In looking at the schedule this week, I almost decided not to even bother with a preview. The games for week 13 are almost entirely predictable, with only one or two even showing a hint of being interesting. It's like filling out a March Madness bracket where all the games are a number one seed against a number sixteen. Sure, there might be an upset, but it isn't very likely. Since the games are all pretty much going to be won by the higher ranked teams, I will be keeping this one pretty brief, and I will start with our game of the week.
Zeta Conference Game of the Week - Macedonian Lions vs Kazakhstan Dragons: Now, it has to say something about the state of the schedule when the spotlight game features the number six against the number nine. Kazakhstan needs the win to keep alive, and the Lions need the win to avoid dropping into eighth place. The Dragons gave the Hounds a much closer game than predicted, but were unable to end their perfect season, while the Lions dropped their third straight, this time to the Bucks. This game will be very close, but in the end, it will be the Lions who come away with the win, despite finally showing the league that they aren't as tough as they first appeared. This game only gets the spotlight due to the probability that a loss eliminates the Dragons from playoff contention.
Hill Valley Deloreans vs Maribor Triforce: Maribor is looking at two guaranteed losses in their last four games, and will struggle to win the other two. The only saving grace for them is that neither Warsaw or Prague are playing like teams with a 57 overall rating. Hill Valley, on the other hand, is playing like a championship contender, and may be the only team in the conference able to defeat the Hounds and prevent them from entering the playoffs undefeated. Whether they do or not, they will be the number two seed in the postseason.
Bratislava Butchers vs WhatsaMatta U Fighting Elk: On the surface this game looks more interesting than the game of the week, featuring the three seed against the eight, but the reality is much more harsh for the Elk. The Butchers aren't likely to lose this game against an opponent that hasn't beaten anyone of note. The loss starts a bad losing streak for the Elk as they finish out the season against quality opponents. They will have to be extremely lucky to finish the season at .500.
Jefferson City Bucks vs Secretville Offtopics: Having established themselves as an extremely likely home field team in the postseason, the Bucks will put a severe hurting on the Offtopics, who simply can't wait until this season is over. At 2-10 and in 13th place, Secretville only has one more win to look forward to this season, and it ain't gonna be this one.
Mombasa Wombats vs South City Chiefs: Mombasa needs this win badly to keep their heads above water before finishing the season against three playoff teams, while the Chiefs have only fared slightly better than the worst teams in the conference all season. The Wombats can't lose if they want to stay in the hunt, but they don't have much to fear from South City. Currently hanging on to the seventh spot, Mombasa also faces stiff competition to end the season, and will likely lose their playoff position in the next couple of weeks.
Prague Beersteins vs Warsaw Wolfpack: This is a battle with nothing but pride on the line for either team, and is probably the most difficult to call this week. Prague comes into the game with the better record, but the Wolfpack have the better personnel. If it comes down to who has the better AI, I have to give this one to Prague, as the Wolfpack just haven't shown that they can pull it together well enough to defeat even a closely matched opponent.
Czechoslavakia Mates vs Cypriot Freedom: The Mates will stay in fifth place after this week when they lay a smackdown on the Freedom. Don't worry, Freedom fans, only three more ass whoopings until you finally get to beat up on the Beavers.
Berlin Hounds from Hell vs Maladorous Football Beavers: Wow is this game going to be ugly. The Beavers have caused me to begin to wonder if there is a 255 point cap to this game, as they have lost a whopping six games by a score of 255-0. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. Watch out for BigRagu to re-sign all of the former Hitmen just to get an upset for this game. Of course, even if he tried, their chemistry would be so horrible that Berlin would still kick the crap out of them. Besides, he's more than happy beating up on inferior opponents back in EEA4 where he can talk crap without anyone better than him to talk back
This week is probably the easiest preview I've had all season, except of course for the one I skipped. Next week we are back to intriguing matchups and postseason positioning drama, so enjoy the break while you can, Zeta. It only heats up from here.
Zeta Conference Game of the Week - Macedonian Lions vs Kazakhstan Dragons: Now, it has to say something about the state of the schedule when the spotlight game features the number six against the number nine. Kazakhstan needs the win to keep alive, and the Lions need the win to avoid dropping into eighth place. The Dragons gave the Hounds a much closer game than predicted, but were unable to end their perfect season, while the Lions dropped their third straight, this time to the Bucks. This game will be very close, but in the end, it will be the Lions who come away with the win, despite finally showing the league that they aren't as tough as they first appeared. This game only gets the spotlight due to the probability that a loss eliminates the Dragons from playoff contention.
Hill Valley Deloreans vs Maribor Triforce: Maribor is looking at two guaranteed losses in their last four games, and will struggle to win the other two. The only saving grace for them is that neither Warsaw or Prague are playing like teams with a 57 overall rating. Hill Valley, on the other hand, is playing like a championship contender, and may be the only team in the conference able to defeat the Hounds and prevent them from entering the playoffs undefeated. Whether they do or not, they will be the number two seed in the postseason.
Bratislava Butchers vs WhatsaMatta U Fighting Elk: On the surface this game looks more interesting than the game of the week, featuring the three seed against the eight, but the reality is much more harsh for the Elk. The Butchers aren't likely to lose this game against an opponent that hasn't beaten anyone of note. The loss starts a bad losing streak for the Elk as they finish out the season against quality opponents. They will have to be extremely lucky to finish the season at .500.
Jefferson City Bucks vs Secretville Offtopics: Having established themselves as an extremely likely home field team in the postseason, the Bucks will put a severe hurting on the Offtopics, who simply can't wait until this season is over. At 2-10 and in 13th place, Secretville only has one more win to look forward to this season, and it ain't gonna be this one.
Mombasa Wombats vs South City Chiefs: Mombasa needs this win badly to keep their heads above water before finishing the season against three playoff teams, while the Chiefs have only fared slightly better than the worst teams in the conference all season. The Wombats can't lose if they want to stay in the hunt, but they don't have much to fear from South City. Currently hanging on to the seventh spot, Mombasa also faces stiff competition to end the season, and will likely lose their playoff position in the next couple of weeks.
Prague Beersteins vs Warsaw Wolfpack: This is a battle with nothing but pride on the line for either team, and is probably the most difficult to call this week. Prague comes into the game with the better record, but the Wolfpack have the better personnel. If it comes down to who has the better AI, I have to give this one to Prague, as the Wolfpack just haven't shown that they can pull it together well enough to defeat even a closely matched opponent.
Czechoslavakia Mates vs Cypriot Freedom: The Mates will stay in fifth place after this week when they lay a smackdown on the Freedom. Don't worry, Freedom fans, only three more ass whoopings until you finally get to beat up on the Beavers.
Berlin Hounds from Hell vs Maladorous Football Beavers: Wow is this game going to be ugly. The Beavers have caused me to begin to wonder if there is a 255 point cap to this game, as they have lost a whopping six games by a score of 255-0. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. Watch out for BigRagu to re-sign all of the former Hitmen just to get an upset for this game. Of course, even if he tried, their chemistry would be so horrible that Berlin would still kick the crap out of them. Besides, he's more than happy beating up on inferior opponents back in EEA4 where he can talk crap without anyone better than him to talk back
This week is probably the easiest preview I've had all season, except of course for the one I skipped. Next week we are back to intriguing matchups and postseason positioning drama, so enjoy the break while you can, Zeta. It only heats up from here.
