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Wild Card Week Previews
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Sims Stereco
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P.W.O.P.
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(6 - 7)
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(7 - 6)
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series history: P.W.O.P.
leads 3-2-1
last meeting: Week 6
P.W.O.P. 25, at Sims 18
postseason records:
Sims 1-2, P.W.O.P. 2-3
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Third-seeded Pirk's Wicked Oil Profiteer$ host the sixth-ranked
Sims Stereco in the first of two Wild Card matchups this weekend.
A month ago, both clubs sat at 3-6, teetering on playoff elimination.
The Stereco and Profiteer$, both having missed out on playoff
action a year ago, went a combined 7-1 over the final four
weeks to lock up postseason invites.
This will be the third straight elimination game for Sims,
who sat on seven losses for the final two weeks while battling
back other playoff contenders. The incredible tag-team of
Kurt Warner and Aaron Brooks behind center is a big reason
for the Stereco's appearance here this week. Additionally,
half back Ricky Williams has developed into one of the league's
strongest ballcarriers while the versatile Tiki Barber is
used to keep defenses honest. Perhaps the greatest offensive
weapon on the Stereco, however, is receiver Terrell Owens,
who holsters game-breaking ability. The only probable Achilles'
heal in the Stereco's quest for Championship Week is the inconsistent
play from their defense. Neither their Giants or Chiefs squad
has truly performed to to expectations.
This week is a special one for the P.W.O.P., as it represents
the first season in three that they are not playing in the
league's annual Draft Bowl. Two words can be used to explain
why: Ahman Green. The second overall draft pick has been exceptional
for the Profiteer$, moving the ball and scoring touchdowns,
reminiscent of their 1998 season in which Randy Moss took
the league by storm. Moss is still here and seems to finally
be coming out of his shell in 2001. The true ringleader of
the offense, however, is Jeff Garcia, who the Profiteer$ hope
got his worst game of the season (2 points) out of the way
last week. Much like their Wild Card opponents, while the
offense is strong, the defense has been ugly. P.W.O.P.'s Raiders
squad, cut midseason then picked up again, has been unreliable
at best during the final stretch.
All said, P.W.O.P.'s won four in a row for the first time
since their last playoff run in 1998. Sims just keeps finding
ways to win lately, and will need one more upset to score
the franchise's first ever visit to Championship Week. So
sit back and expect lots of points - and possibly very little
defense - as the Stereco hits the fan in Oil Town.
victims of the bye week:
Sims - none
P.W.O.P. - REC Muhammed
back to scoreboard
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Abstract Machines
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Thomas' Bock Boys
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(7 - 6)
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(7 - 6)
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series history: Thomas leads
3-1
last meeting: Week 13
THOMAS 51, at Machines 35
postseason records:
Machines 2-3, Thomas 1-1
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Wild Card Week's afternoon contest features
two Western Division rivals with an immediate familiarity
between them. Just last week, Thomas' Bock Boys - sans a quarterback,
nonetheless- whupped up on the Abstract Machines in their
own backyard, 51-35. The win swept the season series away
from the Machines, forcing the mechanical ones to pack their
bags for the return bout this week in Bockville.
Despite taking it on the chin in Week 13, the Abstract Machines
are pumped to be back in the playoffs after missing out last
season. During the offseason, the Machines brought in Elvis
Grbac to be their quarterback savior, but he struggled and
was cut during the season. Brad Johnson has taken over the
command and has been sufficient but not overly threatening.
Marshall Faulk, however, is. The tailback has excelled and
is among the league's top scorers, even after missing out
a pair of games with injury. The offense has been further
buoyed by the emergence of receiver Kevin Johnson, who now
starts opposite of the still electrifying Marvin Harrison.
Yet the greatest cause of the Machines' best ever regular
season is the redevelopment of their Rams defense, who have
gone from laughing stock to formidable force.
The Boys form Bockville clawed their way back into the playoffs
and will host a Wild Card game for the second straight year.
Thomas got off to a rough start in 2001, with both of 2000's
runningbacks off the roster before Opening Weekend. Yet the
resurgent Priest Holmes and the surprising Antowain Smith
have made the Bock fans forget all about that. Additionally,
Receiver David Boston has had a field day with opposing defenses
and has emerged as one of this season's best. Topping it off,
there may not be a more aggressive defense than Thomas' Eagles,
who have consistently outperformed their opposition. The big
question mark on whether the Bock Boys can get back to Championship
Week is Daunte Culpepper, who missed last week's game with
an injured knee and may not suit up here. While it's true
the B-Boys handed it to the Machines' in Culpepper's absence
last week, one never likes to push his luck.
The road has not been kind to the Abstract Machines in 2001.
They've lost more games to home field advantage this season
than some clubs have in five. Yet two years ago, just as they
do today, the Machines set out on the road as the No. 5 seed.
They won that game, and the next one, to advance to the Super
Bowl. Will those road warriors reappear? In case you absolutely
need another reason to watch this one: Not surprisingly, Marshall
Faulk is the co-leader of total points for a runningback at
104. What is surprising is that he's tied with the Bock Boys'
Priest Holmes. Let's get it on!
victims of the bye week:
Machines - none
Thomas - none
back
to scoreboard
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Piana Raze
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Anderson Brewmeisters
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(4 - 9)
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(4 - 9)
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series history: Piana leads
4-1-1
last meeting: Week 7
Anderson 20, vs Piana 25
postseason records:
Piana 3-2, Anderson 5-1
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The Anderson Brewmeisters are playing in a franchise-first:
a non-playoff postseason game. Their 2001 Draft Bowl opponent,
the Piana Raze, played in and won the 1999 version. Peter
Warrick, picked first overall in 2000, now serves water
on the Raze sideline. The Brewmeisters fell from playoff
contention and into this game by dropping their final three
contests of the regular season. The Raze used a Week 13
upset over Irwin to stop an ugly five-game losing streak.
Their last win before that streak - Week 7 versus the Brew
Krew.
Peyton Manning and Brian Griese started their respective
teams' season at quarterback. Jay Fiedler and Tom Brady,
however, will be closing it out. Manning has been mercifully
pulled by the Brewmeister coaching staff while Griese is
still working through a concussion. So while the quarterback
battle may be lacking, the war on the ground should be spectacular.
Piana will pit a healthy Terrell Davis and an impressive
Garrison Hearst against an also healthy Duce Staley and
first overall pick LaDainian Tomlinson. If Piana's New Orleans
Saint defense can play like it has the past two weeks (48
combined points), the Raze may be at the top of the draft
board once again. If not, and Anderson can pull its act
together, the Brew Krew will be awarded their second straight
First overall pick. May the better of the two worst teams
win.
victims of the bye week:
Piana - none
Anderson - none
back to scoreboard
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