So we’re down to 4 teams!
#Northish Division
#LON
London lost 2 starters to injury this week, with OL Zack Martin and WR Michael Irvin both out for the championship game. Coincidentally, OL Joe Zeller and WR Butch Johnson are both back to full health, and will take their spots on the roster.
#NYG
New York has its own injury concerns, with starting DB Antrel Rolle missing the rest of the playoffs, and reserves Larry Donnell, Howie Livingston, and Telvin Smith all out for the championship.
The return of OL Tony Boselli from injury certainly helps. They’ve also given 2 players–DB Fred Marion and RB Sydney Thornton–the perfect opportunity to play for a championship after spending most of the season on the waiver wire.
#Southish Division
#IST
On the one hand, Istanbul cannot escape injuries, as reserve DE L.C. Greenwood fell to a freak training field injury. While Greg Hardy was added to the roster, Greenwood’s reps will probably fall more to Brett Keisel.
On the other, they will, for the 1st time all season, have a complete backfield to choose from as Le’Veon Bell returns, joining Franco Harris and the steady Jerome Bettis as running options.
#RIO
Rio steamrolled Tokyo in the Wild Card game. But some momentum may have been lost as a couple key injuries–DE Len Ford and S Johnny Robinson–emerged postgame. Additional playing time probably finds its way to Jimmy Wilson and Tamba Hali, both of which seem capable.