I'm exhausted after this one, so you'll notice some of the analysis for some games are short and sweet. Sorry, but I just didn't have it in me to do anymore.
ALPHA CONFERENCE
Sofia Spiders
Record: 4-0
Last game: 49-13 W over Impalers
Rank - 1
Previous Rank - 1
The Spiders opened up a gap between themselves and the rest of the Conference. If you take away a 4th quarter stumble that allowed the Pirates to put up 21 on them in game 1, the Spiders would have taken every game by at least 26 points. They seem to be improving every week, taking it to the Impalers this week on Offense and Defense. They allowed only 186 yards of offense while putting up 540 of their own and an impressive 49 points. Solid QB play, averaging 64% completion, and a heavy dose of ishak wanabe, 31 rushes and 16 broken tackles, led the offense to a solid win.
Berlin Devil Dogs
Record: 3-1
Last game: 45-21 W over Chaos
Rank - 2
Previous Rank – 2
It seems pretty apparent the Devil Dogs gave the backups some work and took it easy this game. They won the game, no doubt, but playing one of the worst teams in the league, their performance in the second half was a little flat, specifically on defense. The Chaos actually managed to pick up 244 yards rushing on 52 rush attempts. Almost all of it in the 2nd half. That said, there is some concern that neither QB for the Devil Dogs played very well, averaging 41% and 40% completion and only 3.4 and 3.2 Y/A. Perhaps they took the game for granted, and it cost them!...by only winning by 24.
The Saratov Swift Sharks
Record: 3 – 1
Last game: 31-3 W over the Tanners
Rank - 3
Previous Rank - 4
The Swift Sharks once again won, but did so without a passing game. They did fairly well when they tried to pass, but don’t feel the need to do so, starting the game with 28 rushes in their first 37 plays, getting them out to a 17 to 3 lead. They don’t have a dominating rushing game, averaging a respectable but not amazing 4.5ypc this game, but they believe it in enough to lean heavily on it in the last few games. Perhaps the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies. What passing they did do was aimed at the TEs, catching 6 of the 9 completions. Probably the bigger story this day was the defense, holding the Tanners to just 3 points and 212 total yards and forcing 6 punts in the game.
Black Sea Pirates
Record: 3-1
Last game: 38-7 W over Wheatfield
Rank - 4
Previous Rank - 5
Perhaps there is a pattern here. Maybe, just maybe the Pirates like to spread the ball around. Four different runners ran for 9 rushes or more while 8 receivers caught balls. It works for them, giving them a balanced attack that saw 41 rushes and 43 passes. Lost in the offensive diversity is the solid defense being played. The Pirates allowed only 3 first downs the entire game and kept the Wheatfield out of the endzone until the 4th quarter when the game was well in hand, up 31-0 at the time. Putting up 3 solid victories since a close loss to the Spiders in week 1, the Pirates have earned another move up the rankings.
Transylvania Impalers
Record: 3-1
Last game: 13-49 L to Spiders
Rank - 5
Previous Rank - 3
The Impalers hit a brick wall this week. They were dominated in time of possession, holding the ball a meager 18:02 in the game and running only 54 plays. The Impalers punted 6 times and tried and failed 2 4th down conversions. A 63 yard kickoff return by “Lightning” Leroy Farkwad helped the Impalers to punch in their only TD of the day, but the game was already over by then. It was a tough day for a team that has performed pretty well so far this season.
Dallas Galaxy
Record: 2-2
Last game: 16-14 W over Mafia Crew
Rank - 6
Previous Rank - 6
The Galaxy hang on to get the W in a tough game. Two long, sustained drives of 13 and 14 plays respectively lead to touchdowns in the first half, and the Galaxy defense held on to finish the job from there. After allowing the Mafia Crew to put up drives of at least 7 plays each, the defense finally tightened and forced 2 punts and a fumble the last 3 drives. A heavy dose of the running game was the game plan, with the Galaxy only passing 9 times. They kept the running game fresh spreading the ball evenly to their 3 HBs, Fason, New and Kane. Each gaining at least 72 yards each.
Budapest Samurais
Record: 3-1
Last game: 27-17 W over Cheetahs
Rank - 7
Previous Rank - 7
The Samurais got the job done on the ground, but the passing game was working pretty well when they needed it, averaging 66% completion. Going right up the middle, the rushing game picked up 130 yards at a 9.3ypc clip. Playing against a comparable opponent, they toughed it out to pick up the victory, but I didn’t see enough to tell me they should jump into the top 5 of the Conference.
Mukachevo Cheetahs
Record: 1-3
Last game: 17-27 L to Samurais
Rank - 8
Previous Rank - 8
The Cheetahs had a very average game and were defeated by a team having an above average game. There were no glaring reasons why this team lost, they simply didn’t get the job done in a back and forth affair. They sustained a few good drives, but couldn’t do enough to get in scoring range more often, having started every drive in the game in their own territory. Their completion percentage and yard per carry were both low, showing they just couldn’t get any plays to swing the moment their way.
Kazan Black Dragons
Record: 3-1
Last game: 38-14 W over Longnecks
Rank - 9
Previous Rank - 12
The Black Dragons seem to quietly be playing pretty well and winning games, though they’ve done so against lesser competition. After stumbling last week against the Pirates, they follow up with a strong showing, albeit against a team they should have beaten on paper anyway. The Black Dragons stalled a few times, but when they got the ball rolling, they weren’t to be stopped. They put up their 5 TDs on drives of 82, 61, 98, 80 and 69 yards. They are improving and playing good ball and thanks to a few other teams getting beat convincingly, they move up considerably.
Fayette Mafia Crew
Record: 1-3
Last game: 14-16 L to Galaxy
Rank - 10
Previous Rank - 10
The Mafia Crew drop their third straight in a close fight with the Galaxy. They stayed in the game through 3 quarters, but ran out of juice in the 4th, holding the ball just 2:44 and gaining only 9 total yards. They will have trouble competing for a playoff spot if they can’t get a little more consistency. They dropped 10 passes last week and another 8 against the Galaxy. What looks like a fairly strong Offensive line on paper is not getting the job done, likely in part due to playing out of position in most cases.
Woburn Tanners
Record: 2-2
Last game: 3-31 L to Swift Sharks
Rank - 11
Previous Rank - 9
After starting the season 2-0, the Tanners have faltered against tougher opponents, dropping their next two. The offense stalled often, but not due to not having chances. The Tanners started 7 drives at their own 40 yard line or better. Though the offense had its troubles, the defense was down right embarrassing trying to take down runners, posting 35 missed tackles by 16 different players. They’ll need to learn to wrap up before they can hope to stay in any games this season.
The Wheatfield
Record: 2-2
Last game: 7-38 L to Pirates
Rank - 12
Previous Rank - 11
The Wheatfield offense was completely stymied, gaining only 53 yards of total offense until the very end of the 3rd quarter. Their first 8 drives ended in punts. The Wheatfields top two running backs were the only offensive bright spot, averaging 4.8 and 4.1 ypc.
Texas Longnecks
Record: 1-3
Last game: 14-38 L to Black Dragons
Rank - 13
Previous Rank - 13
The Longnecks actually looked pretty good in some spots against the Black Dragons. They managed 305 yards and turned the ball over only once. But the Black Dragons simply overpowered them, forcing 6 drives to end with less than 15 yards gained and only allowing the Longnecks to gain 93 yards in the 2nd half. TE WILLIE BEAMN was key to any offensive production they did manage, catching 9 balls and a TD.
London Wildcats
Record: 1-3
Last game: 28-7 W over Coffee Mugs
Rank - 14
Previous Rank - 14
The Wildcats get to shine in one of few games they are likely favored to win in the season. They made use of all their backs, spreading 51 carries amongst 5 carriers. They ended the game strong with 3 long drives that took up at least 6 minutes and 60+ yards each, wearing down the Coffee Mugs.
Budapest Coffee Mugs
Record: 0-4
Last game: 7-28 L to Wildcats
Rank - 15
Previous Rank - 15
The Coffee Mugs hold their #15 spot by no act of their own. One of their few chances to stay in a game, or maybe even win a game this year ended with the Mugs getting pushed around, managing to only run 6 drives after the amazing, for them, 15 play drive for a TD to start the game. They did gain 4.1 ypc on the ground, seemingly due to a pretty good job by the offensive line, dishing out 30 pancakes. It’s going to be a long string of ugly games from here on out until week 14 when they play the Chaos.
Bratislava Chaos
Record: 0-4
Last game: 21-45 L to Devil Dogs
Rank - 16
Previous Rank - 16
Two weeks in a row now, the Chaos simply have managed to not pass the ball. At all. Just 1 pass this entire game. Astounding, if you ask me. I’m not even sure how they even managed to force the sim to not even try to get them back into games by airing it out. I can only assume the team knows the passing game will only prolong the agony by stopping the game clock.
ZETA CONFERENCE
Wroclaw Wolverines
Record: 4-0
Last game: 24-17 W over Sentinals
Rank - 1
Previous Rank - 1
A very scary game for the Wolverines this week, only winning by a TD against a team they should have dominated on paper. The passing game seemed to fail the Wolverines. They averaged an excellent 6.5ypc on the ground, completed only 19 of 49 throws, with the receivers dropping a troubling 12 balls. Their defense pulled through for them when they needed it for most of the game, getting 5 hurries, 10 PDs, and 2 INTs, but lady luck handed them 5 dropped balls on the Sentinal final drive of the night. A win is a win, but this game showed some cracks and tightens the gap between the Wolverines and Nuclear Assault.
Chernobyl Nuclear Assault
Record: 4-0
Last game: 57-7 W over Cowboys
Rank - 2
Previous Rank - 2
The Nuclear Assault Offensive line and FBs embarrassed the Cowboys, scoring 107 pancakes, opening lanes for their crew of HBs and FBs to run for 352 yards and 6 TDs. Every single time they touched the ball, the Assault put points on the board except when the 1st half ended. The Nuclear Assault continue to roll and dominate games, but I repeat that I have yet to see them play an upper echelon team. This prevents me from moving them ahead of the Wolverines.
Kosovo Kryptonite
Record: 3-1
Last game: 62-10 W over Mavericks
Rank - 3
Previous Rank - 3
A week after not putting up any big plays against the Sentinals, the Kryptonite light up the board against the Mavericks, rumbling for 538 yards on the ground, with an astounding 11.9 yards per carry. The running game picked up 25 first downs and exploded for long TDs of 80 and 56 yards by both HBs.
Terlingua Javelinas
Record: 3-1
Last game: 44-0 W over Romans
Rank - 4
Previous Rank - 4
The Javelinas are on a roll, winning 3 straight. Sticksponge Doggy was their workhorse, carrying 45 times for 290 yards, 2 TDs and 15 broken tackles.
Rome Colossus
Record: 3-1
Last game: 47-14 W over Dragons
Rank - 5
Previous Rank - 5
The Colossus ground out 401 yards rushing on the Dragons. Perhaps a good thing it was working because the Dragons actually managed to keep the passing game to 29% completion. The Offensive line pushed the Dragons around all day long, with 6 linemen posting double digit pancakes.
Kiev Cossacks
Record: 3-1
Last game: 38-27 W over Vampires
Rank - 6
Previous Rank - 6
The Cossacks started the game putting the ball in the air, throwing 102 yards in the 1st quarter, and ended it on the ground, putting up 118 yards on the ground in the 2nd half. The defense came up huge to seal the win, getting 2 picks on 2 of the last 3 drives by the Vamps.
Ukrainian Warheads
Record: 3-1
Last game: 30-24 W over Highrollers
Rank - 7
Previous Rank - 7
The Warheads got the job done against a similar opponent. The passing game didn’t click, but the RB crew punched in 4 TDs and averaged 5.8 ypc to lead the Warheads to their third win.
Columbus Crush
Record: 2-2
Last game: 52-7 W over HUC
Rank - 8
Previous Rank - 10
The Crush showed some of the potential they had coming into the season, netting 574 yards against the HUC. When they passed, they threw it downfield, with several long completions. When running, their HB tandem averaged 6.9 and 8.6ypc. They controlled the clock and cranked out 34 first downs, winning the game handily.
Las Vegas Highrollers
Record: 2-2
Last game: 24-30 L to Warheads
Rank - 9
Previous Rank - 8
The Highrollers had to air it out all day to stay with the Warheads. 14 rushes by their 2 HBs gained only 31 yards. After a slow start, the Highrollers finally got clicking toward the end of the game, but it was too late.
Bucharest Vampires
Record: 2-2
Last game: 27-38 L to Cossacks
Rank - 10
Previous Ranking - 9
The Vampires put up 415 yards, but still lost in a back and forth game with the Cossacks, where the teams traded scores all the way up until the 4th quarter. George Zavadak was huge running the pigskin, averaging 12.4 ypc, breaking 9 tackles, and punching in 2 TDs.
Nysa Sentinals
Record: 1-3
Last game: 17-24 L to Wolverines
Rank - 11
Previous Rank - 13
The Sentinals played incredibly tough against the Wolverines, moving the ball running and passing. Save for a few mistakes, they may have been able to pull out what would have been one of the biggest upsets in the season.
The D-League Home For Underprivileged Children
Record: 1-3
Last game: 7-52 L to Crush
Rank - 12
Previous Rank - 11
The HUC didn’t get much going in this game, getting the ball into scoring range only 3 times, missing 2 FG attempts along the way.
Minsk Mavericks
Record: 0-4
Last game: 10-62 L to Kryptonite
Rank - 13
Previous Rank - 12
The Mavericks need to figure out how to stop the run. Their opponents have averaged 8.7, 8.6, 6.3, and 11.9 yard per carry in the first 4 games. Depth and CPUs are simply killing the Mavericks. Their lead receiver was on the field for 110 plays.
Constantinople Romans
Record: 1-3
Last game: 0-44 L to Javelinas
Rank - 14
Previous Rank - 14
The Romans had no answer for the Javs running game. A lot of players got involved with making tackles in the game, but they had trouble stopping the Javs, allowing 6 drives of 11 plays or more.
Washington Cowboys
Record: 0-4
Last game: 7-57 L to Nuclear Assault
Rank - 15
Previous Rank - 15
The Cowboys were pushed around all day and managed just 18:19 of possession time and 47 plays. They didn’t make a lot of mistakes, but simply were out powered.
Caspian Sea Dragons
Record: 0-4
Last game: 14-47 L to Colossus
Rank - 16
Previous Rank - 16
The Dragons didn’t get anything to work against the Colossus. The running game picked up just 45 yards and the QB combo completed only 14 of 42 passes. With just under 19 minutes of possession time, the Dragons were forced to punt quickly on most drives, having 7 drives gain less than 10 yards.
ALPHA CONFERENCE
Sofia Spiders
Record: 4-0
Last game: 49-13 W over Impalers
Rank - 1
Previous Rank - 1
The Spiders opened up a gap between themselves and the rest of the Conference. If you take away a 4th quarter stumble that allowed the Pirates to put up 21 on them in game 1, the Spiders would have taken every game by at least 26 points. They seem to be improving every week, taking it to the Impalers this week on Offense and Defense. They allowed only 186 yards of offense while putting up 540 of their own and an impressive 49 points. Solid QB play, averaging 64% completion, and a heavy dose of ishak wanabe, 31 rushes and 16 broken tackles, led the offense to a solid win.
Berlin Devil Dogs
Record: 3-1
Last game: 45-21 W over Chaos
Rank - 2
Previous Rank – 2
It seems pretty apparent the Devil Dogs gave the backups some work and took it easy this game. They won the game, no doubt, but playing one of the worst teams in the league, their performance in the second half was a little flat, specifically on defense. The Chaos actually managed to pick up 244 yards rushing on 52 rush attempts. Almost all of it in the 2nd half. That said, there is some concern that neither QB for the Devil Dogs played very well, averaging 41% and 40% completion and only 3.4 and 3.2 Y/A. Perhaps they took the game for granted, and it cost them!...by only winning by 24.
The Saratov Swift Sharks
Record: 3 – 1
Last game: 31-3 W over the Tanners
Rank - 3
Previous Rank - 4
The Swift Sharks once again won, but did so without a passing game. They did fairly well when they tried to pass, but don’t feel the need to do so, starting the game with 28 rushes in their first 37 plays, getting them out to a 17 to 3 lead. They don’t have a dominating rushing game, averaging a respectable but not amazing 4.5ypc this game, but they believe it in enough to lean heavily on it in the last few games. Perhaps the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies. What passing they did do was aimed at the TEs, catching 6 of the 9 completions. Probably the bigger story this day was the defense, holding the Tanners to just 3 points and 212 total yards and forcing 6 punts in the game.
Black Sea Pirates
Record: 3-1
Last game: 38-7 W over Wheatfield
Rank - 4
Previous Rank - 5
Perhaps there is a pattern here. Maybe, just maybe the Pirates like to spread the ball around. Four different runners ran for 9 rushes or more while 8 receivers caught balls. It works for them, giving them a balanced attack that saw 41 rushes and 43 passes. Lost in the offensive diversity is the solid defense being played. The Pirates allowed only 3 first downs the entire game and kept the Wheatfield out of the endzone until the 4th quarter when the game was well in hand, up 31-0 at the time. Putting up 3 solid victories since a close loss to the Spiders in week 1, the Pirates have earned another move up the rankings.
Transylvania Impalers
Record: 3-1
Last game: 13-49 L to Spiders
Rank - 5
Previous Rank - 3
The Impalers hit a brick wall this week. They were dominated in time of possession, holding the ball a meager 18:02 in the game and running only 54 plays. The Impalers punted 6 times and tried and failed 2 4th down conversions. A 63 yard kickoff return by “Lightning” Leroy Farkwad helped the Impalers to punch in their only TD of the day, but the game was already over by then. It was a tough day for a team that has performed pretty well so far this season.
Dallas Galaxy
Record: 2-2
Last game: 16-14 W over Mafia Crew
Rank - 6
Previous Rank - 6
The Galaxy hang on to get the W in a tough game. Two long, sustained drives of 13 and 14 plays respectively lead to touchdowns in the first half, and the Galaxy defense held on to finish the job from there. After allowing the Mafia Crew to put up drives of at least 7 plays each, the defense finally tightened and forced 2 punts and a fumble the last 3 drives. A heavy dose of the running game was the game plan, with the Galaxy only passing 9 times. They kept the running game fresh spreading the ball evenly to their 3 HBs, Fason, New and Kane. Each gaining at least 72 yards each.
Budapest Samurais
Record: 3-1
Last game: 27-17 W over Cheetahs
Rank - 7
Previous Rank - 7
The Samurais got the job done on the ground, but the passing game was working pretty well when they needed it, averaging 66% completion. Going right up the middle, the rushing game picked up 130 yards at a 9.3ypc clip. Playing against a comparable opponent, they toughed it out to pick up the victory, but I didn’t see enough to tell me they should jump into the top 5 of the Conference.
Mukachevo Cheetahs
Record: 1-3
Last game: 17-27 L to Samurais
Rank - 8
Previous Rank - 8
The Cheetahs had a very average game and were defeated by a team having an above average game. There were no glaring reasons why this team lost, they simply didn’t get the job done in a back and forth affair. They sustained a few good drives, but couldn’t do enough to get in scoring range more often, having started every drive in the game in their own territory. Their completion percentage and yard per carry were both low, showing they just couldn’t get any plays to swing the moment their way.
Kazan Black Dragons
Record: 3-1
Last game: 38-14 W over Longnecks
Rank - 9
Previous Rank - 12
The Black Dragons seem to quietly be playing pretty well and winning games, though they’ve done so against lesser competition. After stumbling last week against the Pirates, they follow up with a strong showing, albeit against a team they should have beaten on paper anyway. The Black Dragons stalled a few times, but when they got the ball rolling, they weren’t to be stopped. They put up their 5 TDs on drives of 82, 61, 98, 80 and 69 yards. They are improving and playing good ball and thanks to a few other teams getting beat convincingly, they move up considerably.
Fayette Mafia Crew
Record: 1-3
Last game: 14-16 L to Galaxy
Rank - 10
Previous Rank - 10
The Mafia Crew drop their third straight in a close fight with the Galaxy. They stayed in the game through 3 quarters, but ran out of juice in the 4th, holding the ball just 2:44 and gaining only 9 total yards. They will have trouble competing for a playoff spot if they can’t get a little more consistency. They dropped 10 passes last week and another 8 against the Galaxy. What looks like a fairly strong Offensive line on paper is not getting the job done, likely in part due to playing out of position in most cases.
Woburn Tanners
Record: 2-2
Last game: 3-31 L to Swift Sharks
Rank - 11
Previous Rank - 9
After starting the season 2-0, the Tanners have faltered against tougher opponents, dropping their next two. The offense stalled often, but not due to not having chances. The Tanners started 7 drives at their own 40 yard line or better. Though the offense had its troubles, the defense was down right embarrassing trying to take down runners, posting 35 missed tackles by 16 different players. They’ll need to learn to wrap up before they can hope to stay in any games this season.
The Wheatfield
Record: 2-2
Last game: 7-38 L to Pirates
Rank - 12
Previous Rank - 11
The Wheatfield offense was completely stymied, gaining only 53 yards of total offense until the very end of the 3rd quarter. Their first 8 drives ended in punts. The Wheatfields top two running backs were the only offensive bright spot, averaging 4.8 and 4.1 ypc.
Texas Longnecks
Record: 1-3
Last game: 14-38 L to Black Dragons
Rank - 13
Previous Rank - 13
The Longnecks actually looked pretty good in some spots against the Black Dragons. They managed 305 yards and turned the ball over only once. But the Black Dragons simply overpowered them, forcing 6 drives to end with less than 15 yards gained and only allowing the Longnecks to gain 93 yards in the 2nd half. TE WILLIE BEAMN was key to any offensive production they did manage, catching 9 balls and a TD.
London Wildcats
Record: 1-3
Last game: 28-7 W over Coffee Mugs
Rank - 14
Previous Rank - 14
The Wildcats get to shine in one of few games they are likely favored to win in the season. They made use of all their backs, spreading 51 carries amongst 5 carriers. They ended the game strong with 3 long drives that took up at least 6 minutes and 60+ yards each, wearing down the Coffee Mugs.
Budapest Coffee Mugs
Record: 0-4
Last game: 7-28 L to Wildcats
Rank - 15
Previous Rank - 15
The Coffee Mugs hold their #15 spot by no act of their own. One of their few chances to stay in a game, or maybe even win a game this year ended with the Mugs getting pushed around, managing to only run 6 drives after the amazing, for them, 15 play drive for a TD to start the game. They did gain 4.1 ypc on the ground, seemingly due to a pretty good job by the offensive line, dishing out 30 pancakes. It’s going to be a long string of ugly games from here on out until week 14 when they play the Chaos.
Bratislava Chaos
Record: 0-4
Last game: 21-45 L to Devil Dogs
Rank - 16
Previous Rank - 16
Two weeks in a row now, the Chaos simply have managed to not pass the ball. At all. Just 1 pass this entire game. Astounding, if you ask me. I’m not even sure how they even managed to force the sim to not even try to get them back into games by airing it out. I can only assume the team knows the passing game will only prolong the agony by stopping the game clock.
ZETA CONFERENCE
Wroclaw Wolverines
Record: 4-0
Last game: 24-17 W over Sentinals
Rank - 1
Previous Rank - 1
A very scary game for the Wolverines this week, only winning by a TD against a team they should have dominated on paper. The passing game seemed to fail the Wolverines. They averaged an excellent 6.5ypc on the ground, completed only 19 of 49 throws, with the receivers dropping a troubling 12 balls. Their defense pulled through for them when they needed it for most of the game, getting 5 hurries, 10 PDs, and 2 INTs, but lady luck handed them 5 dropped balls on the Sentinal final drive of the night. A win is a win, but this game showed some cracks and tightens the gap between the Wolverines and Nuclear Assault.
Chernobyl Nuclear Assault
Record: 4-0
Last game: 57-7 W over Cowboys
Rank - 2
Previous Rank - 2
The Nuclear Assault Offensive line and FBs embarrassed the Cowboys, scoring 107 pancakes, opening lanes for their crew of HBs and FBs to run for 352 yards and 6 TDs. Every single time they touched the ball, the Assault put points on the board except when the 1st half ended. The Nuclear Assault continue to roll and dominate games, but I repeat that I have yet to see them play an upper echelon team. This prevents me from moving them ahead of the Wolverines.
Kosovo Kryptonite
Record: 3-1
Last game: 62-10 W over Mavericks
Rank - 3
Previous Rank - 3
A week after not putting up any big plays against the Sentinals, the Kryptonite light up the board against the Mavericks, rumbling for 538 yards on the ground, with an astounding 11.9 yards per carry. The running game picked up 25 first downs and exploded for long TDs of 80 and 56 yards by both HBs.
Terlingua Javelinas
Record: 3-1
Last game: 44-0 W over Romans
Rank - 4
Previous Rank - 4
The Javelinas are on a roll, winning 3 straight. Sticksponge Doggy was their workhorse, carrying 45 times for 290 yards, 2 TDs and 15 broken tackles.
Rome Colossus
Record: 3-1
Last game: 47-14 W over Dragons
Rank - 5
Previous Rank - 5
The Colossus ground out 401 yards rushing on the Dragons. Perhaps a good thing it was working because the Dragons actually managed to keep the passing game to 29% completion. The Offensive line pushed the Dragons around all day long, with 6 linemen posting double digit pancakes.
Kiev Cossacks
Record: 3-1
Last game: 38-27 W over Vampires
Rank - 6
Previous Rank - 6
The Cossacks started the game putting the ball in the air, throwing 102 yards in the 1st quarter, and ended it on the ground, putting up 118 yards on the ground in the 2nd half. The defense came up huge to seal the win, getting 2 picks on 2 of the last 3 drives by the Vamps.
Ukrainian Warheads
Record: 3-1
Last game: 30-24 W over Highrollers
Rank - 7
Previous Rank - 7
The Warheads got the job done against a similar opponent. The passing game didn’t click, but the RB crew punched in 4 TDs and averaged 5.8 ypc to lead the Warheads to their third win.
Columbus Crush
Record: 2-2
Last game: 52-7 W over HUC
Rank - 8
Previous Rank - 10
The Crush showed some of the potential they had coming into the season, netting 574 yards against the HUC. When they passed, they threw it downfield, with several long completions. When running, their HB tandem averaged 6.9 and 8.6ypc. They controlled the clock and cranked out 34 first downs, winning the game handily.
Las Vegas Highrollers
Record: 2-2
Last game: 24-30 L to Warheads
Rank - 9
Previous Rank - 8
The Highrollers had to air it out all day to stay with the Warheads. 14 rushes by their 2 HBs gained only 31 yards. After a slow start, the Highrollers finally got clicking toward the end of the game, but it was too late.
Bucharest Vampires
Record: 2-2
Last game: 27-38 L to Cossacks
Rank - 10
Previous Ranking - 9
The Vampires put up 415 yards, but still lost in a back and forth game with the Cossacks, where the teams traded scores all the way up until the 4th quarter. George Zavadak was huge running the pigskin, averaging 12.4 ypc, breaking 9 tackles, and punching in 2 TDs.
Nysa Sentinals
Record: 1-3
Last game: 17-24 L to Wolverines
Rank - 11
Previous Rank - 13
The Sentinals played incredibly tough against the Wolverines, moving the ball running and passing. Save for a few mistakes, they may have been able to pull out what would have been one of the biggest upsets in the season.
The D-League Home For Underprivileged Children
Record: 1-3
Last game: 7-52 L to Crush
Rank - 12
Previous Rank - 11
The HUC didn’t get much going in this game, getting the ball into scoring range only 3 times, missing 2 FG attempts along the way.
Minsk Mavericks
Record: 0-4
Last game: 10-62 L to Kryptonite
Rank - 13
Previous Rank - 12
The Mavericks need to figure out how to stop the run. Their opponents have averaged 8.7, 8.6, 6.3, and 11.9 yard per carry in the first 4 games. Depth and CPUs are simply killing the Mavericks. Their lead receiver was on the field for 110 plays.
Constantinople Romans
Record: 1-3
Last game: 0-44 L to Javelinas
Rank - 14
Previous Rank - 14
The Romans had no answer for the Javs running game. A lot of players got involved with making tackles in the game, but they had trouble stopping the Javs, allowing 6 drives of 11 plays or more.
Washington Cowboys
Record: 0-4
Last game: 7-57 L to Nuclear Assault
Rank - 15
Previous Rank - 15
The Cowboys were pushed around all day and managed just 18:19 of possession time and 47 plays. They didn’t make a lot of mistakes, but simply were out powered.
Caspian Sea Dragons
Record: 0-4
Last game: 14-47 L to Colossus
Rank - 16
Previous Rank - 16
The Dragons didn’t get anything to work against the Colossus. The running game picked up just 45 yards and the QB combo completed only 14 of 42 passes. With just under 19 minutes of possession time, the Dragons were forced to punt quickly on most drives, having 7 drives gain less than 10 yards.
