Playoff Preview

(Nothing in this post was created using any sort of generative AI)

With the ending of a wild Chargers-Eagles game on Monday night, that is the conclusion of the fantasy regular season. The season was filled with wild upsets, crazy 1% comebacks, trades involving studs, all leading to the heart of the season. The playoffs is where dreams are made or crushed. One team will fulfill the ultimate goal, while the other 5 will have to try and get better for next year. Here I will go over each first round matchup (including the teams with a bye), discuss a little about each teams' journey to the playoffs and how they fair in the 2025 playoffs.

3 seed Pollard Express vs. 6 seed Mahomies over Mahoes

Starting out 4-0 and then 7-2 the Pollard Express came out scorching hot to start the season averaging a whopping 156.67 points in those first 9 weeks. The roster is still highlighted by stars like Jamarr Chase, Devon Achane, James Cook, and AJ Brown, helping secure this team a spot in the playoffs quite early on. This team has had their fair share of injuries and inconsistencies, but I believe they remain one of the top teams for this postseason. They have the top end talent and consistent production from their stars, along with the high ceiling value out of guys like Kyle Monangai and Wandale Robinson. Sources even tell me this team might bench rookie phenom Emeka Egbuka for Wandale Robinson in week 15. Emeka has struggled to get production due to several factors, like Baker Mayfield nursing a shoulder injury and Chris Godwin taking a majority of the snaps in the slot). We will see if this pays off for them.

The Mahomies over Mahoes just barely snuck into the playoffs with a crucial week 14 win over the newly renamed, Walk me Jeanty. This was one of the matchups the whole league was watching to see who made the playoffs and who missed (and if Mahomies would be getting 3 lottery picks). There was some debate at the beginning of the year if this team would make the playoffs or not, but they silenced the haters sneaking in as the 6th and final seed. The Mahomies at times were trying to sell, sending away Ashton Jeanty for Ricky Pearsall and a couple 1sts, but players like George Pickens, Jaylen Warren, Chase Brown, and Michael "Jerry Rice, Calvin Johnson, and Randy Moss combined" Wilson, kept pushing this team towards the playoffs. This team will face an uphill battle in every possible matchup with the lowest points for in the entire playoffs, but with the teams ability to pop for big weeks, you cannot count this team out. Also congratulations are in order as the Mahomies are in their first playoffs as a franchise.

My Prediction: The Pollard Express advances

4 seed Tony Dorset vs. 5 seed CMC Revenge Year

The 4th seeded Tony Dorset probably didn't envision going 8-6 after winning the championship this year, but they have struggled mightily with injuries. James Conner, Omarion Hampton, George Kittle, Puka Nacua all have missed time for this team, not to mention Treveyon Henderson needing half the year to get going. The Quarterback position has been rocky as well with Jaxson Dart missing some time, and now Daniel Jones tearing his achilles (Phillip Rivers time???). Despite the hardships, this is one of the best constructed teams in the entire league. Tony Dorset has a good mix of star and all around talented players with Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, Puka Nacua, Chris Olave, George Kittle, Omarion Hampton, and Treveyon Henderson. That is an insane starting skill position group. It would be hard for me to bet against this team in any possible matchup they may have this postseason.

The CMC Revenge Year did not have the year they hoped for going 7-7 and limping into the playoffs after a finals appearance last year. The breakouts of Ladd McConkey and Brian Thomas Jr. have been quite disappointing taking a step back. The fortunate part for this team is they have the most dangerous running back duo ever created. Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey as the top 2 running backs in points scored this season with only Gibbs even in sight of them. Those two, along with Drake Maye, Davante Adams, and Michael Pittman have been carrying this team. Despite being in the bottom half in points (among playoff teams), this team is extremely dangerous with that running back duo, and should not be brushed off like an easy win. They can put up nearly 200 points in a week, so watch out for this team.

My Prediction: Tony Dorset advances

1 seed PoohShiesty9

There was someone, who will remain nameless for their safety, who might have predicted this team to miss the playoffs. Whoever that person was, might not know ball. The PoohShiesty9 franchise only lost 3 games this season, with 2 of them being in the first half of the regular season, showing dominance over the league, while some still believe this team to be fraudulent due to their low points total. While in the bottom half of the playoffs in points, this star studded team can have high weeks like you've never seen. While they have that incredibly high ceiling, their team has really yet to reach those heights. Jefferson has strugged with some of the worst QB play you've ever seen, Bowers in a similar fashion has dealt with subpar QB play, Lamar Jackson is having a down season along with missing games, Tyreek Hill and Travis Hunter have missed most of the year, and players like Derrick Henry and Kyren Williams have also taken a step back this season. Despite the regular season struggles, this team remains a huge threat to take home their 2nd championship in 3 years.

My Prediction: Tony Dorset advances over PoohShiesty9

2 seed Njigbas in Paris

The Njigbas in Paris secured their playoff bye after week 13 and decided to strategically lose in hopes of getting a better matchup in the 2nd round. Their ideal matchup was "anyone but Tony Dorset." Their plan was successful losing, dropping to the 2nd seed, and facing the winner of Pollard Express v. Mahomies over Mahoes. The Njigbas in Paris went on the longest winning streak after starting just 2-3. A fantastic 8 game win streak boosted this team to 10-3 prior to their week 14 loss. This team rightfully earned their 10-4 record and playoff bye with pretty much no weaknesses. Or no weaknesses until Jalen Hurts turned into a bakery on Monday Night. Hurts cooking up 5 total turnovers is not what you want to see out of your franchise QB right before the playoffs. Fortunately he has one week to get right before this team needs him to perform. This team might be the favourite to win it all, but with Drake London hurt and uncertainty surrounding his return, this team might look beatable. Looking further it is clear why they won 8 straight. Josh Jacobs, Breece Hall, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashee Rice, and Trey McBride are an insane skill position group, with solid flex players in D'Andre Swift and Christian Watson.

My Prediction: Advances to Finals over Pollard Express

Finals Prediction: Tony Dorset goes back to back over Njigbas in Paris