I've been under a lot of workload recently, but now I'm much more free, so back comes the power rankings.
The top 8
1. Berlin Stormtroopers:
After the game versus the Rippers, they only increase their resume. Both teams had very similar passing percentages and Yards Per Carry, but Berlin was able to prolong more drives and did a very good job of playing keep away from our offense. They get to crush Camelot Crush next.
2. Kilkenny Sidhe:
After a solid victory over Rome, they strengthen their claim to the 2 spot. They too have an easy game coming up versus Leeds.
3. London Rippers:
Yeah, I know this is controversial. But I think there is an objective case for putting us here. We have a worse record that Rome and Buffalo, but we have had a tougher schedule up until this point. Head to head alone doesn't do much here as Rome beat us, we beat Buffalo, Buffalo beat Kilkenny, and Kilkenny beat Rome. The margin of victory versus Buffalo was high enough such that I can be confortable ranking us above them, and as for Rome, we did slightly better versus the Sidhe than they did. Combining that with the fact that our game versus Rome was really close, I put London at 3rd.
We face Dublin Fighting Irish, the last team to have a dominant victory over us (the last 4 losses by us involved blown 4th quarter leads).
4. Rome Gladiators:
This is another tough decision. As mentioned earlier, Buffalo beat the Sidhe which beat Rome, but Rome beat us who beat Buffalo. They put up much more of a fight versus Berlin than Buffalo though, so they get the 4 spot. Their QB is too good to drop them any lower. He is the key to their West Coast Offense style of play.
They play the Dublin Shamrocks next, a team that always is in every game.
5. Buffalo Buffalos:
All of the analysis for why they're here is above. The 3-5 positions are not very well set though, so a couple of stong performances combined with weak performances from other teams will let them rise. They get to pad their stats versus P-ville as they get readen for the game versus Rome on the horizion.
6. Dublin Shamrocks
Wait what? They 6 spot is held by a team that isn't the Beer? Heresy! They earned it though as they utterly torched the Beer, getting several long TD passes in a 40-10 rout. For the most part, this team has won the games it should have and lost the games they should. They have a chance to make a statement in their next game though, has they take on the 2-loss Rome Gladiators this week.
7. Tranmere Titans:
They have a solid win versus the Vikings, which was kinda expected. I had a tough time deciding whether or not I should put these guys at 6 given they did beat the Dublin Shamrocks, but they have a bit too much inconsistency right now for me to be comfortable doing that. They face the Vatican Palidans in an extremely important game.
8. DrUnKiN LuNaTiCs Beer:
Will the real Beer please stand up? This team is so difficult to grade. One week they fight toe to toe with Berlin, and then another week they get blown out by 30 points. I decided to put these guys in ahead of Vatican largely due to that Berlin game and their victory over Tranmere. If they can stay true to the form they showed in the Berlin game, they will make the playoffs, but if they play the way they did versus the Shamrocks, they won't. Their position in the top 8 is very precarious.
Rest of the Pack:
9. The Vatican Palidans
10. Dublin Fighting Irish
11. Munich Hofbräuhaus
12. BC Crew
13. Dublin Vikings
14. Leeds Cougars
15. Camelot Crush
16. P-ville Powerhouse
Game of the week
The Vatican Palidans versus Tranmere Titans
With the current records, it is likely that only two of of three 6-5 teams will make the playoffs. This game is extremely important to both teams, as the winner will both take a 1 game lead, and have the tiebreaker. This is almost a playoff game at this point.
Honerable Mention:
Dublin Shamrocks at Rome Gladiators
The top 8
1. Berlin Stormtroopers:
After the game versus the Rippers, they only increase their resume. Both teams had very similar passing percentages and Yards Per Carry, but Berlin was able to prolong more drives and did a very good job of playing keep away from our offense. They get to crush Camelot Crush next.
2. Kilkenny Sidhe:
After a solid victory over Rome, they strengthen their claim to the 2 spot. They too have an easy game coming up versus Leeds.
3. London Rippers:
Yeah, I know this is controversial. But I think there is an objective case for putting us here. We have a worse record that Rome and Buffalo, but we have had a tougher schedule up until this point. Head to head alone doesn't do much here as Rome beat us, we beat Buffalo, Buffalo beat Kilkenny, and Kilkenny beat Rome. The margin of victory versus Buffalo was high enough such that I can be confortable ranking us above them, and as for Rome, we did slightly better versus the Sidhe than they did. Combining that with the fact that our game versus Rome was really close, I put London at 3rd.
We face Dublin Fighting Irish, the last team to have a dominant victory over us (the last 4 losses by us involved blown 4th quarter leads).
4. Rome Gladiators:
This is another tough decision. As mentioned earlier, Buffalo beat the Sidhe which beat Rome, but Rome beat us who beat Buffalo. They put up much more of a fight versus Berlin than Buffalo though, so they get the 4 spot. Their QB is too good to drop them any lower. He is the key to their West Coast Offense style of play.
They play the Dublin Shamrocks next, a team that always is in every game.
5. Buffalo Buffalos:
All of the analysis for why they're here is above. The 3-5 positions are not very well set though, so a couple of stong performances combined with weak performances from other teams will let them rise. They get to pad their stats versus P-ville as they get readen for the game versus Rome on the horizion.
6. Dublin Shamrocks
Wait what? They 6 spot is held by a team that isn't the Beer? Heresy! They earned it though as they utterly torched the Beer, getting several long TD passes in a 40-10 rout. For the most part, this team has won the games it should have and lost the games they should. They have a chance to make a statement in their next game though, has they take on the 2-loss Rome Gladiators this week.
7. Tranmere Titans:
They have a solid win versus the Vikings, which was kinda expected. I had a tough time deciding whether or not I should put these guys at 6 given they did beat the Dublin Shamrocks, but they have a bit too much inconsistency right now for me to be comfortable doing that. They face the Vatican Palidans in an extremely important game.
8. DrUnKiN LuNaTiCs Beer:
Will the real Beer please stand up? This team is so difficult to grade. One week they fight toe to toe with Berlin, and then another week they get blown out by 30 points. I decided to put these guys in ahead of Vatican largely due to that Berlin game and their victory over Tranmere. If they can stay true to the form they showed in the Berlin game, they will make the playoffs, but if they play the way they did versus the Shamrocks, they won't. Their position in the top 8 is very precarious.
Rest of the Pack:
9. The Vatican Palidans
10. Dublin Fighting Irish
11. Munich Hofbräuhaus
12. BC Crew
13. Dublin Vikings
14. Leeds Cougars
15. Camelot Crush
16. P-ville Powerhouse
Game of the week
The Vatican Palidans versus Tranmere Titans
With the current records, it is likely that only two of of three 6-5 teams will make the playoffs. This game is extremely important to both teams, as the winner will both take a 1 game lead, and have the tiebreaker. This is almost a playoff game at this point.
Honerable Mention:
Dublin Shamrocks at Rome Gladiators
Last edited Jul 5, 2008 00:38:18
Thanks for taking the time. 
