8. Bali Insurrection (8-8) at 1. Saigon Whores (15-1)
Previous meeting: Saigon 16, Bali 13 (Week 14)
Overview: The Whores won six straight to finish the season after suffering their only loss at the hands of Portland. Bali, on the other hand, finished the season with three losses in the final four games. In their previous matchup, Saigon dominated the line of scrimmage and won the important yardage and time of possession battles, but were nearly undone by a couple of costly fumbles. And the only touchdown the team scored came on a kickoff return, not by the team's offense.
Outlook: Expect to see more domination of the line by Saigon, more yardage and a strong time of possession advantage. If the Whores can avoid the first round turnover bug, this should end up being a comfortable win. Bali, on the other hand, needs to make the most of any opportunities and stop Saigon from dominating on special teams.
Prediction: Saigon 27, Bali 6
7. Portland Dirty Penguins (8-8) at 2. NBA Jam (15-1)
Previous meeting: Jam 68, PDP 13 (Week 12)
Overview: Aside from a two-point loss to Saigon at midseason, the Jam didn't play in a single close game all year. In fact, the next-closest game the Jam played was a 28-point win over Thai. The Penguins struggled at the end of the season, nearly falling out of the playoff picture after four straight losses before a strong rally to close the year and move back up to the No. 7 slot with a dominant win over Bali. But let's be honest: after a 55-point loss to the Jam just a few weeks ago, it's hard to give PDP much hope in winning this game.
Outlook: The Jam dominated the game against PDP in Week 12 -- notching a 15-minute advantage in time of possession, racking up nearly three times as many yards and forcing three turnovers. To have any hope, PDP needs to find a way to contain OT Amoral Lexicon (35 pancakes in the first meeting), win the turnover battle and make the most of any opportunities on special teams. Even then, it might not be enough.
Prediction: Jam 51, PDP 17
6. Thai Fighters (11-5) at Palembang Drunken Monks (13-3)
Previous meeting: Monks 30, Thai 24 (Week 8)
Overview: The Monks got off to a 10-0 start, but only two of those wins came against future playoff teams. The final six games were a much tougher stretch in which Palembang went 3-3 in losses that included a 70-point defeat by Saigon and a 100-point defeat by the Jam. The Fighters finished the season with 8 straight wins in a mirror reflection of Palembang's season -- only one of those wins came against a playoff team. But in the early season, Thai notched the best performance this season against the Jam (other than Saigon's win), fell to Saigon by only six points, and held its own against Palembang.
Outlook: In their previous meeting, despite winning a large share of the battle on the line of scrimmage, the Monks were actually beaten in time of possession by 10 minutes and held to 170 fewer yards than Thai. But five Thai turnovers and a pair of big play TD passes to Monks' WR Erin Kline were the undoing for the Fighters. But if Palembang hopes to win again in the second meeting, they'll need to rely less on big plays and more on consistency. Thai will need to limit its mistakes on both sides of the ball and force Palembang to put together longer, sustained drives.
Prediction: Thai 27, Palembang 24
5. Tibet Psychonauts (11-5) at 4. Shadow Lake Snakeheads (12-4)
Previous meeting: Shadow Lake 17, Tibet 3
Overview: Shadow Lake has relied on its defense all season long, allowing 21 or fewer points in 13 of its 16 games. The Snakeheads were 12-1 in those 13 games. But a pair of losses to end the regular season, including a 69-point stomping by the Jam in Week 16, overshadow just how good Shadow Lake has been at times this season. Tibet is built in the same mold as Shadow Lake, a defense-heavy squad that relies less on big plays and more on consistent play.
Outlook: In their previous meeting, Shadow Lake stopped the Tibet offense in its tracks, dominating the time of possession by nearly 20 minutes and racking up more than twice as many yards. The Snakeheads pounded the ball on the ground to its advantage, putting together several clock-eating long drives and wearing down the Psychonauts' strong defensive front. To win in the rematch, Shadow Lake will need to do more of the same. Tibet, on the other hand, will have to find a way to out-Snakehead the Snakeheads.
Prediction: Shadow Lake 13, Tibet 9
Previous meeting: Saigon 16, Bali 13 (Week 14)
Overview: The Whores won six straight to finish the season after suffering their only loss at the hands of Portland. Bali, on the other hand, finished the season with three losses in the final four games. In their previous matchup, Saigon dominated the line of scrimmage and won the important yardage and time of possession battles, but were nearly undone by a couple of costly fumbles. And the only touchdown the team scored came on a kickoff return, not by the team's offense.
Outlook: Expect to see more domination of the line by Saigon, more yardage and a strong time of possession advantage. If the Whores can avoid the first round turnover bug, this should end up being a comfortable win. Bali, on the other hand, needs to make the most of any opportunities and stop Saigon from dominating on special teams.
Prediction: Saigon 27, Bali 6
7. Portland Dirty Penguins (8-8) at 2. NBA Jam (15-1)
Previous meeting: Jam 68, PDP 13 (Week 12)
Overview: Aside from a two-point loss to Saigon at midseason, the Jam didn't play in a single close game all year. In fact, the next-closest game the Jam played was a 28-point win over Thai. The Penguins struggled at the end of the season, nearly falling out of the playoff picture after four straight losses before a strong rally to close the year and move back up to the No. 7 slot with a dominant win over Bali. But let's be honest: after a 55-point loss to the Jam just a few weeks ago, it's hard to give PDP much hope in winning this game.
Outlook: The Jam dominated the game against PDP in Week 12 -- notching a 15-minute advantage in time of possession, racking up nearly three times as many yards and forcing three turnovers. To have any hope, PDP needs to find a way to contain OT Amoral Lexicon (35 pancakes in the first meeting), win the turnover battle and make the most of any opportunities on special teams. Even then, it might not be enough.
Prediction: Jam 51, PDP 17
6. Thai Fighters (11-5) at Palembang Drunken Monks (13-3)
Previous meeting: Monks 30, Thai 24 (Week 8)
Overview: The Monks got off to a 10-0 start, but only two of those wins came against future playoff teams. The final six games were a much tougher stretch in which Palembang went 3-3 in losses that included a 70-point defeat by Saigon and a 100-point defeat by the Jam. The Fighters finished the season with 8 straight wins in a mirror reflection of Palembang's season -- only one of those wins came against a playoff team. But in the early season, Thai notched the best performance this season against the Jam (other than Saigon's win), fell to Saigon by only six points, and held its own against Palembang.
Outlook: In their previous meeting, despite winning a large share of the battle on the line of scrimmage, the Monks were actually beaten in time of possession by 10 minutes and held to 170 fewer yards than Thai. But five Thai turnovers and a pair of big play TD passes to Monks' WR Erin Kline were the undoing for the Fighters. But if Palembang hopes to win again in the second meeting, they'll need to rely less on big plays and more on consistency. Thai will need to limit its mistakes on both sides of the ball and force Palembang to put together longer, sustained drives.
Prediction: Thai 27, Palembang 24
5. Tibet Psychonauts (11-5) at 4. Shadow Lake Snakeheads (12-4)
Previous meeting: Shadow Lake 17, Tibet 3
Overview: Shadow Lake has relied on its defense all season long, allowing 21 or fewer points in 13 of its 16 games. The Snakeheads were 12-1 in those 13 games. But a pair of losses to end the regular season, including a 69-point stomping by the Jam in Week 16, overshadow just how good Shadow Lake has been at times this season. Tibet is built in the same mold as Shadow Lake, a defense-heavy squad that relies less on big plays and more on consistent play.
Outlook: In their previous meeting, Shadow Lake stopped the Tibet offense in its tracks, dominating the time of possession by nearly 20 minutes and racking up more than twice as many yards. The Snakeheads pounded the ball on the ground to its advantage, putting together several clock-eating long drives and wearing down the Psychonauts' strong defensive front. To win in the rematch, Shadow Lake will need to do more of the same. Tibet, on the other hand, will have to find a way to out-Snakehead the Snakeheads.
Prediction: Shadow Lake 13, Tibet 9
