Ok, we got the Beavers right where we want them: lined up to face the Camels for the 6th time in 3 seasons. 
Now, nobody mess that up! We have some phenomenal matchups this week with the 8 current playoff teams all facing off (how crazy is that). Add to that the 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-16 teams are matched up and you have yourself probably the most unbelievably close week in the history of my predictions. If I go 5-2 this week, I'll be shocked. Let's check it out.
GOTW 1*Los Angeles eXtreme 9-4 @ Morocco Camels 12-1
One of those games that could easily screw up the rankings here. In the past two seasons these teams split the series with each game being within a field goal. Last season's 28-26 win by LAX put the Camels in danger of missing the playoffs. They still climbed in with a 7 seed, but they can return the favor of all but putting LAX out of a home playoff game for this season by beating them here. Both times these teams faced off, the Camels won the yardage battle, but struggled to put the ball in the end zone with 7 FGs and only 2 TDs. Though Mr. Fiorentino isn't having the dominate season that he has had in the past, he's still a force to consider when game planning. The Camels were able to stifle his effectiveness last season and will probably be able to again this season. But that doesn't seal the deal for Morocco in this one. They will still have to stop the LAX passing attack which it will surely bring. This season the Camels' secondary has looked more like season 3 than season 4 as they once again lead the Conference in INTs. I believe that will seal the deal. My heart actually feels like LAX might pull this one out, but my brain does most of the predictions.
Camels 24 eXtreme 20
GOTW 2*Mogadishu Malice 11-2 @ San Dimas Saints 10-3
The Saints are a bit of an enigma to me this season as some games they look like the best team in the Conference while others they let teams they should be dominating give them close games. The Malice have just been steadily great and unbelievably their losses are to two teams that won't be in the playoffs this season. I'm still trying to put my foot on it, but there's nothing that Mogadishu does that great. In the end, I believe that's what makes them great. They are very difficult to game plan against and they obviously have done a fantastic job of game planning themselves. My hats off to MM as to go from 2-14 to a home field playoff game in 2 seasons is just amazingly impressive. The Saints have shown some vulnerability to the run this season and MM has brought out the pound it out game plan a decent amount in these type of games. They like to keep the Saints offense off the field and control the ball. On the outside, their meager 4.7 ypc doesn't appear to be a team capable of doing that, but just ask Morocco, High Plains, Gold Coast, and River Styx about MM's running game. They couldn't stop it. The Saints are a team with a very balanced offense. Their stat lines don't tell the whole story as it would appear they like to throw a lot as the #2 passing team in the Conference, but in big games, they usually prefer a more balanced approach. Quite similar teams, but I just feel like the Saints are a little better still. Malice will probably prove me wrong...again.
Saints 20 Malice 16
GOTW 3*River Styx Jinx 9-4 @ High Plains Drifters 10-3
Man, what a week. Another clash between two great teams here. With their 3 losses coming from the Saints, Camels, and Malice, High Plains is currently in control of their own destiny for at minimum the #4 seed and a home playoff game. After starting the season 2-3, the Jinx have been on a little roll themselves including a last second win over the Beavers last week. Now, I know I talk about Speedy and the passing game on High Plains a lot as I should, but they have found a very efficient running game to compliment their air attack this season. This is what has lead them to be the 2nd most potent scoring offense in the Conference so far this season. Their stingy defense is lead by probably this season's most dominant defensive player, Busta Rib. With 34 Sacks from the MLB spot and 127 tackles, this guy has been scary good. Last season, River Styx won a barn-burner 41-31. Expect the Jinx to keep to the short passes and the off-tackle runs and will actually have some success moving the ball this way. They have a very efficient passing game and will mix in just enough runs to keep High Plains honest. If they can keep, Kitiara off his back, they might be able to pull this out. Drifters are such a dangerous team and they could seriously make some noise this season in the playoffs, but I think the Jinx find a way in this one.
Jinx 20 Drifters 17
GOTW 4*Gold Coast Corsairs 9-4 @ Eaton Beavers 8-5
Last season, the Corsairs were completely shut down in this game. One season later, their offense is a ton less predictable and much improved. Their stout defense will make our life tough and while the Corsairs are on a roll, we are reeling a bit from some tough losses. GL GC.
Kilimanjaro Sno Caps 6-7 @ Kinshasa Rumblers 7-6
Two teams with completely different playing styles. One runs the ball, the other likes to pass. Both teams are effectively 2 games out of the 8th playoff spot, so the loser is all but mathematically eliminated while the winner can find themselves right in the hunt with a Beavers loss to GC. In the end, the Sno Caps stop the pass better than the Rumblers stop the run, so I give them the edge.
Sno Caps 27 Rumblers 20
African Killer Bees 4-9 @ Mozambique Thundercats 5-8
Wow, can I have a break on the close match ups? Both of these teams have some tough losses, and some ugly losses. In the end, they both just have too many losses this season. Both are mathematically eliminated from the post-season now, but will be playing for pride and bragging rights. Absolutely two decent teams that things just didn't go their way this season and I hope that both return again next season with a few additions to make them even better. Mozambique has been more impressive in losses of late.
Thundercats 31 Bees 24
Sahara Sandstorm 2-11 @ Serengeti Wildebeest 2-11
I really like the pieces the Sandstorm have been building with and hope that they continue to improve and will be competitive next season. This will be the only game that I would be shocked if I'm wrong.
Sandstorm 48 Wildebeest 21
The ALL 0-13 @ Kampala Kerels 0-13
The battle of teams with perfect records! ALL just added a level 34 HB, but Kerels better take this one.
Kerels 31 ALL 17
Now, nobody mess that up! We have some phenomenal matchups this week with the 8 current playoff teams all facing off (how crazy is that). Add to that the 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-16 teams are matched up and you have yourself probably the most unbelievably close week in the history of my predictions. If I go 5-2 this week, I'll be shocked. Let's check it out.GOTW 1*Los Angeles eXtreme 9-4 @ Morocco Camels 12-1
One of those games that could easily screw up the rankings here. In the past two seasons these teams split the series with each game being within a field goal. Last season's 28-26 win by LAX put the Camels in danger of missing the playoffs. They still climbed in with a 7 seed, but they can return the favor of all but putting LAX out of a home playoff game for this season by beating them here. Both times these teams faced off, the Camels won the yardage battle, but struggled to put the ball in the end zone with 7 FGs and only 2 TDs. Though Mr. Fiorentino isn't having the dominate season that he has had in the past, he's still a force to consider when game planning. The Camels were able to stifle his effectiveness last season and will probably be able to again this season. But that doesn't seal the deal for Morocco in this one. They will still have to stop the LAX passing attack which it will surely bring. This season the Camels' secondary has looked more like season 3 than season 4 as they once again lead the Conference in INTs. I believe that will seal the deal. My heart actually feels like LAX might pull this one out, but my brain does most of the predictions.
Camels 24 eXtreme 20
GOTW 2*Mogadishu Malice 11-2 @ San Dimas Saints 10-3
The Saints are a bit of an enigma to me this season as some games they look like the best team in the Conference while others they let teams they should be dominating give them close games. The Malice have just been steadily great and unbelievably their losses are to two teams that won't be in the playoffs this season. I'm still trying to put my foot on it, but there's nothing that Mogadishu does that great. In the end, I believe that's what makes them great. They are very difficult to game plan against and they obviously have done a fantastic job of game planning themselves. My hats off to MM as to go from 2-14 to a home field playoff game in 2 seasons is just amazingly impressive. The Saints have shown some vulnerability to the run this season and MM has brought out the pound it out game plan a decent amount in these type of games. They like to keep the Saints offense off the field and control the ball. On the outside, their meager 4.7 ypc doesn't appear to be a team capable of doing that, but just ask Morocco, High Plains, Gold Coast, and River Styx about MM's running game. They couldn't stop it. The Saints are a team with a very balanced offense. Their stat lines don't tell the whole story as it would appear they like to throw a lot as the #2 passing team in the Conference, but in big games, they usually prefer a more balanced approach. Quite similar teams, but I just feel like the Saints are a little better still. Malice will probably prove me wrong...again.
Saints 20 Malice 16
GOTW 3*River Styx Jinx 9-4 @ High Plains Drifters 10-3
Man, what a week. Another clash between two great teams here. With their 3 losses coming from the Saints, Camels, and Malice, High Plains is currently in control of their own destiny for at minimum the #4 seed and a home playoff game. After starting the season 2-3, the Jinx have been on a little roll themselves including a last second win over the Beavers last week. Now, I know I talk about Speedy and the passing game on High Plains a lot as I should, but they have found a very efficient running game to compliment their air attack this season. This is what has lead them to be the 2nd most potent scoring offense in the Conference so far this season. Their stingy defense is lead by probably this season's most dominant defensive player, Busta Rib. With 34 Sacks from the MLB spot and 127 tackles, this guy has been scary good. Last season, River Styx won a barn-burner 41-31. Expect the Jinx to keep to the short passes and the off-tackle runs and will actually have some success moving the ball this way. They have a very efficient passing game and will mix in just enough runs to keep High Plains honest. If they can keep, Kitiara off his back, they might be able to pull this out. Drifters are such a dangerous team and they could seriously make some noise this season in the playoffs, but I think the Jinx find a way in this one.
Jinx 20 Drifters 17
GOTW 4*Gold Coast Corsairs 9-4 @ Eaton Beavers 8-5
Last season, the Corsairs were completely shut down in this game. One season later, their offense is a ton less predictable and much improved. Their stout defense will make our life tough and while the Corsairs are on a roll, we are reeling a bit from some tough losses. GL GC.
Kilimanjaro Sno Caps 6-7 @ Kinshasa Rumblers 7-6
Two teams with completely different playing styles. One runs the ball, the other likes to pass. Both teams are effectively 2 games out of the 8th playoff spot, so the loser is all but mathematically eliminated while the winner can find themselves right in the hunt with a Beavers loss to GC. In the end, the Sno Caps stop the pass better than the Rumblers stop the run, so I give them the edge.
Sno Caps 27 Rumblers 20
African Killer Bees 4-9 @ Mozambique Thundercats 5-8
Wow, can I have a break on the close match ups? Both of these teams have some tough losses, and some ugly losses. In the end, they both just have too many losses this season. Both are mathematically eliminated from the post-season now, but will be playing for pride and bragging rights. Absolutely two decent teams that things just didn't go their way this season and I hope that both return again next season with a few additions to make them even better. Mozambique has been more impressive in losses of late.
Thundercats 31 Bees 24
Sahara Sandstorm 2-11 @ Serengeti Wildebeest 2-11
I really like the pieces the Sandstorm have been building with and hope that they continue to improve and will be competitive next season. This will be the only game that I would be shocked if I'm wrong.
Sandstorm 48 Wildebeest 21
The ALL 0-13 @ Kampala Kerels 0-13
The battle of teams with perfect records! ALL just added a level 34 HB, but Kerels better take this one.
Kerels 31 ALL 17
