Top 6 AFFL teams Ranked by Keepers

They say the early bird gets the worm. In the case of fantasy football, sometimes that worm came out a year early.

Each new league year, AFFL teams are allowed to keep two players from last season's roster in exchange for draft picks in various rounds for the upcoming year.  Planning ahead, managers could have a significant advantage over the field if they chose the players whom have high upside and cost low draft picks. Having a keeper in the 5th round that is actually worth a 1st round grade like David Johnson (applause for HBK) is the makings of an indestructible team on paper.

Of course, there is no guarantee that any player kept will pan out, and many times there have been players who looked to be of great value on paper (Zac Stacy, Joseph Randle) who weren't even worth their weight in salt.

That said, this years AFFL keeper deadline brought about some interesting decisions and created a few "super cores" that will be difficult for managers around the league to overcome.

Below are the top 5 teams ranked by their keepers, their relative draft cost, and the player itself. (sorry Cobra Kai and Jaj Cousteau, no keepers means you weren't included.)

6. BDiddy

Keepers: Tom Brady (7th) Amari Cooper (3rd)

Draft pick spot: 4 of 12

Possible four: Brady, Cooper, Elliot, Cj Anderson

The Diddy did the right thing last season, salvaging a poor 2015 by drafting Amari Cooper and trading for Tom Brady. At the time, there was significant risk with taking Cooper in the 4th round, a rookie on a team with a young erratic quarterback. A year later, the move has paid off, giving Diddy a top 24 player for a late 3rd round price. Add to that a late season trade for Tom Brady who will cost a mere 7th round pick, and B meister begins the season with a strong QB/WR tandem. They had the option to keep Brandon Cooks for a 2nd round pick (at 15th overall) but opted instead to wait out Brady's suspension.

Armed with two early round picks before giving up their 3rd for Cooper, Diddy is in position to draft a solid RB/WR or double up on RB's. Adding an Ezekiel Elliot and Cj Anderson for example will give the squad a solid core to build off in the later rounds.

5. Awesomeness

Keepers: AP (1st) Deandre Hopkins (3rd)

Draft pick spot: 10 of 12

Possible four: AP, Hopkins, Aaron Rodgers, Arian Foster

Awesomeness wound up finishing 3rd last season and himself entering the 2016 season comfortably with two top tier players in AP and Hopkins. Adrian Peterson may be advanced in age, but he has hardly slowed down in his production. Still a true workhorse RB1, AP is a good, not great value at the 10th overall pick. Where Awesomeness really did well is keeping Hopkins for a 3rd rounder. A top 5 overall talent, Hopkins has the potential to end up the years best WR. Getting him in the 3rd is exceptional.

With two players at the key positions locked down, the Awesome one has the ability to go against the grain if he so chooses and solidify top talent at other positions. Nabbing Rodgers in the 2nd round (or Wilson) along with an upside but risky RB like Foster later in the 4th would give Awesomeness a strong start to building a very formidable roster.

4. Grabbers United

Keepers: Cam Newton (7th) Brandon Marshall (4th)

Draft pick spot: 9 of 12

Possible four: Cam Newton, Brandon Marshall, Jamaal Charles, Carlos Hyde

We must give it up to Grabbers. He's done a masterful job the last few years being calculating in what he does. The proof is in the keepers. The projected number 1 QB for a 7th round pick is exceptional value. Marshall is also a top 15 player that merely costs a 4th round pick. Well done. With these two players and 3 picks available before having to sit out in the early rounds, Grabbers has the makings of a championship contender. 

With a first round pick still open, Grabbers can go in many directions, but the keeper selections say he'll go RB. Jamaal Charles carries some risk, but there is much reward in getting him that late. Carlos Hyde can also be nabbed in the 2nd round to form a strong RB core and compliment the two keepers nicely.

3. Atomic Bomba

Keepers: Devonta Freeman (6th) Jordy Nelson (8th)

Draft pick spot: 8 of 12

Possible Four: Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Devonta Freeman, Doug Baldiwin

With two top 20 players kept in the 6th and 8th rounds, the Bomba enters the 2016 season with an exceptional start. Freeman finished last season as the RB1 overall, and while the numbers may drop off in the upcoming year, there is little doubt that he should out play his 6th round tag barring health. With his pass catching ability, Freeman offers a safe bet for a high floor, giving the Bomba plenty of room to be risky.

Nelson is a question mark coming off an injury plagued 2015 season. However, should he return to his 2014 form where he caught over 90 balls and scored 13 tds, the 8th round value may be the best in the league.

With 5 early round picks, the Atomic one can elect to go WR/RB or any position of his choosing. A WR like Dez wouldn't be bad at all, and electing to grab an upside WR1 like Baldwin in the 2nd would give the squad a great core of talent and value.

2. Hartan

Keepers: Todd Gurley (3rd), Odell Beckham (4th)

Draft pick spot: 12 of 12

Possible Four: Gurley, Charles, Beckham Jr, Luck

Sometimes life is not fair. I bring you the Hartan. Last years champs enter the 2016 season with two top 5 players AND their two first picks still intact. Wow. Taking a huge risk in drafting Gurley last season as their number 2 RB despite the injury concern, Hartan has the Rams stud at a 3rd round value this year. That is an amazing pull. Couple that with the second season of keeping Odell Beckham with a 4th round price tag, and this team is the preseason prohibitive favorite to repeat as champion. 

With Gurley and ODBJ locked down, Hartan can grab the best player available at any position. If draft history is any guide, he will like to grab a top tier Rb along with a top QB. Jamaal Charles and Gurley would make a fine tandem, and Andrew Luck would give the team a top scoring QB that should finish the year in the top 6. Things are looking bright for the "tahn."

1. HBK Shant Michaels

Keepers: David Johnson (5th) Matt Jones (8th)

Draft pick spot: 6 of 12

Possible Four: David Johnson, Matt Jones, Aj Green, Eddie Lacy

Heading into Monday's draft, no team has a better set up than HBK when it comes to keepers. David Johnson is the consensus #1 RB and at a 5th round price tag, the best player to value bargain in the league. Matt Jones carries much upside going into the 2016 season and despite a slight nick-up in his first preseason action on Friday, he has the potential of RB1. Many questioned the Jones keeper selection, and HBK may have been a victim of his own loyalty to the Redskin Rb being that he kept him all last year for this purpose. Lamar Miller could have been had for a 3rd round pick and may have been the better choice. None-the-less, Jones should out perform his 8th round value barring health

Drafting from the 6th spot in the draft order gives HBK the chance to nab a few high quality players. Aj Green would give the team the WR1 they need to go along with DJ, and should Lacy be there in the second, we think that HBK will cover his butt at the 2nd RB position and take him. If that happens, that would be a great start for the famed Michaels.

Gurley to Hartan: "I want to Sweep the Leg." Demands Trade to Cobra Kai

Looks like Todd Gurley is no fan of Mr. Miyagi. 

After leading team Hartan to the AFFL title in 2015, Gurley asked Monday to be traded to Cobra kai, a move that has caught the champs off guard. 

"We really don't know where this is coming from," said Vartan. "I think he was just watching Karate kid and had a moment of nostalgia. We're not planning on trading him. "

Hartan typically doesn't address player trades in public, and it would be surprising if a move of this type were made on or before AFFL draft day. Still, if their star player is unhappy in his current "dojo," the chances of a back-to-back title.

Gurley, the 2015 third round pick, is the foundation of team Hartan, along with Odell Beckham Jr, forming a very deadly WR/RB combo. He is a highly coveted player,on that any manager would want to have on their team, and nobody has been pressing the issue like Cobra Kai owner Sayyad. He's been in Hartan's ear since tax season, preparing a "Godfather" type trade offer that only the "dumb would refuse." It seems that Sayyad has found a way to reach Gurley.

Sources claim that Sayyad had dinner with Gurley early last week at Carousel restaurant. Restaurant patrons that night remembered Gurley being given multiple helpings of dolma, fatoush salad and plenty of"tahn" to drink. Sources also claim that Sayyad presented Gurley with Cobra Kai themed backgammon set and bottle of cognac from Armenia.

"Leave nothing past Cobra," said one AFFL manager who wished to remain anonymous, "he has the ability to make impossible trades happen, like my partner Avo does."

Still the question remains, if Gurley were indeed traded to Cobra Kai, what could he offer? Cobra's keepers are caca, and unless he plans on completely mortgaging his draft, we don't see how Jay ajayi and any combination of picks could be satisfying.

Despite that, a picture released by Cobra kai on early Tuesday morning showed just how confident that Gurley will be on the team. Dressing up the smallest co-manager in the league in Gurley gear, Sayyad put the "cart before the horse,"  doubling down on a future trade. Bold.

The picture caught the attention of Harout who wasn't pleased.

"It was cute. I hope he bought little tiny kiddie cleats too. When it comes to joke moves by joke managers, Sayyad is the head of the class. The only way he can have Gurley on his team is photo shopping his picture into his joke logo."

Sayyad was unavailable for comment, but released a statement stating that he intends to show "no mercy" in trade negotiations this week, and "if you think Gurley won't be on my team this year, siktir."

Siktir indeed. We'll see just who will be siktiring in the weeks ahead.

No More Asterisk: Hartan wins 2015 AFFL Title!

After talking more trash than Waste Management all season long, team Hartan backed it up by winning their first 12 team AFFL title, defeating Grabbers in the final by a score of 131.70-112.48. In so doing, they become the third franchise to have two titles to their name, joining Atomic Bomba and Awesomeness. They are the first Co-managed Champion of the modern AFFL era. It was a title that was much needed, as the first championship of the squad was during the 10 team year of the AFFL. Everyone refused to recognize that championship as legitimate and called team Hartan a pretend champion for years. They can do so no longer, as the 2015 title legitimizes the team and puts them in AFFL lore.

Grabbers reached the finals for the second time in four seasons, and shouldn't hang their head. The ultra competitive league doesn't have much wiggle room for error, and Grabbers managed the season flawlessly. In so doing, they have elevated their status among all teams, and are creeping closer to becoming one of the elite franchises in the league.

In honor of our champs, and in true AFFL fashion, we present to you the Champions Slideshow commemorating the teams victory. Congratulations to Hartan. 2015 AFFL Champs.

2015 AFFL Yearly Awards

Alas, all things must come to an end, and sadly, the 2015 AFFL season will draw to a close this weekend. There shall be one champion come the conclusion of week 16, but since this is Christmas, more awards need to be given out. Presenting the 2015 AFFL awards as voted on by the esteemed panel of 7 AFFL judges who shall remain anonymous. These awards have been sponsored and include a wide range of prestigious categories. While not everyone will win an award, the ones that do can take pride in knowing that event though their season may have fallen apart they did something right along the way. Keep your chins up lads, there is always next year.

Below is the list of recipients of the awards, the final vote among AFFL judges, and the rationale submitted by the judging panel. Congratulations to the winners.

Soul-Glo's Best Pick of the Draft Award

Winner: Atomic Bomba - Devonta Freeman (9th round)

Runner-up: Hartan - Todd Gurley (4th round)

Judges: 6-1 in favor of Bomba

This one was fairly easy to call, as the Bomba drafted the current #1 RB in fantasy in the 9th round. Todd Gurley was an exceptional pick by Hartan, as they risked a player off injury that high. Gurley currently is the 3rd highest RB in fantasy. Close to Freeman, but given the 5 round value, the edge goes to the Falcons running back and the Atomic Bomba

Schick's Close Shave Victory of the Year

Winner: Atomic Bomba

.52 victory over Vosgee Gyank week 13

Runner-up: Grabbers United

.9 victory over BDiddy week 6

Judges: 7-0 in favor of Bomba

With the season on the line, the Atomic Bomba needed 5 points from Dez Bryant in order to make the playoffs. He got those points over the last six minutes of the game, and won the playoff spot on the last two passes of the game to Dez Bryant.  Considering the implications of the match and how it ended, it doesn't get closer than that.  Grabbers is currently in the championship game, but their narrow victory would not have effected that. Had they lost, they still would have made the playoffs and with the point totals, advanced.

The Yankee Candle Co. Blow-out of the Year

Winner: Jaj Cousteau - 82 pts week 10

Runner-up: Hartan - 77 pts week 3

Judges: 7-0

When Jaj blows his wad, he really blows his wad. An 82 point victory over the Atomic Bomba in week 10 was the biggest margin of victory by a team this year. Hartan came close with a 77 point thumping of Prime Time in week 3. Nothing is worse than losing, only when you get absolutely destroyed. Kudos for Jaj for making it an ass-kicking.

Toyota Truck's Best Waiver Pick-up

Winner: Awesomeness - Jordan Reed

Runner-up: Jaj Cousteau - Javarious Allen

Judges: 4-3 in favor of Awesomeness

This was a close one. Both pick-ups were instrumental in the success of the the teams. Jaj did a masterful job picking up Allen just before Justin Forsett got hurt and got mass production from him for three weeks. However, the edge goes to Awesomeness as the pick of Reed occurred week 1 and Reed currently resides as the 5th best TE in fantasy. Oh, and he's been the top TE over the last month.

The Joe's Trade of the Year

Winner: Grabbers United - Gronkowski/Winston for Cam Newton/Greg Olsen

Runner-up: HBK Shant Michaels - Gore/Martin/Aiken/Jeffery/Peyton for Brees/Miller/Jordan Matthews/Barnidge/Andrews

Judges: 4-3 in favor of Grabbers

Another close call. HBK did a masterful job resurrecting his team from the depths of a horrible season. On the brink of a lost season at 1-5, Shant pulled off a masterful trade, getting players while at a "buy low" state. The team won six of seven games to finish the season after the move, and nearly made it into the postseason. If it weren't for Cam Newton's explosion at the end of the season, HBK would be the winner. However, Grabbers won the bye and is one win away from a title thanks to Newton. That trade could win them a title, thus deserves the award.

The Boomerang Co. Comeback Manager Award

Winner: Awesomeness

Runner-up: Atomic Bomba

Judges: 7-0 in favor of Awesomeness

Fairly easy one to call. Awesomeness has finished in last place the last two seasons. Once a proud champion of the AFFL, his return to relevance in 2015 was overdue. Finishing in 3rd is still in play, and would be a masterful turn around from the previous two seasons. Bomba's rebound from a 9th place finish isn't as great, and no other team can claim the kind of turn-around as from last year to this as Awesomeness.

The Kaiser Steel Co. Toughest S.O.B in the AFFL

Winner: Cobra Kai

Runner-up: HBK Shant Michaels

Judges: 5-2 in favor of Cobra Kai

Any week you played Cobra Kai was going to be a week of work because you know he was working on the other side. Waiver pick-ups, trades, sneaky roster moves, everything was in play when the Kai came up on the schedule. No other manager made more moves than the Cobra. He was a tough out most all weeks, and a team nobody wanted to play. HBK took to off during the second half of the season and was a team that nobody wanted to face either. However, the hardest, toughest manager this year was the Cobra. Nobody out worked him.

The E-Harmony Tandem Manager of the Year

Winner: Hartan (Root and Vartan)

Runner-up: BDiddy (Baret, Mikey, Tiggy)

Judges: 6-1

A separate category for Co-managed teams is new this year, as requested by Prime Time. Of the four co-managed teams in the league, no team was working in greater harmony than Hartan. Having finished in 4th place the past three seasons, the chemistry between the pair is apparent. All roster decisions and controversies did not effect the team greatly, as they catapulted to the top of the Dolma division. BDiddy and friends did a fine job salvaging a team that was left for dead mid-season. Nonetheless, the co-managed team that is better than the other co-managed teams is indeed Hartan.

The Kellogs Smack Talker of the Year

Winner: Hartan

Runner-up: Cobra Kai

Judges: 5-2

From WWF references to the bashing of the Mazoon division, Hartan not only one the Dolma division, they took the crown when it came to smack-talk too. Whats app messages were littered with meme's and images by the hands of team two-face all season long, so much so that the league is now rooting against them. That's the kind of smack talk that you love to see. Cobra kai nearly won the award with the epic pic of Ara topless at the most appropriate time. Alas, the volume of Hulk Hogan images was just to much to overcome.

The Mountain High Team of the Year

Winner: Grabbers United

Runner-up: HBK Shant Michaels

Judges: 6-1

This one doesn't have much debate with it. Grabbers seems like a team of destiny, and perhaps the most fun team in the AFFL to root for. They waddled around for a bit in the Mazoon division, narrowly holding on to a playoff spot most of the season thanks to a favorable schedule, only to turn it on the last three weeks. With Cam Newton exploding, Sammy Watkins coming and going then coming, and a bunch of no names at RB for most of the season, this team has something for everyone. HBK had that mojo going as well, but came up just a bit short.

The Mez Dolma Manager of the Year Award

Winner:  HBK Shant Michaels

Runner-up: Grabbers United

Judges: 4-3

Let the controversy begin. How could Grabbers manager Sassoon not get the award? It isn't that he isn't deserving. Grabbers has managed to make it to the finals with a roster that would have been selected as one of the leagues worst. However, Grabbers was helped by a favorable schedule, and did begin the year on a winning streak. HBK was 1-5 and on the brink of thinking about 2016. No team had ever made the playoffs after such a start, and after a few trades and waiver pick-ups, HBK came within a few points of doing so. Because every move had to be exactly right, and darn near was, HBK gets the nod as Mez Dolma Manager of the Year.

AFFL Finals Preview: Hartan v Grabbers United

There has been much smack talk this season from team Hartan. They have used Hulk Hogan meme's and lengthy what's app messages to thrash the "weak" Mazoon division and have become this years "team everyone loves to hate." This Sunday, they either back-up their season-long tsunami sized trash talk and walk-off into the sunset with a big middle finger to the league, or be forced to endure 12 managers pissing on their fantasy grave with joy. Yes, this game has build-up galore.

Grabbers and Hartan are the 1 and 2 seeds respectively, and there is no doubt that they deserve to play for the 2015 AFFL title. Both teams are division winners. Both managers made great trades to prepare for the playoffs. Both have put up a helluva lot of points in their respective semi-final games. These teams have remained near the top of the league for the majority of the year and will now square-off to determine who will be the new AFFL title holder and get their name engraved on the AFFL trophy.

Below is a break-down of both teams, their history, the storylines, and prediction on just how this final will go down. Even though Grabbers was predicted to win the title at the beginning of the playoffs, that doesn't mean the new prediction will follow suit. Let's get to it.

Eliminate the Asterisks

Hartan

Highest previous finish: AFFL Champion '07 (10 team league)

Last Four seasons: Finished 4th place. Never has finished top 3

Story trying to be told: Erase the asterisks associated with the 2007 title and become a champ in the current 12 team format. 

Over the past eight seasons, Hartan has managed to be a team of underachieving consistency. Every year team two-face is near the top of the standings, makes the playoffs, then manages to fall apart during the semi-final match. This year marked the fourth straight season that Hartan had made the semi-finals, and a loss to Jaj Cousteau in 2015 would have started the "they're jinxed" discussion. However, Hartan managed to break-through, with a huge day from Drew Brees, and reach the final for the first time since 2007. Kudos to them for a job well done.

Since 2007, Hartan has had a monkey on their back. They have failed to reach the finals since winning the title on the arm of Tom Brady. But that was when the AFFL was a 10 team league, and anytime the Hartan title ever comes up, an asterisks is placed next to it, marking the "easier" title from a downsized league. Because of this, they haven't been thrust into the elite of the AFFL. The three years of semi-final losses and multiple seasons finishing in 8th place gave them a persona of a team that was "a consistent loser," and a "non-threat."

The truth is that making the semi's four straight seasons is a feat that no other team has achieved. Is Hartan a dynasty? Without a title, no, but this year they have a chance to put a crown on the top of their recent success and make three fourth place finishes look like a winner. 

Road to the Final

Hartan's road to the final really began last season, when they elected to select Odell Beckham Jr. in the 16th round of the draft. Locked and loaded for 2015 with an 8th round keeper in ODBJ, Hartan began the season with a powerful WR duo in Aj Green and ODBJ, but the rest of the team was uninspiring. One of the criticisms of a Hartan draft is that they are too conservative in their draft strategy, and the beginning of 2015 was evidence of this. However, they are excellent when it comes to the waiver wire and trades, and picking up Dion Lewis helped alleviate the fantasy dud that would be Andre Ellington. This move was a crucial part of the team starting the year 4-0 and taking the lead in the race for the Dolma Division. As the leader, Hartan deemed themselves the Hulk-Hogan of the AFFL, and proceeded to torment managers with Hulk Hogan Meme's to accentuate their dominance over all. It got annoying quickly, but they've been going strong with it all year. 

While Dion Lewis was a brilliant play, it was also offset by the blunder of dropping Cam Newton. Had Hartan held onto the current MVP of the NFL they would no doubt be the overwhelming favorite to take the crown. Dropping Cam also led to a week 5 loss to the Atomic Bomba and a relinquishing of the Dolma division lead. It was evident that Hartan and Bomba would be battling it out for the Division crown.

Entering week six with a 4-1 record and byes about to hit, Hartan could have gone either way. A loss to the Bomba could have derailed the team and ruined their morale. "Same old AFFL story," pundits began to say, "Bomba gonna take charge now and win this thing." However, Hartan hunkered down and knew that a week 11 rematch with the Atomic one was a chance to reclaim the Dolma throne. Nothing had been lost, and there was everything to gain.

They responded to the loss by winning four of their next five, including a blow-out victory against Vosgee gyank where they put up over 169 points. The offensive explosion was a showcase of just how high a ceiling this team had, and gave the league notice that this team was for real. But just when things hit a high note, disaster struck. Dion Lewis went down with a torn acl, leaving the Hartan veil thin at the RB position. The loss of Lewis lead to their lowest output of the season to that point, albeit in a win against Grabbers, and things began to look shaky again. Would this be the final blow to Hartan?  The Atomic Bomba match-up was coming around the corner and the roster looked depleted. The future of Hartan looked eerily similar to its past: winless.

By now,  Hulk Hogan meme's were being posted double time, but the production on the roster wasn't reflecting that sort of dominance. Enter, HBK. Just before the trade deadline, Hartan managed to plan for the future despite the present looking grim. Gambling that they would get the bye in the playoffs, they traded for Drew Brees and Stefon Diggs giving away Phillip Rivers and AJ Green. It was a bold move at the time, as the Bomba match-up loomed around the corner, but a move that proved to pay-off big time later on.

Hartan would lose to Bomba week 11 and to Hangin' week 12, but managed to hold onto the Dolma division crown by beating Awesomeness week 13. It was their first Division Title in their history, and meant that they would get a pass directly into the semi-final game where they could possibly play against the Bomba a third time. Instead, they faced the current champion Jaj Cousteau. (dum, dum, DUM!)

 

Semi-final game

Jaj Cousteau is a team nobody likes to play. Truly a wild card in any match, the Jajman had a team that was fairing well thanks to Blake Bortles and Allen Hurns. The two erupted week 14 to take out the Bomba, and had a positive match-up once again in week 14. Add to that Antonio Brown and his consistent point production, and Jaj Cousteau was a team that was deadly.

But the match-up couldn't have gone better for Hartan. Despite Antonio Brown doing everything humanly possible to keep Cousteau in the match, nearly all the major players on the Cousteau line-up put up a dud. Javrious Allen was benched after a fumble and finished with -.2. The Carolina defense fell apart late against the NYG and finished with negative points. The match-up was over midway through Sunday, when ODBJ caught a TD against the invincible Josh Norman, and put Hartan up for good. All that was left was a three hundred yard, three TD performance from Drew Brees on MNF to seal the deal. The ticket to the finals was stamped. Hartan had done it. He was in.

Now the question remains, can they win it? It has been a road of ups and downs and injuries for team two-face. They have managed to avoid the pitfalls and gotten lucky at the right times. Heading into the final has them on the doorstep of greatness, but there is another team that has something to say about how the Hartan story will end. Enter the Grabbers.

Rocky Balboa is Back

Grabbers United.

Highest previous finish: 2nd place. Lost in finals 2012

Last Four seasons: Only 2 playoff appearances.

Story trying to be told: To win the title and cap an incredible rise from being on the bottom of the AFFL for years.

Grabbers United's history is riddled with years of disappointment and let down, with a few bright spots in between. They haven't enjoyed playoff success many times over the years, making the post-season only twice over their 9 year career. However, despite the lowly beginning, Grabbers has been one of the fastest risers in the league, after their first playoff and finals appearance in 2012. A return to the playoffs happened in 2014, with a fifth place finish, and now Grabbers finds himself in the finals again. In so doing, he becomes only the fourth franchise to make the finals twice in the current twelve team format (Bomba, Prime Time, Awesomeness are the others). Its a feat that is a testament to the great managerial job Grabbers has done over the last three seasons. His knowledge and instincts have grown leaps and bounds, and this young Jedi has become a kin to the AFFL force and has used it in 2015 at will.

With three trips to the playoffs in four seasons, and two finals appearances, Grabbers has elevated his teams status closer to elite status. The one thing that will get you that status is a title, and Grabbers is salivating at the chance of doing so. The story that he is writing is one of redemption. Having lost a chance at such an honor for years, Grabbers can now lay to rest the years of disappointment and write a new chapter for the future. He could become the sixth unique team to win an AFFL title, and become the newest manager to have his name etched into the AFFL trophy. It would be the AFFL's version of Rocky, a team that was in the dumps, that climbed the mountain against all odds. Needless to say, he has a lot of support around the league.

Road to the Finals

Grabbers has three children. The highest number of kids of any AFFL managers household. It is no doubt that those kids played into his AFFL karma over the past three years. This season was one that saw a Grabbers roster seemingly void of talent, win week after week. It baffled experts and infuriated managers. However, like a microcosm of his own history, Grabbers would transform into an AFFL butterfly late into the season to legitimize his chances for a finals birth.

2015 began swimmingly for the Grabbers, as the team started off winning three of their first four games. Their point totals were erratic, and hardly ones that gave anyone the sense that they were a serious contender in the title race. With two outings of 78 and 60 total points, it was clear to most that Grabbers would be an up and down team without much pop from the roster. A nine win season wasn't going to happen without some changes, so things were a bit of a mystery for the franchise.

Sass is Boss

This couldn't have been more evident than the week 6 match-up against BDiddy. Grabbers escaped with a narrow 119.68-118.78 victory. It was indeed a lucky win, and prompted Grabbers to claim that despite his 5-2 record, he is "the worst team in the league." Frequently pandering for a lower place in the weekly power ranks, Grabbers tried all that he could to turn the jinx tide in his favor and harness some AFFL karma. It worked, as he won the next two games in a row, all while scoring 105 and 93 points in consecutive weeks. It became quite clear that the schedule Grabbers had was helping him immensely, and that the AFFL karma was on his side from the beginning.

Still, Grabbers wasn't in any position to make the playoffs, nor was he even a favorite to take the division title. Cobra Kai and a fast rising Awesomeness, not to mention a stubborn Jaj Cousteau were all hovering around the top of the division and looked to be the more likely candidates to make it to the top of the division race. Something had to be done in order to quell Grabbers lack luster point production. The team had pulled off waiver wire pick-ups and managed supremely to this point, consistently starting players that were the correct calls, but how long could that go on.

Then disaster struck as Andrew Luck was lost for what would be the season. Grabbers was now faced with a line-up that had only one stud on it, Gronkowksi, and he was injured as well. If the finals were to come, they certainly weren't going to come with the current roster. Grabbers then looked for a trade.

After stubbornly holding out on trades for most of the season (and demanding way to much during negotiations as well) Grabbers struck a deal with Cobra Kai: Gronk for Cam Newton and Greg Olsen. It was a superb move, as Gronk hadn't been spectacular all season, and Cam had just began to tear things up. With the trade, Grabbers now had a legit QB and lost very little at the TE position. With the return of Sammy Watkins to relevance and the emergence of Darren McFadden, the team was putting up their highest totals of the year by seasons end.

Grabbers finished the season winning three straight, and posting 153 and 146 point totals the final two weeks of the season to capture the Mazoon division crown. Their high point production was a direct result of the trade for Cam Newton, and it has continued right through the playoffs.

Semi-final Game

Grabbers had a pass to the Semi-finals, where an old champion had resurrected from obscurity. Awesomeness found himself in the semi's for the first time in 5 seasons, and was one of the hottest teams in the AFFL. Grabbers had his work cut out for him, as the match-up did not exactly favor the Mazoon division champ.

It became quite clear early on in the match that this was going to be a high scoring affair. Grabbers had players go on Saturday evening, with Marshall, Dmac and the Jets defense giving him the early lead. None of those players did anything spectacular, however, they set a nice cushion for Grabbers to begin with.

Once Sunday hit, Awesomeness went to work, with Kamer Aiken and Jordan Reed exploding for huge days. With two players, Awesomeness cut heavily into the lead, and this became a race to 150 points. Soon, the KC defense would join in, with a pick six, putting Awesomeness in striking range of Grabbers. Down only 20 points, with three players left, Awesomeness took the advantage over Grabbers late into the early games.

Grabbers however found his answer once again in the same players that carried him to this point. Sammy Watkins showed up for a huge TD to stretch the lead some, and Cam Newton caught fire, throwing 5 touchdown passes against the NYG. The 160 point total was enough to hold off the 130 points put up by Awesomeness. Had Awesomeness played Desean Jackson and Danny Woodhead, they would have reached the final, but it was not to be. This was the year of the Grabbers, a team that had managed to a 'T' and had pulled off successful move after successful move.

Now the question remains, who wins the final?

Finals Breakdown

Both these squads have stud Quarterbacks, solid Wide Receivers, and good running backs. They are complete teams, that haven't too many holes. However, both will be relying on plug-in players for different reasons. This will dramatically effect the outcome of the match. Whichever team gets the most out of their plug-in guys will without a doubt be crowned champion.

Injuries for both teams will directly impact this game as well. While Grabbers comes into the match-up relatively healthy, Hartan has a few key players that are either out or questionable to play. The top of this list begins with Drew Brees. Brees has been on fire of late, and with Cam Newton on the other side of the match-up, Hartan will need a big outing from the QBposition. They managed to pick up Kirk Cousins in case Brees can't go, but relying on Cousins isn't ideal.

The suspension of ODBJ will also be a huge loss for Hartan, as the match-up was a positive one. Jeremy Maclin, Diggs, and Tyler Lockett are serviceable, but don't offer the upside that ODBJ did. We will safely say that without ODBJ, the Hartan WR core does take a hit.

One injury working in Hartan's favor is the one to Lesean McCoy. Having picked up Karlos Williams off the wire, the team now has a viable option to play in the flex should McCoy be ruled out. It is a crafty move by Hartan and one that could swing the match-up in their favor.

Here is the ultimate positional breakdown between the two teams and their history amongst one another. Our prediction follows.

Hartan vs Grabbers United

• Grabbers United: 108 ppw
• Hartan: 116 ppw

Hartan leads series 6-4 head-to-head

Grabbers 1-0 vs Hartan in playoffs.

Positional breakdown

QB Position

Drew Brees vs Jac/Kirk Cousins vs Phi vs Cam Newton vs Atl

The Qb match-up is as close to even as possible, barring Drew Brees playing. Both starters have the potential to go for 40 points, and it wouldn't be surprising if that happened. Cam Newton had 29 points two weeks ago vs. Atlanta, so he can be projected for a similar output. Brees plays a horrific Jags secondary, as does Cousins in Phi. Either should be a shoe-in for a similar outing as Cam. The only twist is the lack of a running game for Cam and the injury of Brees. Drew could be scaled back as far as pass attempts if he plays, while Cam will pick up some more yards on the ground.

Advantage: Grabbers

WR Position

Maclin, Lockett, Diggs Vs Marshall, Watkins, Randle

It was a terrible time for Hartan to lose ODBJ to a one game suspension. Not having the stud receiver in the line-up will force Hartan to rely on WR2/3 types with upside. The match-ups for these receivers play to their favor, but they will have their work cut out for them battling Marshall and Watkins. Both have been solid and offer more upside than the other three. Grabbers also has Ruben Randle, and can piggy back off the ODBJ for some points. Ultimately, this match-up is going to be won or lost by the hands of Sammy Watkins and Marshall. If both produce at the level they have been, this will be another gain for Grabbers.

Advantage: Grabbers

RB Position

Todd Gurley, James White, Karlos Williams, Ryan Matthews vs Darren McFadden, Denard Robinson, Duke Johnson

While Hartan doesn't have the upside at the WR, they do at the RB position. Both Gurley and White have been solid in recent weeks, but the key player of the group is Karlos Williams. Should he get the start, he has RB1 upside and could eat into Dmac's and Denard Robinsons total. Darren McFadden doesn't have a great match-up, but Denard does, against the second worst rush defense in the league. If Yeldon sits again, Denard should produce close to RB1 value as well. Still, with Gurley as the best player on the board, the edge goes to Hartan.

Advantage: Hartan

TE Position

Delanie Walker vs Greg Olsen

Delanie Walker is a good player on a bad team, but he gets a lions share of the targets weekly. He can take a short pass to the house at any moment as evidence of his week 15 outing. On the flip side, Greg Olsen is a mean machine. No other TE has produced like Gronk in the league, and Olsen is a weekly threat for 20+ points. With Cam Newton on fire, and the Falcons being a far better match-up for a TE than Houston, we have to lean slightly to Olsen here.

Advantage: Grabbers

Defense/Special Teams

Boswell, Minn Def vs Gano, Oak Def

Stephen Gostkowski is the only kicker that has been better for fantasy than Gano. While Boswell has been solid of late, the Carolina offense is a gift that keeps on giving. The kicker/Qb strategy is paying off big time for Sass, and should continue this week. On the defensive front, Hartan will look to take advantage of a Giants team missing their best player and start the Vikings. Oakland, while in a good match-up, isn't a great defense and could be in for a huge let down.

Advantage: Push

Final Verdict

In a year where close calls were the norm and line-ups fell apart and then came back to life, the AFFL crown will go to a team that has endured the most. Hartan is currently enduring the loss of players to the final minute, and Grabbers has managed that all season as well with the loss of Luck. There is something to be said about the AFFL Karma, it always gravitates towards teams that have had it the hardest and have survived. No team has had it harder. Losing Luck, putting up an anemic 1400 points. Three kids to manage at home. Grabbers is poised to be this years AFFL champion. Its been written in the fantasy book of the gods and shall soon be etched on an AFFL trophy. Mery Xmas Grabbers. Your Ass is the winner.

Winner: Grabbers United (144.13-121.22)