The feature game in the Western Conference Matches up the 10-3 H-Town Hitmen and 8-5 Chicago "MB" Bears"
This game has major playoff implications. Hitmen are trying to hold on to the fourth spot for a home playoff game, and the Bears are trying to squeek into the same spot, but have to be perfect and get lucky to do it.
The Hitmen after joining this murders row of a conference have been competitive since day one. Only losing to the teams ahead of them in the conference. They are coming off a very big game with Dallas in which I had them as a coin flip.
The Bears are a perinial power in the conference and was on everyones short list to win the conference in the preseason. Infact I had them as the favorite. There was contraversy when the team chose to wait to boost and started 2-5 to fall behind the elite in the west. The Bears have come roaring back, picking off 6 wins in a row. Some believe the bears scedule the last 6 games was very weak and this is the first game to test them and see what they are all about. They have a pretty tough schedule to close out the year.
About the teams.
Hitmen
Hitmen are avery solid and dangerous team. They came to our league as champions and have the management and coaching to compete with anyone on any day. The team is very well built with speed and power to spare.
Offense.
The Hitmen offense is all about power. They will force their will upon weak defenses with a power rushing game that will not only chew up the clock and rest the defense, but they can score on you and break your will. They are virtually tied with spere for the conference lead with the Sphere with 2604.5 thats an avg carry of 4.5. The passing game while not the center of the offense is no slouch contributing 2500 yards. The thing is it is feast or famine in the air. with nearly as many ints(19) as TD(21). The biggest asset to this team are the incredibly fast WRs they can burn the best CBs in the league and force you not to stack the box.
Defense
The Hitmen are a very capable to almost dominant unit. The pass defense is the weakest part allowing the most yards of any competitive team in the league. The thing is they can get to the QB and take the ball away from you. They have allowed eight TDs through the air. Rushing yards can be tough to come by against this def. They only allow 35 yards a game and have only given up one rushing TD all season.
Chicago MB Bears
The Bears are an enigma at this point. YOu want to say they are back, but you look at the wins and you cant put money on it. I am giving them the benifit of the doubt. They have a proven track record in the conference and appear to be in decent position to make a solid playoff push. This game is super important to the Bears so look for them to put their best claw forward.
Offense.
The Bears are a little more balanced than in years past. I would still consider them a running team, but wisely they have balanced out the offense to prevent the elite teams from stacking the line and leaving them drifting at sea.I like the changes to the offense, There are not any standouts, rather a solid cohehive unit.
Defense.
This was at one time the Bears biggest strength, but they are very vulnerable through the air. they are allowing 185 yards a game through the air to put them 10th in the league in that category. The run defense is much better, allowing only 30 yds a game. Are they that stout? Or do folks just choose to take the path of least resistance and put the ball in the air? This is a major part of the game the bears better learn the answer to to rejoin the top shelf teams.
As for my prediction, this is the week I think the very impressive Chicago win streak comes to an end. I think both teams can shut down the others run game, but I am not seeng Chicago keeping the Hitmens super fast recievers out of the endzone. This game should be a struggle early though the hitmen will hit more plays. This game should let the Bears know exactly where they are in the pecking order in the west.
score. 23-10 Hitmen.
Other game of note, Dallas Horns and Texas Roughnecks.
this is a huge game for both teams. I think they are evenly matched, but this game means a lot more to the Horns who have lost the tiebreaker with the Hitmen. I like the Horns by a small margine. Dallas wins 17-13
This game has major playoff implications. Hitmen are trying to hold on to the fourth spot for a home playoff game, and the Bears are trying to squeek into the same spot, but have to be perfect and get lucky to do it.
The Hitmen after joining this murders row of a conference have been competitive since day one. Only losing to the teams ahead of them in the conference. They are coming off a very big game with Dallas in which I had them as a coin flip.
The Bears are a perinial power in the conference and was on everyones short list to win the conference in the preseason. Infact I had them as the favorite. There was contraversy when the team chose to wait to boost and started 2-5 to fall behind the elite in the west. The Bears have come roaring back, picking off 6 wins in a row. Some believe the bears scedule the last 6 games was very weak and this is the first game to test them and see what they are all about. They have a pretty tough schedule to close out the year.
About the teams.
Hitmen
Hitmen are avery solid and dangerous team. They came to our league as champions and have the management and coaching to compete with anyone on any day. The team is very well built with speed and power to spare.
Offense.
The Hitmen offense is all about power. They will force their will upon weak defenses with a power rushing game that will not only chew up the clock and rest the defense, but they can score on you and break your will. They are virtually tied with spere for the conference lead with the Sphere with 2604.5 thats an avg carry of 4.5. The passing game while not the center of the offense is no slouch contributing 2500 yards. The thing is it is feast or famine in the air. with nearly as many ints(19) as TD(21). The biggest asset to this team are the incredibly fast WRs they can burn the best CBs in the league and force you not to stack the box.
Defense
The Hitmen are a very capable to almost dominant unit. The pass defense is the weakest part allowing the most yards of any competitive team in the league. The thing is they can get to the QB and take the ball away from you. They have allowed eight TDs through the air. Rushing yards can be tough to come by against this def. They only allow 35 yards a game and have only given up one rushing TD all season.
Chicago MB Bears
The Bears are an enigma at this point. YOu want to say they are back, but you look at the wins and you cant put money on it. I am giving them the benifit of the doubt. They have a proven track record in the conference and appear to be in decent position to make a solid playoff push. This game is super important to the Bears so look for them to put their best claw forward.
Offense.
The Bears are a little more balanced than in years past. I would still consider them a running team, but wisely they have balanced out the offense to prevent the elite teams from stacking the line and leaving them drifting at sea.I like the changes to the offense, There are not any standouts, rather a solid cohehive unit.
Defense.
This was at one time the Bears biggest strength, but they are very vulnerable through the air. they are allowing 185 yards a game through the air to put them 10th in the league in that category. The run defense is much better, allowing only 30 yds a game. Are they that stout? Or do folks just choose to take the path of least resistance and put the ball in the air? This is a major part of the game the bears better learn the answer to to rejoin the top shelf teams.
As for my prediction, this is the week I think the very impressive Chicago win streak comes to an end. I think both teams can shut down the others run game, but I am not seeng Chicago keeping the Hitmens super fast recievers out of the endzone. This game should be a struggle early though the hitmen will hit more plays. This game should let the Bears know exactly where they are in the pecking order in the west.
score. 23-10 Hitmen.
Other game of note, Dallas Horns and Texas Roughnecks.
this is a huge game for both teams. I think they are evenly matched, but this game means a lot more to the Horns who have lost the tiebreaker with the Hitmen. I like the Horns by a small margine. Dallas wins 17-13
