Hello and welcome to this week's Power Rankings for Eastern Europe AA #4.
Well, the season is over and things remain roughly the same in the Power Rankings, with one notable exception, which we'll get to. The Playoffs are here! I'll be posting my commentary on the playoffs tomorrow but after today, the seedings are locked in and two days hence we'll proceed to play out the first ever playoffs for Eastern Europe AA #4. Good luck to every team who has made it this far and I wish the best of luck to all the teams left sidelined as they seek to fill the necessary holes to become a competitor. You guys have a good league here, even if you're pretty quiet compared to the league I play in.
Most everything played out like it was supposed to in Week 16 action, but three games deserve mentioning for the nail-biting action they provided.
- Not much was at stake when the NISSA Dauphins (LW: #22) faced off against the France Fire (LW: #15), but the game itself was exciting until the very end. With 4:02 left in the 4th quarter, NISSA scored a touchdown to put them up 17-14. Things looked good for NISSA as they forced a France 3 & out and got the ball back on their own 38 yard line. But 3 plays later, NISSA HB Alex Bar coughed up the ball on a screen pass after a massive hit from France SS Noah Blake, giving France the ball back in enemy territory. 3 Plays later though, France was faced with a 4th and 7. In what might just be the clutch play of the season for them, Wesh Welker caught a 14yd pass up the right side, giving France a new set of downs with 1:55 left. 5 plays later, and with :30 left on the clock, France attempted a 21yd field goal and made it, tying the game up. NISSA wasn't done though, as with :05 left and a mere 31.5yds from the end zone, WR Jordan Né Jr burned through his coverage and made a mad dash toward the goalline. France FS Bradon Cain saved them the chance to win the game by making the tackle on the 1yd line, sending the game into overtime. Unfortunately, France never got the chance to make good on their comeback and the clutch plays. NISSA received the ball first in OT and methodically marched down the field, converting a key 3rd down on the France 35yd line which put them well within FG range. With 10:02 left in OT, NISSA kicker Gabriel Stephanus Du Toit nailed a 31-yarder and sealed the win for his team.
- While the Moscow Bears (LW: #13) and the Volgograd Berserks (LW: #9) had already sealed their playoff spots by the time the game kicked off, each had something to prove as they saught a win heading into their first ever playoffs. This game was a defensive purist's dream, with the score kept low and clutch defensive plays highlighting the entire second half of the ball game. No one could know that Moscow's TD with 4:02 left in the first quarter would be the deciding factor as they marched towards a win, but it was. Despite Volgograd's best efforts, they couldn't get within scoring range after their last points went up on the board with 5:35 left in the second. The reason? Moscow's defense played Lights Out in the second half, causing two key turnovers and forcing Volgograd into three straight 3 & outs that bridged the 3rd and 4th quarters, and keeping them from getting close enough to kick a field goal on every other drive. The 1pt lead kept the game interesting until the final whistle and Moscow emerges victorious as they head into the playoffs.
- And in what might be described as the most anticipated matchup of week 16, the Odessa Falcons (LW: #1) went head to head against the Fehérvár Enthroners (LW: #8). And make no mistake about it, the Enthroners made a game of it, scoring 30 points against a team that hadn't given up more than 13 and who had recorded 8 shutouts over the course of the season. For everything Odessa managed to accomplish, Fehérvár managed to match, going score for score with them for three quarters of football before the opressive Falcons defense shut the door and dreams of an upset crashed down into the turf.
Originally posted by
My Power Rankings rely heavily on recent history to determine where you stand. A good record is also paramount but there might even be a bit of a disparity between teams with similar records depending on how tough their recent opponents have been.
Note: I'll continue to use my current system for the rest of Season 2 but beginning with Season 3 I'll be using a slightly modified system which will take last 4 Margin of Victory weighted against the W% of each specific team you faced in order to get a better feel for how well a team is performing. This should eliminate mathematical ties. And don't worry, you essentially get a 0 modifier by blowing out teams with no wins or 1 win.
So, without further ado:
The Top Ten
1. Odessa Falcons (16-0) Last Week (LW): #1
After giving up more points in their game against the Enthroners, and with Zeta sporting 9 sub-.500 teams, questions have arisen about whether or not the Zeta #1 seed will be able to make a game of it should they advance to the Championship game. That said, the Falcons have every reason to celebrate thier inaugral season, as they completed a perfect regular season and have what it likely to be the league MVP in QB Bigold Kuxi. "It's good to be a Falcon," said Kuxi when asked about his impending award. "I certainly wouldn't be up for it if I weren't on this team, with these players, who strive to make each other better no matter what the situation."
2. Krakow Cows (16-0) LW: #2
Krakow remains at #2 after a 34-13 beatdown of the Haguenau Coyotes and roll on to an unbeaten season. Despite this spot in the rankings, the Cows are as rabid as ever and willing to prove that they deserve to be the #1 team. One could certainly see where they're coming from, with the bevy of quality teams that stand to enter the playoffs representing Alpha conference. Cow GM Godlovesbeer in a recent press conference said it succinctly, "We're hear to win it all!"
3. Warsaw Warriors (15-1) LW: #3
The Warriors cruised to an easy 22-3 victory over the Florida Buccaneers and are now firmly zoomed in to the playoff picture. With one of the top teams in the league, they are focused on getting another shot at dethroning the Falcons from their perch atop Zeta. To do that, they'll have to first make it to the conference championship and there are two games that they must take seriously in order to get that chance. "We're ready," said Jacob Taylor, Warsaw's leading sack artist. "I don't think we could be even more ready than we are right now. I feel bad for the teams between us and Odessa because we're not going to stand for anything less than a rematch between the two best teams in Zeta for who's going to represent this conference in the AA4 Championship game."
4. Minsk Ninjas (14-2) LW: #4
The Ninjas go into the playoffs holding on to the #3 spot in Alpha, despite being slightly ahead of the #2 seed, the Dallas Smoke Stacks, in these Power Rankings. But GLB rankings are all that matter and should they win their opening game in the playoffs, they'll get their chance at revenge against a Dallas team that beat them soundly and motivated them into an 8-game winning streak to finish out the season. "I think we'll be ready for them," said HB JaBeaumont Jackson, who scored the only TD in their game against Dallas. "We're a different team than we were back then, more confident, and I think that'll be the difference on the field. We've got to win this first game, but I think our confidence will carry us back to Dallas."
5. Dallas Smoke Stacks (14-2) LW: #5
The Smoke Stacks managed to shut out the Belgium Warthogs, who mysteriously had their owner disappear over the course of the night, and they are a team to watch out for as they hold the #2 seed in Alpha and are now on a 13-game winning streak. When asked about their chances at representing Alpha in the championship game, Dallas Owner ThatboyB responded, "I think we have as good a chance as any of the teams in the playoffs. I think we certainly have proven ourselves to be a competative, hard-hitting ball team, but in the end, the results are on the field. Only one team gets the chance to play for Alpha in the Championship game, and we're going to do whatever possible to make sure we get there."
6. Tricity Hares (14-2) LW: #6
The Tricity Hares rebounded from their Week 15 loss against the Warsaw Warriors with a 36-10 win over the London Dolphins. They go into the playoffs as the #3 seed for Zeta and will be seeking a rematch against the only two teams to beat them this year, Odessa and Warsaw. Questions swirled around this week about the Hares ability to win against the top two teams in the conference, which Owner struckmeyer proceeded to downplay, "We lost two games this year to two very good teams. There is no shame in that. There is no shame in losing to those clubs. All we can do now is figure out what we did right and what we did wrong and hope that we can manipulate things enough so that we come out with a win the next time we meet."
7. London Head Hunters (13-3) LW: #7
A 51-3 drubbing of the Leicester Lynxes gives the Head Hunters a 3-game winning streak heading into the playoffs as they hope to answer questions about whether or not they are capable of winning the ones that count. "Is that all," asked GM U237, "because I don't see anything wrong with a 13-win season. We have a few things we need to figure out but I have all the faith in the world that our guys will do so and carry us far into the postseason."
8. Grodno Buckaroos (11-5) LW: #10
The Buckaroos move up a spot due to the Enthroners loss and the strength of their current 5-game winning streak. Despite holding an 11-5 record, not many people are giving the Buckaroos a shot at going far in the playoffs, which is just how they want it. "The teams that surprise you the most," said linebacker Kirkland Fullalove, "are the ones you don't see coming. We've been pretty quiet, but we're ready to make some noise and show everyone that we're here and ready for a fight."
9. Tallaght Outlaws (11-5) LW: #11
While a loss by the Enthroners allowed the Outlaws to pop back up into the Top Ten, even landing the #9 spot just ahead of them, the fact of the matter is that they're the Alpha #5 seed and will have an uphill battle to the Championship. That battle begins in a First Round rematch with the aformentioned Enthroners, one which the Outlaws look forward to with anticipation. "The Enthroners are good," said defensive tackle Larry Mc Runstuffer, "but I have to believe that we're better."
10. Fehervar Enthroners (11-5) LW: #8
The Enthroners did their best against the Falcons but ultimately fell short of the mark, pushing the #1 team to the limit with some of the most inspired football played so far this year. Going forward, no team will be able to underestimate them , even those who have emerged victorious against them in previous contests. "I know there aren't any moral victories in this game," says Enthroners QB Adam Nardai, "but I think we proved ourselves in our game against the Falcons. Who knows, we might just surprise everyone."
Going to the Playoffs!
11. Volgograd Berserks
12. Carluke Cobras
13. International Players
14. Moscow Bears
15. Bratislava Vampires
16. France Fire
Missed the Playoffs by || THAT MUCH!
17. London Dolphins
18. Baker Mountain Bucks
19. NISSA Dauphins
20. Moscow Vandals
21. Haquenau Coyotes
22. Belgium Warthogs
Missed the Playoffs by |_________| THAT MUCH!!
23. C-Town Hoodlums
24. St. Petersberg Storm
25. Leicester Lynxes
26. Subotica Scorpions
27. Florida Buccaneers
28. Prague Panthers
You'd be Relegated if you weren't already at the bottom
29. Charleston Roadwarriors
30. Chernobyl Radionuclides
31. Sydney Tire Irons
32. Warsaw Cossacks
Well, the season is over and things remain roughly the same in the Power Rankings, with one notable exception, which we'll get to. The Playoffs are here! I'll be posting my commentary on the playoffs tomorrow but after today, the seedings are locked in and two days hence we'll proceed to play out the first ever playoffs for Eastern Europe AA #4. Good luck to every team who has made it this far and I wish the best of luck to all the teams left sidelined as they seek to fill the necessary holes to become a competitor. You guys have a good league here, even if you're pretty quiet compared to the league I play in.
Most everything played out like it was supposed to in Week 16 action, but three games deserve mentioning for the nail-biting action they provided.
- Not much was at stake when the NISSA Dauphins (LW: #22) faced off against the France Fire (LW: #15), but the game itself was exciting until the very end. With 4:02 left in the 4th quarter, NISSA scored a touchdown to put them up 17-14. Things looked good for NISSA as they forced a France 3 & out and got the ball back on their own 38 yard line. But 3 plays later, NISSA HB Alex Bar coughed up the ball on a screen pass after a massive hit from France SS Noah Blake, giving France the ball back in enemy territory. 3 Plays later though, France was faced with a 4th and 7. In what might just be the clutch play of the season for them, Wesh Welker caught a 14yd pass up the right side, giving France a new set of downs with 1:55 left. 5 plays later, and with :30 left on the clock, France attempted a 21yd field goal and made it, tying the game up. NISSA wasn't done though, as with :05 left and a mere 31.5yds from the end zone, WR Jordan Né Jr burned through his coverage and made a mad dash toward the goalline. France FS Bradon Cain saved them the chance to win the game by making the tackle on the 1yd line, sending the game into overtime. Unfortunately, France never got the chance to make good on their comeback and the clutch plays. NISSA received the ball first in OT and methodically marched down the field, converting a key 3rd down on the France 35yd line which put them well within FG range. With 10:02 left in OT, NISSA kicker Gabriel Stephanus Du Toit nailed a 31-yarder and sealed the win for his team.
- While the Moscow Bears (LW: #13) and the Volgograd Berserks (LW: #9) had already sealed their playoff spots by the time the game kicked off, each had something to prove as they saught a win heading into their first ever playoffs. This game was a defensive purist's dream, with the score kept low and clutch defensive plays highlighting the entire second half of the ball game. No one could know that Moscow's TD with 4:02 left in the first quarter would be the deciding factor as they marched towards a win, but it was. Despite Volgograd's best efforts, they couldn't get within scoring range after their last points went up on the board with 5:35 left in the second. The reason? Moscow's defense played Lights Out in the second half, causing two key turnovers and forcing Volgograd into three straight 3 & outs that bridged the 3rd and 4th quarters, and keeping them from getting close enough to kick a field goal on every other drive. The 1pt lead kept the game interesting until the final whistle and Moscow emerges victorious as they head into the playoffs.
- And in what might be described as the most anticipated matchup of week 16, the Odessa Falcons (LW: #1) went head to head against the Fehérvár Enthroners (LW: #8). And make no mistake about it, the Enthroners made a game of it, scoring 30 points against a team that hadn't given up more than 13 and who had recorded 8 shutouts over the course of the season. For everything Odessa managed to accomplish, Fehérvár managed to match, going score for score with them for three quarters of football before the opressive Falcons defense shut the door and dreams of an upset crashed down into the turf.
Originally posted by
My Power Rankings rely heavily on recent history to determine where you stand. A good record is also paramount but there might even be a bit of a disparity between teams with similar records depending on how tough their recent opponents have been.
Note: I'll continue to use my current system for the rest of Season 2 but beginning with Season 3 I'll be using a slightly modified system which will take last 4 Margin of Victory weighted against the W% of each specific team you faced in order to get a better feel for how well a team is performing. This should eliminate mathematical ties. And don't worry, you essentially get a 0 modifier by blowing out teams with no wins or 1 win.
So, without further ado:
The Top Ten
1. Odessa Falcons (16-0) Last Week (LW): #1
After giving up more points in their game against the Enthroners, and with Zeta sporting 9 sub-.500 teams, questions have arisen about whether or not the Zeta #1 seed will be able to make a game of it should they advance to the Championship game. That said, the Falcons have every reason to celebrate thier inaugral season, as they completed a perfect regular season and have what it likely to be the league MVP in QB Bigold Kuxi. "It's good to be a Falcon," said Kuxi when asked about his impending award. "I certainly wouldn't be up for it if I weren't on this team, with these players, who strive to make each other better no matter what the situation."
2. Krakow Cows (16-0) LW: #2
Krakow remains at #2 after a 34-13 beatdown of the Haguenau Coyotes and roll on to an unbeaten season. Despite this spot in the rankings, the Cows are as rabid as ever and willing to prove that they deserve to be the #1 team. One could certainly see where they're coming from, with the bevy of quality teams that stand to enter the playoffs representing Alpha conference. Cow GM Godlovesbeer in a recent press conference said it succinctly, "We're hear to win it all!"
3. Warsaw Warriors (15-1) LW: #3
The Warriors cruised to an easy 22-3 victory over the Florida Buccaneers and are now firmly zoomed in to the playoff picture. With one of the top teams in the league, they are focused on getting another shot at dethroning the Falcons from their perch atop Zeta. To do that, they'll have to first make it to the conference championship and there are two games that they must take seriously in order to get that chance. "We're ready," said Jacob Taylor, Warsaw's leading sack artist. "I don't think we could be even more ready than we are right now. I feel bad for the teams between us and Odessa because we're not going to stand for anything less than a rematch between the two best teams in Zeta for who's going to represent this conference in the AA4 Championship game."
4. Minsk Ninjas (14-2) LW: #4
The Ninjas go into the playoffs holding on to the #3 spot in Alpha, despite being slightly ahead of the #2 seed, the Dallas Smoke Stacks, in these Power Rankings. But GLB rankings are all that matter and should they win their opening game in the playoffs, they'll get their chance at revenge against a Dallas team that beat them soundly and motivated them into an 8-game winning streak to finish out the season. "I think we'll be ready for them," said HB JaBeaumont Jackson, who scored the only TD in their game against Dallas. "We're a different team than we were back then, more confident, and I think that'll be the difference on the field. We've got to win this first game, but I think our confidence will carry us back to Dallas."
5. Dallas Smoke Stacks (14-2) LW: #5
The Smoke Stacks managed to shut out the Belgium Warthogs, who mysteriously had their owner disappear over the course of the night, and they are a team to watch out for as they hold the #2 seed in Alpha and are now on a 13-game winning streak. When asked about their chances at representing Alpha in the championship game, Dallas Owner ThatboyB responded, "I think we have as good a chance as any of the teams in the playoffs. I think we certainly have proven ourselves to be a competative, hard-hitting ball team, but in the end, the results are on the field. Only one team gets the chance to play for Alpha in the Championship game, and we're going to do whatever possible to make sure we get there."
6. Tricity Hares (14-2) LW: #6
The Tricity Hares rebounded from their Week 15 loss against the Warsaw Warriors with a 36-10 win over the London Dolphins. They go into the playoffs as the #3 seed for Zeta and will be seeking a rematch against the only two teams to beat them this year, Odessa and Warsaw. Questions swirled around this week about the Hares ability to win against the top two teams in the conference, which Owner struckmeyer proceeded to downplay, "We lost two games this year to two very good teams. There is no shame in that. There is no shame in losing to those clubs. All we can do now is figure out what we did right and what we did wrong and hope that we can manipulate things enough so that we come out with a win the next time we meet."
7. London Head Hunters (13-3) LW: #7
A 51-3 drubbing of the Leicester Lynxes gives the Head Hunters a 3-game winning streak heading into the playoffs as they hope to answer questions about whether or not they are capable of winning the ones that count. "Is that all," asked GM U237, "because I don't see anything wrong with a 13-win season. We have a few things we need to figure out but I have all the faith in the world that our guys will do so and carry us far into the postseason."
8. Grodno Buckaroos (11-5) LW: #10
The Buckaroos move up a spot due to the Enthroners loss and the strength of their current 5-game winning streak. Despite holding an 11-5 record, not many people are giving the Buckaroos a shot at going far in the playoffs, which is just how they want it. "The teams that surprise you the most," said linebacker Kirkland Fullalove, "are the ones you don't see coming. We've been pretty quiet, but we're ready to make some noise and show everyone that we're here and ready for a fight."
9. Tallaght Outlaws (11-5) LW: #11
While a loss by the Enthroners allowed the Outlaws to pop back up into the Top Ten, even landing the #9 spot just ahead of them, the fact of the matter is that they're the Alpha #5 seed and will have an uphill battle to the Championship. That battle begins in a First Round rematch with the aformentioned Enthroners, one which the Outlaws look forward to with anticipation. "The Enthroners are good," said defensive tackle Larry Mc Runstuffer, "but I have to believe that we're better."
10. Fehervar Enthroners (11-5) LW: #8
The Enthroners did their best against the Falcons but ultimately fell short of the mark, pushing the #1 team to the limit with some of the most inspired football played so far this year. Going forward, no team will be able to underestimate them , even those who have emerged victorious against them in previous contests. "I know there aren't any moral victories in this game," says Enthroners QB Adam Nardai, "but I think we proved ourselves in our game against the Falcons. Who knows, we might just surprise everyone."
Going to the Playoffs!
11. Volgograd Berserks
12. Carluke Cobras
13. International Players
14. Moscow Bears
15. Bratislava Vampires
16. France Fire
Missed the Playoffs by || THAT MUCH!
17. London Dolphins
18. Baker Mountain Bucks
19. NISSA Dauphins
20. Moscow Vandals
21. Haquenau Coyotes
22. Belgium Warthogs
Missed the Playoffs by |_________| THAT MUCH!!
23. C-Town Hoodlums
24. St. Petersberg Storm
25. Leicester Lynxes
26. Subotica Scorpions
27. Florida Buccaneers
28. Prague Panthers
You'd be Relegated if you weren't already at the bottom
29. Charleston Roadwarriors
30. Chernobyl Radionuclides
31. Sydney Tire Irons
32. Warsaw Cossacks
Last edited May 26, 2008 11:58:26
) didnt gameplan at all (i did the absolute minimum). Boy that sounds like excuses
We'll have a stab at the championship and try to do the boss proud. The Cows have proven themselves in Alpha and will only be defeated by a great team. I'd be happy losing, as long as our guys play well. 
