Week 3 featured some very exciting games but few surprises as the top teams begin to establish themselves. Only three teams remain undefeated, and two of those teams face some pretty big challenges this week if they want to stay that way.
Berlin Hounds from Hell vs Secretville Offtopics: Coming off of a tough loss to the Triforce last week, the Offtopics are in pretty bad shape starting off the season. Berlin has managed to come away with tough wins against teams that were gunning for them, and will likely not have much trouble with struggling Secretville. The Hounds dodged a bullet last week against the Lions, but may have shown a glimpse of vulnerability. Even so, the Offtopics' only hope lies with Kutzy messing up the AI, as they aren't strong enough to even keep it close against Berlin.
Bratislava Butchers vs Kazakhstan Dragons: This game has a bit of a vengeful quality for the Butchers, as it was the Dragons who handed them a first round playoff loss in the franchise's first postseason appearance two seasons ago. Bratislava has regained some of their swagger after handing the Bucks a solid defeat last week, while Kazakhstan played a tough but high scoring game in defeating the Chiefs. Bratislava's defense will continue to pound away at the Dragons while their O-line will protect much better than did South City's, giving the Butchers a much better chance against Kazakhstan. With the Dragons still suffering from chemistry penalties, this game should be a win for Bratislava.
Macedonian Lions vs Prague Beersteins: The Lions managed to hold the Hounds to only 22 points in a one point loss, which is a moral victory for the former champions. The Beersteins are still searching for a first win this season, but have a few more ugly games in front of them before they will get it. While they played well against the Mates, they yet again won't be able to score enough points to get themselves ahead.
WhatsaMatta U Fighting Elk vs Warsaw Wolfpack: The Wolfpack get an opportunity this week to improve to .500 as they face an Elk team that doesn't match up well in most categories. The Elk didn't perform as well as expected against the Deloreans, although it took a late fourth quarter field goal for the Deloreans to seal the win. The intangibles still make the Elk a better team in my opinion, and I will throw my lot in with them again this week when Warsaw's chemistry and other issues lose them another game.
South City Chiefs vs Maladorous Football Beavers: The Chiefs finally will get a win after a rough 0-3 start. BigRagu's Beavers are so far doing an excellent job of being everyone's stat whore. At least everybody gets a ride, and it only costs a shiny copper.
Maribor Triforce vs Cypriot Freedom: The other gimme game this week comes right on time for the Triforce, who need the easy win to get back to .500 and in fighting shape for a long run of solid teams. Maribor embarrassed the Offtopics last week after two brutal battles against stronger foes, while the Freedom gave the Wolfpack a much needed break. Freedom will be struck another blow under the boot of Hyrulian tyrrany.
Zeta Conference Game of the Week #1 - Mombasa Wombats vs Hill Valley Deloreans: The Wombats face a tough challenge to their undefeated run as they travel to Flux Capacity Center for an important early matchup. The Deloreans are fresh off of a close win against the Elk, and a win for them would even up the conference for many one loss teams. Mombasa has shown that they can beat very good teams, although they haven't been challenged yet by anyone with a winning record. This will be their opportunity to prove themselves through superior game planning, and they should be able to pull out the win against Hill Valley.
Zeta Conference Game of the Week #2 - Czechoslavakian Mates vs Jefferson City Bucks: The Mates and the Bucks have both faced a major challenge so far this season, with the Mates able to succeed against the Butchers while the Bucks fell to the superior Bratislava defense. Both teams need the win to stay high in the rankings, but the Bucks are fighting to maintain a winning record. Their ferocious pass rush will have to find ways around or through the Mates' brick wall offensive line while maintaining effective coverage. In the end it will come down to which team is most hungry, giving the Bucks an advantage and a late game win.
Once again the preview is completed kind of late, for which I do apologize. The remainder of this week at least should provide me with plenty of opportunity to get these done sooner, but I'm not going to lie, I just scored a free Gamecube and may just spend some time playing the Zelda games I've never had a chance to play. I know, it sounds lame, but when something like that falls in your lap, you have to take advantage. Rest assured, I will be paying close attention to the 'Blitz and will not slack off in my previewing duties. Until next time, I'm off to Hyrule to yet again collect rupees and hearts and save the princess.
Berlin Hounds from Hell vs Secretville Offtopics: Coming off of a tough loss to the Triforce last week, the Offtopics are in pretty bad shape starting off the season. Berlin has managed to come away with tough wins against teams that were gunning for them, and will likely not have much trouble with struggling Secretville. The Hounds dodged a bullet last week against the Lions, but may have shown a glimpse of vulnerability. Even so, the Offtopics' only hope lies with Kutzy messing up the AI, as they aren't strong enough to even keep it close against Berlin.
Bratislava Butchers vs Kazakhstan Dragons: This game has a bit of a vengeful quality for the Butchers, as it was the Dragons who handed them a first round playoff loss in the franchise's first postseason appearance two seasons ago. Bratislava has regained some of their swagger after handing the Bucks a solid defeat last week, while Kazakhstan played a tough but high scoring game in defeating the Chiefs. Bratislava's defense will continue to pound away at the Dragons while their O-line will protect much better than did South City's, giving the Butchers a much better chance against Kazakhstan. With the Dragons still suffering from chemistry penalties, this game should be a win for Bratislava.
Macedonian Lions vs Prague Beersteins: The Lions managed to hold the Hounds to only 22 points in a one point loss, which is a moral victory for the former champions. The Beersteins are still searching for a first win this season, but have a few more ugly games in front of them before they will get it. While they played well against the Mates, they yet again won't be able to score enough points to get themselves ahead.
WhatsaMatta U Fighting Elk vs Warsaw Wolfpack: The Wolfpack get an opportunity this week to improve to .500 as they face an Elk team that doesn't match up well in most categories. The Elk didn't perform as well as expected against the Deloreans, although it took a late fourth quarter field goal for the Deloreans to seal the win. The intangibles still make the Elk a better team in my opinion, and I will throw my lot in with them again this week when Warsaw's chemistry and other issues lose them another game.
South City Chiefs vs Maladorous Football Beavers: The Chiefs finally will get a win after a rough 0-3 start. BigRagu's Beavers are so far doing an excellent job of being everyone's stat whore. At least everybody gets a ride, and it only costs a shiny copper.
Maribor Triforce vs Cypriot Freedom: The other gimme game this week comes right on time for the Triforce, who need the easy win to get back to .500 and in fighting shape for a long run of solid teams. Maribor embarrassed the Offtopics last week after two brutal battles against stronger foes, while the Freedom gave the Wolfpack a much needed break. Freedom will be struck another blow under the boot of Hyrulian tyrrany.
Zeta Conference Game of the Week #1 - Mombasa Wombats vs Hill Valley Deloreans: The Wombats face a tough challenge to their undefeated run as they travel to Flux Capacity Center for an important early matchup. The Deloreans are fresh off of a close win against the Elk, and a win for them would even up the conference for many one loss teams. Mombasa has shown that they can beat very good teams, although they haven't been challenged yet by anyone with a winning record. This will be their opportunity to prove themselves through superior game planning, and they should be able to pull out the win against Hill Valley.
Zeta Conference Game of the Week #2 - Czechoslavakian Mates vs Jefferson City Bucks: The Mates and the Bucks have both faced a major challenge so far this season, with the Mates able to succeed against the Butchers while the Bucks fell to the superior Bratislava defense. Both teams need the win to stay high in the rankings, but the Bucks are fighting to maintain a winning record. Their ferocious pass rush will have to find ways around or through the Mates' brick wall offensive line while maintaining effective coverage. In the end it will come down to which team is most hungry, giving the Bucks an advantage and a late game win.
Once again the preview is completed kind of late, for which I do apologize. The remainder of this week at least should provide me with plenty of opportunity to get these done sooner, but I'm not going to lie, I just scored a free Gamecube and may just spend some time playing the Zelda games I've never had a chance to play. I know, it sounds lame, but when something like that falls in your lap, you have to take advantage. Rest assured, I will be paying close attention to the 'Blitz and will not slack off in my previewing duties. Until next time, I'm off to Hyrule to yet again collect rupees and hearts and save the princess.
Last edited Mar 2, 2009 21:45:22
