Saints Preserve Us! (10-5) vs. Just a Fantasy (10-5)
at Warren Township High O'Plaine Stadium, Gurnee, Ill.
Playoff records: Wilcox 8-7; Newton 12-10
Head to head: Saints! 53, Fantasy 21 (week 4); Fantasy 88, Saints! 37 (week 7)
The skinny: This year's playoffs feature all 10-5 teams for the first time in Finks League history. In 2011, the Finks playoffs featured three 10-5 teams and one with a 9-6 record. ... This semifinal features a pair of playoff teams from 2024. Fantasy placed second, losing 54-33 to the Eggers in Finger Bowl 31, and the Saints! took third. ... The Saints! must carry on without starting QB Mahomes KC, who started 14 of 15 games for the Saints! with the exception of their bye week. Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15. ... Fantasy owner Newton won his sixth division title.
Projected starters: Saints! -- Maye, K. Williams, Hall, St. Brown, Sutton, Fairbairn; Fantasy -- Hurts, C. Brown, Judkins, Collins, JSN, Reichard.
The pick: Fantasy 42, Saints! 34
Chicago Heights Mafia (10-5) vs. Hurricane Quags (10-5)
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Playoff records: Goff 13-11; Quags 7-11
Head to head: Quags 38, Mafia 21 (week 8)
The skinny: Mafia's five game losing streak ended in Week 15 with a loss to Fantasy. ... Quags ended the regular season with a four-game win streak. ... Mafia advanced to their second playoff appearance in three years. ... Three playoff teams this year needed wins in Week 15 to advance. Mafia was the only playoff team to lose in Week 15. ... Quags' last playoff appearance came in 2022. .. Mafia will likely start four members from his beloved Cowboys. The Cowboys are hosting the Chargers Sunday. ... Quags clinched his fourth division title.
Projected starters: Mafia -- L. Jackson, Gibbs, Jav. Williams, Lamb, Pickens, Aubrey; Quags -- Burrow, Jacobs, Etienne, Pittman, Rice, Butker.
The pick: Quags 35, Mafia 28
