Super Bowl XIV Preview

Super Bowl XIV Preview

Mosquito Repellant Advised
Welcome to Super Bowl XIV of the Santa Barbara Raider Fans Fantasy Football League. This year’s championship contest features the newO SWAMP and the Los Angeles River of Los Olivos.

The SWAMP (no Super Bowl wins) won last week by the skin of their teeth, 72-71 over the Cupcakes of Koepke. Baltimore tailback Mark Ingram II led the way and newO got just enough to overcome DeShaun Watson and the rest of the Cupcakes.

The River (winner of Super Bowl I) earned their spot in the title game by narrowly edging the Sitter of Vick’s Dog, 103-98. MVP candidate, Christian McCaffrey, as he has done countless times this season, carried Los Angeles (or is it Los Olivos?) on his shoulders. The Sitter battled hard, led by 29 (!) points from Miles Sanders, but came up just short.

Which brings us to this week. The SWAMP are the early 3-point favorites as projected by ESPN. With a potent backfield of Matt Ryan, Ingram II, and Mike Boone, newO is able to feature LeVeon Bell on the bench along with fantasy studs of yore, Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Peterson. The River will try to counter with McCaffrey, Aaron Rodgers, and DaVante Parker. Los Olivos (or is it Los Angeles?) is the underdog mainly because the teams his players must face. With Todd Gurley II facing San Francisco, the River’s #2 running back will find it difficult to score. Meanwhile, newO’s player face easier defenses as Boone takes on Green Bay and Ryan and TE Austin Hooper are home against the Jaguars.

If the SWAMP’s horses run free and wild, this game could out of hand before half-time. With special teamsters, Broncos D/ST and K Justin Tucker, newO even has the edge there. But, if Rodgers can find some old time magic against rival Minnesota, this might be a game yet. TE Jared Cook could have a breakout game with Brees tossing it his way often against Tennessee. But it will take a big day from WR Chris Conley of Jacksonville to carry the River to the title.

So, what’s the pick. C’mon. Do you think I could really ever pick against my team? Nah. The River breaks its banks, drains the SWAMP, and triumphs 99-95.

-Josh Rozelle



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