Full Contact Playoffs

The Full Contact league playoff picture has been largely anti-climactic this season. Last year saw the most competitive playoff field in league history, but the Top-6 teams this season have been set for over a month. Also taking away a bit from the late-season drama is that the playoff teams already owned all but a handful of the impact players before the season ended. There were quite a few trades in the past week, but nothing to match the ultra-competitive hysteria of last year's flurry.

Congratulations to all of the playoff owners for getting this far, and furthermore, for realizing that championship banners fly forever: swing for the fences.

*For Full Contact Playoff Rules & Set-up, click here.

Playoff landscape:


#1 Seed: RED STORM [+103 - 3rd Place]

Week 1 Lineup:
QB: Peyton Manning, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [+9]
RB:
RB:
WR: Derrick Mason, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [+1]
WR: Roddy White, ATL - No. 5 @ Arizona [+12]
WR: Marvin Harrison, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [0]
K: David Akers, PHI - No. 6 @ Minnesota [+14]
D: Ravens, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [+14]

Bench: DeAngelo Williams, Brandon Jacobs, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, L.J. Smith, Alge Crumpler

Strategy: The commish captured the league's first title in 1999, but it's been a frustrating run since the 21st century began. Tom used last year's playoff trade market to pick up Peyton Manning to go along with holdover stud running backs DeAngelo Williams and Brandon Jacobs. After riding that threesome and Roddy White to the regular season title, Tom didn't need to do much strategizing. He has a nice, evenly spread playoff roster with quality players on several different teams.

Outlook: Red Storm needs the NFC to work out according to seed, with the stud running backs continuing to score heavily. In the AFC, Manning and the Colts will have to streak their way deep into the playoffs. One bonus is the presence of the Ravens defense and Derrick Mason. Baltimore is the surest thing in the Wild Card round, which allows Red Storm the luxury of planning on at least two games from two key Ravens scorers.

Week 2 Lineup:
QB:
RB: DeAngelo Williams [+1]
RB: Brandon Jacobs [+2]
WR:
WR:
WR: Derrick Mason [+9]
K: David Akers [+11]
D: Ravens [+3]

Likely Week 3 Lineup:
QB:
RB:
RB:
WR:
WR:
WR: Derrick Mason @ PIT [0]
K: David Akers @ ARI [+3]
D: Ravens @ PIT [+5]


#2 Seed: BACKYARD ALL-STARS [+190 - 1st Place]

Week 1 Lineup:
QB: Kurt Warner, ARI - No. 4 vs. Atlanta [+10]
RB: Brian Westbrook, PHI - No. 6 @ Minnesota [+9]
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI - No. 4 vs. Atlanta [+10]
TE: Todd Heap, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [+1]
WR: Mark Clayton, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [0]
TE: Brent Celek, PHI - No. 6 @ Minnesota [+5]
K: Neil Rackers, ARI - No. 4 vs. Atlanta [+4]
D: Eagles, PHI - No. 6 @ Minnesota [+9]

Bench: Chris Johnson, Mewelde Moore, Hines Ward, Jeff King, D.J. Hackett, John Carney, Panthers Def

Strategy: The patented Piggyback Gambling strategy met its Waterloo last season after a history of uncanny resistance to failure. Last year's downfall can be laid at the feet of an owner who chose to rely on shaky first round teams, but gambling on Philly and Baltimore this season should get the scheme back on track. Wess will be the only owner starting a full lineup in Week One, and he could plug in several studs next week if things break right.

Outlook: BYAS took home its first title in 2004 largely on the strength of Duante Culpepper and Randy Moss blowing up in Green Bay and knocking off the favored Packers. If Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald can put up a similar performance, the lead could be insurmountable with Chris Johnson, Hines Ward, John Carney, and the Panthers defense ready to step in for Round Two. Throwing Neil Rackers and Brent Celek in the lineup for Week 1 seems dubious at first glance, but it's actually not a huge risk. If the Cardinals fall, BYAS' chances take a big hit regardless. The Giants lost three of four to close out the season and could be looking at a very tough matchup against the Eagles. Is New York a better bet to beat Philly in Round two than Arizona is to beat Atlanta in Round one? Not by much. As long as one of Baltimore, Philly or Arizona wins this week, Chris Johnson and Hines Ward can be plugged in regardless of Celek's presence. By Sunday night, Backyard All-Stars will know if they're on the road to another title or playing for fifth place.

Week 2 Lineup:
QB: Kurt Warner [+8]
RB: Chris Johnson [+8]
RB: Brian Westbrook [0]
WR: Larry Fitzgerald [+13]
WR: Hines Ward [+1]
WR: Mark Clayton [0]
K: John Carney [+7]
D: Panthers [+2]

Likely Week 3 Lineup:
QB: Kurt Warner vs. PHI [+21]
RB:
RB: Brian Westbrook @ ARI [+1]
WR: Larry Fitzgerald vs. PHI [+26]
WR: Hines Ward vs. BAL [+1]
WR: Todd Heap @ PIT [+2]
K:
D:

Super Bowl Lineup:
QB: Kurt Warner [+19]
WR: Larry Fitzgerald [+18]
WR: Hines Ward [0]


#3 Seed: WARRIORS [+112 - 2nd Place]

Week 1 Lineup:
QB:
RB: Willis McGahee, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [+1]
WR:
WR:
WR:
TE:
K:
D: Falcons, ATL - No. 5 @ Arizona [+1]

Bench: Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Tarvaris Jackson, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Kevin Boss, Jeff Reed, Chargers Def

Strategy: Both of Brad's titles have come from riding a hot NFL team to the Full Contact title. With a roster and trade market unfriendly toward picking up a rounded portfolio of stars, Brad has smartly picked up as many pieces from one team as possible. It first worked with the Panthers back in 2003, and the Warriors picked up a second title last season by riding the surprising Chargers. With Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, and Jeff Reed, Brad is rolling with the AFC's most well-rounded team.

Outlook: It's Steelers-or-bust for the Warriors. Brad will need Big Ben to be fully healthy in his return from an ugly Week 17 concussion. Unable to grab the Steelers dominant defense or a Pittsburgh runner, the Warriors will need Big Ben to find his non-Hines Ward receivers early and often for the Warriors to collect their third title.

Week 2 Lineup:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger
RB: Willis McGahee [0]
WR: Santonio Holmes
TE: Heath Miller
WR: Nate Washington
TE: Kevin Boss [+3]
K: Jeff Reed
D:


Likely Week 3 Lineup:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger vs. BAL [+7]
RB: Willis McGahee @ PIT [+13]
WR: Santonio Holmes vs. BAL [+7]
WR: Heath Miller vs. BAL [+4]
WR: Nate Washington vs. BAL [0]
WR:
K: Jeff Reed vs. BAL [+11]
D:

Super Bowl Lineup:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger [+6]
WR: Santonio Holmes [+13]
WR: Heath Miller [+5]
WR: Nate Washington [0]
K: Jeff Reed [+9]


#4 Seed: SLASHERS [+50 - 6th Place]

Week 1 Lineup:
QB: Chad Pennington, MIA - No. 4 vs. Baltimore [+3]
RB:
RB:
WR: Vincent Jackson, SD - No. 4 vs. Indy [0]
WR: Anthony Gonzalez, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [+3]
WR:
K:
D:

Bench: LenDale White, Willie Parker, Muhsin Muhammad, Brandon Jones, John Kasay, Titans Def

Strategy: Scott has a history of riding a collection of superstars on the favored teams. He was betrayed by the favored Cowboys last season, and Dallas' second straight collapse left him searching for playoff pieces to close out this season. The Slashers need LenDale White and Willie Parker to find the end zone with regularity while John Kasay and the Titans D outscore the other kickers and defenses.

Outlook: Scott habitually goes into the playoffs looking like a prohibitive favorite with a stacked team, but it's a different approach this season. The Slashers will need a big game early from Vincent Jackson or Anthony Gonzalez, and then hope for the LenDale/FWP touchdown fest the following week. With Carolina players evenly distributed among contenders, he won't gain much of advantage from the Muhammad/Kasay combo. The Slashers will need a lot to fall their way if they're going to advance far into the playoffs.

Week 2 Lineup:
QB:
RB: Edgerrin James [+7]
RB: Willie Parker
WR: Vincent Jackson
WR: Muhsin Muhammad [+2]
WR:
K: John Kasay [+1]
D: Titans [0]

Likely Week 3 Lineup:
QB:
RB: Edgerrin James vs. PHI [+1]
RB: Willie Parker vs. BAL [0]
WR:
K:
D:

Super Bowl Lineup:
RB: Willie Parker [+1]
RB: Edgerrin James [+1]

#5 Seed: CHODA SODA [+53 - Fifth Place]

Week 1 Lineup:
QB:
RB: Le'Ron McClain, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [+8]
RB: Joseph Addai, IND - No. 6 @ San Diego [+7]
WR: DeSean Jackson, PHI - No. 6 @ Minnesota [0]
TE:
WR:
K: Adam Vinatieri, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [+5]
D: Colts, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [+6]

Bench: Jake Delhomme, Dominic Rhodes, Steve Smith, Amani Toomer

Strategy: Choda has a history of riding big Week one performances and then turning to his Colts to try to pull out a victory. It's a bit backwards this year, with Chris needing the Colts to come up big in Round one before turning to Jake Delhomme and a high-scoring Steve Smith. The likelihood of at least two games from Le'Ron McClain is a nice bonus.

Outlook: Choda Soda will be rooting heavily for a Colts/Panthers Super Bowl, in which case they're sitting pretty. Just getting the Panthers to the Super Bowl won't be enough, as DeAngelo Williams, Muhsin Muhammad, John Kasay, and the Panthers D all rest on other rosters.

Week 2 Lineup:
QB: Jake Delhomme [0]
RB: Le'Ron McClain [0]
RB:
WR: Steve Smith [+6]
WR: DeSean Jackson [+2]
TE: Antonio Gates
K:
D:

Likely Week 3 Lineup:
QB:
RB: LeRon McClain @ PIT [0]
RB:
WR: DeSean Jackson @ ARI [+8]
WR:
TE:
K:
D:


#6 Seed: UNDERPAID ACTION HEROS [+97 - 4th Place]

Week 1 Lineup:
QB:
RB: Adrian Peterson, MIN - No. 4 vs. Philly [+14]
WR: Reggie Wayne, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [+10]
TE: Dallas Clark, IND - No. 5 @ San Diego [+4]
WR: #Anquan Boldin, ARI - No. 4 vs. Atlanta [+7]
WR: Kevin Curtis, PHI - No. 6 @ Minnesota
K: Matt Stover, BAL - No. 6 @ Miami [+9]
D:

Bench: Kerry Collins, Chester Taylor, Justin Gage, Bo Scaife, Rob Bironas, Nate Kaeding, Steelers Def, Vikings Def

Strategy: Employing a Seahawk-heavy lineup, first year owner Boat finished as the runner up last season. This year brings a more diluted strategy, with key players coming from the Colts, Vikings, Ravens, and Steelers. There's no real stretegy here, as Boat is all over the map.

Outlook: Along with the sixth-place homefield disadvantage, Underpaid Action Heros' lack of a clear gameplan could leave him fighting for his playoff livelihood as soon as this weekend. Boat needs the Colts to beat the Chargers, the Vikings to beat the Eagles, the Cardinals to beat the Falcons, the Ravens to beat the Dolpins, the Steelers D to dominate Round two, and the Titans passing game to come through. All of that is possible, but is it probable?

Week 2 Lineup:
QB: Kerry Collins [+3]
RB:
WR:
WR:
WR: Justin Gage [+7]
WR: Bo Scaife [+1]
K: Rob Bironas [+4]
D: Steelers

Likely Week 3 Lineup:
QB:
RB:
WR:
WR:
WR:
WR:
K:
D: Steelers vs. BAL [+13]

Super Bowl Lineup:
D: Steelers [+10]

WALL OF CHAMPIONS:

2008: 1st Place - Backyard All-Stars | Runner-up - Warriors

2007: 1st Place - Warriors | Runner-up - Underpaid Action Heros

2006: 1st Place - Choda Soda | Runner-up - Backyard All-Stars

2005: 1st Place - Backyard All-Stars | Runner-up - Aurora Casket Co.

2004: 1st Place - Backyard All-Stars | Runner-up - Chem Coach

2003: 1st Place - Warriors | Runner-up - Red Storm

2002: 1st Place - Cardinals | Runner-up - Backyard All-Stars

2001: 1st Place - Slashers | Runner-up - Backyard All-Stars

2000: 1st Place - Klein's Kleaners | Runner-up - Bob & Tom

1999: 1st Place - Red Storm | Runner-up - Bob & Tom