Match-Up Build-Up Week 16 CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2017

The Perpetual Dynasty vs The Real McCoy

It's MFFL championship week and this year's match-up features the two most decorated franchises in league history. 

TPD earned a spot in the championship game as the #4 playoff seed for the 2nd consecutive season. They are gunning at history trying to become the first team ever to win back to back championships in the MFFL. They survived a week ago in arguably the greatest playoff game of all time, winning by two points after their opponent had a player go for over 40 points. This team is battle tested after years of tough circumstance and difficult lineup decisions, and it paid off last week as they executed a maneuver no other team could have done. They started a player in Marquise Goodwin, whom they picked up days before, over studs like Green and Hopkins. Goodwin out scored both other players combined. Things could have been easier had TPD not mistakenly started the wrong player at flex, but starting Goodwin is still the best managerial decision in playoff history. TPD has been on a roll lately, averaging 140 per game in 5 of their last 6 matchups, and this week they get their studs back. After a year of unrelenting poor circumstance, TPD finally had some good circumstance bounce their way last week. If it happens again in the championship, this team could be ready to explode. 

TRM is shooting for a league record 3rd championship. They are on the heels of their best week of the season after scoring 165 in their first playoff match-up. This team has been on a ridiculous run, scoring over 120 in 9 of 10 games, with their best two weeks happening consecutively in week 14 and 15. It's a relatively shocking development as TRM scored the lowest regular season point total of any playoff team in history. But their last few weeks should dispel any doubts about this squad's potential. They're peaking at the right time and last week's lineup decisions paid off in spades. If the trends over the last two weeks continue, TRM will make history this week.   

It is a tale of two different philosophies in this hugely anticipated championship match-up. TRM is unlikely to change much of the lineup from last week's explosion while TPD will add a minimum of 5 different starters. Such decisions illustrate both franchise's varying styles, each of which have been hugely successful. 

Match-Up Breakdown:

TPD -  Average  (+++, -, ====)

TRM - Average (+++, --, ===)

Key Battle: 

(Brady vs Newton) 

This is it. Both teams have a chance at history in the most decorated championship game in MFFL history. What a league, what a season, and what a championship showcase. 

Match-Up Build-Up Week 15 PLAYOFF EDITION 2017

The 2017 MFFL playoffs are here. In a year that featured perhaps the greatest discrepancy between teams at the top and teams at the bottom, the match-ups for the semi finals are explosive. All would be kings have a claim for the throne.

#4 The Perpetual Dynasty vs #1 The Glorious Morgans

TPD Resume:
Record - (8-5-1)
Points - 3rd
SOS - 3rd Toughest
Best Stats - Won two straight must win games to close season, scored over 136 in final four of five games
Worst stats - Weakest record of playoff participants, never won more than two games in a row

TPD enters the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive year as the fourth seed. Their season came down to the final two games, in which they had to win both in order to seal a spot, and they did so in dominating fashion scoring 150 points in both games. Not unlike last season TPD was better than their record indicated, a fact validated by TPD winning it all in 2016 and having 3 players selected in the first eight picks of the 2017 draft. TPD's playoff resume last season was propelled by winning 5 of 6 games to close out the year, and this season feels very familiar with TPD winning 4 of 6 to further solidify their resume as a playoff participant. They have now been to the playoff 5 of 6 seasons, a record matched by another team in the 2017 playoffs, and their regular season total point finishes go as followed: 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 3rd.
They are the cream of the crop, and a championship this season would make TPD the first back to back champ in league history. Their season began well with 4 victories in 5 tries. Then their well documented historically poor luck and circumstance reared its ugly head. They had a ridiculous 20 different players score their highest point total of the season against them. Their need to win their final two games was orchestrated by a devastating tie in week 8, when their opponent's kicker smacked three 40 yard plus field goals in a 7 minute span in the 4th quarter of Monday night football. But they fought through it all again. Their recent performances show strength at each position with arguably the best top to bottom lineup of the playoffs. Just imagine if this team still had Beckham.

TGM Resume: 
Record - (11-3)
Points - 2nd
SOS - 2nd Easiest
Best Stats - Won the East division, 2nd most points, 9 game winning streak, scored under 120 just 3 times, never lost back to back games
Worst Stats - scored 94 points in their final regular season game, very easy SOS

The Morgans have made three straight trips to the playoffs and have 4 playoff appearances in 6 years. Quietly one of the best franchises in the league the Morgans adopted a new approach for this season. Once a wheeling and dealing team, they traded limitedly after a great draft and strong free agent pickups. Their amazing season was started way back in the off-season when TDs decided to take the 9th draft slot, opening up the 4th slot for The Morgans. The Morgans went on to win 11 games while TDs won 2. They drafted two stud rookie RBs who were the strength of the team during the early goings, but when they slowed down the rest of the roster took over. They hit big on their trades this year, acquiring Graham, Allen, and Jeffery, who have all been starters for TGM upon their arrival to the lineup. Anything they touched this season turned to gold, with trades, free agency, and gameday decisions rarely going bad for them. This is their first East division crown and first trip to the playoffs as the top overall seed. It has been a special season for TGM from the very start.

Match-Up Breakdowns:

TPD - Average (+++, --, ===)

TPD has some decent match-ups but the story here will be the awful match-ups facing their top 2 WRs. Green battles Xavier Rhodes while Hopkins battles Jalen Ramsey. TPD may be forced to sit one or both of them if they like the potential of others on the roster.

TGM - Average (++, ======)

TGM supports solid match-ups on paper with none being extremely exploitable, nor devastating, outside of their defense.

Key Battle: (ALL OF THEM)

The Morgans won both match-ups during the regular season with a 50 point average margin of victory. Few would expect that to happen this week but the playoffs are always an unknown. There is perhaps no closer playoff match-up in history. Looking down the lineup it is hard to give any one position an edge over their respective competition. TPD hopes the current trends continue as they have scored big point totals of late, while TGM has four straight games of scoring less points than the previous week. No amount of popcorn will be enough for viewers of this match-up. It has the makings of a classic.

#3 El Pollo Loco vs #2 The Real McCoy

EPL Resume: 
Record - (9-4-1)
Points - 1st
SOS - 3rd Easiest
Best Stats - Most points in the league, Scored over 150 points five times, Never lost back to back games
Worst Stats - Scored under 120 points six times, (5-4) record in final 9 games, Easy SOS

EPL just finished their greatest season in franchise history. After finishing 9th a year ago Loco revamped their entire offseason conditioning program and draft training camp. They made the biggest splash of the 2017 draft, selecting the controversial Ezekiel Elliott in the 2nd round. While Elliott is currently serving his 6 game suspension, Loco thrived when he was in the lineup. Their first 6 picks of the draft were great and the trade for Alvin Kamara may have saved their season. Key late season WR free agent pickups solidified their depth. No team has been able to score points like Loco. They have scored over 150 points five times and 160 three times. When faced with a difficult lineup decision they have rarely missed this season. This is Loco's first playoff appearance, finally getting that playoff monkey of their backs. Once the season ends Loco will look back with pride and joy for much of what they have achieved, but right now they are laser focused on the task at hand. Just imagine if they still had Zeke.

TRM Resume:
Record - (10-4)
Points - 5th
SOS - 4th Easiest
Best Stats - 7 game winning streak, won 9 of last 10 games, Won West Division
Worst Stats - Lowest point total of playoff participants, Only scored a total of 32 points more than their opponents, Easy SOS

McCoy joins TPD as the only franchise to make the playoffs 5 of 6 seasons. The league's only two time champion enjoyed another spectacular season. If it ain't broke don't fix it continues to be the model for this franchise as their organizational structure remained the status quo. They had a seven game winning streak and have won 9 of their last 10 games. Not much has changed from their draft day roster. Their success has been linked to their whole team efforts, McCoy has only 1 player in the top 15 of scoring but supports four in the top 25. They have scored over 120 points in 8 of their last 9 games, with their best week of the season coming in the final game of the regular season. There is nothing that jumps off the page when looking at this roster but they have been consistently good over the course of the 2nd half of the season. They won multiple close games this year with 6 victories coming in games with a 13 point or less margin of victory. New season, same story for this juggernaut.

Match-Up Breakdowns:
EPL - Average (++, -, =====)

Loco has solid match-ups with none being extremely exploitable, nor devastating.

TRM - Average (========)

Very average across the board.

Key Battle: (Dez vs Hill) (Henry vs Engram)

These two are playing each other for the 2nd straight week. It is a weird circumstance for both. McCoy beat Loco twice in the regular season having their two best weeks against Loco. Unbelievably McCoy will play a Zeke-less Loco for the 3rd time this season, just Crazy. Last week was McCoy's best week and one of Loco's worst. Trends are clashing here as McCoy has been hot for a long while and Loco has yet to lose back to back games this year. Something has to give in another great playoff battle.

ARE YOU READYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

Match-Up Build-Up Week 14

Three teams have clinched a playoff spot for 2017. The Glorious Morgans, El Pollo loco and The Real McCoy are all playoff dancing. The Morgans are guaranteed to play the 4 seed while Loco and McCoy have the unfortunate circumstance of playing each other two weeks in a row, starting with this week. Look for in depth breakdowns of these team next week.

Only one spot remains and only three teams have the resume to obtain it. LFB and TPD are once again the center of attention for the MFFL, but Stros has an outsiders shot too.

TPD beat LFB in resounding fashion a week ago to keep their playoff hopes alive. Stros beat TDs and has now won two straight. Entering week 14 the playoff scenarios are as follows:

TPD gets in with: A win in week 14
                               A loss with a LFB loss and a Stros loss
                               A loss with a LFB loss and a Stros win, but scoring 42 or less points than TPD.

LFB gets in with: A win in week 14 and a TPD loss in week 14.

Stros gets in with: A win in week 14, a TPD loss, a LFB loss, and scoring 43 more points than TPD.

TPD holds the all important points tie breaker by a 137 point margin over LFB and a game lead and 42 point margin lead over Stros.

LFB is fortunate to be in this position. They have scored less points than have been scored against them and have survived because of an unbelievable tie against TPD and a week 1 victory in which they scored 94 points. This week they are matched up against the top team in the league. They have been playing better each of the last two weeks and a win this week, even against the league's best, would not be shocking.

TPD is matched up against Tavon. Tavon has not scored over 120 points since week 7. TPD conversely has scored over 135 in three of their last four weeks. It would take a major bucking of the trends for Tavon to pull off the stunning upset, but when you want to talk about trends being bucked, look no further than TPD. They've had an incredibly ridiculous 19 different players have their best week of the season against them.

Stros needs a lot of help but are at least within striking distance of TPD's points tie breaker. Holding them back is the fact that they are a game behind both other teams. 

All and all it will amount to a crazy weekend around the MFFL. Stros and LFB have never been bigger Tavon fans, while both have to win this weekend in their respective match-ups.