The camera pans to finds a barren, desolate city.
Hope abandoned.
Chaos in the streets.
The American Flag at half staff.
Jim Ross
We are live at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
And THIS is FANTASYMANIA!
Jim Ross
Good evening folks, good ole JR alongside my broadcast partner Jerry "The King" Lawler.
And the stage is set.
The Showcase of the Immortals takes place this Sunday for Round 1 of the WCC Playoffs.
King, this is as star studded of a playoffs as we've ever seen.
Among the top six is 3 former WCC League Champions, two of which are multiple time Champions.
In addition, Coach Victor has played in 3 of the last 4 FantasyManias since he's joined the WCC.
We have a lot of veteran experience and it should be a slobberknocker of a playoffs this season.
The King
I cannot wait, JR.
The first round is full of surprises and you just never know which team will shock the world.
It happens every year.
But I think we're all on the edge of our seats for a potential Permian Panthers vs. T.C. Titans Championship game.
They've both have proven track records with 5 League Championships between the two of them.
Each have dominated an era.
And they've been the top two teams all season long.
Let's see if these two can reach the Championship Round.
Jim Ross
That would certainly be one hell of a matchup.
The two teams are tied 1-1 on the season.
A third and final matchup is fitting and the winner would certainly end the debate of Greatest Fantasy Manager of All Time.
But of course, the games have to be played.
Any one of these teams can be the 2017 Champions.
And I think they're all worthy Fantasy Managers.
Let's take a look at our six teams.
[1] Permian Panthers (9-4)
Notable Players:
Antonio Brown
Rob Gronkowski
Josh Gordon
Greg Zurlein
Jacksonville Defense
[2] T.C. Titans (9-4)
Notable Players:
Tom Brady
Todd Gurley
Leonard Fournette
Jimmy Graham
Justin Tucker
[3] Mean Machine (8-5)
Notable Players:
Carson Wentz
Robby Anderson
Lamar Miller
Kareem Hunt
[4] Thundering Herd (8-5)
Notable Players:
Cam Newton
Julio Jones
Rex Burkhead
Dion Lewis
[5] Flames (7-6)
Notable Players:
Drew Brees
Larry Fitzgerald
Melvin Gordon
[6] Average Justin's (7-6)
Notable Players:
Jared Goff
T.Y. Hilton
Mark Ingram
Narrator
In San Francisco, the Mean Machine practice is all business.
For Coach Jesse, this season's FantasyMania will be his first since 2013.
In his three year absence from the WCC Playoffs, Coach Jesse and the Mean Machine take nothing for granted and enter the postseason taking every precaution heading into Sunday.
Narrator
Their opponents on Sunday, the underdog Average Justin's.
Led by former 1st overall pick, Jared Goff.
Reporter
Jared, there's been a lot of talk this week about the dualing quarterback battle between you and Carson Wentz.
As the first overall pick by the Average Justin's, do you feel any pressure to meet expectations and beat Carson Wentz, the 2nd overall pick, who by all accounts, has had a better NFL career than you, thus far.
Jared Goff
We just gotta play well on Sunday.
Nobody is giving us a chance and everyone thinks Carson is gonna outplay me.
We just gotta go out there and play.
STFU and play.
Narrator
With each passing game, the intensity rises.
Every move, every transaction, every decision to start and sit gets magnified.
The difference between a simple start and sit could be the difference between a win or a loss.
The Mean Machine are here now, but with the magnifying glass on these six teams, the media doesn't let up.
Reporter
Coach, congratulations on a successful season and returning to the playoffs.
It's been a good year for the team overall, you have the 3rd seed and are heavily favored on Sunday against the Average Justin's.
Do you ever think about where you could be?
An early season trade sent Antonio Brown to the Permian Panthers who are currently in first place.
Had you not made the trade, you could be resting this week and preparing for the second round.
Do you think this mistake will cost you a League Championship?
Coach Jesse consults with Lamar Miller.
Coach Jesse
You're getting the start on Sunday, but what do you think about Kareem?
You think he'll be ready?
Narrator
Rookie running back, Kareem Hunt lit the Fantasy World on fire in Week 1 with 40.60 points.
Followed up by back to back 20 point games.
However, in recent games, Kareem Hunt has struggled to regain that early season magic.
Questions loom over whether or not Kareem will start on Sunday.
Reporter
Golden, rumors are circulating the Mean Machine locker room that Kareem Hunt could be benched this Sunday and potentially in subsequent games in the playoffs.
Is there any truth to these rumors?
Golden Tate
I don't know what you're talking about.
I don't know what you're talking about.
No. I don't.
Kareem is our guy.
We're going into Sunday ready do whatever it takes.
We're going to war.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Narrator
On the other side, the Average Justin's have a relaxed atmosphere.
With their Coach studying for Finals, the players run the practices.
Mark Ingram
Man, we ain't worried about it.
We some playmakers.
We some DOGS.
We some dogs, no matter what happens, no matter what's going on in the game, we got faith in each other.
And when you got that, the sky's the limit.
Justin
Hey guys, I know I've only been here half the week.
I'm studying to be a physicist.
But I want you to know that I added a few players that I hope will help.Giovanni Bernard and Stephen Anderson.
I hope we win on Sunday.
Best of luck to all.
Coach Jesse
We know what we gotta do.
We know what we're capable of.
Let's play our best game of the year next week.
Let's be better than Average.
Let's be MEAN.
Mean Machine
Mean Machine!
Mean Machine!
Mean Machine!
Narrator
With the impending return of Aaron Rodgers...
A second round appearance would spark new found confidence in the Average Justin's.
*Commercial*
Hobbs Movie
*Commercial*
Coach Rockson
Legend tells us one thing...
History, another.
But every now and then, we find something that belongs to both.
Coach Rockson
I know this team is Championship material.
We've won it all before.
We've defeated Coach Ken and the T.C. Titans.
We've beaten the Thundering Herd.
We've won the Sports4Good League Championship.
All we gotta do... is win on Sunday.
Michael Cole
And he's done it!
Dolph Riggler has done it!
You're 2013 League Champion!
Dolph Riggler!
Narrator
An intense week of practice is familiar for the former League Champions.
An experienced team making his first FantasyMania appearance since his rookie season in 2013.
Coach Rockson and the Flames look to reignite the magic of 4 seasons ago when Coach Rockson won the League Championship against Coach Ken and the T.C. Titans.
Narrator
Coach Rockson knows what it takes to win it all.
But like the Mean Machine, they take every precaution to be prepared for Sunday.
Including their start quarterback shooting baskets late into the evening.
Narrator
Behind the Thundering Herd is Coach Victor's unorthodox coaching style.
Despite a relaxed atmosphere, Coach Victor is about to shake up the Thundering Herd in ways in which the team isn't prepared.
Star quarterback, Cam Newton, was given the starting job at the start of the year.
But after rookie Deshaun Watson took the job from him, Cam Newton's time as a Thundering Herd was believed to be over.
Narrator
After winning back the starting job after Watson went down with an injury, Cam Newton began to bring confidence back to his game.
Coach Victor, is about to take that away.
Coach Victor
Cam. We're going to Case Keenum on Sunday.
Coach Victor
Now listen. It's purely a business move.
It's nothing personal.
You've done a heck of a job for us so far.
But we're going with the hot hand.
We believe Case gives us the best chance to win.
And I can't take any chances.
We've gotta put out the flame.
Narrator
With the shocking news surfacing throughout the Thundering Herd's practice, the rest of the team prepares as if it's business as usual.
With the shocking news surfacing throughout the Thundering Herd's practice, the rest of the team prepares as if it's business as usual.
Behind the running back tandem of Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis, the Thundering Herd have played well as of late.
They'll bring playoff experience against a Flames team that defeated them in Week 7.
Narrator
No matter what you think of Coach Victor's unorthodox style, there is no questioning.
3 playoff appearances in the last 4 years for Coach Victor.
Something is working and Coach Victor hopes he's finally created the formula to win it all.
*Commercial*
Tyrese
Hey WCC Fans, this Tyrese.
I bought this ad space to send a message to my brother Dewayne.
I just want to say to you, my brother.
You tell the Fantasy Football Family that you are a mustang for life. but you lie.
We know you are never coming back.
You are going to make your movie and leave the #FantasyFamily behind.
This is not a rant.
I just want to let the people know.
This is for the Fantasy Football Family.
If you go forward with that movie, then your leaving the mustang family behind.
mustang challenge my ass, you clown.
Tyrese
Hello world.......... hello loyal fans and loved ones from OUR fast universe........ I’m sorry to announce that if Dewayne is in Hobbs there will no more Roman Peirce - You mess with family and my daughters survival I mess with yours......... close your eyes dude you’re a “Clown”...... #CandyAssBitchMade All my real one....
*Commercial*
Molly Wood
Welcome back to First Take.
Skip, Stephen A.
We're gonna cut right to the chase.
It is FantasyMania season.
Let's make our picks for 2017 League Champion and let's make our predictions for this weekend.
Stephen A. Smith
Well Molly, I've said it from the start.
The T.C. Titans are my pick to be the 2017 League Champions.
They've been to four straight Championship games.
They've won 2 of the last 3.
Dominated this era of Fantasy Football.
I make no qualms about it.
The T.C. Titans are still the best team in the WCC and they're gonna win it all again, Skip.
Skip Bayless
Stephen A. would you care to guess which team I'm picking?
That's right! You guessed it!
The Permian Panthers have surpassed the T.C. Titans as the team to beat.
As I said last week, they have the mental edge heading into the playoffs.
They beat YOUR T.C. Titans last week.
There is no team better, they're going to coast their way to the 2017 League Championship and all the doubters that said Coach Covfefe was done are going to eat their words.
You're looking at the Greatest Fantasy Manager of All Time in Coach Covfefe.
Max Kellerman
Very predictable picks from my colleagues.
You pick 1, he picks 2.
I'm going a different route.
Quite honestly, I think it's time to see a new League Champion rise in the WCC.
We've seen Covfefe win it all.
We've seen Coach Ken win it all.
And we've even seen Coach Rockson win it all.
I'd like the Mean Machine to finally get over the hump and become your 2017 League Champion.
I think they're going to get it together and they're gonna defeat BOTH the T.C. Titans and Permian Panthers and we're witnessing a NEW era in the West Coast Cousins.
Mark it down.
Mean Machine win it all.
Skip Bayless
You are absolutely insane, Max.
There is no way the Mean Machine can win it all.
I see them defeating the Average Justin's this week, but much more than that, I have serious doubts about that team.
I'm also taking the Thundering Herd over the Flames.
I think the move to start Case Keenum is genius and will result in a win.
Case is the real deal, and SCAM Newton would only choke the game away.
Thundering Herd and Mean Machine advance to Round 2.
Stephen A. Smith
I'm taking the Mean Machine and the Flames to advance.
I'm taking the Mean Machine and the Flames to advance.
The Average Justin's have put up a hell of a fight and they've done better than anyone can expect especially with the loss of Aaron Rodgers and Odell Beckham Jr. but they've achieved about as much as they're gonna do.
Mean Machine win easily.
As far as the Flames go, I think they have one of the best teams in the league.
As a former League Champion, their experience is going to be the difference.
I have a very close game between these two, but ultimately, the Flames will edge out the Thundering Herd.
Max Kellerman
Once again, I'm gonna go out on a limb here.
I've got the Flames over the Thundering Herd.
And the AVERAGE JUSTIN'S over the Mean Machine.
Molly Wood
What??
You just picked the Mean Machine to win it all.
Now you're saying they're gonna be eliminated in Round 1?
Max Kellerman
Hey, anything can happen in the WCC.
I think the Average Justin's will upset the Mean Machine, but the Mean Machine will bounce back and win the League Championship.
Stephen A. Smith
That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!
Get this man outta here!
Max Kellerman
Hey, I'm just an boxing expert.
I have no idea how I got hired for this job.
Narrator
As Sunday draws closer, four teams enter the first round with aspirations to become WCC League Champions.
Mean Machine. Thundering Herd. Flames and Average Justin's.
All fighting for an opportunity to play another week.
Narrator
In Fantasy Football, disputes are settled on the gridiron.
Narrator
Respect is earned by your decision to start the best performing player.
Legends are made on the computer screen.
Narrator
Whether you go with the traditional playmakers
Narrator
Or the waiver add to give your team a last minute boost.
Narrator
In the end, only one thing matters when it comes to Fantasy Football.
Narrator
Which team will do what it takes to walk away with the W?
Narrator
The unorthodox coach, the underdog, the basketball player or mean football machine?
Four will enter Sunday's matchups.
Two will advance to the second round.
The road to the FantasyMania Championship begins in four nights.
