Hello, and welcome to the Week 9 Edition of the East Europe AA #4 Power Rankings! Things are beginning to come to a head here in AA4, as teams begin the back half of the schedule and do what it takes to make the playoffs. Two unlikely teams remain undefeated, the Lowell Bengal Tigers and the London Head Hunters, but will they remain so for very long? With the thoughest part of their schedules coming up, one can only imagine.
Game of the Week
#16 Tallaght Outlaws vs. #12 Moscow Bears
This week's Game of the Week comes from two teams on the bubble. Both are hoping to put together a good second half in the hopes that they get good positioning in the playoffs.
This was a game decided by key defensive plays and the strength of their kicker's legs. Early in the first, Tallaght intercepted Moscow on their own 13 yard line after losing the ball to a fumble on their previous punt return. However, Moscow was not to be deterred, as two plays later they pulled down their own interception, and turned the resulting turnover into 3 points. Tallaght responded with a field goal of their own to tie the game up about midway through the second. The rest of the quarter was a back and forth struggle before Moscow capitalized on good field position after a punt return to add another 3 points to their score. This would unfortunately be the last points Moscow would score, as Tallaght took the third quarter kickoff and maneuvered their way into position for the tying field goal. Then, with less than two minutes left in the third, Tallaght once again put themselves in good field position, and on their second play of the fourth quarter, K Crud Bonemeal nailed a 49.5 yard field goal, and put Tallaght ahead for good, despite Moscow's best efforts to the contrary.
End Result: Tallaght wins, 9-6
Power Rankings
My Power Rankings rely heavily on what you have done within the last 4 games. So sometimes even if you win you might find yourself not going too far if another team happens to drop a bad 'number' from their last 4 and replaces it with a good number. They're a fair as I can mathematically make them. If you have any questions, just mail me and I'll do my best to answer.
The Top Ten
1. Lowell Bengal Tigers (9-0) Last Week (LW): #1
The Bengal Tigers are the #1 team by a fairly good margin at this point, so only a massive upset is likely to topple them from their throne. With the exception of their game against the Ninjas, Lowell has yet to be truly challenged. This week they face off against the Bears before their highly anticipated week 11 matchup against the Cows.
Last Game: vs. Moscow Vandals, won 26-3
Next Game: vs. Moscow Bears (6-3)
2. London Head Hunters (9-0) LW: #2
London is now on the clock. Their toughest stretch of games begins this week and then we shall see once and for all if they are truly deserving of being the top team in Zeta. Should they escape the next three games unscathed, all eyes will be on their week 14 matchup against Zeta favorites, the Warriors.
Last Game: vs. Subotica Scorpions, won 53-0
Next Game: vs. Tricity Hares (4-5)
3. Krakow Cows (8-1) LW: #3
Moo Nation holds on to the #3 spot after winning an easy game against the Dolphins. Their next game should be a nice primer for the Bengal Tigers, as the Outlaws are not a team that can be easily overlooked.
Last Game: vs. London Dolphins, won 41-10
Next Game: vs. Tallaght Outlaws (5-4)
4. Minsk Ninjas (8-1) LW: #4
Minsk is currently playing with a huge chip on their shoulder as they destroyed the Roadwarriors today. This week they go up against a strong Aggies team that might give the Ninjas some problems, as they are anything but pushovers.
Last Game: vs. Charleston Roadwarriors, won 63-0
Next Game: vs. Texas Aggies (6-3)
5. Warsaw Warriors (8-1) LW: #5
The Warriors stay in the top five of the Power Rankings with a strong win over the struggling Coyotes. They face a tough Storm team this week, as their defensive minded strategies have managed to shut down many a prolific offensive unit. Should the Warriors prevail, it will be hard fought indeed.
Last Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes, won 37-9
Next Game: vs. St. Petersburg Storm (7-2)
6. Hat Creek Cattle Company (7-2) LW: #7
The Cattle Company jumps up a spot thanks to a their current string of quality wins, the latest of which comes against The Look. They face the Radionuclides this week, a team just barely in the playoff hunt, before they face the undefeated Head Hunters in Week 11.
Last Game: vs. The Look, won 25-13
Next Game: vs. Chernobyl Radionuclides (5-4)
7. Volgograd Berserks (8-1) LW: #6
Volgograd slips a spot thanks to some very strong playing by the Cattle Company, but expect this team to begin their ascent of the Power Rankings, as their next three games will test them. They face a free-falling Coyotes team this week before their week 11 matchup with the Warriors.
Last Game: vs. Grodno Buckaroos, won 20-6
Next Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes (4-5)
8. St. Petersburg Storm (7-2) LW: #9
The Storm also jump up a spot, and this past week they managed their greatest offensive scoring output in the history of the club. Their toughest matchup of the season is this week, and there is definite upset potential here if the Storm defense can manage to hold off the Warriors and give their offense time to get something going.
Last Game: vs. Sydney Tire Irons, won 61-0
Next Game: vs. Warsaw Warriors (8-1)
9. Texas Aggies (6-3) LW: #15
With a bevy of 2-loss teams becoming 3-loss teams this week, the Aggies vault up into the Top Ten for the first time this season. It won't be easy to remain here though, as they face the Ninjas this week, a team still playing with a chip on their shoulder after losing to the Bengal Tigers.
Last Game: vs. Warsaw Cossacks, won 30-0
Next Game: vs. Minsk Ninjas (8-1)
10. Fehérvár Enthroners (6-3) LW: #14
The Enthroners also jump up into the Top Ten, though this is not a new position for them to be in. With only one true competative team left on their schedule, and that being in Week 15, look for the Enthroners to perch around this spot for a bit.
Last Game: vs. Florida Buccaneers, won 16-3
Next Game: vs. NISSA Dauphins (4-5)
Hanging on
11. Tallaght Outlaws
12. Grodno Buckaroos
13. The Look
14. Moscow Vandals
15. Moscow Bears
16. Chernobyl Radionuclides
Looking up
17. Tricity Hares
18. NISSA Dauphins
19. Bratislava Vampires
20. Charleston Roadwarriors
21. International Players
22. Haquenau Coyotes
Lying down
23. Carluke Cobras
24. Prague Panthers
25. C-Town Hoodlums
26. Longreach Wildcats
27. Leicester Lynxes
28. Florida Buccaneers
Six feet under
29. Sydney Tire Irons
30. Warsaw Cossacks
31. London Dolphins
32. Subotica Scorpions
Game of the Week
#16 Tallaght Outlaws vs. #12 Moscow Bears
This week's Game of the Week comes from two teams on the bubble. Both are hoping to put together a good second half in the hopes that they get good positioning in the playoffs.
This was a game decided by key defensive plays and the strength of their kicker's legs. Early in the first, Tallaght intercepted Moscow on their own 13 yard line after losing the ball to a fumble on their previous punt return. However, Moscow was not to be deterred, as two plays later they pulled down their own interception, and turned the resulting turnover into 3 points. Tallaght responded with a field goal of their own to tie the game up about midway through the second. The rest of the quarter was a back and forth struggle before Moscow capitalized on good field position after a punt return to add another 3 points to their score. This would unfortunately be the last points Moscow would score, as Tallaght took the third quarter kickoff and maneuvered their way into position for the tying field goal. Then, with less than two minutes left in the third, Tallaght once again put themselves in good field position, and on their second play of the fourth quarter, K Crud Bonemeal nailed a 49.5 yard field goal, and put Tallaght ahead for good, despite Moscow's best efforts to the contrary.
End Result: Tallaght wins, 9-6
Power Rankings
My Power Rankings rely heavily on what you have done within the last 4 games. So sometimes even if you win you might find yourself not going too far if another team happens to drop a bad 'number' from their last 4 and replaces it with a good number. They're a fair as I can mathematically make them. If you have any questions, just mail me and I'll do my best to answer.
The Top Ten
1. Lowell Bengal Tigers (9-0) Last Week (LW): #1
The Bengal Tigers are the #1 team by a fairly good margin at this point, so only a massive upset is likely to topple them from their throne. With the exception of their game against the Ninjas, Lowell has yet to be truly challenged. This week they face off against the Bears before their highly anticipated week 11 matchup against the Cows.
Last Game: vs. Moscow Vandals, won 26-3
Next Game: vs. Moscow Bears (6-3)
2. London Head Hunters (9-0) LW: #2
London is now on the clock. Their toughest stretch of games begins this week and then we shall see once and for all if they are truly deserving of being the top team in Zeta. Should they escape the next three games unscathed, all eyes will be on their week 14 matchup against Zeta favorites, the Warriors.
Last Game: vs. Subotica Scorpions, won 53-0
Next Game: vs. Tricity Hares (4-5)
3. Krakow Cows (8-1) LW: #3
Moo Nation holds on to the #3 spot after winning an easy game against the Dolphins. Their next game should be a nice primer for the Bengal Tigers, as the Outlaws are not a team that can be easily overlooked.
Last Game: vs. London Dolphins, won 41-10
Next Game: vs. Tallaght Outlaws (5-4)
4. Minsk Ninjas (8-1) LW: #4
Minsk is currently playing with a huge chip on their shoulder as they destroyed the Roadwarriors today. This week they go up against a strong Aggies team that might give the Ninjas some problems, as they are anything but pushovers.
Last Game: vs. Charleston Roadwarriors, won 63-0
Next Game: vs. Texas Aggies (6-3)
5. Warsaw Warriors (8-1) LW: #5
The Warriors stay in the top five of the Power Rankings with a strong win over the struggling Coyotes. They face a tough Storm team this week, as their defensive minded strategies have managed to shut down many a prolific offensive unit. Should the Warriors prevail, it will be hard fought indeed.
Last Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes, won 37-9
Next Game: vs. St. Petersburg Storm (7-2)
6. Hat Creek Cattle Company (7-2) LW: #7
The Cattle Company jumps up a spot thanks to a their current string of quality wins, the latest of which comes against The Look. They face the Radionuclides this week, a team just barely in the playoff hunt, before they face the undefeated Head Hunters in Week 11.
Last Game: vs. The Look, won 25-13
Next Game: vs. Chernobyl Radionuclides (5-4)
7. Volgograd Berserks (8-1) LW: #6
Volgograd slips a spot thanks to some very strong playing by the Cattle Company, but expect this team to begin their ascent of the Power Rankings, as their next three games will test them. They face a free-falling Coyotes team this week before their week 11 matchup with the Warriors.
Last Game: vs. Grodno Buckaroos, won 20-6
Next Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes (4-5)
8. St. Petersburg Storm (7-2) LW: #9
The Storm also jump up a spot, and this past week they managed their greatest offensive scoring output in the history of the club. Their toughest matchup of the season is this week, and there is definite upset potential here if the Storm defense can manage to hold off the Warriors and give their offense time to get something going.
Last Game: vs. Sydney Tire Irons, won 61-0
Next Game: vs. Warsaw Warriors (8-1)
9. Texas Aggies (6-3) LW: #15
With a bevy of 2-loss teams becoming 3-loss teams this week, the Aggies vault up into the Top Ten for the first time this season. It won't be easy to remain here though, as they face the Ninjas this week, a team still playing with a chip on their shoulder after losing to the Bengal Tigers.
Last Game: vs. Warsaw Cossacks, won 30-0
Next Game: vs. Minsk Ninjas (8-1)
10. Fehérvár Enthroners (6-3) LW: #14
The Enthroners also jump up into the Top Ten, though this is not a new position for them to be in. With only one true competative team left on their schedule, and that being in Week 15, look for the Enthroners to perch around this spot for a bit.
Last Game: vs. Florida Buccaneers, won 16-3
Next Game: vs. NISSA Dauphins (4-5)
Hanging on
11. Tallaght Outlaws
12. Grodno Buckaroos
13. The Look
14. Moscow Vandals
15. Moscow Bears
16. Chernobyl Radionuclides
Looking up
17. Tricity Hares
18. NISSA Dauphins
19. Bratislava Vampires
20. Charleston Roadwarriors
21. International Players
22. Haquenau Coyotes
Lying down
23. Carluke Cobras
24. Prague Panthers
25. C-Town Hoodlums
26. Longreach Wildcats
27. Leicester Lynxes
28. Florida Buccaneers
Six feet under
29. Sydney Tire Irons
30. Warsaw Cossacks
31. London Dolphins
32. Subotica Scorpions
