Championship Preview

Championship Facts

-No team has ever won without coming into the championship game with a top 10 back... the Weiner Dogz have SJAX(10) and the Rayz have no top ten backs.

- The lowest seed to win the title is the 3 seeded 2007 Carolina Falcons who also beat a one seed.

- 137 points is the highest score of a championship game ever. It was posted by the 2006 U.Gators against the Rockets.

- The last team to win the GFFL Bowl with double digit regular season wins was the 2005 U.Gators

- This will be the first champion not named Michael Gibson or Brandon Buck.

- The Weiner Dogz are 3-0 all time VS the Rayz including a win this year to end the Rayz hot start.

- Number one seeds are 1-2 all time in the GFFL Bowl with the 2005 U.Gators being the only winner and both the '07 U.Gators and '08 Ducks losing in the title game.

- Wildcard teams are 1-1 in GFFL BOWLS.


Now on to the preview...

4. Weiner Dogz 18-10 (3-1)

2008 9-5 L Divisional round to Ducks

2009 9-5...???

The Weiner Dogz have pulled off two titanic upsets of the Unbeaten Gators and then the 2 seeded Ducks to find themselves in the title game. In their first championship appearance the Weiner Dogz would love to do something their rival the Ducks couldn't do last year...win it all.

The Line Up

QB Roethlisberger
HB J. Stewart
HB S.Jackson
HB/WR Calv. Johnson
WR Austin
WR Welker
TE Witten
D 49ers
K Bironas

Keys to Victory: If this team just keeps playing like they have been they should be able to win the title. It'd be very beneficial for DWILL to sit out another game but its not vital.

What Could Do them in: The Cowboys getting shut down combined with DWILL coming back and taking the bulk of the carries combined with SJAX not playing and I don't think all three of those will happen. The Weiner Dogz seem to be in great shape.

1. Rayz 16-12 (1-0)

2008 5-9 NONE

2009 11-3...???

The Rayz have had a dream season but they do seem eerily similar to the '08 Ducks then again they have had some serious magic this season but can it continue for one more game the biggest game?

Line Up

QB Rivers
HB Mendenhall
HB Benson
HB/WR Harrison
WR Colston
WR Bowe
TE Clark
D Falcons
K Kaeding

Well for once this year it seems the Rayz have finally ran into a hotter team and I think the Weiner Dogz will have a big week on the back of JSTEW and a savvy waiver wire pick up of the 49ers D (33 points against the Rams last time). With that said I'm picking the Weiner Dogz as your GFFL BOWL V Champion. Yes that's what kind of season it's been.

As for the trophy that will be rewarded it is on its way via shipping now and it will be a trophy used for the remainder of the GFFL barring something crazy. This trophy will not be revealed until sunday night.

Rayz going to the Big Game

The Rayz dream season continues after they held on against the Instant Classics. The 11-3 Number one seed will be matched up with the Weiner Dogz in what should be a heck of a title game with no clear favorite. Both the Rayz and Weiner Dogz are enjoying the top 2 most luck filled seasons I've ever seen and one of their seasons is going to culminate into a championship. The Weiner Dogz ended the Rayz 5-0 start earlier in the year.

Just an added throw in with the Bengals Jets game being flexed to sunday night the championship could go into the night game for the first time ever with Benson and possibly Palmer(due to Chargers having everything wrapped up) starting for the Rayz.

Monday Night Football Chat

Rayz-Ochocinco comes down to Vikings D tomorrow night

The Rayz currently hold a 13 point lead while Ochocinco still has the Vikings Defense to play. The Vikings Defense scored 14 points last time they played Cutler and the Bears...while the Vikings haven't been the same team as of late this game truly is a toss up. Based on how Jared Allen and Crew do tomorrow will decide who plays the Weiner Dogz in GFFL Bowl V as well as who becomes the 7th franchise to make a championship appearance and join the U.Gators('05,'06,'07), C.Falcons('07,'08), Panthers('06), Kings('05), Ducks('08), and Weiner Dogz('09).

Weiner Dogz going to the Bowl

The Weiner Dogz are going to GFFL Bowl V on the back of Jonathan Stewart in a true cinderella story. This is the franchises' first championship appearance after upsetting both the heavily favored U.Gators and the higher seeded Ducks. The Weiner Dogz hope to get SJAX back in the pursuit of a championship next week. More to come on this team and whoever makes it out of the Rayz and Classics in an article called Road to the Bowl. The Weiner Dogz are the lowest seeded team to make the GFFL Bowl since 2006 when the 5th seeded Rockets lost to the 2 seed U.Gators.

If the Weiner Dogz are to become champions they could really use DeAngelo sitting another game.

Playoff Chat

4. Weiner Dogz At 2. Ducks (post season rematch)

All time head to head regular season 1-1

Post Season head to head 1-0 Ducks


Last year these two teams met in an epic Divisional Round game ending with a Ducks win 116-108 behind DeAngelo Williams 4 td game. With DWill questionable this one could go the other way.

Weiner Dogz 18-10 (2-1)

2008 9-5 3rd in NFL...Lost Divisional

2009 9-5 2nd in West...???

The Weiner Dogz have put up back to back successful season somehow with luck that rivals that of the Rayz. Wildcard Weekend their luck was on display in a huge upset against the U.Gators where Roethlisberger went for 503 yards and JSTEW somehow had the game of his career that no one expected. The luck could come again if DWILL stays out the Weiner Dogz could make their first ever title game and defeat their biggest rival the Ducks.

Probable Starters
QB Roethlisberger
HB S.Jackson
HB Stewart
HB/WR Calv. Johnson
WR Welker
WR Austin
TE Witten
D Chargers
K Mare

Keys to Win: DWILL Sits and JSTEW continues his success...Roethlisberger and Austin put up some big numbers. It's gonna be tough but if DWILL sits the chances of another Weiner Dog upset grows.

What could do them in: If DWILL plays they don't have a number two runningback and their chances would pretty much realistically be done.

Ducks

2006 6-8-1 3rd in Division 1... NONE

2007 3-10-1 4th in Division 2...NONE

2008 10-4 1st in AFL...Lost GFFL BOWL IV

2009 9-5 1st in Central...???

The Ducks once the laughing stock of the league have turned into a powerhouse, one win away from their 2nd GFFL Bowl in 2 years, this year they have their sites set on winning this one. The only team left with championship experience may very well become the third ever team to win a GFFL Title.

Probable Starters

QB Rodgers
HB Charles
HB Snelling
HB/WR S.Smith
WR Fitzgerald
WR Marshall
TE Gates
D Saints
K Feely

Keys to win: DeAngelo Williams playing...whether or not he has a good game it doesn't matter if DWILL sits JSTEW is capable of tearing it up again for the W.Dogz. The Ducks should still put up pretty good numbers without a healthy DWILL but their key to win is either Snelling or Charles stepping up in DWILL's place.

What Could do them in: DWILL sits this game gets very interesting...if DWill doesn't play that could easily do them in combined with one average performance from the Duck's receivers.

Let's be honest the Weiner Dogz have no business being here, they won in the luckiest performance I have ever seen, but if DWILL doesn't play and they have a little luck left maybe its enough to get them to GFFL Bowl V. If DWILL plays I take the Ducks but if he doesn't then there's no denying the W.Dogz luck and I'll take them.

6. Ochocinco AT 1. Rayz (A game settled on Christmas)

All time head to head 1-1

All time head to head in postseason 0-0

These two teams are evenly matched in history and we should see a very close game in their first playoff match up.



Ochocinco 16-11-1 (1-1)

History

2008 8-6 2nd in AFL...L Wildcard to 4. W.Dogz

2009 8-5-1 2nd in Central... ???

Ochocinco has been in the GFFL for two years and has made the playoffs in back to back years. In 2008 they were one and done but thanks to a favorable match up against the 3. Mountaineers 80 points was enough to advance. They now stand a win away from the franchises first championship appearance.

Probable Starters

QB Brady
HB C.Johnson
HB Jacobs
HB/WR Crabtree
WR V.Jackson
WR Ochocinco
TE Gonzalez
D Vikings
K Gostkowski

Keys to Win: To get into the 100's this team needs a big game from CJ bottom line even last week with their receivers having pretty good games its obvious his title hopes are tied to 4.24.

What could do him in: If Chris is just average he's in trouble. Brady has some injuries and hasn't looked like the same QB. Jacobs is a mystery as he watched Bradshaw have a huge game, and his flex is a wildcard. This isn't the most complete team due to the RB2 and flex and sometimes dissappearing receivers, but fantasy is won with your studs there is no bigger stud than CJ as I said before CJ goes Christian goes, CJ slowed Christian's title hopes are slowed.

Rayz 16-12 (0-0)

2008 5-9* 4th in NFL...NONE

2009 11-3 1st in East...???

*= taking over for Lawson that season

Taylor Ray took over last season with a dream of taking the down trodden franchise to the playoffs. Well this year has been nothing short of magnificent. When people talk about dream seasons this has to be the top of the list. A team not many had penciled into the playoffs and many still doubted after a 5-0 start due to a mass amount of luck and not too many studs on the team has found their way to the #1 seed. This team has been so lucky Eagles D 37 points, Mendenhall sucks all year Rayz acquire him instant stud, Rayz acquire Benson preseason as an after thought in the Greg Jennings trade he's having a career year, and most recently picked up Harrison who scored 47 points. While they did cool off as of late going 5-4 over the last 9 games the only way to end this dream season is with a title will it happen?

Probable Starters
QB Rivers
HB Benson
HB Mendenhall
HB/WR Harrison
WR Colston
WR Ward
TE Clark
D Giants
K Kaeding



Keys to win: This team scored 132 last week on their bye not exactly loaded with studs but a very complete team. If his players keep doing what they've been doing he should be able to hold off Ochocinco.

What could do them in: Saints or Colts sitting players or pulling them early could be a dagger to this squad. The Luck could run out turning Benson Mendenhall and Harrison back into the proverbial pumpkins they looked to be in preseason. So bottom line the only way this team fails if the luck has finally run out.


This is a tough one to pick between two of my friends and two very different fantasy teams. You have the superstar led Ochocinco against the complete team Rayz. Christmas day is gonna be insanely impactful on this game CJ Rivers VJAX and Kaeding all playing I'm picking the Rayz in a very close game

U.Gators continue to rake picks after shocking loss

U.Gators moved Frank Gore for a 1st rounder (4th overall) and a 5th rounder in 2011.

The Unbeaten Gators now have 5 first round picks and could fill their whole starting line up in the first round come June.

As for now though the rest of the week turns to Final 4 coverage starting with the 6 seed Ochocinco later this afternoon.

GFFL BOWL History

GFFL BOWL I

U.Gators VS Phins

Unbeaten Gators won the first ever GFFL Championship over the Dolphins A look back to 2005. The Unbeaten Gators in the first year of the GFFL narrowly missed an undefeated season losing only once to the Dolphins but other than that ran through the league on the way to becoming the first champion.

GFFL BOWL II

U.Gators VS Rockets

Unbeaten Gators won 2nd GFFL Championship over Rockets... Look back to 2006 The Gators 12-3 were well on their way to a Unbeaten Gator-Gator show down but the Rockets upset them in the divisional round on their way to being destroyed in the championship game to the Unbeaten Gators. The Unbeaten Gators become the first team to repeat in the GFFL.

GFFL BOWL III

C.Falcons VS U.Gators

Carolina Falcons won the 3rd GFFL Championship over the Unbeaten Gators. Look Back to 2007 The Unbeaten Gators posted a 12-1-1 record and were on their way to 3 peating over the 7-7 C.Falcons but instead were shocked as even though they topped 100 points they were upset as the Carolina Falcons claimed their franchises first championship.

GFFL BOWL IV

C.Falcons VS Ducks

The Carolina Falcons won the 4th GFFL Championship over the surprising Ducks. Look Back to 2008 The 1st year in GFFL history the Unbeaten Gators failed to make the championship game losing in the divisional round to the Carolina Falcons and giving way to a new dynasty as the league watched the Carolina Falcons go on to be the 2nd team in GFFL history to repeat as champions.

Randy Moss and Schaub to Purple Cobras

Unbeaten Gators Receive: 1st (5th overall) and 5th rounder and 2nd rounder in 2011

P.Cobras Receive: Moss and Schaub


Boldin and Pierre Thomas are up for trade and one HUGE name possibly could be traded Frank Gore

Draft Lottery Results

1. Carolina Falcons 4-9-1

2. Unbeaten Gators 8-5-1 (from PC)

3. Panthers 6-8

4. Kings 5-8-1 (from P)

5. P.Cobras 2-12 (from K)

6. Heels 7-7
---------------------
Non lottery
7. U.Gators 8-5-1

8. Mountaineers 9-5

9. Ochocinco/U.Gators (from D)/W.Dogz

10. Rayz/Ochocinco/U.Gators (from D)/W.Dogz

11. Rayz/Ochocinco/U.Gators (from D)/W.Dogz

12. Rayz/Ochocinco/U.Gators (from D)/W.Dogz

Deangelo Williams' day off cost U.Gators in Wildcard

Unbelievable even after Roethlisbergers huge day I still went into sunday night with a 4 point lead Peterson VS J.Stewart...well Deangelo goes down I get a little nervous Peterson scores up by 10 then Stewart gets two tds and times winding down Peterson catches a 50+ yard screen pass and looks like he'll score to give me a win but gets stopped barely cause Peterson isn't the same back he was so hope is still alive maybe they'll run it in with Peterson after Favre gets them closer maybe they'll throw it to Peterson....first play after that Favre throws an old man devastating pick and there goes the U.Gators season now there's just waiting for next year and covering the rest of this year.... Roethlisberger 32, Stewart 23 against the Vikes williams wall... welcome to the Divisional Round...I'll be throwing up in the corner




Final 4

6. Ochocinco At 1. Rayz

4. W.Dogz At 2. Ducks

In other news if you need a third keeper or even want to upgrade your keepers Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Pierre Thomas and Matt Schaub are all up for trade for high picks

Wild Card Weekend

3.Mountaineers vs. 6.Instant Classics
Mike, Pam, T-Ray, Michael, Rebekah, Jonny, Christian, and Will all pick Instant Classics to win this Matchup.
On the contrary Dylan, Adam, and Brandon select the Mountaineers to take the win.

4.Weiner Dogz vs. 5.U.Gators
Mike, Pam, T-Ray, Michael, Rebekah, Jonny, Christian, Brandon, Adam, Will, and Dylan all say that the U.Gators will win even if the Wiener Dogz are undefeated against the U.Gators.
Melissa picks the Weiner Dogz to win.

Instant Classics- "Instant Classics beat mountaineers 115-77, gators beat wiener dogs 126-84."

- By Dylan Gibson (Kings)

U.Gators and Ochocinco clinch playoffs; playoff picture set

With their wins the U.Gators and Ochocinco have both clinched spots in the playoffs. With the Mountaineers losing but the W.Dogz losing as well the Mountaineers have clinched the West.

Barring something crazy here are your playoffs

6. Ochocinco 8-5-1 AT 3. Mountaineers 9-5

5. Unbeaten Gators 8-5-1 AT 4. Weiner Dogz 9-5

BYES: 1. Rayz 11-3 and 2. Ducks 10-4

Win and Your In

Rayz: clinched East; 1 or 2 seed

Ducks: clinched Central; 2 or 3 seed

Mountaineers: clinched playoff spot; at least 4 seed

Weiner Dogz: clinched playoff spot; at least 4 seed


Playoff Scenarios for Huge Week

Ochocinco 7-5-1: IF they win against the Heels they clinch a playoff spot OR IF they lose and U.Gators lose if they score only 5 points less they clinch

Unbeaten Gators 7-5-1: IF they win against Panthers they clinch a playoff spot OR IF Ochocinco wins over Heels they clinch playoff spot OR IF they lose and Ochocinco lose and they score 7 more points then them they clinch playoff spot

Heels 7-6: IF they win against Ochocinco they clinch a playoff spot

Answering the GFFL questions again

1. Can the Carolina Falcons make history and become the first team in GFFL History to 3-peat?

- Nope, and it wasn't even close, a year of bad drafting and riddled with injuries (Westbrook) and suspensions (Lynch) and players not living up to the hype (R.Williams) they have put together a horrible 3-8-1 record and have some serious rebuilding to do.

2. Will the Unbeaten Gators make their 4th championship appearance in 5 years?

- It's a possibility with one of the best teams I've ever built and favorable playoff matchups for the majority of the line up I feel I have as good a chance as ever to make another championship appearance and win my third GFFL title.

3. Can the Kings find their way back into the playoffs after a 3 year hiatus?

- Nope, make it 4 years somehow his team of studs have only put up a 4-7-1 record so far and didn't even come close to a playoff bid. Well as always for the Kings next year is on the horizon.

4. Have the Panthers put together a roster capable of getting him to his 2nd ever championship appearance?

- This is a loaded question, with the point leading roster they obviously did put together a championship roster I don't know what happened but at 5-7 with two losses to the lowly Princesses they won't have a shot at that 2nd championship appearance.

5. Can any of the expansion teams (P.Cobras, A.Joes, Heels, Mountaineers) legitimately compete for the 2009 crown?

- Well the Purple Cobras are 2-10, the A.Joes quit but on the other hand the Mountaineers have clinched (though some would say luck had a tremendous amount to do with it) and the Heels are fighting for a playoff spot, but the answer for now is no I don't see either of these teams legitimately competing for the crown.

6. If the Rayz are in the mix come trade deadline would they part with some of their bounty of draft picks to pull a blockbuster deal?

- That they did and they definitely were in the mix now at 10-2 they made a deal to get Rivers and Barber involving picks we'll see if it works in the playoffs.

7. The Ducks were once one of the worst franchises in GFFL history but after going all the way to the championship game last year what's in store for '09?

- More of the same they have responded with an 8-4 record and a very good chance at winning the crown after giving up a 1st for some of the King's roster.

8. Who will be this years surprise team a la '08 Ducks and W.Dogz?

- Definitely the Rayz and Mountaineers I don't think even they had themselves going 10-2 and 8-4 respectively will the dream finally end in the playoffs though.

9. Who will have the most helmets in the 6 team draft lottery?

- Surprisingly based on trades it will be either the U.Gators or Kings most likely.

10. Has the switch to a 12 team league made the gap of talent wide enough from the good to the average to the bad teams that we might see our first undefeated or winless season?

- No but very close to the winless with the Average Joes/Princesses two monster fluke Brees games from being winless. As for the Rayz 10-2 they had all the luck it would take to go undefeated just not much of the talent if they could have put up respectable scores in their two losses they could very well be 12-0 but in that case if some of their opponents would have put up respectable scores he'd have more losses and if Jake Delhomme doesn't buffer the Eagles D point score then the undefeated thing never starts.

A Look At the current Lottery ball leaders

1. U.Gators from Purple Cobras (2-10)

2. Kings from Princesses (2-10)

3. Carolina Falcons (3-8-1)

4. Purple Cobras from Kings (4-7-1)

5. Panthers 5-7

6. Ochocinco 6-5-1

Playoff Scenarios Week 13

Rayz have clinched East Division and one or two seed

Mountaineers have clinched a playoff spot

Playoff Scenarios

Rayz clinch one seed with a win OR with Mountaineers and W.Dogz loss

Mountaineers clinch West Division with win AND W.Dogz loss (meaning guaranteed 1,2, or 3)

Weiner Dogz clinch playoff spot with win OR with Ochocinco loss

Ducks clinch playoff spot with win OR with Ochocinco loss

Ducks clinch Central with win over Heels this week and 1,2, or 3 seed

Heels clinch playoff spot with win AND Ochocinco loss

Unbeaten Gators clinch playoff spot with win OR Ochocinco AND Heels loss

Ochocinco can't clinch anything this week but is still alive

Elemination possibilities

Ochocinco can be eleminated with loss AND Heels win AND U.Gators win

Rayz Clinch East Division and 1 or 2 seed; Princesses End Losing Streak

The Rayz are the only team who have clinched anything so far. With the win over the U.Gators they have clinched the Division and a 1 or 2 seed. Most likely they have clinched the one seed unless they lose out and the W.Dogz win out with the Mountaineers losing one game.


Realistically the only seed up for grabs (barring the C.Falcons waking up and actually beating somebody or the Princesses making it two in a row) is the 6th seed between the Heels and Ochocinco who conveniently play in week 14. Coming into the game their records will most likely be Heels 7-6 and Ochocinco 7-5-1 in an overly hyped elemination game.

Prediction for Playoffs

Wildcard

3. Mountaineers 9-5 1. Rayz 11-3
6. Ochocinco 8-5-1

4. U.Gators 9-4-1 2. Ducks 10-4
5. W.Dogz 9-5