Match-Up Build-Up Week 2

It is week two of the MFFL season. Week one saw the East Division sail while the West was left in it's wake. It is never wise to put too much weight into what happens in the season's first week, but a few performances stood out none the less. 

1. The Perpetual Dynasty(1-0) vs The Glorious Morgans(0-1)
Overview: Two of the East's traditional powers do battle in this week's top match-up. Last season's playoff match-up between these two franchise's was an instant classic. Both teams know the task in front of them for this week.
Team Notes: TPD's first game following two championship seasons was magnificent. They scored 163 points in a victory over TRM. Lead by Conner and Thomas, TPD erased an early deficit after a strong Thursday night showing from McCoy and left no doubt as to this match-ups eventual outcome. The savvy pick up of Conner was a power move and the life blood of the week one victory. Entering week 2 TPD's team already looks different than the squad that just put up over 160. They traded away four players for the services of A.J. Green. It was a bold move and one only TPD could have orchestrated. Time will tell if it was too bold.

The Morgans suffered a difficult defeat last week even while scoring 144 points. The team did not deserve to lose but such is life in the ever competitive MFFL. The squad will remain much the same for week 2 and this week's game is perhaps more important for the Morgans, for a loss would give them two divisional defeats to start the 2018 season. They will be out for blood after last season's heartbreaking playoff loss. The Morgans have been waiting for this game for many months.

Gameday Notes: TPD has a few back loaded players but this match-up will be defined by the early performances on Sunday. Neither team has overloaded home/road splits. Bye weeks will not be an issue for another few weeks.
Match-up Breakdown:
TPD: Good (++, =====, -) Green's match-up on Thursday night seems to be the toughest
TGM: Average (+++, ===, --) Some tough match-ups at the top but good in other spots.
Key Battle: #2 RB
The stage is set for yet another showdown between these two juggernauts. Do not miss a single second.



2. ShowMeYourTDs(1-0) vs Tavon and Only(1-0)
Overview: The only match-up featuring two unbeaten teams is the #2 game of the week.
Team Notes: TDs obtained a victory last week while scoring 118 points. That point total wins a few games each year but during a week in which multiple teams blew up it was a fortunate outcome for a team desperate for some good fortune. They traded away Green before this week, bringing in multiple players to add depth and flexibility to their roster. They may be the deepest team in the league currently. Entering week 2 they will look to put the best team on the field, as they have a few lineup decisions to make considering the depth at their disposal.

Tavon exploded a week ago, scoring over 150 points. The young duo of Barkley and Mixon look to be the strength of this team this current moment. They have the feel of last season's top scoring Loco team, where each week has its question marks but the potential fire power is undeniable. Tavon, like TD's, would be thrilled to start (2-0) after years of futility following their championship in 2015.

Gameday Notes: Almost all of TDs players are slated for 1:00pm. Look for this match-up to be decided early. TDs players are road loaded.
Match-up Breakdown:
TDs: Good (+++, ===, --) A few tricky spots but mostly very easily traversed.
TAO: Great (++++, ===, -) It is difficult to find a terrible match-up.
Key Battle: Flex
A great early season start is what each of these franchise's needed. That is what is at stake in week 2.



3. Imposing Monstrosity (0-1) vs La Flama Blanca (1-0)
Overview: Two teams coming off strong week ones square up for the #3 match-up.
Team Notes: Stros played well week one even though it led to a loss. Even more impressive is that they performed well without the services of Leveon Bell. Quite simply it is not the same roster without the 2nd overall pick, but they will try to weather the storm for however long he is out. Even with the uncertainty this is still a team to not sleep on. They have good players everywhere.

LFB scored a 164 points last week. Hill and Kamara are perhaps the two most explosive players at their respective positions and Flama has both of them manning the front-line. This team has major scoring potential. Fournette's injury will be a massive swing for this match-up one way or another. If he plays then LFB starts him, if not, Stros starts Yeldon. Flama has always been near the top of the best franchise's but three straight mediocre seasons seems to have lit a fire for this team.

Gameday Notes: Stros has tons of 4:00pm games. It will be decided late. Much of Stros' lineup is on the road.
Match-up Breakdown:
Stros: Good (+++, ===, --) Balanced but leaning good most areas.
LFB: Good (+++, ===, --) Some good, some bad, but none too daunting.
Key Battle: TE

4. HydeMyChubbyJohnson(1-0) vs The Real McCoy(0-1)
Overview: Two teams with records not matching their week one performances look to flip the script in week 2.
Team Notes: Chubby won last week but scored only 101 points and would have lost to almost everyone else in the league had they played them. A win is a win and this team will not give anything back. The strength of their team is their starting RBs, neither of which had a great game a week ago, making the win extremely fortunate. If they come to play this week it could lead to a (2-0) start to this season. What a start that would be for this franchise.

McCoy lost last week due to the onslaught of TPD, but they played well. They made multiple free agent pick ups this week, cutting dead weight off their roster and inserting many of the new players into their starting lineup. It is an atypical move for this franchise but one that may have been necessary following some injuries and poor performances at a few positions. Never doubt this team, but a potential (0-2) start is for sure not the way this team envisioned starting their season.

Gameday Notes: Hyde has some back loaded guys while McCoy is almost all at 1:00pm. Both are road heavy.
Match-up Breakdown:
Chubby: Average (++, ====, --) Some great and some terrible.
McCoy: Great (+++, ====, -) They need to strike considering some of the match-ups they have.
Key Battle: Defense

5. El Pollo Loco(0-1) vs Unstopa-Bo(0-1)
Overview: The only match-up with teams looking for their first win. Neither team liked what they saw last week but do not overreact to week one.
Team Notes: Loco scored the fewest points int he league last week, a stark contrast form last season's top scoring output. McCaffrey, Kelce, and Nuke were all kept underwraps last week, how long does anyone expect that to continue. This team will compete all year, but a loss this week will further lower their confidence following their best season to date. Don't forget the nature of this franchise, they have very bad weeks and very explosive ones. A major output this week would follow that trend.
Bo's lineup is such that they need team efforts every week in order to remain competitive. They have some big names but have some real weaknesses across the board. They need wins now before bye weeks hit. This is probably a bigger game for them than it is for loco. If Watson gets back to pre-injury form then the lineup will look much different.

Gameday Notes: Mostly 1:00pm but Bo has some late match-ups to try and steal a victory. Multiple road games for loco.
Match-up Breakdown:
Loco: Average (++, =====, -) Mostly average match-ups across the board.
Bo: Average to Poor (++, ====, --) Mostly average but tough, nothing easily exploitable.
Key Battle: So many close match-ups but #1RB may be the most important.

The week 2 slate is set, it often never looks like week one. Hold on to your butts.