Back from hiatus, here's this week's power rankings...
1. Edinburgh Black Knights (13-0) (Last: 1 Best: 1)
The Knights don’t play a team with a winning record the rest of the way. They can pretty much put it on cruise control and keep an eye on potential playoff matchups.
2. Tilburg Power (10-3) (Last: 3 Best: 2)
Tilburg has been taking care of business since week 3. The #2 seed remains a possibility, but there’s no denying they can beat anyone they face in the playoffs regardless of ranking.
3. Glasgow Tigers (11-2) (Last: 2 Best: 2)
Kicker Johnny Clegg missed two long field goals and two extra points, and the Tigers lost by six. It’s not all his fault though, Glasgow couldn’t get their running game going, and only completed 28 passes on 65 attempts.
4. Icelandic Vikings (10-3) (Last: 5 Best: 2)
If they win out, they’ll be the #2 seed. Unfortunately, Bonn is their first game and it gets exponentially harder from there, ending their season with a tough draw against WEA Tournament finalist West Yorkshire.
5. Schiffertown Griffin’s (9-4) (Last: 4 Best: 2)
Despite the score it was a really good game with the Knights. They had the running game working early, but were forced to rely on the pass after a couple early scores by Edinburgh. Their offense makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.
6. Middlesbrough Mayhem (9-4) (Last: 7 Best: 5)
I’ll admit I was dead wrong when I picked them to lose their last four and miss the playoffs. With their schedule, they won’t have an easy time holding onto their ranking, but another win should clinch a playoff spot.
7. Milan Cock Fighters (8-4-1) (Last: 8 Best: 3)
They needed that win to secure a playoff spot, and now they’re guaranteed an over .500 record. Their game with the Mayhem will decide a lot, but they face a much taller task against Tilburg first.
8. Bonn Jovi (7-6) (Last: 6 Best: 3)
The Jovi have dropped three of their last four, and face 10-3 Iceland this week. Yet another team with a tough out of conference draw in Newcastle, but if they can manage a 2-1 stretch over their last three games, they should make the playoffs. That’s a lot easier said than done, though.
9. Trillville Hoods (7-6) (Last: 9 Best: 3)
Trillville has now lost four of their last five, and Bonn Jovi owns the tiebreaker over them. They’ve got an almost surefire win against Frankfurt, but then they face a surging Power (I thought of that all by myself). Dusseldorf is no pushover either, despite their record.
10. Jamaica Rumrunners (5-8) (Last: 10 Best: 10)
As the playoff picture comes into focus, the Rumrunners are starting to look more and more blurry. It might be a case of “too little too late,” but I don’t think they were counting on a playoff appearance this season anyway. They’ve made great strides from a 0-16 team a season ago.
11. Oakton Huskies (4-9) (Last: 13 Best: 3)
Have a possible win against South Beach, and have the talent to be competitive with Amsterdam, but they’ve been one of the biggest disappointments of the season, along with Chaos (and the team formerly known as Sundsvall).
12. Belfast Shamrocks (4-9) (Last: 12 Best: 11)
Got a much needed confidence builder against the Lunatics. The Shamrocks had a very frustrating season, losing four games by 8 points or less. They’re still a good enough team to beat Jamaica and wreak havoc on the Griffs’ playoff plans, and should end the season with a win. But they need to start focusing on next season now.
13. Frankfurt Universe (4-8-1) (Last: 11 Best: 6)
The Universe has officially imploded. Relegated from WEAA, and aside from their tie with Milan, haven’t been competitive against a good team all season. I expect them to lose out, then start all over again next season.
14. South Beach Sharks (2-11) (Last: 14 Best: 13)
Maybe it’s the constant 16-hour flights from South Beach to West Europe that got to the team. Yeah, that’s what it is, jet lag.
15. Chaos Engine (0-13) (Last: 15 Best: 11)
All eyes on the Toilet Bowl this week, and despite their ranking my money is on Las Vegas.
16. Las Vegas Lunatics (0-13) (Last: 16 Best: 16)
See my comments for Chaos Engine.
1. Edinburgh Black Knights (13-0) (Last: 1 Best: 1)
The Knights don’t play a team with a winning record the rest of the way. They can pretty much put it on cruise control and keep an eye on potential playoff matchups.
2. Tilburg Power (10-3) (Last: 3 Best: 2)
Tilburg has been taking care of business since week 3. The #2 seed remains a possibility, but there’s no denying they can beat anyone they face in the playoffs regardless of ranking.
3. Glasgow Tigers (11-2) (Last: 2 Best: 2)
Kicker Johnny Clegg missed two long field goals and two extra points, and the Tigers lost by six. It’s not all his fault though, Glasgow couldn’t get their running game going, and only completed 28 passes on 65 attempts.
4. Icelandic Vikings (10-3) (Last: 5 Best: 2)
If they win out, they’ll be the #2 seed. Unfortunately, Bonn is their first game and it gets exponentially harder from there, ending their season with a tough draw against WEA Tournament finalist West Yorkshire.
5. Schiffertown Griffin’s (9-4) (Last: 4 Best: 2)
Despite the score it was a really good game with the Knights. They had the running game working early, but were forced to rely on the pass after a couple early scores by Edinburgh. Their offense makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.
6. Middlesbrough Mayhem (9-4) (Last: 7 Best: 5)
I’ll admit I was dead wrong when I picked them to lose their last four and miss the playoffs. With their schedule, they won’t have an easy time holding onto their ranking, but another win should clinch a playoff spot.
7. Milan Cock Fighters (8-4-1) (Last: 8 Best: 3)
They needed that win to secure a playoff spot, and now they’re guaranteed an over .500 record. Their game with the Mayhem will decide a lot, but they face a much taller task against Tilburg first.
8. Bonn Jovi (7-6) (Last: 6 Best: 3)
The Jovi have dropped three of their last four, and face 10-3 Iceland this week. Yet another team with a tough out of conference draw in Newcastle, but if they can manage a 2-1 stretch over their last three games, they should make the playoffs. That’s a lot easier said than done, though.
9. Trillville Hoods (7-6) (Last: 9 Best: 3)
Trillville has now lost four of their last five, and Bonn Jovi owns the tiebreaker over them. They’ve got an almost surefire win against Frankfurt, but then they face a surging Power (I thought of that all by myself). Dusseldorf is no pushover either, despite their record.
10. Jamaica Rumrunners (5-8) (Last: 10 Best: 10)
As the playoff picture comes into focus, the Rumrunners are starting to look more and more blurry. It might be a case of “too little too late,” but I don’t think they were counting on a playoff appearance this season anyway. They’ve made great strides from a 0-16 team a season ago.
11. Oakton Huskies (4-9) (Last: 13 Best: 3)
Have a possible win against South Beach, and have the talent to be competitive with Amsterdam, but they’ve been one of the biggest disappointments of the season, along with Chaos (and the team formerly known as Sundsvall).
12. Belfast Shamrocks (4-9) (Last: 12 Best: 11)
Got a much needed confidence builder against the Lunatics. The Shamrocks had a very frustrating season, losing four games by 8 points or less. They’re still a good enough team to beat Jamaica and wreak havoc on the Griffs’ playoff plans, and should end the season with a win. But they need to start focusing on next season now.
13. Frankfurt Universe (4-8-1) (Last: 11 Best: 6)
The Universe has officially imploded. Relegated from WEAA, and aside from their tie with Milan, haven’t been competitive against a good team all season. I expect them to lose out, then start all over again next season.
14. South Beach Sharks (2-11) (Last: 14 Best: 13)
Maybe it’s the constant 16-hour flights from South Beach to West Europe that got to the team. Yeah, that’s what it is, jet lag.
15. Chaos Engine (0-13) (Last: 15 Best: 11)
All eyes on the Toilet Bowl this week, and despite their ranking my money is on Las Vegas.
16. Las Vegas Lunatics (0-13) (Last: 16 Best: 16)
See my comments for Chaos Engine.
Last edited Aug 28, 2008 09:03:01
