1. Kilwa Polar Bears (15-1) vs 8. Mean Machine (9-7)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=5217&team2=5255
last meeting: Kilwa 47 Machine 3.
With all due respect to the Machine, I simply don't see an upset opportunity here. Kilwa has been too good all season long to have a slip up. When you get outgained in your previous meeting by almost 4x, that means the 47-3 scoreline was pretty accurate. Considering they just gave up 440 yards to the Vampires, I don't think the Machine have solved their defensive problems either.
Prediction: 56-10, Kilwa wins it easily.
2. Flashdancing Platypi (14-2) vs 7. Senegal River Pythons (9-7)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=5247&team2=2791
last meeting: Platypi 27 - Pythons 24
These teams seem to be going in opposite directions. While early in the year Senegal almost upset the Platypi, barely losing 27-24, they have since had some incredibly disappointing losses, including a 27-24 loss to the Congo Heat, who are not even a playoff team. Meanwhile the Platypi are on a 12 game winning streak, including big wins over Rwanda and StingTalk. Don't expect the game to be as close as the last one, however one has to wonder if Senegal has an extra gear they haven't showed for a while.
Prediction: 34-17 Platypi Take it
3. SingTalk Yellow Jackets (14-2) vs 6. Dakar Vampires (9-7)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=2781&team2=5220
last meeting: Jackets 45 Vamps 40
You have to think the Jackets didn't really want this round 1 matchup. Considering they got outgained (gave up over 500 yards) in their recent game against the Vampz, this one has massive upset potential. The Jackets relied on the running of their star RB Runsdewe, and if the Vampirs can figure out how to stop him they can win this game. StingTalk has gone in to games this year with questionable gameplans and have often not quite delivered to their potential. Playoffs are where the gameplan really counts. StingTalk is definitely the most confusing team in the conference, beating Kilwa, but losing to the Platypi by 24 and almost losing to Dakar. I think this game goes down to the wire and it may be the upset special of round 1. To be blunt, SingTalk has lost in round 1 a ridiculous 5 seasons in a row, and that simply supports that they are not gameplanning well enough.
Prediction: Dakar 37 StingTalk 35 on a last second FG.
4. Rwanda Headhunters (13-3) vs 6. Somalia Shango (11-5)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=5245&team2=5213
last meeting: Headhunter 34 - Shango 9
The Shango are that team that just plays solid football. But if you look at their season, they beat the teams they are supposed to beat, but never showed the ability to challenge any of the top four. I really wanted to pick an upset here, but looking back I just can't. I think they will make it close as they were able to move the ball on Rwanda, but they simply couldn't stop the running game - and if you can't stop Rwanda's running you don't have a chance. On the flip side though, Somalia actually ran it well against Rwanda, but didn't stick to that as a gameplan and their passing game was pretty crap. If Somalia comes out and pounds it down their throat, keeps it a low scoring, close game, they might just sneak this one out. But I'm not betting on it. Rwanda is also a well-prepared team (against the Platypi they totally changed up their gameplan, for mixed results) that will be ready to go and won't let this one slip away.
Prediction: Rwanda 21 Somalia 14
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=5217&team2=5255
last meeting: Kilwa 47 Machine 3.
With all due respect to the Machine, I simply don't see an upset opportunity here. Kilwa has been too good all season long to have a slip up. When you get outgained in your previous meeting by almost 4x, that means the 47-3 scoreline was pretty accurate. Considering they just gave up 440 yards to the Vampires, I don't think the Machine have solved their defensive problems either.
Prediction: 56-10, Kilwa wins it easily.
2. Flashdancing Platypi (14-2) vs 7. Senegal River Pythons (9-7)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=5247&team2=2791
last meeting: Platypi 27 - Pythons 24
These teams seem to be going in opposite directions. While early in the year Senegal almost upset the Platypi, barely losing 27-24, they have since had some incredibly disappointing losses, including a 27-24 loss to the Congo Heat, who are not even a playoff team. Meanwhile the Platypi are on a 12 game winning streak, including big wins over Rwanda and StingTalk. Don't expect the game to be as close as the last one, however one has to wonder if Senegal has an extra gear they haven't showed for a while.
Prediction: 34-17 Platypi Take it
3. SingTalk Yellow Jackets (14-2) vs 6. Dakar Vampires (9-7)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=2781&team2=5220
last meeting: Jackets 45 Vamps 40
You have to think the Jackets didn't really want this round 1 matchup. Considering they got outgained (gave up over 500 yards) in their recent game against the Vampz, this one has massive upset potential. The Jackets relied on the running of their star RB Runsdewe, and if the Vampirs can figure out how to stop him they can win this game. StingTalk has gone in to games this year with questionable gameplans and have often not quite delivered to their potential. Playoffs are where the gameplan really counts. StingTalk is definitely the most confusing team in the conference, beating Kilwa, but losing to the Platypi by 24 and almost losing to Dakar. I think this game goes down to the wire and it may be the upset special of round 1. To be blunt, SingTalk has lost in round 1 a ridiculous 5 seasons in a row, and that simply supports that they are not gameplanning well enough.
Prediction: Dakar 37 StingTalk 35 on a last second FG.
4. Rwanda Headhunters (13-3) vs 6. Somalia Shango (11-5)
matchup: http://goallineblitz.com/game/compare_teams.pl?team1=5245&team2=5213
last meeting: Headhunter 34 - Shango 9
The Shango are that team that just plays solid football. But if you look at their season, they beat the teams they are supposed to beat, but never showed the ability to challenge any of the top four. I really wanted to pick an upset here, but looking back I just can't. I think they will make it close as they were able to move the ball on Rwanda, but they simply couldn't stop the running game - and if you can't stop Rwanda's running you don't have a chance. On the flip side though, Somalia actually ran it well against Rwanda, but didn't stick to that as a gameplan and their passing game was pretty crap. If Somalia comes out and pounds it down their throat, keeps it a low scoring, close game, they might just sneak this one out. But I'm not betting on it. Rwanda is also a well-prepared team (against the Platypi they totally changed up their gameplan, for mixed results) that will be ready to go and won't let this one slip away.
Prediction: Rwanda 21 Somalia 14
Last edited Mar 28, 2009 20:57:12
