Match-Up Build-Up Week 15 Playoff Edition

The Final Four.

The MFFL playoffs are set and it promises to be a spectacular show. The four teams in the playoffs this year all scored over 2,000 points for the season. The amount of points scored this year shattered the norms of the previous seasons, as the league averaged scoring a ridiculous 130 ppg. The East division was superior to the West all season long, and unsurprisingly the East boast three of the four playoff participants. In a season with the least drama ever, the playoffs will flip the script with the four dominant teams responsible for the lack of competitiveness matched up on playoff weekend. It's a group of four the likes of which has rarely been seen. But like so many times before, the playoffs will be a different animal. Take nothing for granted and expect the unexpected. Nothing is given, all is earned, and this year's playoff's will quake the earth. The MFFL's best are going to war.  

#1 The Real McCoy vs #4 Tavon and Only 

Overview: The first playoff match-up pits two rivals against one another for an epic clash. McCoy has truly dominated this rivalry, but each of their games this season were extremely close. McCoy won the first match-up by 4 points and the second match-up by 7 points. Tavon has been waiting for this opportunity, while McCoy looks to put them down once more.  

The Real McCoy:

It's difficult to put McCoy's season into perspective for a number of reasons. There is much to be in awe about, but a good many other things to question. The positive aspects of their season are truly epic. They won 12 games in the regular season, tying their previous record. They scored the most points ever in a regular season, besting TPD's old mark by 10 points. Impressively they've scored at least 140 points in 8 of their last 9 games. From a far those accomplishments shine bright, but looking closer has a dimming effect. Their all time points record occurred during a year in which four teams scored over 2,000 points. They had the easiest schedule in the league with teams averaging a meager 118 ppg against them, a full 12 points below the league's 130 ppg average. Their own division only averaged 109 ppg against them. Their dominant play, coupled with ease of schedule, have given them unbelievable seasons in recent memory, but when truly challenged in the playoffs they have fallen short recently with a (2-4) record in their last six playoff games. They again have the opportunity to change that, making the playoffs for a 6th time in 7 years. Their juggernaut status is unquestioned, but their royalty status could be earned this year.  

Tavon and Only:

A bounce back season for Tavon was just what the doctor ordered. They're back in playoffs for the first time since their championship in 2015. Amazingly they could tie TPD and McCoy with two championships all time if they win it all this year. It has been feast or famine with this franchise all career long. They earned everything this year having the league's 4th hardest schedule. While not as consistently powerful as the three other playoff teams, they still never scored below 121 points in a game all season. This team deserves large amounts of credit for what they accomplished this year. Standing in their way is a team that has consistently haunted their nightmares. A win over McCoy may exercise their demons and be the spark needed to do something truly remarkable.  

The Match-Up:

This match-up has so much going for it. McCoy is attempting to beat Tavon for a third time this year, a tall task, and as mentioned earlier the previous two installments were extremely close. The only injury for either team is Melvin Gordon, though he may play. McCoy had some blow up performances a week ago which may hinder their ability for repeat performances. Tavon is also coming off a big week but with more repeatable performances. The key all year for McCoy has been Mahomes and strong WR play. Their carousel of RB starters looks like a TPD team, but they continue to win games regardless. Tavon has had to survive with consistent performances across the board week after week but they have somehow maintained that. It's a truly even affair with fire power across the board, unsurprising considering what each of the playoffs teams have accomplished this season. The match-up will go back and forth. If McCoy continues to find ways to duct tape their RB core into success then they will likely come out victorious. But if Tavon has one blow performance, coupled with their standard consistency, then they will come out victorious, having finally toppled their rival. Whoa Nelly.  

#2 The Glorious Morgans vs #3 The Perpetual Dynasty

Overview: Another game featuring the higher seed having swept their opponent is on tap for the playoff's 2nd mind blowing match-up. If last year's epic playoff battle between these two teams is any indication of this year's potential, then expect earth moving haymakers throughout. 

The Glorious Morgans:

The Morgans dominance over the last two seasons is fitting considering the strength of this franchise. Always an underdog, a role they never mind playing, this team has taken the league by storm and turned into a juggernaut franchise. The key to their success has been beating TPD. They are on a ridiculous regular run against TPD, not only winning games but doing so in unbelievable fashion. But The Morgans won't sleep easy. After sweeping TPD last season, they lost a heartbreaker against them in what could be the league's greatest game ever played. If not for some elite gameday managing skills displayed by TPD that day, they would have rolled into a title opportunity. The same storyline unfolds this season and The Morgans are met with the difficult task of trying to beat TPD for a 3rd time in one season. Similar to McCoy, the Morgans have failed to parlay regular season success into playoff victories, and their regular season challenges the last two years have been few and far between. Still, they won the East this year, which is hugely impressive, and their squad is as talented as any. A win would finally give them a chance to play for it all. Something that has eluded them outside of their championship appearance in 2013. 

The Perpetual Dynasty:

TPD's regular season win totals lag behind the Morgans and McCoy again this year, but their success in maneuvering the labyrinth of MFFL challenges is remarkable in its own right. This team simply has large amounts of stress that the other juggernauts do not. But their grinding has hardened them and molded an even scarier foe. Ask any top team in the league they'd probably say they are more worried about playing TPD now then they would be to play TPD teams of old. It speaks to their improvements as a team and the understanding of the ridiculous circumstance that has kept them from achieving the regular accolades like so many times before. Underneath it all this team is as dominate as ever, and perhaps more so. TPD is coming off their unquestionably worst game of the season a week ago. It could be a forth telling of doom or the calming before a storm. The weekend will reveal all. What is clear for TPD is what is at stake, a chance at more history and an unprecedented 3peat. These are the moments TPD stands tallest. Working against them is having the most injuries of any playoff team with multiple studs questionable for the weekend's tilts. But no team is more equipped to handle such circumstance, circumstance they have handled time and time again in winning back to back ships. 

The Match-Up:

This match-up screams of nostalgia and blue blooded history. The Morgans have dominated this match-up for years, but TPD's thrilling come back win after a 41 point Thursday performance from K. Hunt in last year's playoffs seem to have balanced the score. Good luck finding an edge on paper for either one of them, the match-up is that close. The Morgans have relied on Adams, Gurley, and Ertz all year, with each of them bringing their A+ game pretty much every time this season. TPD has used their stable of stud WRs and RBs to carry the slack created by their poor TE and DEF play, as well as average QB performances. It feels just like it did last year and the stage is set for another classic match-up between these two creative foes. Like it was a year ago, this one has the makings of a classic. Feel the rumble.