Week 1 Match-Up Build-Up 2016

Tavon and Only @ Unstopa-Bo

     

Summer is over and the wait for the 2016 MFFL season ends. The leaves of change will soon turn and fall, indicating yet another season of MFFL football is here. Week one of the 2016 season is at the door waiting to burst through and capture the hearts of mangers around the league. As is tradition in the MFFL, we start where we finished, with week one pitting two championship game participants against one another from a year ago.

It was a miracle season for both historically dormant teams of the world's greatest fantasy league. The start of last season saw Tavon traveling down the same path they had walked before, when they began the season (2-4), in a fight to salvage the season. But they rallied and won 5 straight games to put them in prime position to reach the playoffs for the first time. It came down to the last week, when they battled PD, in the MFFL's first ever playoff play-in game in league history, with Tavon coming out on top and securing their playoff positioning. From there they did not look back. They scored over 160 points in both playoff match-ups to win the 2015 title. It was an unbelievable moment for the Tavon franchise and the league.

Tavon enters 2016 in unfamiliar territory, as they are the hunted. Teams across the league are circling Tavon on their schedules and you can bet Tavon will get every team's best shot. Tavon is feeling confident after the draft, but they know the challenges awaiting them this season and in week one.

Unstopa-Bo proved doubters wrong last year as they took a hot start team all the way to the playoffs. They drafted a team worthy of competing right out of the blocks and the wave of momentum carried them to a championship appearance. Making the least amount of moves in the league was not a detriment to their quest for MFFL glory, though it is fair to wonder if such circumstances can be replicated. 

Revenge is the only thing on their mind come Sunday. They yearn to erase some of the demons carrying over from last season. Their focus and dedication looks to be at an all time high entering 2016 and they will fight like hell to prove their worth yet again, and compete for another chance at MFFL greatness. 

The stage has been set for months and it is time for these performers to put on a show. 2016 turns the page and both teams continue to fight for respect. 2016 is yet another opportunity to cement their place in this league. Is there anything better?  This is the match-up of the week. 

II. The Perpetual Dynasty @ ShowMeYourTDs

     

Another prized tradition of the MFFL is the match-up between TPD vs TDs to jump start the season. TPD's first and only loss to TDs came in this week one match-up a year ago. Even though TPD would exact revenge later in the season, this match-up is still one TPD wants to sway back in their corner. TPD's season a year ago was a grind from start to finish. They fought for everything they earned a year ago and they want nothing more than to prove to the league once again that they are the team to beat coming out of the East. TPD hopes to score the most points in the East for a 5th consecutive year and they orchestrated this quest by doing something unprecedented in the 2016 draft. Stunning to all teams in the league, TPD drafted 5 straight WRs with their first 5 picks. It was a move questioned by many but criticized by few as they know TPD put in the time and must of felt like this was the best strategy for their team. A few trades later and TPD is back doing the things of old, with hopes of capturing the one achievement that has eluded them, an MFFL championship. 

TDs finished 2nd to last a year ago. It was their worst finish ever. They made waves this summer by selecting the 1st overall pick in the 2016 draft slot selection show. It was a move made for one purpose, to draft Antonio Brown. Now that Brown is back on their team their spirits and confidence are sky high. They were voted best draft by yahoo and TDs absolutely agrees with it. This is the most confident they have ever felt entering a season and what better way to gain more confidence than to beat TPD in week one for a 2nd consecutive year. 

This match-up is going to be a blood bath, with both teams confident and hungry. TPD is looking to build upon the success of the past, while TDs is looking to build a new, in this week's 2nd best match-up of the week. Enjoy the show. 

III. The Real McCoy @ Advantageous Morgans

The two other playoff participants from a year ago lock horns in this mega match-up of week one. The Real McCoy continue to impress. They were the #1 seed for the 2nd year in a row last season, a feat only matched by TPD, and they entered the playoffs in no need of proving themselves, but with the hope of obtaining the unbelievable, a 3rd title in 4 years. Unfortunately it was not to last, as their team could not keep it together in the playoffs scoring 105 and 77 points in each match-up. It was the first time in league history that the #1 seed lost both playoff games, but it was still impressive considering what McCoy went through during the season. What team loses Jamaal Charles and then gets better? No one, but McCoy did. They went on an unbelievable run and left no doubt that they were the team to beat entering the playoffs. 2016 gives McCoy another chance to prove they are an MFFL powerhouse. 

The Morgans predictably made the playoffs a year ago. Whenever this team is doubted they come to play. Their determination was unmatched. Entering 2016 The Morgans must yet again fight for what they deserve. Their season last year was a game of streaks as they would win a bunch and lose a bunch consecutively throughout the season. The goals for The Morgans are the same, fight in the East, beat my rival, and make the playoffs. When will people learn not to doubt The Morgans? One team not doubting them will be The Real McCoy, their week one match-up is set to explode. 

IV. La Flama Blanca @ The North Remembers

Two teams in the top 4 for all time wins headline a majorly important match-up for week one 2016. Both teams are looking to rebound after incredibly frustrating seasons in which  each team went through a losing streak of at least 6 games. LFB dealt with major injuries from the start. Their team was a shell of what had been planned. They never wavered, and propelled by a 5 game winning streak mid way through the year, they looked to fight until the end, although two straight loses to finish the year sealed their non playoff fate. LFB looks to remind all of their ability and greatness. 

TNR once again started the season on a massive winning streak. This team just knows how to win games early in the year, regardless of who is playing for them. Last season though was different, as TNR warned everyone not to buy into their own success, due to fear of a roster collapse. Their warnings were made true as they went on a 7 game losing streak, one that nearly broke this franchise. The league's 3rd winningest team has never been so low, but they closed out the year in style, winning the consolation, and they are now eyeing a return trip to the MFFL playoffs. TNR is waiting for certain players to heal or return from suspension in order for their roster to reach full potential, but this team knows how to win early and they are built for late season success.

Week one is hugely important for both teams. Do not overt your eyes. 

V. Pryor to the Snap @ El Pollo Loco

This week's #5 match-up, only due to the greatness of all week one match-ups, promises to not disappoint. It is a key West divisional clash to start the season. It is easy to forget the success Pryor has had in this league because of their recent failures, but it is not recommended to do so. Pryor is known across the league as a giant killer. They come to play when the lights are brightest. They are looking to get back into the playoffs after last season was their first time missing it in 2 years. 

El Pollo Loco is starved for a playoff appearance. They would be the first to tell you that they are the only team never to make the playoffs. That streak could quickly be coming to an end as Loco's franchise continues to improve. They are feeling confident after a strong draft and an early trade which has put them in position to be very flexible with their gameday managing come week one. Loco is looking to start hot this season and do away with slow starts. 

Both teams are poised to surprise others this season in what both manager hope to be a season of historical firsts. The week one stage is set for all and we cannot wait to watch the action unfold. The MFFL is back, and not a moment too soon. Game week has arrived.