GOTW 1*Prince George's Kings 5-0 @ Moose Jaw Jackalopes 4-1
Two of the premier teams in the Western Conference face off in a critically important match up here. Both teams have had only one real test so far, the Rockstars. PGK's defense stepped up to the challenge, stifling the San Diego offense and getting one big play on offense to pull off the victory. Moose Jaw didn't have the same luck. Last season, when these two faced off, it couldn't get much closer with Moose Jaw winning 31-28. In that game, both teams ran about 55-45 Run-Pass ratios with PGK running better and Moose Jaw passing better. So far this season, PGK has really chosen to grind it out, throwing the ball less than 20 times a game and running it more than 40. Moose Jaw loves to pass, throwing at a 9.5 yards/attempt rate and really aired it out against us. Teams are 1 and 2 in yards per carry, but both have played their share of cream puffs to pad the stats. In this game, defenses will play a big role and PGK's is one of the best. Tough against the run AND the pass. For the first time in this league's history, I believe that someone other than the Rockstars has led the league in fewest points allowed (Nike probably did for a bit, but do they really count?). On defense these teams are also ranked #1 and 2 in hurries and passes deflected showing their ability to stop the passing game as well. Overall, these teams have very little weaknesses. I expect PGK to pound it out and rely on their defense to make stops. I expect Moose Jaw to air it out and hope for some big plays. In the end, I think they get a couple and pull this one out.
Jackalopes 17 Kings 13
Winnipeg Wolverines 3-2 @ Northern Lights 5-0
Wolverines have won 3 straight, but run into the freight train known as the Northern Lights here. NL showed just how dominating their defense can be last game with an unbelievable performance against a playoff bound Silver Bullets team. This one could get ugly.
Lights 56 Wolverines 6
San Diego Rockstars 4-1 @ South Park Cows 1-4
The Cows broke their huge win streak last season, but they will have to work to stay in A for next season. They'll have some shots down the road, but we're not one of them. Rockstars have played arguably the toughest schedule so far with 4 of our first 5 games against probably playoff teams, but we get a break before a much anticipated week 9 showdown with what will be a still undefeated Northern Lights team.
Atlanta Flash 1-4 @ Winnipeg Falcons 4-1
The only team to possibly play a more brutal opening schedule than the Rockstars is this Atlanta Flash team. They've weathered the storm and avoided being embarrassed. The Falcons really took care of business last week in what was supposed to be a very tough game for them. They do a great job of masking their weaknesses and despite some questionable bars, appear to be well built. I believe that if they had some more talent, they could be a contender. The Flash have held their own and if they stick it out have some wins down the road, just not here today.
Falcons 42 Flash 14
Edmonton Magicians 0-5 @ Saulte Ste. Marie Silver Bullets 4-1
The Silver Bullets have really drawn a nice easy early schedule to get into this league and get comfortable. They saw what an elite team was when they faced Northern Lights and were completely stifled on offense. If they don't stumble, they could be 9-1 before they face the tough part of their schedule. Rockstars, Yetis, PGK, Moose Jaw, and Falcons in 5 out of 6 weeks will be a brutal stretch though. The Magicians remain one of the last winless teams despite being somewhat competitive. I believe that they'll avoid relegation, but an upset somewhere along the way would certainly make them rest easier. Silver Bullets are just better now.
Silver Bullets 38 Magicians 10
North Pole Yetis 2-3 @ Grim Afterlife 3-2
Two teams that will be fighting for the final few playoff spots, so this is a HUGE game for them. The winner here is definitely going to be in the driver's seat when it comes to post-season aspirations. The Yetis have been pummeled the past 3 weeks and their last game was supposed to be close. Someone needs to wake them up before it's too late. Both teams are very similar. They run slightly more than they pass. They don't give up a lot of QB pressures and try not to turn the ball over. The biggest difference comes with the Yetis inability to stop the run. Grim should exploit this and pound their way to victory. Overall, they're just a little better team.
Afterlife 31 Yetis 17
Alberta Vampires 0-5 @ Toronto Fightin' Loons 2-3
Vampires owner has now been inactive for more than 2 weeks. I guess I should send in a support ticket? Does it even matter with the new rules? The Loons pulled off a big win for them that keeps playoff prayers alive. They get a freebie here.
Loons 78 Vampires 0
Bort's Wrath 1-4 @ Thunder Bay Huskies 1-4
On paper, the Wrath is better. They have levels and bars. When comparing past results, these two are very close. Both lost tough games to the Loons and a closer look at statistics yields similar comparisons. The Wrath haven't exactly been impressive and I don't really think they do anything much to plan and are basically using this as a farm team. The Huskies seem to be a least trying and though they have their work cut out for them here, I'm taking the underdog.
Huskies 17 Wrath 14
Two of the premier teams in the Western Conference face off in a critically important match up here. Both teams have had only one real test so far, the Rockstars. PGK's defense stepped up to the challenge, stifling the San Diego offense and getting one big play on offense to pull off the victory. Moose Jaw didn't have the same luck. Last season, when these two faced off, it couldn't get much closer with Moose Jaw winning 31-28. In that game, both teams ran about 55-45 Run-Pass ratios with PGK running better and Moose Jaw passing better. So far this season, PGK has really chosen to grind it out, throwing the ball less than 20 times a game and running it more than 40. Moose Jaw loves to pass, throwing at a 9.5 yards/attempt rate and really aired it out against us. Teams are 1 and 2 in yards per carry, but both have played their share of cream puffs to pad the stats. In this game, defenses will play a big role and PGK's is one of the best. Tough against the run AND the pass. For the first time in this league's history, I believe that someone other than the Rockstars has led the league in fewest points allowed (Nike probably did for a bit, but do they really count?). On defense these teams are also ranked #1 and 2 in hurries and passes deflected showing their ability to stop the passing game as well. Overall, these teams have very little weaknesses. I expect PGK to pound it out and rely on their defense to make stops. I expect Moose Jaw to air it out and hope for some big plays. In the end, I think they get a couple and pull this one out.
Jackalopes 17 Kings 13
Winnipeg Wolverines 3-2 @ Northern Lights 5-0
Wolverines have won 3 straight, but run into the freight train known as the Northern Lights here. NL showed just how dominating their defense can be last game with an unbelievable performance against a playoff bound Silver Bullets team. This one could get ugly.
Lights 56 Wolverines 6
San Diego Rockstars 4-1 @ South Park Cows 1-4
The Cows broke their huge win streak last season, but they will have to work to stay in A for next season. They'll have some shots down the road, but we're not one of them. Rockstars have played arguably the toughest schedule so far with 4 of our first 5 games against probably playoff teams, but we get a break before a much anticipated week 9 showdown with what will be a still undefeated Northern Lights team.
Atlanta Flash 1-4 @ Winnipeg Falcons 4-1
The only team to possibly play a more brutal opening schedule than the Rockstars is this Atlanta Flash team. They've weathered the storm and avoided being embarrassed. The Falcons really took care of business last week in what was supposed to be a very tough game for them. They do a great job of masking their weaknesses and despite some questionable bars, appear to be well built. I believe that if they had some more talent, they could be a contender. The Flash have held their own and if they stick it out have some wins down the road, just not here today.
Falcons 42 Flash 14
Edmonton Magicians 0-5 @ Saulte Ste. Marie Silver Bullets 4-1
The Silver Bullets have really drawn a nice easy early schedule to get into this league and get comfortable. They saw what an elite team was when they faced Northern Lights and were completely stifled on offense. If they don't stumble, they could be 9-1 before they face the tough part of their schedule. Rockstars, Yetis, PGK, Moose Jaw, and Falcons in 5 out of 6 weeks will be a brutal stretch though. The Magicians remain one of the last winless teams despite being somewhat competitive. I believe that they'll avoid relegation, but an upset somewhere along the way would certainly make them rest easier. Silver Bullets are just better now.
Silver Bullets 38 Magicians 10
North Pole Yetis 2-3 @ Grim Afterlife 3-2
Two teams that will be fighting for the final few playoff spots, so this is a HUGE game for them. The winner here is definitely going to be in the driver's seat when it comes to post-season aspirations. The Yetis have been pummeled the past 3 weeks and their last game was supposed to be close. Someone needs to wake them up before it's too late. Both teams are very similar. They run slightly more than they pass. They don't give up a lot of QB pressures and try not to turn the ball over. The biggest difference comes with the Yetis inability to stop the run. Grim should exploit this and pound their way to victory. Overall, they're just a little better team.
Afterlife 31 Yetis 17
Alberta Vampires 0-5 @ Toronto Fightin' Loons 2-3
Vampires owner has now been inactive for more than 2 weeks. I guess I should send in a support ticket? Does it even matter with the new rules? The Loons pulled off a big win for them that keeps playoff prayers alive. They get a freebie here.
Loons 78 Vampires 0
Bort's Wrath 1-4 @ Thunder Bay Huskies 1-4
On paper, the Wrath is better. They have levels and bars. When comparing past results, these two are very close. Both lost tough games to the Loons and a closer look at statistics yields similar comparisons. The Wrath haven't exactly been impressive and I don't really think they do anything much to plan and are basically using this as a farm team. The Huskies seem to be a least trying and though they have their work cut out for them here, I'm taking the underdog.
Huskies 17 Wrath 14
