LINE: Badazz Bri -19
COMMISH'S PICK: Badazz Bri
LINE: Los Perros Locos -9
COMMISH'S PICK: Los Perros Locos
LINE: Golden Tate Warriors -7
COMMISH'S PICK: NH Bounty Hunters
LINE: Blue Ribbon -5
COMMISH'S PICK: Thunda Buddies
LINE: Christian McMingle -18
COMMISH'S PICK: Pork Chop Express
LINE: Chief Sticky Balls -3
If you feel like we've seen this game before, it's because we have. These two squared off in the 2017 SCL Championship Game with Chief Sticky Balls taking the title in a 98-73 victory.
The road to this rematch was different for each team.
For much of the season, Chief Sticky Balls was in the thick of the running in the Sagebrush division. Sitting with a 4-2 record after the first 6 weeks, they were only one game out of 1st place while averaging 121.2 pts/gm. They looked like a playoff team from the start.
But, that shouldn't surprise anyone. The Sticky Balls have been a regular in the playoffs over recent years. Their recipe for success has taken them to make the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 seasons, including this one. And, in their previous two visits to the postseason, they've walked away with the title each time. This contest marks their opportunity to earn a 3rd title in 4 seasons including a chance to become the first team in SCL history to win back-to-back championships.
Who Is You was a very different team out of the gates. They began the season on a 3-game losing streak before getting their first victory with a 148-point performance against, none other than, Chief Sticky Balls in week 4. But the taste of victory wouldn't last as they went on to lose their next two games, leaving them with a 1-5 record after the first 6 weeks of the season.
All but written off in the playoff race, Who Is You would go on to win 6 of their last 7 games to become only the third team in SCL history to begin a season 1-5 and still make the playoffs. More impressive is the fact that they are the first team in that exclusive group to make it to the Championship Game.
As I mentioned earlier, these two met in the 2017 Championship Game and there are some familiar faces to be found.
In the 2017 contest, Tom Brady was named the starter for Chief Sticky Balls and he finished the day 21 for 28 with 224 yds and 2 TDs. All signs indicate that he may get the nod again.
Another familiar face in that game was Derrick Henry, although he'll be on the other side of the ball this time around. In getting the start for Who Is You in 2017, Henry finished the day with one of his worst performances of that season: 8 carries for 25 yds and no scores. There's no doubt that he'd like to have a much better outing for the Sticky Balls in his second chance at a ring.
In their only meeting this year, Who Is You gave a knee to the Balls, beating them 148-62. Interestingly, that game was not only the lowest scoring game for Sticky Balls this season, it was also the highest scoring game for You.
Throughout the playoffs this year, neither team is setting scoring records, but they're getting the job done nonetheless. Chief Sticky Balls has averaged 121 pts/gm compared to You's 105 pts/gm.
But, as they say, defense wins championships, and these teams have done a great job of holding their opponents - some of the top scoring teams in the league - well below their average. Chief Sticky Balls' defensive unit, collectively known as "The Cup", has held offenses below 87 pts/gm. But, Who Is You's defense has been even more impressive in keeping opponents below the 79-point threshold. When your defensive units perform that well, your offense doesn't need to do much.
With the over/under at 233 points, this game looks like it could be a very different style of play. Both owners appear ready to take the leash off their offense and let it fly in this final game.
With all of the talent each team features on the offensive side of the ball, I tend to think this game boils down to a few key players. Can Derrick Henry continue dominating as he has all season and have a better game than he did in 2017? Will Patrick Mahomes prove he is the #1 QB in fantasy for a reason? Who will be the surprise scoring breakouts that we least expect: Dobbins and Johnson for the Balls, or Henderson Jr and Aiyuk for You?
Once again, I think it will come down to defenses. After all, they win championships, right? The team that wins the title will do so because their D/ST performs better. In this case, I give a slight edge to the Cardinals D/ST.
Comments