Round 1 Recap:
There weren't many upsets, but a few of the games went down to the wire in the first round of the BBB #16 playoffs.
West:
#1 Las Vegas vs. #8 Texas-
Texas hung with Las Vegas for most of the first half, but the constant punishment of Las Vegas's offense was too much for the Teabaggers as their season came to an end today. Las Vegas opened the game with a 56 yard TD drive capped by a 21 yard pass to Chris Henry, who joked Whitie Robbins on a cut inside. After an INT by Todd Marinovich of Las Vegas, Texas used the short field to drive inside the 3, but was stopped by Las Vegas and had to settle for a FG. Texas then took a long drive behind Dan Pastorini, who went 10/12 on the drive, but it also ended short and the Teabaggers had to settle for a FG. Las Vegas answered by driving the ball down the field inside the 5, but Texas's defense had several key stops before holding Las Vegas to a FG, keeping the game within reach at 10-6. Las Vegas continued its offense display by taking its next drive 63 yards for another TD. Texas never recovered. In the second half, they were unable to penetrate deep into the Las Vegas defense, only getting to the 28. The two teams traded a few field goals in the second half, but Las Vegas kept Texas from getting anything more.
#2 EZ vs. # 7 New Jersey
EZ rolled again over the Nighthawks in a game that was slow to start, but picked up fast. EZ's defense punished New Jersey QB Shaquille "The Diesel" O'Neal with 4 INTs in the first quarter alone. However, EZ struggled to do anything with the ball, throwing an INT of their own early in the game. They finally managed to score in the second quarter on a 3 yard pass from Boomer Baker to Markanis Stevens to go ahead 7-0. EZ continued to dominate the second quarter forcing two more interceptions and scored 10 more points to take a 17-0 lead at halftime. The Nighthawks continued to struggle further, throwing a total of 9 interceptions. EZ rolled 30-0 in the end, and New Jersey's hopes to move back to A #8 will have to wait until next year.
#3 Minnesota vs. #6 Fresno
In a classic defensive struggle, the two teams both failed to put it in the end zone, but Fresno was able to kick more to take the win. Minnesota managed to move the ball down the field to take the 3-0 early, but failed to score the rest of the game as Fresno took over and prevented them from even moving past Fresno's 41 the rest of the game. Fresno managed to do a little better, and capitalized on a short field after a punt was fumbled by Minnesota and took the lead at 6-3.
#4 SNK vs. #5 Tallahassee
This game was dominated start to finish by SNK. After a quiet first quarter, SNK went wild scoring 24 points in the second quarter. Tallahassee has been unable to do anything on offense and struggled to move the ball. Minato Uzumaki lead the way with 3 TDs for SNK. Tallahassee looks to regroup next season.
East:
#1 Crimson vs. #8 Indianapolis
Crimson walked away with this game by humiliating the rush 68-6 in a game that was over in the first quarter. Crimson scored 7 TDs on offense and 1 on defense in this blowout. Indy's Zach Emerson threw 5 INTs in a game where he struggled tremendously. Can anyone stop Crimson?
#2 Naperville vs. #7 Milwaukee
Naperville and Milwaukee had already played a close game earlier this year, and Milwaukee wanted revenge. It will have to wait until next season. Naperville opened the game up with a drive that ended in a field goal to lead 3-0. Milwaukee struggled in their opening possession, but their defense tried to turn the game around by forcing a fumble on Naperville's next possession. Milwaukee drove into field goal range, but was pushed out by a gamechanging sack by Major_ Chaos. The defenses dominated the next drives, but Milwaukee was finally able to get something going and capped a 58 yard drive with a touchdown by Malcolm Jane. Naperville must have heard something at halftime, because they came out pumped up. The opening play of the Beermen's first drive was intercepted, leaving Naperville with a short field. Naperville had a scare with a fumble inside the 15, but recovered and managed to close the lead to 1 with a FG. Milwaukee answered with a drive of their own, getting to the 11, but stalling and settling for a FG. Naperville took their next drive down and put up another FG, putting the game back within 1. Naperville's D came out strong, stopped Milwaukee again, allowing Naperville to go ahead with a FG early in the 4th. Milwaukee drove the down to the Naperville 32, but was intercepted by TooFast ForYou_, preventing them from making the potential game winning field goal. Milwaukee had a final chance with 2:25 left, but it ended like the last drive- an interception by Naperville.
#3 Columbus vs. #6 New Orleans
Columbus never trailed in the game, but New Orleans certainly made a few Woodys fans sweat it out in a close game fought until the end. Columbus opened the game driving well, but threw an early interception by INT leading QB Brett Lindberg. However, the Woody defense came through and gave the offense the ball back quickly. Columbus drove down the field and managed to kick a career high 55 yard FG for Kick DaBrick. Columbus's defense once again proved stout, preventing New Orleans from moving the ball much. It answered with its own interception in the first quarter, which lead a wild sequence. After driving the ball inside the 30, Brett Lindberg threw another INT for Columbus. However, the next play was an INT by New Orleans's Ryan Hollister to Franchise Burrell who took it to the house to take the 10-0 lead. Both teams continued to struggle until New Orleans took the ball down to make a 44 yard FG to bring the game within 7. The struggles for Columbus started as Marvin Washington fumbled, followed by an INT by Brett Lindberg on consecutive drives. New Orleans struggled with another INT, but Columbus was unable to capitalize. Using the short field, New Orleans scored another FG, bringing the game within 4. The two teams traded FGs in the second half, bringing the score to 13-9. The game then featured another set of back-to-back turnovers by both teams, including the second of the game by Marvin Washington. The Columbus defense was able to control the damage, and finally allowed another FG by Kick DaBrick to put the game out of reach at 16-9. In a surprising development, Woodys RB Marvin Washington announced his retirement following the season. "I can't stop fumbling! I might as well just quit." Marvin was heard saying as he returned to the locker room.
#4 St. Louis vs. #5 New York
St. Louis proved their season was no fluke with a dominating performance over New York. New York jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but struggled on offense to keep up with St. Louis the rest of the game. St. Louis answered with an INT and used the short field to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. A similar INT in the second quarter left St. Louis with a short field and allowed them to score another TD and take a 14-3 lead. St. Louis continued its offensive dominance, marching down and scoring a third TD before halftime. New York never threatened again and St. Louis added a cushion to their lead as they move on to try to stop Crimson next week.
Conference Semifinal Games:
#1 Las Vegas vs. #4 SNK
Las Vegas was 15 seconds away from losing against SNK earlier in the year, but pulled a miracle with a 34 yard pass and a TD to go ahead. SNK looks to avenge this loss. Las Vegas better have the upset alert ready for this game.
Prediction: SNK 22, Las Vegas 19.
#2 EZ vs #6 Fresno
Fresno faces a tough task to stop EZ, but also gave them an early scare and hopes to improve on their first meeting. EZ has been playing great lately and will be tough to stop.
Prediction: EZ 30, Fresno 13
#1 Crimson vs. #4 St. Louis
St. Louis has played great lately, but has the unfortunate task of trying to knock off Crimson. Don't expect it to happen this week.
Prediction: Crimson 30, St. Louis 3.
#2 Naperville vs. #3 Columbus
Naperville and Columbus have played 3 times in the past two seasons, and Naperville has won every game. However, it hasn't been easy for Naperville. Expect a close, low-scoring game.
Prediction: Columbus 15, Naperville 14.
I can't go against my own team here!
