Match-Up Build-Up Week 15 Semi-Final Edition

The time has arrived once again. Playoff football is back in the MFFL, and the match-ups are explosive. It features the four most consistent teams all season and for the first time ever will showcase three teams from the West division, a feat previously only accomplished by the East. Let's break it all down.

1. The Perpetual Dynasty (12-2) vs 4. El Pollo Loco (9-5)
These one time rivals know each other all too well.
TPD remained the class of the MFFL this season. They tied the all time best regular season record this year, winning the East, adding more pages to the already packed history of their franchise's lore. They've won 5 division championships in 8 years. They benefited all season from the league's easiest schedule, as they enter the playoffs having scored the 4th most points this season. Hilariously, finishing 4th in total points is TPD's worst point total finish ever. The typical bad circumstance that has long tormented this franchise simply was nowhere to be found this season. Teams that have had similar low stress seasons entering the playoffs typically don't fare too well, but no one will ever doubt this franchise's capabilities. Their stellar gameday managing was on display all year and the maneuvering of roster pieces due to large amounts of injuries makes their all time best regular season record even more impressive. This is evidenced by the fact that Hopkins and Adams have only both been in the starting lineup together four times all season. Astonishingly, this is their 7th playoff appearance in the 8 years of this league. They come into the playoffs playing good ball, having scored over 130 points in three straight games. The question marks mostly surround their poor match-ups this week and late season injuries. Very few of their match-ups are exploitable, so TPD will once again have to manage the crap out the the lineup in order to secure a victory. Expect some crazy lineup decisions as always. The 3peat champion is going after an absurd fourth straight title. The odds are against them, but they are the one team that could do it.

Loco is back in the playoffs for the second time in three years. They have won at least eight games in each of their last three seasons, twice getting to nine, and are now unquestionably a contender year in and year out. It has been a year of runs for this team, but they are closing on a hot streak winning five of their last six games to make the playoffs. With out such a run they would have been left out. Think about that, 5 of 6 to make the playoffs, what a run. They benefited from a soft schedule down the stretch though, scoring over 124 points just once in the last five weeks. They've scored 112 or fewer in four of five contests. While these numbers will probably keep Loco from being overly confident entering the playoffs, the fact is, Loco is in the dance and they know the score. Time and time again this league has proven that records and numbers do not mean a thing in the MFFL playoffs, and that has to be a comfort for the underdog Loco. This year has perhaps been their best free agent season, as they survived due to plugging and playing guys all year. They will look to keep that rolling this week, and expect the decisions they make to be the right choices as has been the case much of this season. They have squeezed every last drop out of this unit, and it would not at all be surprising to see it all come together in the biggest moment.

Loco is trying to prevent history while TPD is swimming in uncharted waters. A win for loco would be their first ever playoff victory, leading to their first ever championship appearance. TPD has been here before, but this is the first time they enter the playoffs under such circumstances. Will the season grinding 4th seed pull the upset like so many times before, or will TPD's hardened nature allow them to overcome the poor themes of past top seeds. What a match-up.

2. Unstopa-Bo (10-4) vs 4. Imposing Monstrosity (9-5)
A special season for both teams pinnacles in a blood feud match-up.
UB stole the West division from Stros in the final week of the season. This marks their 2nd Western division crown and 3rd playoff appearance overall. Each of the last two times they made the playoffs they played for a championship, losing both times. They finished 3rd in total points, coming on strong late in the year. They have scored a fantastic 130+ points in six of their last seven games. They fly under the radar, rarely making waves with their lineup decisions, but their consistency has been on full display all season. The match-ups for this week look quite good for a playoff game. A win would secure their 3rd championship appearance in 5 years, which is yet another underrated theme regarding this franchise. Their source of power has long been their drafting ability, and that was the case once again. The question will be if they can make the necessary changes in order to finally get over the hump in the playoffs.

Stros just had their best season in franchise history. Over the course of their first two seasons in the league they won a grand total of 9 games. This season they matched that total and nearly won the West Division. They enter the playoffs 2nd in points, and for a large portion of this season have widely been considered the best team in the league. Last week was their worst game of the season, scoring 87 points. A similar fate happened to TPD last year, before they went on to win their 3rd straight championship. Unfortunately for Stros Mike Evans is likely out for the year, a huge blow to their lineup right before the playoffs begin. They have made only 10 moves all season. This team's success can be traced back to a stellar draft, Christian McCaffrey, and the trade for Tyreek Hill. Once Hill came back from injury there was no stopping them. They have slowed during the final three games of the regular season though, scoring point totals of 98, 110, 87. Christian McCaffrey has to score 30 points a game in order for this team to consistently win games. They have to turn it around against a team that has been ascending as of late. It is hard to predict playoff match-ups, but a complete reversal in fortune will have to befall this match-up in order for Stros to secure a victory. But reversal of fortunes are what The MFFL playoffs are all about.

Combined these teams have accounted for only 27 moves all season, a stark difference between the two teams squaring off in the other match-up. Stros has never been in this position before and is taking on water with recent poor play and injuries to Evans and Andrews. UB is looking for another chance at glory. This is a mega match-up folks. Do not miss a second of playoff action in the MFFL 2019 style.