Now the fireworks really start! Here we are in the Conference Championship week. We have 2 teams that have sat atop their leagues for most of the season, and 2 more looking to dethrone the current monarchs. This should really be a great week of games so lets get to it!
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Eastern Conference Championship
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#1 Spaniard Linces vs. #2 Tennessee Crabs
Both of the teams here put up some huge numbers last week in there not so challenging games. This week they'll both be challenged for sure though, lets see who will come out on top.
Last meeting: Tenn. 27 - Span. 0
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We'll start with the #1 seed. Spaniard are definitely in it to win it having boosted the ENTIRE team. As if they weren't beating up on the East teams enough they thought they needed a little more of an edge. Either way they're a sound team on both sides of the ball with a very real threat both throwing the ball or running it. Both their backs had big games as they pounded out over 350 yards on the ground. But now we also see the passing threat they bring as their QB completed 75% of his throws for just over 200 yards. It's really a pick your poison situation. They're going to put up some yards, no way around it, it comes down to how many big plays you let them make and if you let these big plays go for 6 or just a big gain. As for the D it was stellar as usual, though they weren't exactly up against an offense in Punishers that can do the damage Crabs are capable of. Either way they only gave up 30 rushing yards and under 100 through the air, solid any way you look at it.
Now to Tennessee. They to had their way with a over-matched team and just ran, literally, all over them. Tennessee is capable of throwing as well, but not at the same level that Spaniard is capable of. Where Linces have a good passing build QB, Crabs have a rushing QB who is able to throw if needed, but shouldn't try leaning to heavy on this option as I don't see it turning out very well if they really try working the air game. Crabs defense was solid as well. When you give up only 82 yards all game at this point of playoffs, you're doing something right. Yes the Autobots are the offensive juggernaut of the league, but they didn't get far by not having any offense.
This is really a good game on paper, and I'm sure will be just as exciting played.
Keys to the Game:
Linces: STOP THE RUN! Make Tennessee throw the ball. They'll put up some yards, but their run game is going to hurt you a lot more then their passing game. On offense mix it up, don't let them just blitz CB's all day without fearing the deep throws.
Crabs: Stop something?! Your choice really here on D you need to contain the big plays. On offense keep possession of the ball and work the clock. The longer you have it, the less Linces do, simple.
Winner: Linces
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Western Conference Championship
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#1 GLB Headhunters vs. #3 Easy Eagles
Coming off some good wins over some quality teams last round, we'll see what new things these teams can bring to the table.
Last meeting: GLB 73 - Easy 7
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We'll start with Easy this time. Why? Because I feel like it! ^^; Anyways, Easy is looking in form recently, and have some boosters on the offensive side of the ball in key positions, and a few on the defensive side as well. So far they've favored the ground game with their key back put up some big yards and some more quality yards from the 2nd string. They are definitely capable of throwing the ball, but use it as an option more then a way of life. They showed last game just how good they are on the ground putting up 360 yards on a pretty good Madmen defense. As far as their defense goes it had a so-so game. They gave up some pretty big yards on the ground, not to bad through the air. Big difference was Easy didn't let Madmen score, and isn't that the point. They have the talent to definitely win it all, should be interesting.
Now for GLB. Still the lone undefeated team of Copper #16. GLB comes off a game where they limited a very good Camaro offense to just 76 yards of total offense. Granted there were some AI freaks that really limited Camaro from hitting on full cylinders, but a win is a win and I'll take it! GLB tends to rely heavily on the running game, but have shown if you forget the passing game they will throw, and they are definitely capable of putting up yards if need be doing so. They put up 300 yards rushing last game and will need to continue to run well to keep moving. The defense looked decent as well against the Camaros limiting their juiced HB to only a big play or two and only giving up 3 points. They have a few boosters too, nothing really much though. We'll see how this works for them.
Keys to the Game:
Eagles: Must be able to run the ball and stop the run. Yes they can throw but its not their strong suit. Limit GLB's time on the field as well. I'll let others give you advice since I can't give you all our tips. ^^;
GLB: Keep on doing what we've been doing. Shut down the run and make them try and throw the ball. On offense keep possession, move the ball and no stupid mistakes.
Winner: GLB.. What did you expect me to say! ^^;
Seriously though, good luck to all the other teams. You all have a great bunch of players and solid teams, I'm excited to see what happens in 2 days.
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Eastern Conference Championship
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#1 Spaniard Linces vs. #2 Tennessee Crabs
Both of the teams here put up some huge numbers last week in there not so challenging games. This week they'll both be challenged for sure though, lets see who will come out on top.
Last meeting: Tenn. 27 - Span. 0
--------------------------------
We'll start with the #1 seed. Spaniard are definitely in it to win it having boosted the ENTIRE team. As if they weren't beating up on the East teams enough they thought they needed a little more of an edge. Either way they're a sound team on both sides of the ball with a very real threat both throwing the ball or running it. Both their backs had big games as they pounded out over 350 yards on the ground. But now we also see the passing threat they bring as their QB completed 75% of his throws for just over 200 yards. It's really a pick your poison situation. They're going to put up some yards, no way around it, it comes down to how many big plays you let them make and if you let these big plays go for 6 or just a big gain. As for the D it was stellar as usual, though they weren't exactly up against an offense in Punishers that can do the damage Crabs are capable of. Either way they only gave up 30 rushing yards and under 100 through the air, solid any way you look at it.
Now to Tennessee. They to had their way with a over-matched team and just ran, literally, all over them. Tennessee is capable of throwing as well, but not at the same level that Spaniard is capable of. Where Linces have a good passing build QB, Crabs have a rushing QB who is able to throw if needed, but shouldn't try leaning to heavy on this option as I don't see it turning out very well if they really try working the air game. Crabs defense was solid as well. When you give up only 82 yards all game at this point of playoffs, you're doing something right. Yes the Autobots are the offensive juggernaut of the league, but they didn't get far by not having any offense.
This is really a good game on paper, and I'm sure will be just as exciting played.
Keys to the Game:
Linces: STOP THE RUN! Make Tennessee throw the ball. They'll put up some yards, but their run game is going to hurt you a lot more then their passing game. On offense mix it up, don't let them just blitz CB's all day without fearing the deep throws.
Crabs: Stop something?! Your choice really here on D you need to contain the big plays. On offense keep possession of the ball and work the clock. The longer you have it, the less Linces do, simple.
Winner: Linces
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Western Conference Championship
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#1 GLB Headhunters vs. #3 Easy Eagles
Coming off some good wins over some quality teams last round, we'll see what new things these teams can bring to the table.
Last meeting: GLB 73 - Easy 7
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We'll start with Easy this time. Why? Because I feel like it! ^^; Anyways, Easy is looking in form recently, and have some boosters on the offensive side of the ball in key positions, and a few on the defensive side as well. So far they've favored the ground game with their key back put up some big yards and some more quality yards from the 2nd string. They are definitely capable of throwing the ball, but use it as an option more then a way of life. They showed last game just how good they are on the ground putting up 360 yards on a pretty good Madmen defense. As far as their defense goes it had a so-so game. They gave up some pretty big yards on the ground, not to bad through the air. Big difference was Easy didn't let Madmen score, and isn't that the point. They have the talent to definitely win it all, should be interesting.
Now for GLB. Still the lone undefeated team of Copper #16. GLB comes off a game where they limited a very good Camaro offense to just 76 yards of total offense. Granted there were some AI freaks that really limited Camaro from hitting on full cylinders, but a win is a win and I'll take it! GLB tends to rely heavily on the running game, but have shown if you forget the passing game they will throw, and they are definitely capable of putting up yards if need be doing so. They put up 300 yards rushing last game and will need to continue to run well to keep moving. The defense looked decent as well against the Camaros limiting their juiced HB to only a big play or two and only giving up 3 points. They have a few boosters too, nothing really much though. We'll see how this works for them.
Keys to the Game:
Eagles: Must be able to run the ball and stop the run. Yes they can throw but its not their strong suit. Limit GLB's time on the field as well. I'll let others give you advice since I can't give you all our tips. ^^;
GLB: Keep on doing what we've been doing. Shut down the run and make them try and throw the ball. On offense keep possession, move the ball and no stupid mistakes.
Winner: GLB.. What did you expect me to say! ^^;
Seriously though, good luck to all the other teams. You all have a great bunch of players and solid teams, I'm excited to see what happens in 2 days.