CREIGHTON BARRELS (9-4-2) at GHOST OF SWEETNESS (9-6)
at Soldier Field, Chicago
Playoff series: First meeting
The skinny: Ghost owner Steve Cline makes his first return appearance to the playoffs since winning the 2004 title. Cline became the first rookie owner to win a Finger Bowl... Barrels owner Chris Traczek is in his 14th Finks season and makes his sixth playoff appearance and second straight. The Barrels won a division title last season, but went 0-2 in the postseason. Traczek won his only Finger Bowl title in 1999 and had won four division titles before this season. He qualified for the playoffs as a division runner-up.
Probable starters: Barrels -- P. Manning, D. Williams, Portis, S. Smith, Wayne, Vinatieri. Ghost -- Brees, Tomlinson, T. Jones, Owens, Gonzalez, Rackers.
The pick: Barrels 44, Ghost 40.
DUBLIN BRAWLERS (8-7) at HURRICANE QUAGS (10-4-1)
at Dolphins Stadium, Miami
Playoff series: First meeting
The skinny: Defending champion Dick Quagliano hopes to become the second owner in Finks League history to win back-to-back championships after Matt Simo (2001-02)... Brawlers owner Kris Herigodt is trying to become the third rookie owner to win a Finger Bowl after Cline (2004) and the late Jeff Ponczak (2006)... Quags is in the postseason for the third time: 2005 as a division runner-up and 2007 as a division champion and FB champ.
Probable starters: Brawlers -- Romo, A. Peterson, C. Johnson, Boldin, Ward, Bironas. Quags -- Schaub, Westbrook, Lynch, A. Johnson, White, Reed.
The pick: Quags 40, Brawlers 30
