Keep in mind as we hit the quarter mark of the season that I will be putting together another Pro Bowl for both conferences based on Owner/GM voting. I'll probably open balloting after week 12 or thereabouts. I want to give people enough time to think about it and to scrounge up the extra votes so we can have an even better turn out than last time around. Here is the Link to the last one with the rules - http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=1590763 - Each team has 5 ballots to cast, the original rules say Owners and GMs only, but if owners send me a PM or even just post in the new thread who they are authorizing to vote on their behalf, that's fine with me. Anyways on to the rankings.
1. (0) Amsterdam Smugglers 4-0
And then there was one. To no ones surprise Amsterdam won the match-up of Zeta's last undefeated teams. Amsterdam now stands alone atop of the standings and will have a pretty good shot of staying there the rest of the way. Their running attack is tough to stop with the kind of 1-2 punch they have in the backfield. Mannheim put up a good fight, but in the end they are just not of the same class as the Smugglers. The Stampede are due up next and I have a tough time imagining the result being any different. The Smugglers have pretty clear sailing for most of the season and don't meet the number two team in these rankings, Barcelona, until week 15.
2. (0) Barcelona Blaze 3-1
Also to no one's surprise, the Blaze remains undefeated in conference play after a rout of Zagreb. The Blaze poured it on in this 65-0 beating. Both relegated teams are performing very well and will be in good position to head back up a league. I said in week one that keep it as close as they did against the Vikings was an achievement and since that game, no one has come within 59 of Reykjavik. The Blaze are a team to watch and after they cruise past the Hellboys in week 5, everyone will be doing just that in their game against the Metalheads.
3. (+2) Madrid Matadors 3-1
The Matadors hop back up in the rankings after they cruised by Porto. It was a nice cushion after the beating they received from Amsterdam. Porto was never going to put up any resistance and Madrid literally ran right over them. Despite the fact that the GLB community is in favor or realism, there was none to be found in this game as the two running backs combined for 18 TDs and 820 yards. It is actually disappointing that they gave up a score in a game that they had such an advantage in. They'll be looking for the shut out this week though as the lowly Ligers come into town. Expect another rout.
4. (-1) Mannheim Sharks 3-1
They are the latest to fall victim to the Smugglers Steamroller but it has still been a nice start for them. Last season they were able to win this early season game against the top overall rated team in the conference (the eventual conference champion Florence Flying Dutchmen) but that was the sole highlight in a tough season. Maybe the loss in this one signifies that their best work is a head of them. I have a lot of faith in this teams ability to compete in this conference and I look for them to regroup against the Thunder much like the Matadors did. They will still be in the mix come playoff time and this loss will probably be a good motivator in the end.
5. (+1) Indianapolis Stampede 3-1
The Stampede barely broke a sweat in their dismantlement of Budapest. I thought the closer game they had against Liverpool would spell a let down in this week but instead they used it as motivation. They are in pretty good position right now but they have the Smugglers due up in week 5 so that is going to set them back. I'd like to believe that they will make a close game out of it and possibly put Amsterdam on the ropes a little bit, but that really isn't going to happen. They are just a notch below the elite in this league and it would take some fantastic game planning to even keep it close. Luckily for them they see everyone's favorite opponents, Porto and Lazer, in the following two weeks.
6. (+1) Jersey Mammoths 3-1
The Mammoths cruised against the Hellboys this week and are off to a nice start. Their only loss was a nail-biter to Indy, so they have some confidence going forward. They haven't played any of the top teams in the conference yet but they are picking up the wins that they need to reach the post season. They have made some moves to improve their talent and could be in the conversation for a home playoff game when its said and done. We won't find out much about their character in week 5 when they have another easy game against Liverpool but we'll see what they are made of a few weeks after that in week 7 against the Smugglers.
7. (+3) Nashua Pride 2-2
The roller coaster ride continues for the Pride. Last week I said that things needed to change and they were better than the 42 point loss they suffered at the hands of Barcelona, well somebody listened. The Pride came out and beat the previous 4th ranked team, Lexington, by three touchdowns. They were tied at half-time but owned the second half. They were heavy underdogs heading into that game but it looks like they are figuring somethings out over in Nashua. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a small riot once word reached the fans back in Nashua. It was a big win for the franchise and they'll be looking to parlay that into some momentum with the Elves up next.
8. (+1) Western Roman Empire 3-1
People in Western Rome probably feel like they aren't given their due after the solid start that they have had only lands them at eighth in the power rankings but I feel like this is the perfect spot for them. They aren't going to win very many games on talent alone, so it is going to take a few tricks from them to make the postseason. They are a borderline team that could find themselves sitting at home come playoff time if they don't catch a few breaks. That starts in week 5 as they get a shot at sinking Budapest, they need to make sure they take care of business and not let Budapest notch that first win against them or it will really come back to haunt them later on. They seem like a well coached bunch from the early going, so don't be surprised to see them in this spot in the standings post week 16.
9. (-5) Lexington Metalheads 2-2
This is kind of Lexington's MO. They lost some games last season that really left you shaking your head and the 21 point loss to Nashua is their first of this season. In reality I was surprised they lost to the Aces in week 1, but this game was far worse. They let the Pride come in and walk all over them in their own stadium. I am sure they will be in the mix come playoff time but this loss could very well cost them home field advantage. They are like the Lakers of WE BBB #14, very talented but only get up for the big games. Well sometimes those teams that you over look jump up and bite ya.
10. (+1) Paris Elves 3-1
Well if the season ended today, Paris would make the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, we have to play 12 more weeks and every week isn't going to be as kind to them as the last one. The Elves will have problems keeping their winning streak going with Nashua due up next, but at least they have show the ability to keep themselves above the bad teams in the league. They have a shot in week 6 though with the underachieving Scorpions due up, watch out for them to try to make some noise in the bottom half.
11. (-3) Zagreb Scorpions 2-2
The Scorpions must have missed the bus to Barcelona because they definitely didn't show up. I really just don't have faith in this team to compete week in and week out which is a shame because I really have a lot of respect for this franchise and definitely thought they had what it took to compete for a championship mid-season 6. Things can change in a hurry in GLB though and these guys will continue to make their way down to the bottom half of the league. The flip side of that concept is that they could just as easily turn things back the other way and deal a blow the Metalheads in week 5. Doubtful as that is, never say never.
12. (0) Budapest Tizenhetedikkerület 0-4
Honestly I don't know if I shouldn't lump them in with the other bottom of the barrel teams or not. They have yet to capture a win and are seemingly unraveling before our eyes. I thought they'd have a legit shot at capturing a home playoff game with some nifty game planning and here we are in week 4 and I am ready to stick a fork in their playoff hopes. If WRE beats them in week 5 then season 7 is done for them. They'll at least beat the bottom 4 teams but that will be about it. I don't get it.
The Defeateds
Liverpool Warriors
Natal Hellboys
LAZER LIGERS
Porto Thunder
1. (0) Amsterdam Smugglers 4-0
And then there was one. To no ones surprise Amsterdam won the match-up of Zeta's last undefeated teams. Amsterdam now stands alone atop of the standings and will have a pretty good shot of staying there the rest of the way. Their running attack is tough to stop with the kind of 1-2 punch they have in the backfield. Mannheim put up a good fight, but in the end they are just not of the same class as the Smugglers. The Stampede are due up next and I have a tough time imagining the result being any different. The Smugglers have pretty clear sailing for most of the season and don't meet the number two team in these rankings, Barcelona, until week 15.
2. (0) Barcelona Blaze 3-1
Also to no one's surprise, the Blaze remains undefeated in conference play after a rout of Zagreb. The Blaze poured it on in this 65-0 beating. Both relegated teams are performing very well and will be in good position to head back up a league. I said in week one that keep it as close as they did against the Vikings was an achievement and since that game, no one has come within 59 of Reykjavik. The Blaze are a team to watch and after they cruise past the Hellboys in week 5, everyone will be doing just that in their game against the Metalheads.
3. (+2) Madrid Matadors 3-1
The Matadors hop back up in the rankings after they cruised by Porto. It was a nice cushion after the beating they received from Amsterdam. Porto was never going to put up any resistance and Madrid literally ran right over them. Despite the fact that the GLB community is in favor or realism, there was none to be found in this game as the two running backs combined for 18 TDs and 820 yards. It is actually disappointing that they gave up a score in a game that they had such an advantage in. They'll be looking for the shut out this week though as the lowly Ligers come into town. Expect another rout.
4. (-1) Mannheim Sharks 3-1
They are the latest to fall victim to the Smugglers Steamroller but it has still been a nice start for them. Last season they were able to win this early season game against the top overall rated team in the conference (the eventual conference champion Florence Flying Dutchmen) but that was the sole highlight in a tough season. Maybe the loss in this one signifies that their best work is a head of them. I have a lot of faith in this teams ability to compete in this conference and I look for them to regroup against the Thunder much like the Matadors did. They will still be in the mix come playoff time and this loss will probably be a good motivator in the end.
5. (+1) Indianapolis Stampede 3-1
The Stampede barely broke a sweat in their dismantlement of Budapest. I thought the closer game they had against Liverpool would spell a let down in this week but instead they used it as motivation. They are in pretty good position right now but they have the Smugglers due up in week 5 so that is going to set them back. I'd like to believe that they will make a close game out of it and possibly put Amsterdam on the ropes a little bit, but that really isn't going to happen. They are just a notch below the elite in this league and it would take some fantastic game planning to even keep it close. Luckily for them they see everyone's favorite opponents, Porto and Lazer, in the following two weeks.
6. (+1) Jersey Mammoths 3-1
The Mammoths cruised against the Hellboys this week and are off to a nice start. Their only loss was a nail-biter to Indy, so they have some confidence going forward. They haven't played any of the top teams in the conference yet but they are picking up the wins that they need to reach the post season. They have made some moves to improve their talent and could be in the conversation for a home playoff game when its said and done. We won't find out much about their character in week 5 when they have another easy game against Liverpool but we'll see what they are made of a few weeks after that in week 7 against the Smugglers.
7. (+3) Nashua Pride 2-2
The roller coaster ride continues for the Pride. Last week I said that things needed to change and they were better than the 42 point loss they suffered at the hands of Barcelona, well somebody listened. The Pride came out and beat the previous 4th ranked team, Lexington, by three touchdowns. They were tied at half-time but owned the second half. They were heavy underdogs heading into that game but it looks like they are figuring somethings out over in Nashua. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a small riot once word reached the fans back in Nashua. It was a big win for the franchise and they'll be looking to parlay that into some momentum with the Elves up next.
8. (+1) Western Roman Empire 3-1
People in Western Rome probably feel like they aren't given their due after the solid start that they have had only lands them at eighth in the power rankings but I feel like this is the perfect spot for them. They aren't going to win very many games on talent alone, so it is going to take a few tricks from them to make the postseason. They are a borderline team that could find themselves sitting at home come playoff time if they don't catch a few breaks. That starts in week 5 as they get a shot at sinking Budapest, they need to make sure they take care of business and not let Budapest notch that first win against them or it will really come back to haunt them later on. They seem like a well coached bunch from the early going, so don't be surprised to see them in this spot in the standings post week 16.
9. (-5) Lexington Metalheads 2-2
This is kind of Lexington's MO. They lost some games last season that really left you shaking your head and the 21 point loss to Nashua is their first of this season. In reality I was surprised they lost to the Aces in week 1, but this game was far worse. They let the Pride come in and walk all over them in their own stadium. I am sure they will be in the mix come playoff time but this loss could very well cost them home field advantage. They are like the Lakers of WE BBB #14, very talented but only get up for the big games. Well sometimes those teams that you over look jump up and bite ya.
10. (+1) Paris Elves 3-1
Well if the season ended today, Paris would make the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, we have to play 12 more weeks and every week isn't going to be as kind to them as the last one. The Elves will have problems keeping their winning streak going with Nashua due up next, but at least they have show the ability to keep themselves above the bad teams in the league. They have a shot in week 6 though with the underachieving Scorpions due up, watch out for them to try to make some noise in the bottom half.
11. (-3) Zagreb Scorpions 2-2
The Scorpions must have missed the bus to Barcelona because they definitely didn't show up. I really just don't have faith in this team to compete week in and week out which is a shame because I really have a lot of respect for this franchise and definitely thought they had what it took to compete for a championship mid-season 6. Things can change in a hurry in GLB though and these guys will continue to make their way down to the bottom half of the league. The flip side of that concept is that they could just as easily turn things back the other way and deal a blow the Metalheads in week 5. Doubtful as that is, never say never.
12. (0) Budapest Tizenhetedikkerület 0-4
Honestly I don't know if I shouldn't lump them in with the other bottom of the barrel teams or not. They have yet to capture a win and are seemingly unraveling before our eyes. I thought they'd have a legit shot at capturing a home playoff game with some nifty game planning and here we are in week 4 and I am ready to stick a fork in their playoff hopes. If WRE beats them in week 5 then season 7 is done for them. They'll at least beat the bottom 4 teams but that will be about it. I don't get it.
The Defeateds
Liverpool Warriors
Natal Hellboys
LAZER LIGERS
Porto Thunder
