Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, the moment has finally arrived, the BAFFL playoffs are finally here! Throw out the power rankings, the what-if scenarios, and the regular season records. Team vs. team. GM vs. GM. Cosgrove vs. his emotions. The Saturday games start this week, and so we have 6 standalone games where everyone can watch every play as their players disappoint them and their opponents players have historic performances. We have it all covered for you at baffl.ca with the most comprehensive playoff preview in the biz.

PLAYOFF BRACKET (THE GOOD TEAMS)

#1 McFavres vs. #8 Dawgpound

The Dawgpound limped into the playoffs, failing to take care of business in week 14 but being saved by a pitiful performance by the wolves. The Delamere raiders put up scores of 64, 65, and 54 the last 3 weeks. The McFavres are not exactly firing on all cylinders either heading into the playoffs, scoring 89 and 71 points in the final two weeks, although the McFavres may have been resting guys knowing they had the top seed locked up. Just as the Dawgpound looked to be getting healthy, the team lost QB Justin Herbert and could be without Josh Jacobs who has a quick turnaround Thursday game after exiting Sunday with an injury. The McFavres on the other hand have one big question mark: Tyreek Hill. The star WR exited the game early on Monday but came back late to make a few grabs. If Tyreek is healthy, this match is over before it started. If he can’t suit up, it might plant a seed of hope for the dawgpound.

Prediction: McFavres by a million

#2 Moody Magpies vs. Moustache Mystics

The birbs made headlines on Sunday, calling their shot and saying (direct quote): “Are you kidding me? Of course we want the Mystics. That team is trash, and we will absolutely steamroll that sorry excuse for a roster. Chubba Hubbard? Are you F@#$%ing joking? If you gave me 5 extra bench spots he still wouldn’t be on my roster.” Needless to say, the outspoken GM’s comments have caused quite a stir in the Mystic’s locker room and provided some bulletin board material for coach/GM Moustache to work with. The Mystics have been in this spot before, doubted by a stronger (on paper) opponent several times en route to their championship run.

Prediction: Angry Birds are definitely, absolutely, for sure going to win

#3 Battle Hogz vs. #6 ZenSharks

It was always going to happen this way…. These two former bitter rivals and perrennial underachievers set aside their differences this year to focus on themselves, and the results were incredible. The Sharks and Hogz were 2 of only 3 teams to break the 1400 point barrier this year, and are two of the front runners to take home the title this year. The only thing standing in their way: each other. One of these teams with title aspirations will be heading home after this first round and have some ‘splainin to do to their fan base and owners this offseason.

There’s a lot of intrigue in this matchup: will the uneasy truce between these franchises hold up, or will the pressure cooker of the BAFFL playoffs be enough to send them back to their old ways? For the Sharks – will we get the Breece Hall of last week, who caught 8 targets for 126 all purpose yards and a score, or will we get the Breece Hall who rushed 13 times for 16 yards the week prior? Will DK Metcalf get ejected from his game or will he torch the Eagles like he did the 49ers? For the Hogz, will Rhamondre come back and reclaim his lead role, or will the Hogz get another 20+ from an afterthought of the BAFFL draft. This matchup will very likely come down to Monday night as the Hogz save their Hurts/Brown duo for the very end. What lead would feel safe going into Monday night? 80? These guys are capable of putting up monster numbers any given week.

Prediction: Hogz in a nail-biter come from behind heartbreaking victory on Monday night

#4 Thresher Tornados vs. #5 AA Magikarps

The Karps finally put an end to their slide putting up a league high 125.6 points in week 14, giving their fans and front office a glimmer of hope going into the playoffs. Jake Browning might actually be a viable starter, and Cooper Kupp finally put up a vintage performance in the win. Meanwhile in Tornado Alley, the nades lost star keeper Justin Jefferson just minutes into getting him back, and his status is uncertain for this crucial game. To be perfectly honest, this is the most boring of the 4 matchups this week. Either team could win, either team could lose, and Christian McCaffrey will likely be a big reason for the outcome either way.

Prediction: Tornados, this team is a wagon and we’ve been behind them all year. Winners of the draft.

Chillin

Cheeks and Wolves, kick your feet up and enjoy the action this week. Well Cheeks – maybe don’t kick your feet up too much, you have a funeral to plan, kids to teach about life and death, and new fish to acquire.

CHOMPS BRACKET (THE BAD TEAMS)

#1 Voldemorts vs. #4 Valley Lords

The voldemorts continued their strong play in the second half, closing the season out with a win, but it was too little too late and the team was unable to scratch and claw their way out of the chomps bracket. They did earn a first round date with the Valley Lords, who we thank baby jesus every day isn’t in the playoffs with their 79 point performance in week 15 (which is especially impressive when you consider Deebo put up 32). Impact RB Gus Edwards is a force to be reckoned with, and put up 1.5 points in his tune-up for the playoffs. This team has 3 tight ends, Dalvin Cook, and Joshua Kelley on their roster, and has had those two RBs basically all year. I’m running out of things to say about how bad this team is, so looking forward to next week when we get a brief reprieve waiting for them to lose in the chomps bowl.

Prediction: Voldemorts in a cakewalk 89-64

#2 BIG GUYs vs. #3 Pontooners

The tooners ended the season with back to back wins to make their season slightly less depressing with a 5-9 record. With a healthy Pacheco, this team still looks OK on paper but is noticeably thin at the WR position. Meanwhile, the BIG GUYs find themselves in a familiar position trying to scratch and claw their way out of the fish bracket and avoid bringing home some new aquatic friends to the basement of Minoterie. The BIG GUYs also look decent on paper, but with Diggs taking a bit of a step back this year, they just don’t have the X factor who can put up 35 in a given week.

Prediction: Pontooners in a close one