NOLTON LEAGUE--Playoff Round One: Picks of the Week

As the fantasy giants Heroes and Stewie Griffin await, the rest of the contenders battle it out. Look for both of these games to be close, as all four contestants will fight tooth and nail. Only two will move on:

1) C-Bass 54 Tony Clifton 50
In a fantasy shocker, look for C-Bass, following his successful IPO, to beat the defending champ. I think Eli Manning is going to have a fair game for C-Bass (2 TD's), but I think Lamont Jordan's homecoming at the Jets will be the key. I like Jordan to see the endzone twice and get up near 120 yards. I also like Houshmanzedah against Cleveland, especially since CJ is a little banged up. Look for TJ to be wagging his pony tail in the endzone in Cinci. And the Oakland defense--if ever a good play, it's this week against a Jets team featuring Brooks Bollinger at QB and Cedric Houston and RB. I like 15 fantasy points out of the defense.

For Clifton, Larry Fitz has carried his receiving core all year and Sunday should be no different--125 yards and maybe a score. I love Tiki at Philly--Barber has come on strong in recent weeks and this week should be no different in a big division game. And Greg Jones, if he starts, should be good for 80 yards or so.

The difference in this game I think boils down to Seattle and Clifton's Hasselbeck and Darrell Jackson. For Clifton to win, that duo will need to hook up at least once. The problem is, however, Seattle, who smoked Philly last week, only needed to throw 8 completions all game. I think we could see a repeat performance against a terrible San Fran team. Look for Shawn A. to steal all the thunder, leaving Hasslebeck, Jackson, and ultimately Tony Clifton out in the rain.

2) Juggernutz 85 Salmkon Gado Show 54

I believe I've said this before--Juggernutz is my team to beat coming into the playoffs. K-Rod has put together his finest squad--a solid group of receivers and the best duo of RB's in the league. Although he's hit a snag at the QB position (losing Collins), with McNair and now a blossoming Losman, he should be just fine in what promises to be his magical season.
This week he should have no problem disposing of the SG Show. Look for LJ and Shawn Alexander to each score 2 TD's. McNair, usually a weak play, should be good for a couple of scores against a sorry Houston defense. And I love Andre Johnson this week (150 yards) and the Denver defense against Kyle Boller and the Ravens (1-2 TD's??).

For Salmkon Gado Show, it's an emotional week--as team owner and league commissioner announced his retirement effective season's end. One has to wonder what kind of impact that will have on his team. I think SG Show gets a good performance from the consistent Steve Smith (75 yards, 1 TD). And Chambers has finally woken up--he should light it up at San Diego (2 TD's). Of course, the famous Samkon Gado should do well against Detroit, seeing the endzone and possible 100 yards.

But I think in the end, the Pittsburgh/Chicago game burns SG Show. In what promises to be a defensive struggle, look for Thomas Jones and Heath Miller to be stymied, thereby ending SK Gado's improbable playoff run after only one round.