The Players

"Wild Card Week" Fantasy Football report by Gridiron Guru.

WIld Card match-ups pit familar foes

-EAST-

#2 Brew Crew (8-5) vs. #3 FU (7-6)

-This will be the ninth meeting between these teams, but the first in post-season play. These teams last faced in week 9. Brew Crew swept the season series and has won the past four meetings dating back to the 2005 season. This playoff match-up pits the league's two highest-scoring teams against each other. Many of those points have been generated from the two Quarterbacks. Tom Brady & Derek Anderson have had steller years and will need big games here as well. FU salvaged a winning record, by ending its regular season with a win and snapping a 4 game losing streak. Still the team will need someone other than Brady, to pull off the upset here. The possible returns of RBs Brandon Jacobs & Shawn Alexander should help a struggling running game. With WR Larry Fitzgerald banged up, Crew will look for a big game from T.J Houshmanzdeh, who was acquired in a trade between these teams prior to the trade deadline. The winner of this game will advance to the Conference finals to face division winner, "I Don't Care." (All-times series: Brew Crew leads 6-2). Prediction: Brew Crew 81-76.

-WEST-

#2 Upbeat Tempo (8-5) vs. #3 Juggernauts (6-7)

Is 3rd time the charm?

The Juggernauts have to be asking that question as the team enters its third straight postseason in search of that elusive 1st playoff victory. This has been a streaky series, as Juggernauts won both meetings last year and Tempo won both games this season after winning a shoot-out in the regular season finale. This wild card game also has the makings to be high-scoring. The marque match-up pits Star RB LaDanian Tomlinson against rookie sensation, Adrian Peterson. But it could be the battle of #2 backs (Justin Fargas vs. Ryan Grant) that tips this game in one direction. Both Quarterbacks (Drew Brees & Tony Romo) come into this playoff game red-hot. Both teams come in with questions at wide-out & tight end so it will likely be the strong running games that will dictate the outcome of this one. Three of the past four meetings have been close between these teams. Juggernauts became only the second team to make the playoffs with a losing record ("Pot" was the other in 2005). That other team went on to lose in the Fantasy Bowl. The winner of this game will advance to the Conference finals to face ThunderPumpers next week. (All-time series: even at 2-2). Prediction: Juggernauts finally win one 104-89.

Consolation Bowl 1st round:

Boozemeisters vs. Gieslers (Meisters by 17)

Sammy's Boyz vs. Team Dysfunction (Dysfunction by 9)