As the season winds to an end, the playoffs are just starting to heat up. The teams with the four best records find themselves as the four teams left standing. 50/50 chance at a 2-time champ, 50/50 chance at crowning a brand new top dog. Matchup previews have been typed, and the media sat down with the four remaining managers to talk about their semi-final matchup:
MATCHUP 1: Giovanni Franzese (4 seed) vs. Andrew Arney (1 seed)
Andrew comes into this matchup as a 2 point favorite, he got to kick his feet up last week and enjoy a bye week. On the other hand, Gio is battle tested. Having won a sweaty, low scoring, matchup in the first round of the playoffs. There are a couple question marks for both of these teams, mainly Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rashee Rice. With both of their statuses up in the air for Sunday, each manager could find themselves having to plug and play someone from their bench. For Andrew, it’s been the same story all year – ride James Cook into the ground, and get solid production from his WR core. AJ Brown and Nico Collins have come to life in recent weeks, and their success has made him the favorite to win it all. Gio is balanced, his team chips in where they can, and lucky for him this is a 40 point Jahmyr Gibbs week after a below average 10 point game last week.
Both of these managers are trying to advance to, and ultimately win, their first championship. Media members sat down with both to get some pressing questions answered:
Andrew Arney – Quantitative:
Media: On a scale of 1-10, how scared of Gio’s team are you?
Andrew: 6.
Media: Which player on your own team would make you kill yourself if they had a bad game and cost you the win?
Andrew: AJ Brown.
Media: What kind of matchup are you expecting this week?
Andrew: It’s either going to be Gio winning by a mile because of Gibbs, or me in a close one.
Media: If you make it to the Championship, will you drink a beer to celebrate?
Andrew: I will drink a beer if I win it all.
Giovanni Franzese – Catching Cases, Not Passes
Media: On a scale of 1-10, how scared of Andrew’s team are you?
Gio: 0. I honestly couldn’t tell you one time I looked at Andrew’s team and was like wow that team is good. I honestly forgot he was even in the league until now.
Media: Which player on your own team would make you kill yourself if they had a bad game and cost you the win?
Gio: Jason Myers. I expect 15+ from him going forward. He’s done great this year, but the minute he has anything below 10 I don’t have anywhere else to look.
Media: What kind of matchup are you expecting this week?
Gio: I think it could be closer than I want it to be. But that is because I want Andrew to have hope. So I’ve had a meeting with the fellas to take it easy and to get the job done. I predict the score to be between 110-115 to 140. Depending on if Gibbs has 10 or 50 this week.
Media: If you advance to the championship, what would you have to say about Sherrick-Gate? How will you address the accusations?
Gio: *Once I advance to the finals. I don’t have much else to say about the Sherrick-Gate. The community voted 8-4 on it. Nobody wanted to see a 3 peat from him. Somebody had to step up and do something about it. I was put in the position to be the one to stop it, and that’s what I did. To Sherrick, like I said it was just business and I hope you can forgive me one day. But if not, then I guess let a nigga be a nigga.
Matchup 2: Quin Davis (2 seed) vs. Dillon Reisinger (3 seed)
Dillon is a 3 point favorite for this clash of former champions, having demolished Lance in the first round of the playoffs last week. On the other end, Quin had a bye last week. Thank god he did, as his team put up a stinker and Patrick Mahomes obliterated his knee. If you told me in Week 1 that this semi-final matchup would feature the likes of Jacoby Brissett, Juwan Johnson, Tyler Shough, and Colby Parkinson, I would’ve checked myself in to the psych ward. While there are some gross names on these rosters, the big dogs need to carry the load. Dillon has been riding on the back of Achane and Chase this entire season, and with Devante Adams out, he’ll need Jennings and Meyers to continue their current hot streak. CMC, Bucky, and Henderson are leading the charge for myself, with the WR core being the biggest variable as they have the entire season. This game could ultimately come down to the little things, the forgotten hero’s, the D/ST and Kicker. Last week, Dillon got 32 points combined from those positions, production like that makes it hard to have a bad week.
Both of these managers have had a taste of the trophy, and they are hungry to reach the top of the mountain once again. Let’s see what the media was able to spark up:
Dillon Reisinger – CHASE’N TAIL:
Media: On a scale of 1-10, how scared of Quin’s team are you?
Dillon: Quin’s team is only scary if my own team doesn’t perform. CMC is always a threat, but CTEe Higgins wants to let Chase shine, which is very nice of him.
Media: Which player on your own team would make you kill yourself if they had a bad game and cost you the win?
Dillon: If Jamar Chase fumbles the bag I will call ICE on him.
Media: What kind of matchup are you expecting this week?
Dillon: Both teams above 150. Tight competition.
Media: As a past champion, you’ve been here before. How do you keep calm and keep your eyes on the prize?
Dillon: The only way to keep calm during a battle like this is to pray for career ending injuries to the opponents players. Which I have done. Repeatedly.
Quin Davis – Buck-ee’s
Media: On a scale of 1-10, how scared of Dillon’s team are you?
Quin: Somewhere between a 2 and an 8. I don’t want to disrespect Dillon’s team, but I also don’t want to pump his tires. I’m more scared of my own team than his.
Media: What player on your own team would make you kill yourself if they had a bad game and cost you the win?
Quin: Treveyon Henderson. It’s been a rollercoaster with that mother fucker. If he spits in my face after I give him my trust you’ll find me hanging from the rafters.
Media: What kind of matchup are you expecting this week?
Quin: Tight game. I think it’ll be back and forth and come down to Monday Night. The last time I played Dillon, he put up a stinker (but so did I). I feel like both teams are hungry to showcase their true abilities this week.
Media: Would you find joy in beating Dillon and eliminating him from the playoffs?
Quin: I’d be lying if I said no. Of course, I want to win. But on the other hand, Dillon is one of the most respected and adored managers in the league, and I don’t want to break his heart. This could be a cannon event in Dillon’s life. A win this week and a championship berth could be the first domino to fall – next thing you know he’ll be banging OF models and buying sportscars. Do I really want to be the cause of eternal despair? Maybe.
Cheers – Commish