AFFL FInal Four Preview - HBK/Vosgee Championship Rematch Headlines Games
Raffi Lalazarian
Four teams are left in the AFFL. This weekend will see two old-time champions square off against two new comers looking for their first title. These have arguably been the four best teams in the AFFL this season, so it is nice to see we get a match-up of such powerhouses. Without further ado, let’s get into the breakdowns of these games along with a little history lesson of each match-up.
Awesomeness (1st seed; 10- 3) vs Grabbers (4 seed; 8-5):
Line: Awesomeness -12.45 o/u 234.23
2020 head-to-head: Awesomeness 97.14 - Grabbers 75.80
Lifetime head-to-head: Awesomeness 6 wins - Grabbers 10 wins
Playoffs head-to-head: Awesomeness 0 wins - Grabbers 2 wins
Last playoff meeting - Awesomeness 129.66 - Grabbers 160.50
The History of Awesomeness
After blazing on the scene in 2008 with a finals appearance, Awesomeness continued his path of destruction by making three consecutive finals, and becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles in the AFFL. That was a long time ago. Since the 2010 AFFL title, Awesomeness has been virtually non-existent, making a brief appearance in the top 3 twice (2015,2017) but finishing in 9th place or worse in 5 seasons. Ouch.
This year has marked a return to glory for the franchise, as Awesomeness has managed to claim the top seed in the league. With a mix of talented old faces and new ones, the team has overcome the loss of Dak Prescott and played his cards perfectly at the QB position. The roster has been hit by the injury bug of late, so it will be interesting to see if Awesomeness can manage to overcome adversity one last time.
Looking to set the record for biggest gap between championships, Awesomeness is the favorite to win it all.
The History of Grabbers
What began as a kernel of fantasy ignorance has blossomed into a flower of fantasy wisdom. The early years of the Grabbers franchise was more about duduz pinching and being the vor of the AFFL than championships. Finishing no better than 7th the first four seasons in the league, Grabbers broke through in 2012 with his first finals appearance. Since that time, he has managed a second finals appearance (2015) and made the playoffs 5 of the last 8 seasons. Not too shabby.
This season has been a tale of ups and downs. Grabbers benefited from a controversial auction call with Kamara, and began the season as the team to beat. With Sanders and Jacobs as his keepers, the team began the season on a tear, winning the first five games with ease. However. the tide turned week 6, when weaker WR production along with injuries to RBs caused the team to falter. Going only 3-5 to finish the season, Grabbers limped into the postseason. Many had their doubts that Grabbers would be able to win, but he did, knocking off a feisty Hartan team in the first round.
Now Grabbers enters the semi-final as the underdog, looking to make the finals for a 3rd time and claim his first AFFL title.
Match-up Breakdown
Quarterbacks: Carr vs Rodgers
Carr has a chance at massive points in a shoot-out with Herbert Thrusday night, but don’t think it will out do Rodgers:
Advantage: Grabbers
Wide Receivers: Tyreek & Evans vs Juju & Cooper
Tyreek is as explosive as it gets, despite a tough match-up vs NO. Evans isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, but the match-up is at least right vs Atl. Juju is hardly getting used, except in the red-zone, while Cooper is gonna have to deal with Dalton’s throws and a tough SF defense.
Advantage: Awesomeness
Running backs: Robinson & Swift vs Kamara & Jacobs
This one is intriguing. Robinson has been as solid as they come, putting up an average of 10+ a week, while Swift has been dealing with coming back from an injury. Is this when he gets his full workload back? Kamara is always going to be solid, though Taysom under center has really killed his receiving stats. Jacobs is game script dependent. If they get down, he will be on the sideline watching.
Advantage: None
Tight End: Waller vs Tonyan
Name value goes to Waller, who has been a top 2 tight end all season, but Tonyan has held his own. What is interesting is that both teams are stacking their QB with their TE. Which one comes out on top?
Advantage: Awesomeness
Flex: DJ Moore vs Miles Sanders
Dj Moore may avoid the tough corner match-up with Alexander of GB this weekend. If he does, he should have his usual 70 yards and a score. Sanders had a big week last week which was mostly done off one long TD run. It counts, but you have to wonder if teams may stack the box against Hurts and limit Sanders. However, he should still get into the endzone this week.
Advantage: Grabbers
Special Teams: Bass & Baltimore vs Sanders & Tennessee
Both kickers have been reliable all year. One has had the more consistent double digit production. Sanders should edge Bass here. Defensively, Baltimore vs Jax is a great match-up, but Tennessee gets to feast on a back-up Qb in Det. Regardless, Bal is the better defense.
Advantage: Awesomeness
Prediction
Grabbers has made it to the Semi’s with a team that looks great on paper. With advantages at the QB position and the Flex, he has a chance to put this game out of reach should they both go off. However, that won’t happen. Awesomeness will manage to get more juice out of his RBs than expected and the Carr/Waller stack will give him the edge that leads to victory come Sunday.
Awesomeness 145.25 to Grabbers 128.12
Vosgereechee Gyank (2nd seed; 9-4) vs HBK Shant Michaels (3rd seed; 9-4)
Line: Vosgereechee Gyank -0.72 o/u 213.30
2020 head-to-head: Vosgereechee Gyank 100.70 - HBK 94.70
Lifetime head-to-head: Vosgereechee Gyank 10 wins - HBK 7 wins
Playoffs head-to-head: Vosgereechee Gyank 2 wins - HBK 1 wins
Last playoff meeting - Vosgereechee Gyank 139.96 - HBK 71.56
The History of Vosgereechee Gyank
The Gyank story is one of redemption, where the little guy gets a chance to dish back against the big boys. Having finished in last or second to last place in 5 of his first 6 years in the league, Gyank was looking for something to build off. His fortunes finally turned with a historic run to the AFFL championship game in 2016 in what has gone down as one of the most epic finals in AFFL history. By the grace of the fantasy gods, and the efficient Dallas offense keeping Dan Bailey to six extra points on MNF, Gyank claimed his first and only AFFL title by a mere .72 points. Finishing in second was… HBK. Since that day, every HBK match-up has been circled on the calendar. This year, HBK once again stands in the way of Vosgee and another title. The drama couldn’t be higher.
During the 2020 season, Gyank has ridden the back of Derrick Henry, who has been the best RB in fantasy football. Overcoming the loss of Kittle has been tough, and a lack of a true RB2 has been tougher, still Gyank has managed. He started the season red hot, winning 5 of the first 6 weeks. He finished the season with a 4-3 record, but even in defeat managed some solid outings.
Looking to become one of only four other teams to win multiple titles.
The History of HBK Shant Michaels
The story of the “sexy boy” begins as a co-manager with Bomba, winning a title in ‘06 under the Bomba name. Since that time, HBK has branched off, hoping to win his first title under his own moniker. He has come oh so close. His first five season in the AFFL as the fantasy wrestler were mixed, with a few 4th place finishes combined with some 10th and 11th place seasons. Despite making the playoffs in 4 of 8 seasons, HBK couldn’t get past the semi-finals. After finishing 4th again in 2014, his big break came in 2016, where he squared off against Vosgee in his first finals appearance. Needing only a few fgs from Dan Bailey on MNF for his first AFFL title, HBK was dealt a gut wrenching finals loss, losing to Gyank by .72. He hasn’t made it back since.
The 2020 season however isn’t about HBK and Gyank, it is about HBK and Cobra, the team he managed to beat in the quarterfinals. Outbidding Cobra at every turn at the draft, HBK managed to bolster a roster that had the early look of a champion. Winning his first three games in a row and scoring 130+ showed the league that he was indeed a team to beat. However, the lack of a true RB reared its ugly head, and the squad fell apart, losing 3 of the next four games. Many said this was a typical HBK season, and he would soon fall apart. However, this wasn’t the old HBK, and Shant managed to win 5 of his last 6 to close the season in impressive fashion
Now he’s looking to win his first title and erase the curse of Bomba, the curse of Gyank and everything else for good.
Match-up Breakdown
Quarterbacks: Wilson vs Hill
Taysom hill has been putting up a solid 25 points weekly, and this week looks to be much the same in what could be a higher than usual scoring game vs KC. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson has looked fairly average against tough defenses, and Washington qualifies as one of those. Still, he has the higher ceiling.
Advantage: Vosgereechee Gyank
Wide Receivers: Adams & Thomas vs Ridley & Metcalf
Four stud WRs going at it. Awesome. Each team has the QB for one of the other teams Wrs (Wilson Metcalf, Hill Thomas). While Thomas is a great receiver, he is banged up and going to watch Hill run more than he passes. Meanwhile, Metcalf will at least eat a TD from Wilson. On the flip side, Adams is just too strong a WR to count out. Ridley will hold his own.
Advantage: HBK Shant Micheals
Running backs: Henry & Mckissic vs J. Taylor & Akers
Interesting battle here. Henry against a horrible LIons defense is a lock for 30. The question then becomes, what is Mickissic worth? 10? Can Taylor and Akers get to 40 combined? Absolutely. Will they is the question. That depends on if McVay plans to play possum with his RBs like he always does or lean on Akers. Nevertheless, the match-up with the Jets isn’t great for RBs. Can’t count on him for more than 12 points.
Advantage: Vosgereechee Gyank
Tight End: Goedart vs Fant
The ‘X’ factor here is Kittle. We’ll assume Kittle is out this week. Goedart is a solid play, but has been losing snaps to Ertz since his return. Meanwhile, Fant is going to be a focal point on offense against a Buffalo defense that gives up the 6th most points to TEs.
Advantage: HBK Shant Michaels
Flex: Aiyuk vs Hilton
It’s almost like they are the same player on another team. Both have great match-ups.Both have suspect QBs. One of them is going to score more points than the other. Just don’t know which one.
Advantage: None
Special Teams: Butker & Seattle Def vs ??? & Colts Def
Butker is one of the most solid kickers in the game, and Seattle will get to pounce on a Was team that could be without Alex Smith. The Colts will be solid vs Hou, but who will HBK play at kicker. Dan Bailey?
Advantage: Vosgereechee Gyank
Prediction
This is a strange year, with everything turned upside down. Consider the last time Vosgee won the title, Donald Trump was elected President. This year however, he lost the election, and as Trump goes, so too goes Vosgee. Somehow, someway, we have to just let nature take its course. Last year, Shabam exorcise their demons. This year, HBK gets to exorcise his.