurley – Gurley started late, but tore it up for several weeks before slowing down over the past few weeks. The talent and ability is there, but will the shitty Rams offence keep him from winning the award?
Amari Cooper – Cooper has been the only rookie WR that’s been an easy start each week. That’s pretty weird to see considering how good the 2014 class was. he’s formed a solid rookie duo for the Bandits with the next candidate.
TJ Yeldon – Gurley has gotten the attention, but Yeldon has quietly put up starting calibre numbers all season, and is solid RB2 on the year as a whole.
Stephone Anthony – We’d have put Kwon Alexander here, but he’s now sitting the remainder of the year. Anthony isn’t far behind him as he sits 6th overall in rookie scoring, and is an LB1 on the season so far.
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