I'll supply some commentary on East teams this week (and will leave them in your current ranking setup... last thing we need is a 3rd set
).
EAST1a) Tennessee Fury - The most dominant and consistent team during the regular season continues their win streak as they look at Enghave (today) and the Bears (on Saturday). With a smothering defense specializing in the pass rush and an offense loaded with weapons, this team could go all the way (in the regular season).
1b) Boston Bears - The Bears are riding high after a 6 game winning streak. In fact, they haven't even had a close game since their week one loss to Virginia. Their passing game has been anemic at times, but their run game is the best in the East. If Jacob Anvar had a couple cupcake teams on his schedule, he'd be in contention for the rushing title. As it stands, he'll have to settle with trying to trample over the Tighas and Fury. Something will have to give between Fury's 6.9 YPG given against the rush and the Bears 283.9 rushing YPG.
3a) Phoenix Scorpions - After a horrible 3 game losing streak in the beginning of the season, the returning Scorpions look to be getting on the right track with a 4 game winning streak. Of course it has come at the expense of relatively weaker teams, but the Scorpion's dangerous pass attack has obliterated their most recent opponents. That pass attack is deadly enough to make any opponent become a potential victim. With $19 million in the bank, they are in a good position to make some moves and solidify a strong run through the postseason.
3b) Dirty Cheetahs - Often overlooked and underrated, the Cheetahs are finally getting some love this season. As a team that runs the ball well, they have the ability to take a 4th quarter lead and turn it into a victory. Unfortunately for them, they have one of the worst run defenses in the East and their passing attack has been smothered at times. If they can change a few schemes and get their receivers and QB in sync, they'll finish in the top 4. If not, the Cheetahs will be pressed for a playoff spot by some less favored teams.
5) Saint Paul Vulcans The Saint Paul Vulcans currently represent the best of the newcomers to A6 East. Boasting a 5-2 record with losses only to the Cheetahs and Bears, it looks like this team has what it takes to secure a playoff seed. This is a well balanced team with a great offensive line that has the penchant for playing close games. Expect to see them drop a few close ones to close out the year.
6) Louisiana State Tighas Oh how the mighty have fallen! The Tighas are on a 4 game skid after winning their first three. As they face the Bears today, it is a long shot that this team will be able to halt the losing streak any time soon. They'll need to start winning games if they want to have a shot at the playoffs, as two bubble teams (Texas and St. Paul) own tiebreakers. Their run game has been used so little its questionable whether it can be relied upon to close out games. The Bears probably won't give them a chance.
7) Sleepy Hollow Horsemen - Overall, this team might have the best pass attack in the league. They are sitting at #3 in pass yards and their outstanding offensive line has given up only 2 sacks and 13 hurries this season. They also have the 3rd best rush attack in the East and have one of the best run defenses in the conference. The Horsemen look very strong, but have one glaring weakness which Phoenix exposed: pass defense. If the Horsemen cannot stop the pass, it looks to be a rough season mired by several heartbreaking losses for this otherwise stellar team.
8a) Texas Wrecking Crew Fast fact: Texas posted over 1100 yards in their first game against a Western cupcake team, and have averaged only 285 yards since that time. Their offense gets bogged down too often and their pass defense is too unreliable to rank this team as anything but a bubble team.
8b) New Jersey Mobsters The Mobsters are a tough team, but their schedule is about to get much tougher. They have yet to play 3 of the top 5 conference teams. The result of their first two top five matchups? A narrow loss to the Scorpions and a 14 point loss to the Vulcans. This bubble team may be tough enough to break into the playoffs, but they'll need to convert close losses into a couple wins before the season closes out.
10a) Enghave Evolution A returner to A6, Enghave seems like a greatly improved team. They feature the most potent passing attack which has helped them win THREE games by 3 points or less. They also lost by one point to the Mobsters in a hearbreaker. Enghave will need some 4th quarter magic today to hope to upset Fury, but they might have the skills to do it. Their potential weakness may be in their running game, which has yet to become firmly established in any major games.
10b) Houston Toxins The Toxins are an average team nearly on the playoff bubble. The one feature that has helped them in many games is the ability their defense has of taking interceptions and fumbles all the way to the house. They face a real test on Saturday against the Scorpions. They'll need for their defense to continue to force turnovers and score in close games if they are to have a shot at the playoffs.
12a) NJ Hitmen - The only teams these hitmen have murdered were two CPU teams. When word reaches a New Jersey opponent about a potential hit, it sends similar shudders as getting an invitation to a Bette Midler and Celine Dion concert.
12b) Los Angeles Bicycle Clowns - These guys are clowns. Enough said.
14) Philadelphia Birds - The birds have seen A6 as a no fly zone, or maybe as a no win zone.
15) Atlantic City Aces - The best of the worst teams. As the Hogeyes are pixelized and the Birds are pancaked into oblivion, the Aces might have to be content with another 2-3 win season and a continued spot in the A6 East.
16) Iowa Hogeyes CPU Gutted, with 2 wins, and looking to be relegated. Go Hogeyes go!
