Playoff Review-Rd 1-Nebula-2013

Prime matchup of the week:

  

Wallies Texas Stars (7-6, 3rd, Orion)  vs  Psycho Billiecats (10-3, 1st, Helix)

The stars likely will rely on Colin Kaepernick at quarterback this week, he is having one of the most matchup-susceptible seasons ever for a quarterback. In three games against bottom-10 pass defenses he’s scored 35, 35, and 44. In his other eight games he’s passed for all of seven touchdowns. Can the Stars start him with confidence? I don't know but it is hard to keep him benched since he was a draft choice. It’s that simple. The font for the Rams and Seahawks, his next two matchups, most certainly is not green. At running back, Frank Gore only 13 times for 31 yards, stats that must be double at least if this team has any chance. Much was expected out of the Dancing with the Stars wide receiver Jacoby Jones at seasons beginning with the loss of Boldin, but at this point in the season I see him as at best a 4 or 5 wideout. TE greg Olsen has 4 touchdowns in his last 5 games and likely will be a force this week, make it 6 in his past 6. The other tight end, J. Thomas is battling a knee injury that forced him to sit out last weeks thriller against New England, don't expect much from him this week and a bench spot is the perfect place for him. On defense Barry Church has been a tackling machine and has 27 tackles in his last two games. He will crowd the box against Oakland and perform just as he has all season, likely adding to his norm. The often overlooked D. Smith has been one of the leagues best linebackers. He had a sack and 3 pass defended last week, he is an excellent play this week as the Ravens will often stunt the steelers up the middle with him. 

Projected points at key positions this week for the Stars:

Kaepernick-27, Jennings-19, Jones-15, Olsen-13, Bailey-10, Roethlisberger-26, Nelson-13, Church-12, and Smith-17

The Billiecats ownership took over a talented team before week one and used two-a-days to build a championship caliber unit. At 10-3, the teams 2189 points fielded were second in the league only to the Frost Flurries' 2218. At quarterback Matt Stafford will take the screen, there is the good Stafford, and then there is the bad Stafford. He plays against Green Bay on Thanksgiving, who has been awful against the pass this year. In the first matchup this year he threw for 262 yards, 1 TD, and 0 picks. He has more weapons this time around and will better those numbers. Jamaal Charles will have a tough matchup against a tough Denver defense, and the rest of this units running back squad is nothing to talk about. Charles needs a big day for the Billiecats, but he likely will have an average one. Wide receiver Garcon is no doubt a top player at the position, however, thequarterback throwing to him has no zip. Garcon has 75 balls caught this year, but I think the Cats have better options this week. One of those is not Cecil Shorts however, he has only found the end zone once since week 5, and has never been a red zone threat.  

Projected points at key positions this week for the 'Cats:

Stafford-32, Charles-22, Ball and Cunningham-15, Kendall Wright-16, Jarred Cook-11,Walsh and Grano-5, Defense-38

My pick:

The Billiecats find a way to keep the magic going, 167 to 156

The other Nebula playoff games:

  

Dlugiewicz (7-6, T3, Helix) Vs Orange (9-4, 1st, Orion)

The Crush won the Nebula conference last season and lost the Ballistic Bowl to the Zima Ruskies. This is a well managed team from start to finish. The Pollacks started off on fire with Peyton flinging the points, but has slowed down as his quarterback has.

Crush-189   Pollacks-134

  

Whiz Kings (8-5, 2nd, Helix) Vs the Rams (9-4, 2nd, Orion)

An unlikely matchup between two second place teams. The Rams have been a powerful squad all season but has seen their production decline 6 of the past 9 weeks. The Kings have been steady eddy but have lost two in a row after posting a 6 game win streak.

Rams-122   Kings-104

  

Legendary Humanoid (7-6, T3, Helix) Vs Klimko K's (7-6, T3, Helix)

Two teams who tied for third place in the Helix division rematch week 11's barn burner in which the Humanoid won 176-152. The K's are talented for sure, boasting a remarkable 2067 points fielded, led by Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall. The Humanoid has a deep roster, probably the deepest in the league. The depth got this team to the playoffs but will play little in getting them through. Likely it will cause coach decision errors. When Legendary Humanoid enters the playing field, target opponent puts his best 12 in play, the Humanoid must play 14 to win.

That is impossible: K's 165- Humanoid-154 

Good luck to all the playoff teams, we have a wonderful prize awaiting the final winner!

Happy Thanksgiving as well!