RhinoVision - Week #15

History: History? What history? The owners in the Northern Conference have made this job real easy for the Rhino. See you've got not one, but two PUNK-ASS ROOKIE's contending for the conference championship. Nice going boys. Well the history is that in week #11 the Destroyers won a 98-79 decision over the Duo, thus lead this looong series 1-0.

OK, so now that we've admonished the slags that surround you, let's get on with the show. These teams are statistically equal on paper, so it comes down to analysing the positions:

QB: Tough week for both presumed starters. McNair is hobbled so Manning is the Man. Dynamic Duo
RB: More tough matchups. So I'm going to give the nod the Destroyers because Barber is at home against Seattle.
WR: No contest here. The Destroyers are stacked.
K: They don't really count do they? OK, well if you count them the Destroyers have St. Louis at Carolina. 'nuff said.
D: Both of these D's are facing weak opponents so that's good for the Destroyers (Baltimore), but Pitt is golden this year: Dynamic Duo
Intangibles: Dynamic Duo. The seem to do what they need to do when they need it most.

So where does this leave us? Well, it was learned long ago by the veterans of the league that running wins championships. But here we have two teams with tough situations. Manning could pop out a huge number to lead the Duo to the C-DC, and my head says the Duo have it, but on gut instinct it's the Destroyers in a close one...

The Rhino says...Destroyers win by +3.

History: Lots of it here for these two wily old veterans!

Invaders
The Invaders won it all in 1998 and have made the playoffs in '95 and '97-'01. Very impressive. Last year the Invaders lost to the Young Guns in the first round 42-11. Guess last week was a sharp knife thrust for that one. That one pointer had to hurt the Guns, but the Invaders know the feeling as they lost 66-65 to FLC in the 1997 playoffs. Call it redemption.

Private's Parts
Private's Parts are no slouch when it comes playoff time either. They to won it all in 1998 and this year marks their 4th year of post season action. They pasted the Invaders 104-68 in week #10 this season, but trail them 7-6 in lifetime games.

So bring it on...Let's look at the positions here:

QB: No contest, Private's Parts have Warner on their side.
RB: Tell me that these two teams don't know what it's all about? The Parts carry 5 RB's and the Invaders carry 6. The Invaders have a good running game, but the Parts have the higher quality pair! Private's Parts
WR: The Invaders boys could rescue him this week, but overall the Parts have better stock.
K: Invaders have the #1 in Elam.
Intangibles: I don't think there are any here! Unless you subscribe to the "Kickers score lots of points!" theory of winning championships.

I just don't see the Invaders being good enough to topple the Part's return to the big dance...

The Rhino says...Private's Parts win by +7.