The NFL had to be pleased with the way the first round of playoff games unfolded: Three of the four contests were decided by three points or less. Three of the four road teams left with a victory as well. For a league that likes parity it was a great weekend, even if there was some nail biting with regard to sellouts.
While our game is very different from theirs, I saw some similarities between the match ups and a typical round of fantasy playoffs. The reasons for winning and losing are totally different, but sometimes I can pretend the NFL is just one giant fantasy league for really rich people. You've probably seen these post-season stories play out in your league as well:
San Diego 27, Cincinnati 10. You know how one fantasy team seems to sneak into the playoffs each year, winning tie-breakers and earning a spot when they look like they don't deserve it? You just know that team is going to beat a division winner in the playoffs, right? Some how, some way, they end up advancing, and the clear favorite is one-and-done. The Bengals are like a good fantasy team that gets a tasty match up in the first round, and totally blows it. A strong year is all but forgotten as the owner wonders how they could have lost. And now the fantasy team that earned a bye (Denver plays that role here) is actually worried they're going to lose to that team the following week. They probably won't, but there's that sinking feeling that they'll find a way to lose (in this case, the underdog already beat them a few weeks ago).
San Francisco 23, Green Bay 20. Sometimes a fantasy owner has to weather a storm of injuries during the regular season, but if they can make the playoffs they'll be dangerous. Imagine your injured quarterback returning just in time to guide your team in the playoffs. You're getting healthy and you made the post-season. The stars are aligning; this is your year. Except the other team has good players, too. You're a better team than you were then, but your opponent is a better team than you are now. As a result, those championship dreams go by the wayside as you simply face a better squad. The Packers wouldn't have competed with Matt Flynn in the game, but even with Aaron Rodgers they're not as good as Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers.
Indianapolis 45, Kansas City 44. How many times have you posted the second-highest score of the week, only to lose to the team who posted the highest score? Imagine losing your best fantasy player -- the guy who carried you all year-- early in the game, and almost pulling off the win anyway. A fantasy owner would play "what if" all off season, knowing if they had just gotten a little more production out of that position, things might have ended differently. If the Chiefs had Jamaal Charles to work the clock late in the game, or get extra yardage when they were driving, would that have changed the outcome? We'll never know, but most fantasy owners would still be pondering that question today.
New Orleans 26, Philadelphia 24. Have you ever been in a dynasty league and faced a tough project where success might be a year or two away? You have a good nucleus but things haven't really gelled for your team? Then, somehow, you find a franchise quarterback deep on your roster, you win the division and you make the playoffs in year one. You end up losing in the first round, which is never fun. But you still feel great about your team. You know you have something good there, and you already can't wait for next year to start. The Eagles probably feel better about a playoff loss than they have in a long time. They know Chip Kelly's system can work, they have great offensive pieces and they're in a weird division of underachievers. The Eagles are a dynasty team on the rise, and making the playoffs was almost a bonus. They might be the only playoff losers still smiling this week.
Next weekend will feature more pulled hair, more heartbreaking stories and more elated owners -- just like in your league. Enjoy the games.
Did you see any similarities to fantasy football this weekend? Share your thoughts below.