Perfect round for me in week 9, WOO HOO!
That brings me to 39 from 46, or 85% so far this season.
So, with no further crapping on, lets get on with it.
Surabaya Tigers (9-0) v Kenosha Bootleggers (1-8)
Well, after having the play the Veterans and the Kings in the last 3 weeks, and now having to play the Tigers, I hope Kenosha remembered those inflatable ring cushions, cos they're gonna be feeling pretty sore...
Not much of a contest here, apart from guessing how much Surabaya are going to win by, and I'm going to take the safe bet of S$*TLOADS!
Surabaya by 30+, at halftime...
Vietnam Veterans (8-1) v Tiananmen Square Dancers (5-4)
Big game here for Tiananmen Square, to show they're better then their 5-4 record shows, the Veterans will want to win this game to stay in second place, and avoid Surabaya for as long as possible in the playoffs...
Two big defensive teams here, with neither team allowing their opponents to score 20+ more then once (the Dancers even won that game) though Tiananmen have struggled in recent weeks, allowing more points in the last 3 weeks then they have the rest of the season. Their offense has improved, but I dont think its up to the task of beating the Vets D, who haven't allowed anyone into the EZ more then once since week 1 vs Surabaya. Dont expect a huge scoreline here, could be a very tight game but I think the Veterans will do it.
Veterans by 6.
Riverside Kings (8-1) v Cebu Matador (3-6)
Rather uneven game here, and while Cebu want to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, they've got a snowballs chance in hell of pulling it a win against the Kings.
The Kings will be looking for revenge after losing to the Tigers last week. They could've got the job done if not for two turnovers within scoring range, which in the end cost them the game. Expect them to use Cebu as stress relief, just hope there are some Matadors left after the game, theres still 6 weeks after this one.
Kings by 20.
Southern Wastes (7-2) v Portland Microbrews (5-4)
And so we finally get to what could be an even game, with two top 8 teams battling to secure their place, and hopefully finish somewhere that won't leave them facing Surabaya early in the playoffs.
The Wastes are looking to continue their winning streak after thrashing Hanoi last week. They face a tough next few weeks though, as they face the Yaks, Kings and Tigers in the 4 weeks after this one, so they need this game to stay in the top 8.
Portland lost last week, and while they have a slightly easier end to the season then the Wastes, they can't take any game for granted and will need this game in the bag to avoid too much pressure late in the season.
For this game, I think the Wastes have enough to do the job, Portland have a strong passing game on both sides of the ball, but their D's front 7 could struggle against the Wastes O-Line, and if you cant stop the run and make them pass, it gets alot harder to force mistakes.
Wastes by 7.
Yokohama Yaks (7-2) v Phuket Blazers (6-3)
Two teams coming off wins, and hoping for more here, and this is looking to be a very close game.
Phuket must have been buying players like mad the last few weeks, because all of a sudden their lineup has gotten downright scary, but they seem to have done it at a cost: they only have 3 WR's...
I've had my doubts about the Yak's Defense all season, and while they have held up pretty well most weeks, they face one of the best Offenses in the league this week, and their weak D could cost them the game.
Looking ahead, the Yaks seem pretty safe in their playoff spot this season, but they could be in trouble if they cant get at least 1 win from the next 3 weeks. The Blazers on the other hand, have 2 (or possibly 3, haven't really looked at the Alpha conf teams) tough games left after this one, but should win the rest very comfortably, and finish within the top 6.
But for ths game at least, I pick the Blazers, their D should keep the Yaks contained, which is something the Yaks will struggleto do likewise.
Blazers by 7.
Mean Street Metalheads (4-5) v Hanoi Heat (1-8)
Two teams in the bottom half of the ladder, with both teams needing a miracle to make the playoffs, though the Metalheads dont need quite as big a one as the Heat.
Should be a pretty confortable win for Mean Street here, Hanoi haven't put up much resistance all season long, and had 100 points scored on them in the last 2 weeks alone.
Mean Street need this win to get their season back on track, though with the teams they have left to play (Microbrews, Yaks, Steelers, Kings, Surabaya) the only game they are likely to win is vs Shanghai, and they need alot more then that to make the top 8.
Metalheads by 20.
Monte Cristo Avengers (4-5) v Hong Kong Valley Knights (3-6)
Two teams who had hoped for a better first half of the season, though they both got rid of most of the big teams early on at least, they really need to pull their fingers out for the final 7 weeks.
Defensively both teams are fairly even, with neither team having any big stars amongst their defense. Offensively the Valley Knights have a slight edge, having a few strong options, while the Avengers seem to have a shortage of talent, and that could give them trouble.
I think that Hong Kong will win this game, both Defensive squads are about even, but Hong Kong have some scary receivers (including #2 and #7 in the conference for receiving yards) which will give the Avengers all sorts of problems.
Valley Knights by 10.
Shanghai Steelers (1-8) v Toungoo Tigers (0-9)
Bottom of the table clash here to round out the week, and with neither side having anything but pride on the line, it could be an interesting game.
Both teams have been pretty appalling this season, and they can only hope to do better next season, after getting some fresh talent, or some easier competition. This could be Toungoo's last hope for a win this season, although they do have games later in the season with other weak teams, another loss here will probably be the end of the Tigers morale...
Personally I dont think Toungoo will make it this week, they just dont have a starting roster good enough to make up for their lack of depth, with most of their backups looking fresh out of the D-Leagues. Shanghai aren't alot better, but they show more potential then the Tigers current squad. Dont expect a particularly exciting game though, could end up a comedy of errors here, but I think Shanghai have enough to secure their 2nd (and probably last) win of the season.
Steelers by 10.
And there we have it folks, another round done. Lets see how badly I stuff up this week.
Smegish
Southern Wastes
'Special' Teams Uncoordinator
That brings me to 39 from 46, or 85% so far this season.
So, with no further crapping on, lets get on with it.
Surabaya Tigers (9-0) v Kenosha Bootleggers (1-8)
Well, after having the play the Veterans and the Kings in the last 3 weeks, and now having to play the Tigers, I hope Kenosha remembered those inflatable ring cushions, cos they're gonna be feeling pretty sore...
Not much of a contest here, apart from guessing how much Surabaya are going to win by, and I'm going to take the safe bet of S$*TLOADS!
Surabaya by 30+, at halftime...
Vietnam Veterans (8-1) v Tiananmen Square Dancers (5-4)
Big game here for Tiananmen Square, to show they're better then their 5-4 record shows, the Veterans will want to win this game to stay in second place, and avoid Surabaya for as long as possible in the playoffs...
Two big defensive teams here, with neither team allowing their opponents to score 20+ more then once (the Dancers even won that game) though Tiananmen have struggled in recent weeks, allowing more points in the last 3 weeks then they have the rest of the season. Their offense has improved, but I dont think its up to the task of beating the Vets D, who haven't allowed anyone into the EZ more then once since week 1 vs Surabaya. Dont expect a huge scoreline here, could be a very tight game but I think the Veterans will do it.
Veterans by 6.
Riverside Kings (8-1) v Cebu Matador (3-6)
Rather uneven game here, and while Cebu want to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, they've got a snowballs chance in hell of pulling it a win against the Kings.
The Kings will be looking for revenge after losing to the Tigers last week. They could've got the job done if not for two turnovers within scoring range, which in the end cost them the game. Expect them to use Cebu as stress relief, just hope there are some Matadors left after the game, theres still 6 weeks after this one.
Kings by 20.
Southern Wastes (7-2) v Portland Microbrews (5-4)
And so we finally get to what could be an even game, with two top 8 teams battling to secure their place, and hopefully finish somewhere that won't leave them facing Surabaya early in the playoffs.
The Wastes are looking to continue their winning streak after thrashing Hanoi last week. They face a tough next few weeks though, as they face the Yaks, Kings and Tigers in the 4 weeks after this one, so they need this game to stay in the top 8.
Portland lost last week, and while they have a slightly easier end to the season then the Wastes, they can't take any game for granted and will need this game in the bag to avoid too much pressure late in the season.
For this game, I think the Wastes have enough to do the job, Portland have a strong passing game on both sides of the ball, but their D's front 7 could struggle against the Wastes O-Line, and if you cant stop the run and make them pass, it gets alot harder to force mistakes.
Wastes by 7.
Yokohama Yaks (7-2) v Phuket Blazers (6-3)
Two teams coming off wins, and hoping for more here, and this is looking to be a very close game.
Phuket must have been buying players like mad the last few weeks, because all of a sudden their lineup has gotten downright scary, but they seem to have done it at a cost: they only have 3 WR's...
I've had my doubts about the Yak's Defense all season, and while they have held up pretty well most weeks, they face one of the best Offenses in the league this week, and their weak D could cost them the game.
Looking ahead, the Yaks seem pretty safe in their playoff spot this season, but they could be in trouble if they cant get at least 1 win from the next 3 weeks. The Blazers on the other hand, have 2 (or possibly 3, haven't really looked at the Alpha conf teams) tough games left after this one, but should win the rest very comfortably, and finish within the top 6.
But for ths game at least, I pick the Blazers, their D should keep the Yaks contained, which is something the Yaks will struggleto do likewise.
Blazers by 7.
Mean Street Metalheads (4-5) v Hanoi Heat (1-8)
Two teams in the bottom half of the ladder, with both teams needing a miracle to make the playoffs, though the Metalheads dont need quite as big a one as the Heat.
Should be a pretty confortable win for Mean Street here, Hanoi haven't put up much resistance all season long, and had 100 points scored on them in the last 2 weeks alone.
Mean Street need this win to get their season back on track, though with the teams they have left to play (Microbrews, Yaks, Steelers, Kings, Surabaya) the only game they are likely to win is vs Shanghai, and they need alot more then that to make the top 8.
Metalheads by 20.
Monte Cristo Avengers (4-5) v Hong Kong Valley Knights (3-6)
Two teams who had hoped for a better first half of the season, though they both got rid of most of the big teams early on at least, they really need to pull their fingers out for the final 7 weeks.
Defensively both teams are fairly even, with neither team having any big stars amongst their defense. Offensively the Valley Knights have a slight edge, having a few strong options, while the Avengers seem to have a shortage of talent, and that could give them trouble.
I think that Hong Kong will win this game, both Defensive squads are about even, but Hong Kong have some scary receivers (including #2 and #7 in the conference for receiving yards) which will give the Avengers all sorts of problems.
Valley Knights by 10.
Shanghai Steelers (1-8) v Toungoo Tigers (0-9)
Bottom of the table clash here to round out the week, and with neither side having anything but pride on the line, it could be an interesting game.
Both teams have been pretty appalling this season, and they can only hope to do better next season, after getting some fresh talent, or some easier competition. This could be Toungoo's last hope for a win this season, although they do have games later in the season with other weak teams, another loss here will probably be the end of the Tigers morale...
Personally I dont think Toungoo will make it this week, they just dont have a starting roster good enough to make up for their lack of depth, with most of their backups looking fresh out of the D-Leagues. Shanghai aren't alot better, but they show more potential then the Tigers current squad. Dont expect a particularly exciting game though, could end up a comedy of errors here, but I think Shanghai have enough to secure their 2nd (and probably last) win of the season.
Steelers by 10.
And there we have it folks, another round done. Lets see how badly I stuff up this week.
Smegish
Southern Wastes
'Special' Teams Uncoordinator
