Playoff Predictions: Round 1

Sorry folks for the late post. I wrote most of this before the TNF game, so just take 'em for what they're worth.

1) Unicorn Queen (9-4) vs. Spider Pig (6-7)

Luke's got more of a shot than you think. I rate his chance of an upset at 33%.

QB: This one is a lot closer than it looks. Brees is more than capable of matching Newton yard for yard and TD for TD, and he has a decent match-up against TB. I still got to give Cam the edge here.

Advantage: Unicorn Queen

WR: The WR match-up is close too. Antonio is the best of the bunch, but Robinson is more than capable of matching his production. You got to take Antonio though. Demaryius is a bit more hit or miss than Martavius but has a weak Oakland defense. I prefer Evans to the unpredictable Cooks. Get this though. If Brees plays well so does Cooks by default.

Advantage: Spider Pig

RB: Javorius Allen is playing like a true #1 after taking over for Forsett but faces Seattle defense this week. Ivory, on the other hand, has been shaky as of late but has a good matchup against Tennessee. Tim's got the flashy David Johnson on his side, and the slumping Lamar Miller. Johnson and Miller should pull it out for Tim.

Advantage: Unicorn Queen

TE: Olsen is more consistent than Kelce. Luke will need a bit of luck on his side to keep pace at the TE position. Luckily, Kelce is playing San Diego this week.

Advantage: Unicorn Queen

K/DEF: Gano > Barth. KC Defense > Ind Defense. Tim has the clear advantage.

Advantage:  Unicorn Queen

Winner: Unicorn Queen

Tim should win this one, but I think it's going to be closer than the seeding suggests.

2) David's Team (9-4) vs. This is for Jordy (10-3)

QB: Tanehill was shaky against a weak Baltimore defense last week, but he's capable of putting up points as he has shown in the past. Winston has stepped up his play the last 3 weeks. I like Winston here.

Advantage: This is for Jordy

WR: David's WRs need to produce in order for him to pull off the upset this week. Cooper is up against a stifling Denver defense, so I'm not expecting much out of him. Amendola and Baldwin are sneaky good plays. Amendola is one of the only ones left standing in New England, and Baldwin is benefiting big time from a rejuvenated Russell Wilson. For Andrew, he's got the red hot and dependable Marshall. Fitz has been slumping a little, but luckily Cecil Shorts has picked up the slack. David Li has the slight edge here.

Advantage: David's Team

RB: This is a very interesting match-up. Yeldon and Draughn have the potential to outplay AP and Gurley this week. Both of Andrew's RBs have been stifled by weak QB play and terrible coaching decisions. Will AP + Gurley get the ball enough to make a difference? Will they continue to face loaded boxes? I'm a little worried that Gurley is going to falter for the third straight game due to the lack of playmakers around him. If David Li gets 20 out of Yeldon and Draughn (which is very possible), then I could see him pulling off the upset. 

Advantage: David's Team

TE: It's Julius Thomas vs. Scott Chandler here. Chandler is a bit more consistent and will get plenty of targets from Brady. Thomas is hit or miss.

Advantage: This is for Jordy

K/DEF: It's Cincy's kicker and defense versus Arizona's kicker + Green Bay's defense. I am not expecting much out of either defense. Cincy is playing the Steelers this week, and Green Bay has not been playing well.
Advantage: Tie

Winner: This is for Jordy

If there is going to be an upset this week, it's going to be this matchup. I'm still going to pick Andrew here primarily because of his record and consistent play. David Li's team has not been consistent all season, but he has some pretty decent matchups this week to give Andrew a scare.

3) 1-800-Hopkins-BLING (6-7) vs. Rawls! I'm a TIGER (9-4)

QB: Bortles should outplay Stafford here, but Stafford should put up a good 20+ points regardless. Bortles has more upside.

Advantage: Rawls! I'm a TIGER

WR: This one's close. Hopkins and DeSean are both solid plays, while Landry has been a bit up and down. Last week he has the worst game of his career. I expect more from his this week. Meanwhile, Odell is playing out of his mind right now. Same with Sammy Watkins who has a good match-up against a weak Philly defense. Hurns is back from concussion and should put up a solid 10 against a weak Indy defense. 

Advantage: Tie

RB: This one's easy to call. David Lin has Rawls who is blowing up. Meanwhile, Justina has Ingram (on IR) and Riddick (who scored 3 points last week).

Advantage: Rawls! I'm a TIGER

TE: Rudolph is a poor substitute for Gronk. Walker is the better play here, and it's not even close.

Advantage: Rawls! I'm a TIGER

K/DEF: Houston's defense has played better lately, but it and Crosby won't be enough to match Denver defense + Prater.
Advantage: Rawls! I'm a TIGER

Winner: Rawls! I'm a TIGER

David Lin by a mile.

4) Di Yi (7-5) vs. JULIOthinkyouare?! (9-4)

QB: Dalton has been a steady play all year long, while Wilson is on fire. I'll take the rejuvenated Wilson this week against a weak Baltimore defense.

Advantage: JULIOthinkyouare?!

WR: Julio hasn't scored a TD in 5-6 weeks now, while AJ has 3 TDs in the past two weeks. Hilton and Devante are slumping too. Sanders and Jeffery haven't been playing up to their potential as of late, but I trust them to put more points than Eric's WR#2 and #3.

Advantage: Di Yi

RB: DeAngelo is a great RB#1, but Abraham has a hole at his RB#2 position. Hillman is the weak link for him. Shady and Martin are both capable of scoring in bunches.

Advantage: JULIOthinkyouare?!

TE: Witten vs. Tamme is a toss up. Both won't make a big impact.

Advantage: Tie

K/DEF: Gostkowski vs. Tucker, and Arizona defense vs. Carolina defense. Gostkowski hasn't been scoring as much lately, while Tucker has been going strong. Arizona is up against a beatable Minnesota offense, and Carolina laid an egg last week. It's tough to say.
Advantage: Tie

Winner: JULIOthinkyouare?!
Eric should win it based on the matchups. The only way Abraham wins is if all his WRs go off.