Playoff Week 1

This is a nerve racking time for some teams and others just sit back and relax..... because they just aren't good enough to make to the promise land. Some of us don't get the pleasure of competing for the belt and the Ron Jeremy Trophy. Some of us aren't good enough to get to sweat it out.

Now, if you are apart of the lucky 8 - maybe you got a great waiver wire pick-up; maybe you stumbled upon the top WR or traded for the top TE; maybe you just plain avoided the injury bug; or maybe you are just better than everyone - you now have the added pressure of competing in a "win or go home" bracket to the death. Actually, can imagine if you lost there was a strict punishment? Talk about a whole lot of pressure. Can you imagine if that was the case in the year of The Cooler? You have a team that is scoring in bunches - but some how you lose to a team because you are playing The Cooler and everyone had their worst week against him. Ohhhhhh the pressure, the sweat, the anger - the playoffs are great, aren't they?

Let's jump right into the matchups and see if there is any potential for an upset...

Matchup of the Week

6) Church Vans v 3) Gruden's Emails

Not only is this the biggest chance of an upset happening - but it may come at the hands of a two TE set. Andrews and Kelce have scored like top-tier wide receivers this season and they both have decent matchups this week. Kelce has been struggling, but the last time the Chiefs played LAC Kelce had 17 points. Likewise, Andrews is looking to build on his strong performance last week. If Church Vans is going to pull off the upset - it is going to need big week from both of these players. On the flip side, it is business as usual for Gruden's Emails.... Kupp is the MVP and needs to perform like it now that the lights are the brightest. If Gruden wants to avoid the upset - they will need big weeks from their MVP (Kupp) and from their stud running back... Mixon. Look for the TE's to make the big difference this week and Church Vans to pull off the upset!

Prediction: Church Vans

Mystery Guest: Gruden's Emails

1) Hoosier Daddy v 8) The J-Bones

The J-Bones made the playoffs - and that is great for the stats... but at this point are they just a sacrificial lamb? The J-Bones are banged up and have struggled finding a replacement for CMC - can you even replace him? It is going to take a Music City Miracle to pull off this upset. On the flip side, Hoosier Daddy has the type of lineup that could win the belt every week and all they need to do is avoid a slip-up and this round should be theirs for the taking. Allen and Diggs will need to have a big week to not let the Bills slip into an even larger hole in the playoff push - which is very good for Hoosier Daddy. Cooper has a very comfy matchup with the NY Giants and the defense (Dolphins) matchup against the NY Jets. Keep it simple stupid.... going with the top dog here.

Prediction: Hoosier Daddy

Mystery Guest: The J-Bones

2) Country Roads v 6) PEN15 Wrinkle

The most recent loss for Country Roads had him still scoring 144 points - which put him in the top 3 for the week. Country Roads has the line-up to go far in this league.... but don't take Wrinkle lightly. Garoppolo and Kittle get to play Atlanta's sad excuse for a defense this week which gives Wrinkle a fighting chance. Harris comes off of a bye-week, but has to face Indianapolis' run defense - which has not ideal. On the flip side, Country Roads comes in sporting Jefferson - who happens to be turning it up at the right moment of the season. Country Roads is going to be looking to make a deep run into the playoffs - and it is going to start with beating one of the hottest teams in the league.

Prediction: Country Roads

Mystery Guest: Country Roads

5) Bluffton Backup Backups v 4) Hernandez Hit Men

This matchups happens to pair up two teams that could potentially win the belt - one could argue that this matchup could sport the most points between the two teams. BBB has D. Cook... who happen to have a career week last week.... on the bench - can bet he won't be on the bench again this week. Prescott also has a very comfy matchup against the NY Giants. The issue is, HHM has Elliott/Patterson and Deebo Samuel who is essentially a RB for San Fran. This is going to be a close matchup (they all should be... it is the playoffs) - but I think the slightest of edges has to go to Hernandez Hit Men.

Prediction: Hernandez Hit Men

Mystery Guest: Hernandez Hit Men

As always, good luck to all teams.... and since TFC is now out - nobody has to go down in a fiery helicopter crash eerily similar to the one that took down Kobe!