KLFF Playoffs: The Cream Rises

After a season of hard work, determination, sweat, decision-making, second-guessing, strategizing, politiking, conniving, searching, questioning (okay you got it), it is now down to two. Two to take the title. Two for nine months of bragging rights. Two to determine who will not feel like they have wasted countless hours for nothing. Two for the KOCHLEAGUE championship.

Apparently these rankings mean something, because 1-5 seeds scored exactly in that order this week. It was not exactly the kind of scoring we would have expected (Brady, TO, Gates, Addai, Winslow) but defense was essential for victory - a unique feature of KOCHLEAGUE. Let's check it out.

Playoffs

The playoffs did not disappoint, with a down-to-the-wire game between the Rhetoricians and KOCHTEAM. Jim jumped out to an early lead, with ten points from Brandon Marshall on Thursday night. Sunday hit, and so did the snow. The Cleveland game saw Koch struggle for only 11 points from Anderson and Edwards, along with 0 from Antonio Gates. However, the death knell for Jim came with 3 points from both TO and Lee Evans. Both defenses scored big, with Tampa's 35 and San Diego's 32. The difference really was LT, who left at half with 23 fantasy points. Addai, on the other hand, struggled with only 9 carries on the game. Favre put up a valiant effort, but it was not enough for the Rhetoricians. KOCHTEAM sweeps the season series, again capitalizing on disappointing performances from Jim's studs.

The other game also featured a sweep, with Puma Pounce beating the Cubs for the second week in a row. This looked like a slaughter for much of the day, but Ali's boys put up a good effort after Manning and AP worked through their games. Remarkably, Ernie scores 116 with only 7 points from Brady and Welker- that's why he is number one folks. 34 big points from NE D and a whopping 19 from kicker - that's right, KICKER, Mason Crosby. Cromartie also had another two interceptions. Ali lost on 1 point from Kevin Jones and 2 from Kellen Winslow in the snow bowl. It was a letdown to say the least, as the Puma looked very beatable this week. Good teams know how to win, just like in the real NFL.

Our consolation bracket saw Andy take care of business against the computer, with 22 from SJax and another big game from Colston. xfl beat Golden Boy to advance to the 5th place game, as Romo puts up only 4 points while Portis rushes for 18.

High Man

Stone is tops again with only 116, but in a strange week that will suffice.

The Championship

The Final game is here and it has shaken out as hinted at throughout the season: brother vs. brother, friend vs. friend, number one vs. number two, Puma Pounce vs. KOCHTEAM. These two teams gave us the highest scoring game of the year in Week 8, going blow for blow in a 145-143 death match - winner, the Puma. So the final should not be anything less than bloody.

Puma jumps for joy as he sees the Patriots facing the Dolphins, fresh off of their first win. Even if Brady stinks it up again, the D will have a field day with sure-fire multiple turnovers and probably not allowing too many points. Greg Jennings takes it to Chicago, while the Colts pay the Texans. Willie Parker faces a terrible Rams defense indoors.
Koch hopes for better weather in Cincinnati as the Browns remember a huge offensive day in Week Two. Fitz heads to Atlanta, while Branch faces the reeling Ravens. Westbrook faces New Orleans, the Chargers face Denver, and Tampa D hopes to slow down "mighty" San Francisco. Earlier in the week projections were 130-126 in favor of KOCHTEAM, and today they are 118-113. Whatever they really mean, it is sure to be a close game.

Ali and Jim fight for 3rd next week as Jim hopes TO breaks his slump for a big day. As always, Adrian Peterson looks to spark Ali's Cubs.

Golden Boy and the computer tussle again, with the Bears facing the Packers.

Andy looks for 5th place against xfl, who continues to struggle for points.

Check back next week for the results, and continue to eye the blog in the post season for analysis and KOCHLEAGUE awards.

It is time. We shall see who the winner is, and it all starts Thursday night. To the victor goes the spoils.

Koch