This week predictions feature a small blurb about the playoff or season outlook.
Week 1: 14-1 (7-1 Alpha, 7-0 Zeta [1 tie])
Week 2: 15-1 (7-1 Alpha, 8-0 Zeta)
Week 3: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 4: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 5: 13-3 (8-0 Alpha, 5-3 Zeta)
Week 6: 15-1 (8-0 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 7: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 8: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 9: 13-3 (6-2 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 10: 12-4 (6-2 Alpha, 6-2 Zeta)
Week 11: 15-1 (8-0 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 12: 15-1 (8-0 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
These are "adjusted" values based on Coach Ratings. "Raw" numbers are in parenthesis. If the "raw" number is less than 50, then that indicates the opposite team would have been picked with "raw" numbers.
Alpha
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78.69 (72.06) - Minsk Fire over Green Bay Cheese Heads
-Minsk looks to finish out the season with some wins against an easy schedule. They are not mathematically out of the playoff hunt, since they have a tie breaker against the Bulldogs. The CHUDS, Vipers, and Bulldogs all have tough schedules, but those teams all have matchups with each other. So it looks like the Fire have a mission impossible.
-The Cheese Heads are on their way to a no win season. Scoring points is the only goal they could have for their remaining schedule.
74.93 (66.82) - Romania Roadhouse Rowdies over Texas City Storm
-Already assured of a playoff spot, the Rowdies look to shore up a high seed with some easy matchups. The Bulldogs are the only threat to the Rowdies running the table for the rest of the regular season.
-With a lucky Zeta draw, Texas City should get 1 more win against the Phalanx. A tough remaining Alpha schedule puts them in "avoid embarassement" mode.
71.08 (67.36) - Diaper Vipers over Grodno Pirates
-The Vipers have a tough road to the playoffs. After an easy win this week, they face both teams currently occupying the last 2 spots. I'm going to say the CHUDS/Vipers matchup will decide the postseason direction for both teams.
-With high levels, the Pirates were able to sleep walk over the bottom of the Alpha conference. Maybe they will wake up eventually.
68.77 (61.29) - The Dark Knights over Whiskey River Wranglers
-The Dark Knights should easily hold on to a playoff spot as they face a couple of easy opponents. Could be a playoff preview matchup with their Week 14 game against East Berlin.
-The Wranglers have new ownership and a tough remaining Alpha schedule. The outlook for next season could be judged by a slightly even Week 14 matchup with Minsk. Aside from that, should be 2 losses and a cake-walk over the Storm.
66.86 (61.15) - Liverpool Poison over Moscow Red Army
-The Poison are hoping to make a late season playoff run as well. After a fairly easy matchup with Moscow, it will be very tough. I think Liverpool will end up on the outside looking in.
-Moscow should get another win for the season against Green Bay. After posting 21 against the CHUDS, it looks like the Red Army could be coming alive and ready to compete next year.
56.94 (58.10) - Rotterdam Rampage over Chernobyl CHUDS
-An easy remaining Alpha schedule could help the Rampage better their playoff seed. However, they drew a tough Zeta game and could get 1 more loss as they get the Spanish Inquisition.
-The CHUDS hope to hang on to that last playoff spot. And it looks to be near impossible. As they have the toughest run of games since their brutal opening schedule. Their only chance is to pull out a win against the Vipers. It would also help if they could upset Rammstein (oops, did I just give away my prediction for that game).
53.78 (52.76) - Krakow Krakodiles over Nizhny Novgorod Bulldogs
-Krakow is also looking to better their playoff spot. They have a fairly easy road, until their Zeta matchup with Brown Bay. Could a 3 or 4 seed from Alpha upset the top dog of Zeta? Could be a critical matchup for the Alpha vs Zeta arguments.
-The Bulldogs are also hoping to hold on to that playoff spot. As will all of the middle tier Alpha teams, the remaining schedule is tough. The Bulldogs are primed for an upset after tough losses to Minsk & Rotterdam. Also, they face a critical matchup with Zeta as they face the wrath of the Gods for their final regular season game.
52.09 (52.61) - Chernobyl Disaster over East Berlin Blitzkrieg
-If the Disaster gets by East Berlin, it will be up to Belgrade from Zeta to try to put a blemish on the Disaster's perfect regular season. After a 2 point scare against The Dark Knights, the Disaster won't be looking past anyone and will certainly hold the #1 seed for Alpha in the playoffs.
-East Berlin will have a tough time holding on to the 2 seed as they face the Disaster and Dark Knights back to back. Also, they didn't draw a gimme against Zeta as they got the Pipers who are trying to break into the top tier in their conference.
Alpha Playoff Outlook:
The top 6 spots should be locks. Could be an epic battle for 7-8 between Bulldogs, CHUDS, Vipers, & even Poison. Who will come out of the tough schedules with the least number of losses?
Zeta
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86.94 (79.15) - Justice League over Macedonian Phalanx
-Justice League will score more than their usual 7 points this week, but the last 3 games will be back to normal. Justice League appear to simply be out leveled and could become competive in a couple of more seasons.
-Could the Phalanx non-CPU QB/HB tandem get them in range for their non-CPU CB to kick another FG? Doubtful. River City should get the honor of giving up the only points to them with the 18.5 yard FG in Week 11.
86.11 (79.91) - Boston Piggers over Bergen Storm
-The Piggers look to keep their streak going and take that playoff spot from River City. Aside from a close matchup with Warsaw, they should be able to do it. The Boston/River City matchup in Week 15 should decide the final spot for Zeta.
-Bergen got lucky that Phalanx's CB missed 3 FG's. No chance of any more wins.
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59.74 (58.01) - Barcelona Chupacabras over Crete Minotaurs
-An easy final 4 weeks for Barcelona. The only stumbling block could be Warsaw. Also, wouldn't be surprised by an Alpha upset with the Chups drawing the Vipers.
-Crete has a tough remaining schedule. Their only hope for another W is to help out Zeta in Week 16 with a upset of Minsk (did I just preview another prediction?)
55.89 (55.19) - Brown Bay Packers over Athens Gods
-Brown Bay has started rolling again after a mid-season loss to Targoivste. If they can get past the Gods, they should only have 1 loss coming into the critical matchup with Krakow.
-Athens started with an easy schedule that just keeps getting tougher. 4 tough games mean that Athens may need an Alpha win vs the Bulldogs to stay in the playoffs.
54.94 (49.51) - Everett Wildcats over Rammstein Rampage
-After a slow start against tough competition, Everett looks to be peaking at the right time. They are looking to sneak into the playoffs, but it won't be easy with the next 3 games. Will they be able to extend their 6 game streak to 10? Even if they do, it will likely be too little, too late. If they continue to improve, they will definitely be a playoff contender next season.
-For Rammstein, a few bad losses of late (to Crete, Warsaw, & River City) may have left a bad taste in their mouth. With 1 more assured win against the Phalanx, they look to play spoiler in the remaining games.
54.12 (51.86) - Odessa Pipers over Warsaw Sabotage
-Odessa has emerged as a clear contender. They have some pretty tough matchups to end the season, but with their ability to hang with the big boys in Zeta, they should hang on to a playoff spot. Their final assignment of the regular season is to know off a top Alpha team and try to prove Zeta dominance.
-Warsaw may not be mathematically out of the playoffs, but with their remaining schedule, they won't be there. They will have a chance to show they can win close games the next 3 weeks, before getting an easy win against the Pirate from Alpha.
51.76 (50.56) - Spanish Inquisition over Belgrade Bears
-The Inquisition has faltered the last 2 weeks and must right the ship if they want to hold on to the #2 seed. Aside from a likely win against the Justice League, their other 3 games will present challenges. After a dominating season, will the Inquisition be limping into the playoffs?
-Belgrade has a perfect opportunity to improve their playoff seed this week, if they can pull off an upset. 1 sure win (Crete) could be all they have though. Also, Belgrade gets the honor of trying to take down the last undefeated team right before the playoffs.
50.95 (54.87) - River City Ransom over Targoviste Impalers
-After a rough start, River City has stumbled through the season with close wins against average opponents. More tough games to come. Will River City be able to hold on against better teams? If not, they will likely lose their playoff spot. The Piggers are at their heals with a Week 15 matchup looming.
-If Targoviste wants that #2 playoff spot, they will have to earn it. Some decent Zeta competition from River City & Everett, before a easy win against the Phalanx. A tough Alpha draw with The Dark Knights could mean trouble.
Zeta Playoff Outlook:
Top 2 should be locks. Spots 3-7 could change week to week, but will likely remain in the playoffs. #8 seed is up to River City, if they want it, they have to earn it.
Week 1: 14-1 (7-1 Alpha, 7-0 Zeta [1 tie])
Week 2: 15-1 (7-1 Alpha, 8-0 Zeta)
Week 3: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 4: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 5: 13-3 (8-0 Alpha, 5-3 Zeta)
Week 6: 15-1 (8-0 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 7: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 8: 14-2 (7-1 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 9: 13-3 (6-2 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 10: 12-4 (6-2 Alpha, 6-2 Zeta)
Week 11: 15-1 (8-0 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
Week 12: 15-1 (8-0 Alpha, 7-1 Zeta)
These are "adjusted" values based on Coach Ratings. "Raw" numbers are in parenthesis. If the "raw" number is less than 50, then that indicates the opposite team would have been picked with "raw" numbers.
Alpha
----------
78.69 (72.06) - Minsk Fire over Green Bay Cheese Heads
-Minsk looks to finish out the season with some wins against an easy schedule. They are not mathematically out of the playoff hunt, since they have a tie breaker against the Bulldogs. The CHUDS, Vipers, and Bulldogs all have tough schedules, but those teams all have matchups with each other. So it looks like the Fire have a mission impossible.
-The Cheese Heads are on their way to a no win season. Scoring points is the only goal they could have for their remaining schedule.
74.93 (66.82) - Romania Roadhouse Rowdies over Texas City Storm
-Already assured of a playoff spot, the Rowdies look to shore up a high seed with some easy matchups. The Bulldogs are the only threat to the Rowdies running the table for the rest of the regular season.
-With a lucky Zeta draw, Texas City should get 1 more win against the Phalanx. A tough remaining Alpha schedule puts them in "avoid embarassement" mode.
71.08 (67.36) - Diaper Vipers over Grodno Pirates
-The Vipers have a tough road to the playoffs. After an easy win this week, they face both teams currently occupying the last 2 spots. I'm going to say the CHUDS/Vipers matchup will decide the postseason direction for both teams.
-With high levels, the Pirates were able to sleep walk over the bottom of the Alpha conference. Maybe they will wake up eventually.
68.77 (61.29) - The Dark Knights over Whiskey River Wranglers
-The Dark Knights should easily hold on to a playoff spot as they face a couple of easy opponents. Could be a playoff preview matchup with their Week 14 game against East Berlin.
-The Wranglers have new ownership and a tough remaining Alpha schedule. The outlook for next season could be judged by a slightly even Week 14 matchup with Minsk. Aside from that, should be 2 losses and a cake-walk over the Storm.
66.86 (61.15) - Liverpool Poison over Moscow Red Army
-The Poison are hoping to make a late season playoff run as well. After a fairly easy matchup with Moscow, it will be very tough. I think Liverpool will end up on the outside looking in.
-Moscow should get another win for the season against Green Bay. After posting 21 against the CHUDS, it looks like the Red Army could be coming alive and ready to compete next year.
56.94 (58.10) - Rotterdam Rampage over Chernobyl CHUDS
-An easy remaining Alpha schedule could help the Rampage better their playoff seed. However, they drew a tough Zeta game and could get 1 more loss as they get the Spanish Inquisition.
-The CHUDS hope to hang on to that last playoff spot. And it looks to be near impossible. As they have the toughest run of games since their brutal opening schedule. Their only chance is to pull out a win against the Vipers. It would also help if they could upset Rammstein (oops, did I just give away my prediction for that game).
53.78 (52.76) - Krakow Krakodiles over Nizhny Novgorod Bulldogs
-Krakow is also looking to better their playoff spot. They have a fairly easy road, until their Zeta matchup with Brown Bay. Could a 3 or 4 seed from Alpha upset the top dog of Zeta? Could be a critical matchup for the Alpha vs Zeta arguments.
-The Bulldogs are also hoping to hold on to that playoff spot. As will all of the middle tier Alpha teams, the remaining schedule is tough. The Bulldogs are primed for an upset after tough losses to Minsk & Rotterdam. Also, they face a critical matchup with Zeta as they face the wrath of the Gods for their final regular season game.
52.09 (52.61) - Chernobyl Disaster over East Berlin Blitzkrieg
-If the Disaster gets by East Berlin, it will be up to Belgrade from Zeta to try to put a blemish on the Disaster's perfect regular season. After a 2 point scare against The Dark Knights, the Disaster won't be looking past anyone and will certainly hold the #1 seed for Alpha in the playoffs.
-East Berlin will have a tough time holding on to the 2 seed as they face the Disaster and Dark Knights back to back. Also, they didn't draw a gimme against Zeta as they got the Pipers who are trying to break into the top tier in their conference.
Alpha Playoff Outlook:
The top 6 spots should be locks. Could be an epic battle for 7-8 between Bulldogs, CHUDS, Vipers, & even Poison. Who will come out of the tough schedules with the least number of losses?
Zeta
----------
86.94 (79.15) - Justice League over Macedonian Phalanx
-Justice League will score more than their usual 7 points this week, but the last 3 games will be back to normal. Justice League appear to simply be out leveled and could become competive in a couple of more seasons.
-Could the Phalanx non-CPU QB/HB tandem get them in range for their non-CPU CB to kick another FG? Doubtful. River City should get the honor of giving up the only points to them with the 18.5 yard FG in Week 11.
86.11 (79.91) - Boston Piggers over Bergen Storm
-The Piggers look to keep their streak going and take that playoff spot from River City. Aside from a close matchup with Warsaw, they should be able to do it. The Boston/River City matchup in Week 15 should decide the final spot for Zeta.
-Bergen got lucky that Phalanx's CB missed 3 FG's. No chance of any more wins.
[translation for the CPU owner] 01000010 01100101 01110010 01100111 01100101 01101110 00100000 01100111 01101111 01110100 00100000 01101100 01110101 01100011 01101011 01111001 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01010000 01101000 01100001 01101100 01100001 01101110 01111000 00100111 01110011 00100000 01000011 01000010 00100000 01101101 01101001 01110011 01110011 01100101 01100100 00100000 00110011 00100000 01000110 01000111 00100111 01110011 00101110 00100000 00100000 01001110 01101111 00100000 01100011 01101000 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100001 01101110 01111001 00100000 01101101 01101111 01110010 01100101 00100000 01110111 01101001 01101110 01110011 00101110 00001010
59.74 (58.01) - Barcelona Chupacabras over Crete Minotaurs
-An easy final 4 weeks for Barcelona. The only stumbling block could be Warsaw. Also, wouldn't be surprised by an Alpha upset with the Chups drawing the Vipers.
-Crete has a tough remaining schedule. Their only hope for another W is to help out Zeta in Week 16 with a upset of Minsk (did I just preview another prediction?)
55.89 (55.19) - Brown Bay Packers over Athens Gods
-Brown Bay has started rolling again after a mid-season loss to Targoivste. If they can get past the Gods, they should only have 1 loss coming into the critical matchup with Krakow.
-Athens started with an easy schedule that just keeps getting tougher. 4 tough games mean that Athens may need an Alpha win vs the Bulldogs to stay in the playoffs.
54.94 (49.51) - Everett Wildcats over Rammstein Rampage
-After a slow start against tough competition, Everett looks to be peaking at the right time. They are looking to sneak into the playoffs, but it won't be easy with the next 3 games. Will they be able to extend their 6 game streak to 10? Even if they do, it will likely be too little, too late. If they continue to improve, they will definitely be a playoff contender next season.
-For Rammstein, a few bad losses of late (to Crete, Warsaw, & River City) may have left a bad taste in their mouth. With 1 more assured win against the Phalanx, they look to play spoiler in the remaining games.
54.12 (51.86) - Odessa Pipers over Warsaw Sabotage
-Odessa has emerged as a clear contender. They have some pretty tough matchups to end the season, but with their ability to hang with the big boys in Zeta, they should hang on to a playoff spot. Their final assignment of the regular season is to know off a top Alpha team and try to prove Zeta dominance.
-Warsaw may not be mathematically out of the playoffs, but with their remaining schedule, they won't be there. They will have a chance to show they can win close games the next 3 weeks, before getting an easy win against the Pirate from Alpha.
51.76 (50.56) - Spanish Inquisition over Belgrade Bears
-The Inquisition has faltered the last 2 weeks and must right the ship if they want to hold on to the #2 seed. Aside from a likely win against the Justice League, their other 3 games will present challenges. After a dominating season, will the Inquisition be limping into the playoffs?
-Belgrade has a perfect opportunity to improve their playoff seed this week, if they can pull off an upset. 1 sure win (Crete) could be all they have though. Also, Belgrade gets the honor of trying to take down the last undefeated team right before the playoffs.
50.95 (54.87) - River City Ransom over Targoviste Impalers
-After a rough start, River City has stumbled through the season with close wins against average opponents. More tough games to come. Will River City be able to hold on against better teams? If not, they will likely lose their playoff spot. The Piggers are at their heals with a Week 15 matchup looming.
-If Targoviste wants that #2 playoff spot, they will have to earn it. Some decent Zeta competition from River City & Everett, before a easy win against the Phalanx. A tough Alpha draw with The Dark Knights could mean trouble.
Zeta Playoff Outlook:
Top 2 should be locks. Spots 3-7 could change week to week, but will likely remain in the playoffs. #8 seed is up to River City, if they want it, they have to earn it.
Last edited Oct 15, 2008 09:55:41
. EBB will have a lot to say about that unfortunately.
