Playoff time boys! There will be no game of the week through the playoffs because, let's face it, if you made it this far they are all games of the week for you.
#1 Somali Pirates (16-0) vs # 8 BURUNDI BUCSH WARRIORS (9-7)
Last game: Week 4 Somali win by score of 96-0
Over the span of 16 games the Pirates have proven they are the team to beat this season. They demolished just about every single team in the conference to get to where they are and have rightfully earned the #1 spot.
The WARRIORS are an interesting playoff team in that they lost to every single other team that is in the playoffs. They had 2 close ones against playoff teams but the other 5 games were blowouts. But the regular season doesn't matter anymore and it's time to go after the big prize so we'll see what they can do in the playoffs.
In their last matchup BURUNDI could not mount much of an offense as the Pirates ran and threw all over them. I don't expect much to change here as the Pirates coast to the second round.
#2 Sterling Bulldawgs (13-3) vs #7 West Yorkshire Bandits (10-6)
Last game: Week 4 Sterling win by score of 71-9
The Bulldawgs were in a tight race for the 2 seed and squeaked away with it by winning their last game of the season. They went 5-2 against playoff teams in the regular season and now have to face off against a much improved Bandits squad.
West Yorkshire went 2-5 against playoff teams and are looking to redeem themselves for their earlier loss.
In the last match-up the Bulldawgs went with their power game and kept it on the ground while moving the ball efficiently through the air when necessary. The Bandits had a few turnovers that did not help their cause either. Personally I think the Bandits have improved tenfold since the early part of the season but will that be enough.
I'm picking this one as my "I hate this damn sim" upset of the playoffs.
#3 Cybertron War Machine (13-3) vs #6 Fulham Flying Hellfish (10-6)
Last game: Week 3 Cybertron win by score of 27-26
Cybertron has done some great recruiting in the last few weeks to upgrade their team. Already a dominant force one has to be worried about facing off against them now even more. They went 4-3 against playoff teams this season and are one of the best running teams in the conference.
Fulham has become my favorite dark horse team this season. I didn't know what to expect from them earlier on but they have been on a tear the last 7 weeks suffering one defeat to Somali. They went 3-4 against playoff teams this season.
Last time around Fulham gave up a 9 point halftime lead and were down 19-27 before scoring with less than 3 minutes left to make it 26-27. Fulham had some turnover problems and must avoid that this time around if they want to come away with the win. Cybertrons improvements could prove to be too much for the Hellfish though.
#4 Nairobi Death Squad (12-4) vs # 5 Alexandria Crimson Evil Aces (11-5)
Last game: Week 9 Alexandria win by score of 13-3
Nairobi has undergone a vast improvement since last season. With a 4-3 record against playoff teams they're looking to advance in the playoffs and live up to their potential this season. Early on they looked like the only team that could give Somali a fight having beaten Cybertron, Sterling and Fulham on their way to a 7-1 first half record. The second half of the season saw them fall to 3 other playoff teams by small margins before shutting out the WARRIORS.
Alexandria is a tough squad that, like Nairobi & Sterling, was a holdover from last season. They went 3-4 against playoff teams this season and are looking to recreate their last victory over Nairobi.
When they faced off last time it was a defensive battle that saw both teams struggle to run the ball and pass the ball. In the end Nairobi's INT & 2 fumbles (though neither was lost) may have cost them the game. I expect Nairobi to return to form this week and pull off the win in another close game.
#1 Somali Pirates (16-0) vs # 8 BURUNDI BUCSH WARRIORS (9-7)
Last game: Week 4 Somali win by score of 96-0
Over the span of 16 games the Pirates have proven they are the team to beat this season. They demolished just about every single team in the conference to get to where they are and have rightfully earned the #1 spot.
The WARRIORS are an interesting playoff team in that they lost to every single other team that is in the playoffs. They had 2 close ones against playoff teams but the other 5 games were blowouts. But the regular season doesn't matter anymore and it's time to go after the big prize so we'll see what they can do in the playoffs.
In their last matchup BURUNDI could not mount much of an offense as the Pirates ran and threw all over them. I don't expect much to change here as the Pirates coast to the second round.
#2 Sterling Bulldawgs (13-3) vs #7 West Yorkshire Bandits (10-6)
Last game: Week 4 Sterling win by score of 71-9
The Bulldawgs were in a tight race for the 2 seed and squeaked away with it by winning their last game of the season. They went 5-2 against playoff teams in the regular season and now have to face off against a much improved Bandits squad.
West Yorkshire went 2-5 against playoff teams and are looking to redeem themselves for their earlier loss.
In the last match-up the Bulldawgs went with their power game and kept it on the ground while moving the ball efficiently through the air when necessary. The Bandits had a few turnovers that did not help their cause either. Personally I think the Bandits have improved tenfold since the early part of the season but will that be enough.
I'm picking this one as my "I hate this damn sim" upset of the playoffs.
#3 Cybertron War Machine (13-3) vs #6 Fulham Flying Hellfish (10-6)
Last game: Week 3 Cybertron win by score of 27-26
Cybertron has done some great recruiting in the last few weeks to upgrade their team. Already a dominant force one has to be worried about facing off against them now even more. They went 4-3 against playoff teams this season and are one of the best running teams in the conference.
Fulham has become my favorite dark horse team this season. I didn't know what to expect from them earlier on but they have been on a tear the last 7 weeks suffering one defeat to Somali. They went 3-4 against playoff teams this season.
Last time around Fulham gave up a 9 point halftime lead and were down 19-27 before scoring with less than 3 minutes left to make it 26-27. Fulham had some turnover problems and must avoid that this time around if they want to come away with the win. Cybertrons improvements could prove to be too much for the Hellfish though.
#4 Nairobi Death Squad (12-4) vs # 5 Alexandria Crimson Evil Aces (11-5)
Last game: Week 9 Alexandria win by score of 13-3
Nairobi has undergone a vast improvement since last season. With a 4-3 record against playoff teams they're looking to advance in the playoffs and live up to their potential this season. Early on they looked like the only team that could give Somali a fight having beaten Cybertron, Sterling and Fulham on their way to a 7-1 first half record. The second half of the season saw them fall to 3 other playoff teams by small margins before shutting out the WARRIORS.
Alexandria is a tough squad that, like Nairobi & Sterling, was a holdover from last season. They went 3-4 against playoff teams this season and are looking to recreate their last victory over Nairobi.
When they faced off last time it was a defensive battle that saw both teams struggle to run the ball and pass the ball. In the end Nairobi's INT & 2 fumbles (though neither was lost) may have cost them the game. I expect Nairobi to return to form this week and pull off the win in another close game.
