Another week down, and only six more games until playoff time. I won't be doing a game by game recap this week, since most of the games were completely predictable, and all of the win/loss predictions in yesterday's preview came true (not the scores obviously). So, let's take a look at the big games and the playoff picture.
Alpha's game of the week featured the Vorkuta Yellowhammers at the Pecs of Steel. The Yellowhammers came out running and gunning, moving the chains effectively and scoring a TD on their first possession. This was to be Vorkuta's theme throughout the game, an almost equal distribution of play calls between rushing and passing, providing long drives and keeping control of the game. The Pecs, however, gave up on the running game almost immediately, despite two stud running backs that might have been able to eat up some field and provide a little momentum. I understand that they were down early and playing catch-up, but even in a computer simulation, defenses are going to key in on the fact that you are not running the ball at all.
The other big happening in Alpha today was the Warsaw Gods of War jumping up to first seed, presumably on the basis of a 237-0 blowout of the Bayside Tigers. I actually don't know how the game decides the seeding among teams that have equal records, but it is apparent that besides head to head tiebreakers, strength of victory and margin of victory play a big part in the formula. If anyone has seen a forum link or wiki page that shows the formula for determining seeding, I would be interested in checking that out. It is obviously different from Griff's, as the Butchers are the top-seeded team in Zeta but Secretville ranks higher on the power rankings.
Speaking of conference seeding, the Zeta game of the week had much bigger implications for Italy than I realized, as the loss dropped them to sixth seed. The big play machine was in full effect for this game, but both defenses kept the other team from capitalizing with touchdowns. South City put Italy behind early and kept it that way, as Doc McDoctor earned his paycheck with five field goals. The Guardians brought it close in the fourth with ten unanswered points to bring the score to a manageable 22-20, with a field goal followed by a solid defensive stand, leading to excellent field position. Bryant Land took that opportunity and turned it into a touchdown, but Hans McSchweinsteiger found the Tractor (who had an excellent game running the ball) for a 38.5 yard touchdown reception. The Chiefs defense dropped the hammer at that point and put this one away for South City.
The win solidifies third place for South City, and gives them an opportunity to run at second if they can pull out the win against Secretville in Week 15. Having already lost to the Butchers, a Bratislava loss against Secretville would keep the Chiefs in third, assuming I even remotely understand the seeding system. Italy will have some chances to change their fate in the coming weeks, as they will face both of the teams that jumped them in the standings before the end of the season. Losses to either of those teams could relegate them to a lower seed and the loss of home field.
While the playoff picture is settling into shape, there are still plenty of chances for upheaval in the rankings. A few teams, however, are now eliminated from the playoffs. By losing to teams over the course of the season that are currently 6-4, the Warriors, Flames, Tigers, and Roid Pushers are officially mathematically unable to get into the playoffs because of the head to heads. Even if a 6-10 team were to qualify, it wouldn't be these guys. There are probably more teams already eliminated due to head to head matchups, but just making sure I was right about the 0-10 teams is making my head spin, so I'm not trying to figure it out. Better luck next year, guys. These leagues change all the time, it won't be long until you are on top if you play it smart.
Alpha's game of the week featured the Vorkuta Yellowhammers at the Pecs of Steel. The Yellowhammers came out running and gunning, moving the chains effectively and scoring a TD on their first possession. This was to be Vorkuta's theme throughout the game, an almost equal distribution of play calls between rushing and passing, providing long drives and keeping control of the game. The Pecs, however, gave up on the running game almost immediately, despite two stud running backs that might have been able to eat up some field and provide a little momentum. I understand that they were down early and playing catch-up, but even in a computer simulation, defenses are going to key in on the fact that you are not running the ball at all.
The other big happening in Alpha today was the Warsaw Gods of War jumping up to first seed, presumably on the basis of a 237-0 blowout of the Bayside Tigers. I actually don't know how the game decides the seeding among teams that have equal records, but it is apparent that besides head to head tiebreakers, strength of victory and margin of victory play a big part in the formula. If anyone has seen a forum link or wiki page that shows the formula for determining seeding, I would be interested in checking that out. It is obviously different from Griff's, as the Butchers are the top-seeded team in Zeta but Secretville ranks higher on the power rankings.
Speaking of conference seeding, the Zeta game of the week had much bigger implications for Italy than I realized, as the loss dropped them to sixth seed. The big play machine was in full effect for this game, but both defenses kept the other team from capitalizing with touchdowns. South City put Italy behind early and kept it that way, as Doc McDoctor earned his paycheck with five field goals. The Guardians brought it close in the fourth with ten unanswered points to bring the score to a manageable 22-20, with a field goal followed by a solid defensive stand, leading to excellent field position. Bryant Land took that opportunity and turned it into a touchdown, but Hans McSchweinsteiger found the Tractor (who had an excellent game running the ball) for a 38.5 yard touchdown reception. The Chiefs defense dropped the hammer at that point and put this one away for South City.
The win solidifies third place for South City, and gives them an opportunity to run at second if they can pull out the win against Secretville in Week 15. Having already lost to the Butchers, a Bratislava loss against Secretville would keep the Chiefs in third, assuming I even remotely understand the seeding system. Italy will have some chances to change their fate in the coming weeks, as they will face both of the teams that jumped them in the standings before the end of the season. Losses to either of those teams could relegate them to a lower seed and the loss of home field.
While the playoff picture is settling into shape, there are still plenty of chances for upheaval in the rankings. A few teams, however, are now eliminated from the playoffs. By losing to teams over the course of the season that are currently 6-4, the Warriors, Flames, Tigers, and Roid Pushers are officially mathematically unable to get into the playoffs because of the head to heads. Even if a 6-10 team were to qualify, it wouldn't be these guys. There are probably more teams already eliminated due to head to head matchups, but just making sure I was right about the 0-10 teams is making my head spin, so I'm not trying to figure it out. Better luck next year, guys. These leagues change all the time, it won't be long until you are on top if you play it smart.
Last edited Jan 20, 2009 18:17:44
first good win for the Hammers, even if we have to say that it was quite an easy one to be honnest.
