As we approach the divisional stretch and the end of the season let's look at some predictions!
Originally posted by PaulM
Alpha Division Preview
Phoenix Retirees
Projected finish: #1
Overview:
- Phoenix has reloaded, and taken a step further this offseason. Returning the most prolific passer from last year, along with his favorite targets, promises fireworks on the offensive end. Meanwhile a S* laden defense looks on the surface to be the best in the league. Look for them in the championship game.
Cincinnati Dinosaurs
Projected finish: #2
Overview:
Cincinnati is clearly hurt by the departures from last season. They've lost stars on every side of the ball. That should prevent a repeat of the impressive run from last season, but they should compete for the wild card.
Hartford Walkers
Projected finish: #4
Overview:
- The dismal Walker squad from S17 has seen few improvements. Although they look tougher than last year's team, that will mean little when multiple teams have seen great improvements due to the changes. The challenge for them this season will be to win a game.
Leeds Chartered Accountants
Projected finish: #3
Overview:
- The team that won only one game against someone not Hartford returns with some improvements. They won't compete yet with the big dogs in the Senior League, but should beat Hartford up a couple times and potentially spoil a wild card contender's season. They have a QB to build around in Stretch Armstrong.
Well Hartford and Phoenix were what we thought they were. Phoenix should finish the regular season undefeated, barring a shocking upset. The Retirees lived up to the predictions with the #1 Overall offense and defense. The real surprise team here is Leeds, who will spoil every potential wild card's season if they can win out. Cincinnati did even worse then I thought they would, and Alpha as a whole stumbled after a strong start.
Originally posted by PaulM
Beta Division Preview
Houston Slugs
Projected finish: #4
Overview:
- Houston comes off a rough season, finishing at the tail end of Beta Division. Things don't look brighter this year; although they have made some improvements, it won't be enough to keep pace with the rest of the league.
Saskatoon Sleepers
Projected finish: #1
Overview:
- If anything stops the Sleepers from making the playoffs this year, it will be changes to the sim. The returning monster run game combines with serious defensive improvements to make the Sleepers the class of Beta Division
Louisville Rollers
Projected finish: #3
Overview:
Coming in third last season, Louisville will have to fight to make sure they don't drop this season. They'll be on the outside looking in as Jacksonville has made to many moves to be caught this season. They do return a 1000 yd rusher in Rico Tubbs, who will help them win tough games.
Jacksonville Grandpas
Projected finish: #2
Overview:
The story for the Grandpas is less about what was added as what was lost, with two S*s leaving the team including the #1 rusher from last season, Leroy Kelly. Can the Grandpas recover? They've made good moves but will have to fight hard for the division or wild card spot.
Again the prediction picked the top team, with Saskatoon standing head and shoulders above their opponents. They'll need to win out to better their record than last year, and they still aren't a lock for the playoff. The team that could pass them is Houston, who very much outperformed expectations to sit at 5-6 going into divisional play. Louisville clearly had a disappointing season, sitting at 3rd but with a poor 4-7 record. Finally, Jacksonville disappointed on the scoreboard despite statistically being a middle of the pack team. Beta was by far the poorest of the divisions this season, with all teams underperforming save Houston.
Originally posted by PaulM
Gamma Division Preview
Nashville Naps
Projected finish: #4
Overview:
- Nashville comes off a successful season that left them just short of the playoffs. The drop from there looks precipitous, as they've lost several players, and look to be taking a huge chemistry hit. The defense in particular looks extremely suspect. While they could look forward to a top 3 finish in any other division, in this one they look set to be at the bottom.
Eugene Elderly
Projected finish: #2
Overview:
- The Eugene Elderly are going to be in a dogfight against the Wrinkles this season as each fight for wild card positioning. Both teams are strong, but Eugene has great returning players and serious S* power. They should eke out key victories and pass the Wrinkles for 2nd place
New York Lindy Hoppers
Projected finish: #1
Overview:
- The worst team from the best division last season, the Lindy Hoppers got the benefit of being adopted by Xars. Now they're the first team of S18 to be full of human players. While this will cause a chemistry hit early, it should mean that they are a juggernaut at the end of the season. While they probably won't go undefeated, they should be the gold standard before long.
Washington Wrinkles
Projected finish: #3
Overview:
- After bringing home Gamma Division's first Greybeard Cup, the Wrinkles look set for one hell of a hangover. Eugene and New York have both significantly improved, and being in the same division could cost the Wrinkles dearly. They are still a quality team, and have a fighting chance; it will all be down to how they can perform in head to head matchups.
Gamma wasn't quite the meat grinder I expected it to be. The biggest disappointment has to be Eugene, who were consistently killed by the RNG. The best rushing team statistically in the game barely fed its star running backs, who both sit at the YPC lead. New York leads in qualifying, but Washington and Eugene both have a shot at the title. This division race is shaping up to be the most interesting. If Leeds happens to drop games down the stretch we could see a Gamma wild card as well. Nashville's defense looked suspect and turned out to be even worse than expected. The only time they held a team to less than 20 points, they won; other than that they were consistently torched on the defensive end.
