Good evening, everyone. The following is the fourth and final installment of CPP, or Chase's Playoff Picture. One week to go. Seven teams with a ticket to the dance. One 1st-round home playoff game on the line. One playoff seed still up for grabs. Very interesting games are going on in the inter-conference matchups this week, and it has a lot of meaning for four teams in our watch: Christchurch, the Horsemen, NMI, and Dunedin, and especially the last two. We're down the home stretch. Who will fade, and who will step up? We shall see in two short days. Withoud further ado, here's the report!
Games left: 1
Z: clinched home-field throughout the playoffs
Y: clinched 1st-round home playoff game
X: clinched playoff birth
Standings:
1-Z: Melbourne Thorny Devils, 15-0
2-Y: Bikini Atoll Mushroom Clouds, 14-1
3-Y: Tonga Thunderbirds, 13-2
4-X: Christchurch Knightmares, 11-4
5-X: The Four Horsemen, 11-4
6-X: El Fuego, 9-6
7-X: Coney Island Warriors, 9-6
8: Northern Mariana Islands Ramekins, 8-7
9: Dunedin Wolverines, 8-7
Team scenarios:
1. Melbourne Thorny Devils: 1st, 15-0
This was a closer game than I was expecting to see, but it speaks to the unequaled strength of this team that I'm calling a 32-3 win over 6th-ranked El Fuego "closer". The Devils just clinched home field throughout the Zeta Conference playoffs with that last win, so the road to the championship runs through Melbourne. The Devils can become the only undefeated regular season team with a victory in the finale at Florida Parishes. I think this game will not be a runaway, but I expect a sizable win for the Devils nonetheless. Perfect record, thy name is Melbourne.
Predicted finish: 16-0, 1st
2. Bikini Atoll Mushroom Clouds: 2nd, 14-1
The Shrooms definitely brought their A-game today, flattening Coney Island 44-10, thanks to a HUGE day through the air. The Shrooms, who have clinched the 2nd-seed in the Zeta Conference playoffs, chase a 1-loss regular season in their finale at Sydney. This is a very interesting game, made even more intriguing by the fact that Sydney waited until now to use some of their boosts. However, I think Bikini Atoll has the edge due to depth at QB, HB, and CB. However, let's not count out Sydney just yet; they're 12-3 and are a big threat in Alpha.
Predicted finish: 15-1, 2nd
3. Tonga Thunderbirds: 3rd, 13-2
Tonga took care of business in front of the home crowd today, blanking Redscape 44-0 in an effort in which the defense surrendered less than 100 total yards. Illesheim rolls into the islands for the finale. The Krauts defeated a playoff-bound Florida Parishes team this week, and have shown all year long that they are a legitimate team in Alpha. However, I think Tonga has too much firepower for the Krauts, but they cannot overlook the game. The Thunderbirds should win, which should give this 3rd-ranked team some confidence heading into the 3-6 playoff matchup.
Predicted finish: 14-2, 3rd
4. Christchurch Knightmares: 11-4, 4th
So much for the hollow threats that Uluru would run for 150 yards on the Knightmare defense; the Knightmares only held the Rockies 158 yards short of that goal in a 47-0 blowout. The Knightmares move ever-so-closer to that crucial home playoff game, and need a win against Thatto Heath in the finale to lock it. It wouldn't be Earth-shaking to see an upset here, but with all that's on the line here, I can't see Christchurch sputtering. I can't wait to see that 4-5 matchup in Week 1 of the playoffs!
Predicted finish: 12-4, 4th
5. The Four Horsemen: 11-4, 5th
Oooh. That game against Dunedin was a bit close for comfort, as the Horsemen pull away in quite the high-scoring contest, 40-31. The Horsemen need a win and a Christchurch loss in order to clinch the 4th-seed and the home playoff game. The win is almost all-but-assured, as the English Wasps come rolling in; they'll likely roll out battered and defeated, as the Horsemen participate in one of the only lackluster inter-conference games. However, the Christchurch loss isn't necessary, so the Horsemen will likely travel to New Zealand for an anticipated rematch. Maybe there the Horsemen can make the Knightmares pay for that midseason defeat.
Predicted finish: 12-4, 5th
6. El Fuego: 9-6, 6th
A loss to Melbourne isn't all that surprising. In fact, I have to give Fuego credit, for their defense held Melbourne to a very respectable number of points (32-3); the offense though, not so much. Fuego next plays its finale against Gainesville. This game highly benefits Fuego, and a loss here would truly stun me. The 6th-seed looks all-but-certain (thanks to defeating Coney Island earlier), and a rematch against Tonga awaits.
Predicted finish: 10-6, 6th
7. Coney Island Warriors: 7th, 9-6
Coney Island follows up last week's uninspiring performance with a nearly equal one this week, as they never got close to smelling victory in the 44-10 romp by Bikini Atoll. However, all is not lost for the Warriors, as they play the finale against Solomon Island. I have to say, the Warriors have a decent advantage here. If this scenario happens, the Warriors will play the Shrooms for the second time in three weeks. Will familiarity breed enough contempt for an upset?
Predicted finish: 10-6, 7th
8. Northern Mariana Islands Ramekins: 8th, 8-7
Frankly, watching the back-and-forth tussle between NMI and Dunedin has been one of the biggest thrills of making this playoff poll. The Ramekins take back the lead this week by a MUCH closer than expected 24-17 squeaker over Tasmania. The Ramekins play their finale against Easter Island, and this game has HUGE ramifications in the playoff chase. Win, and they're in. Lose, and a Dunedin win knocks this team out of the playoffs, which would be crushing for a team once sitting at 5-1. Frankly, I don't like NMI's chances, especially considering an edge in depth for Easter Island in most every major statistical category. This bodes badly for the Ramekins; if they could ever pull out an upset, now's the time!
Predicted finish: 8-8, 9th
9. Dunedin Wolverines: 9th, 8-7
This team stepped up to the plate against the Horsemen, and were just 10 scant points from a HUGE, all-but-clinching upset. Sadly, it was not meant to be, and now Dunedin's on the outside-looking in. Will they stay that way? Dunedin plays its finale against South Australian. Dunedin is behind South Australia in receiving and rush defense, but they're now stronger than South Australia in passing, rushing, pass defense, and kicking. The way Dunedin has represented themselves lately, and the way they've played tooth-and-nail down the stretch, I believe Dunedin will put this game out of the fire. Still, this game is HUGE. Dunedin needs help; they have to win to have a chance. If they make it, a harrowing trip to Melbourne awaits, but that's a decent outcome after their fall from 5-2.
Predicted finish: 9-7, 8th
Again, I thank those of you leaving positive feedback; it's been a pleasure making these, but it's been a bigger pleasure in reading the reaction to them. I'm glad I could be of service. As always, I mean no disrespect to any team, but I do try to be as honest as possible. Good luck to all the teams in Week 16, and may the better teams win those inter-conference battles!
Games left: 1
Z: clinched home-field throughout the playoffs
Y: clinched 1st-round home playoff game
X: clinched playoff birth
Standings:
1-Z: Melbourne Thorny Devils, 15-0
2-Y: Bikini Atoll Mushroom Clouds, 14-1
3-Y: Tonga Thunderbirds, 13-2
4-X: Christchurch Knightmares, 11-4
5-X: The Four Horsemen, 11-4
6-X: El Fuego, 9-6
7-X: Coney Island Warriors, 9-6
8: Northern Mariana Islands Ramekins, 8-7
9: Dunedin Wolverines, 8-7
Team scenarios:
1. Melbourne Thorny Devils: 1st, 15-0
This was a closer game than I was expecting to see, but it speaks to the unequaled strength of this team that I'm calling a 32-3 win over 6th-ranked El Fuego "closer". The Devils just clinched home field throughout the Zeta Conference playoffs with that last win, so the road to the championship runs through Melbourne. The Devils can become the only undefeated regular season team with a victory in the finale at Florida Parishes. I think this game will not be a runaway, but I expect a sizable win for the Devils nonetheless. Perfect record, thy name is Melbourne.
Predicted finish: 16-0, 1st
2. Bikini Atoll Mushroom Clouds: 2nd, 14-1
The Shrooms definitely brought their A-game today, flattening Coney Island 44-10, thanks to a HUGE day through the air. The Shrooms, who have clinched the 2nd-seed in the Zeta Conference playoffs, chase a 1-loss regular season in their finale at Sydney. This is a very interesting game, made even more intriguing by the fact that Sydney waited until now to use some of their boosts. However, I think Bikini Atoll has the edge due to depth at QB, HB, and CB. However, let's not count out Sydney just yet; they're 12-3 and are a big threat in Alpha.
Predicted finish: 15-1, 2nd
3. Tonga Thunderbirds: 3rd, 13-2
Tonga took care of business in front of the home crowd today, blanking Redscape 44-0 in an effort in which the defense surrendered less than 100 total yards. Illesheim rolls into the islands for the finale. The Krauts defeated a playoff-bound Florida Parishes team this week, and have shown all year long that they are a legitimate team in Alpha. However, I think Tonga has too much firepower for the Krauts, but they cannot overlook the game. The Thunderbirds should win, which should give this 3rd-ranked team some confidence heading into the 3-6 playoff matchup.
Predicted finish: 14-2, 3rd
4. Christchurch Knightmares: 11-4, 4th
So much for the hollow threats that Uluru would run for 150 yards on the Knightmare defense; the Knightmares only held the Rockies 158 yards short of that goal in a 47-0 blowout. The Knightmares move ever-so-closer to that crucial home playoff game, and need a win against Thatto Heath in the finale to lock it. It wouldn't be Earth-shaking to see an upset here, but with all that's on the line here, I can't see Christchurch sputtering. I can't wait to see that 4-5 matchup in Week 1 of the playoffs!
Predicted finish: 12-4, 4th
5. The Four Horsemen: 11-4, 5th
Oooh. That game against Dunedin was a bit close for comfort, as the Horsemen pull away in quite the high-scoring contest, 40-31. The Horsemen need a win and a Christchurch loss in order to clinch the 4th-seed and the home playoff game. The win is almost all-but-assured, as the English Wasps come rolling in; they'll likely roll out battered and defeated, as the Horsemen participate in one of the only lackluster inter-conference games. However, the Christchurch loss isn't necessary, so the Horsemen will likely travel to New Zealand for an anticipated rematch. Maybe there the Horsemen can make the Knightmares pay for that midseason defeat.
Predicted finish: 12-4, 5th
6. El Fuego: 9-6, 6th
A loss to Melbourne isn't all that surprising. In fact, I have to give Fuego credit, for their defense held Melbourne to a very respectable number of points (32-3); the offense though, not so much. Fuego next plays its finale against Gainesville. This game highly benefits Fuego, and a loss here would truly stun me. The 6th-seed looks all-but-certain (thanks to defeating Coney Island earlier), and a rematch against Tonga awaits.
Predicted finish: 10-6, 6th
7. Coney Island Warriors: 7th, 9-6
Coney Island follows up last week's uninspiring performance with a nearly equal one this week, as they never got close to smelling victory in the 44-10 romp by Bikini Atoll. However, all is not lost for the Warriors, as they play the finale against Solomon Island. I have to say, the Warriors have a decent advantage here. If this scenario happens, the Warriors will play the Shrooms for the second time in three weeks. Will familiarity breed enough contempt for an upset?
Predicted finish: 10-6, 7th
8. Northern Mariana Islands Ramekins: 8th, 8-7
Frankly, watching the back-and-forth tussle between NMI and Dunedin has been one of the biggest thrills of making this playoff poll. The Ramekins take back the lead this week by a MUCH closer than expected 24-17 squeaker over Tasmania. The Ramekins play their finale against Easter Island, and this game has HUGE ramifications in the playoff chase. Win, and they're in. Lose, and a Dunedin win knocks this team out of the playoffs, which would be crushing for a team once sitting at 5-1. Frankly, I don't like NMI's chances, especially considering an edge in depth for Easter Island in most every major statistical category. This bodes badly for the Ramekins; if they could ever pull out an upset, now's the time!
Predicted finish: 8-8, 9th
9. Dunedin Wolverines: 9th, 8-7
This team stepped up to the plate against the Horsemen, and were just 10 scant points from a HUGE, all-but-clinching upset. Sadly, it was not meant to be, and now Dunedin's on the outside-looking in. Will they stay that way? Dunedin plays its finale against South Australian. Dunedin is behind South Australia in receiving and rush defense, but they're now stronger than South Australia in passing, rushing, pass defense, and kicking. The way Dunedin has represented themselves lately, and the way they've played tooth-and-nail down the stretch, I believe Dunedin will put this game out of the fire. Still, this game is HUGE. Dunedin needs help; they have to win to have a chance. If they make it, a harrowing trip to Melbourne awaits, but that's a decent outcome after their fall from 5-2.
Predicted finish: 9-7, 8th
Again, I thank those of you leaving positive feedback; it's been a pleasure making these, but it's been a bigger pleasure in reading the reaction to them. I'm glad I could be of service. As always, I mean no disrespect to any team, but I do try to be as honest as possible. Good luck to all the teams in Week 16, and may the better teams win those inter-conference battles!
Last edited Jul 10, 2008 22:49:55
