I haven't posted since week 7 so I'm not going by historical placements. I would like to point everyone's attention to the week 10 thread I made where no one could decide on a clearcut #1 team. That being said, the criteria was as follows:
1) Strength of Schedule
2) Head-To-Head Victories
3) Convincing Wins
1) Taiwan Blood Pandas (9-1)- I know, they just lost, against the only team to have beaten the top two teams, Krak Red Warriors. Damn them all. But a 1-point loss on a missed xtra point doesn't knock you out of #1, you just fire the kicker and move on (see Dallas Cowboys '06... ok yeah it was that bitch Tony Romo's fault... he sucks anyways... talk about walking into the right team...) The Pandas have played the best Zeta has to offer(except the #2 team Hot Mamas) and have trounced them soundly. This team has proven they belong in SEA Pro and have a showdown with HCMHM week 15 which should decide who has homefield advantage through the playoffs. A dangerous Pattaya team from Alpha looms as a potential spoiler week 16. Should be a great matchup for both teams.
2) Ho Chi Mean Hot Mamas (9-1)- Again, their only blemish on an otherwise convincing report card remains those damn lava-dancing spirit-conjuring Red Warriors. I'm pretty sure they are public-enemy #1 atm. After a solid showing against NACJAC, Ho Chi has the showdown with the Pandas remaining, followed up by a matchup with the up and coming PSK from alpha. The Hot Mamas look to wrap up the season on their current winning streak, potentially wrapping up the #1 seed for the second consecutive time. Should be a great week 15 game.
3) Krakatoan Red Warriors (8-2)- Its almost unfair to place them here over NACJAC, given the schlacking put on by NACJAC in week 5. But, I had to give the nod to the Warriors due to two facts. Their victories over both the two top teams, and their resiliency under fire late in the game. If Bort designed morale to affect late game play, it has paid off for Krak. A last second TD to overcome the Ducks, and a 60 yard drive in the final two minutes to comeback against the Pandas has me convinced this team is never out of any game. Krak also has the strength of schedule card to play here, with all the major Zeta teams behind them. Only the Week 16 Game of the Week against Phuket All (after two scrimmages, the teams have split victories if my memory serves) looms as a potential roadblock to a home game in the playoffs. Krak does play a dangerous Bangkok team this week, and will need their top performance to overcome those dangerous DE's from Bangkok.
4) Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon (8-2)- This was the toughest decision of the picks, due to head-to-head victory over the #3 team. With only a dangerous Singapore team week 16 left on their schedule, this team also has their hardest tests behind them. But, since NACJAC has lost to the top two teams, I had to move them down one spot. I hp nck dsnt ht me fr rnkng thm hr. This team is the reigning SEA Pro Champs, and will look to advance in the playoffs no matter where they end up seeding.
5) Hong Kong Highlanders (8-2)- With a head-to-head victory against Bangkok, I had to put them in the 5 spot. They also put up 250+ yards on the ground against the then #5 ranked run defense in the land against Krak in a 21-14 victory last week. This team is no fluke, and scares me the most come playoff time. They still have HCMHM to contend with week 14, but drew a cupcake week 16 game and will almost certainly make the playoffs, even possibly make a home game with an upset over said HCMHM. Will boosting early come back to haunt them come playoff time?
6) Bangkok Tweetys (6-4)- A tough draw this week against Krak, but they should finish strong to make the playoffs with momentum in their favor. This team is always dangerous with a potent pass offense and strong DE's that love to pound opposing QB's into powder. The former conference finalists will have a say in shaping the Zeta playoffs when the time comes, mark my words.
7) Guangzhou Ducks (5-5)- They have their last real test of the season vs. NACJAC in week 12, but should roll into the playoffs over the bottom of their schedule. They will need to find a way to beat the teams they lost to in the beginning of the year if they want to advance through a much tougher Zeta than ever before.
8) Manila Warlords (6-4)- Head-to-Head loss against the Ducks, coupled with a weaker schedule has me doubting the Warlords ability to perform in the Pros. They are clinging to the last playoff spot, but face the roughest final schedule in Zeta and have lots to prove against the cream of the conference facing 4 of the top 5 teams in the end of their schedule. I still see this team ending up .500 and and facing the #1 seed come playoff time.
9) Port Moresby Titans (4-6)- They have two very tough games ahead, but possess a head-to-head victory over the #10 team, and a chance to knock off the #8 team this week against the Warlords. Can they claim the upset and steal the final playoff berth from Manila?
10) Metro Heroes (4-6)- These guys are on the outside looking in. They need a couple miracle wins to make the playoffs, but hey, Moses parted the Red Sea, and a black man is about to be elected president. Crazier shit has/will happened/happen.
Games of the Week:
Krak Red Warriors vs. Bangkok Tweetys
Guangzhou Ducks at Metro Heroes
Manila Warlords vs. Port Moresby Titans
Funny Quote of the Week: Double Issue!
Brian: Get some sour cream and onion chips with some dip, man, some beef jerky, some peanut butter. Get some Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars, a whole lot, make sure chocolate, gotta have chocolate, man. Some popcorn, red popcorn, graham crackers, graham crackers with marshmallows, the little marshmallows and little chocolate bars and we can make s'mores, man. Also, celery, grape jelly, Cap'n Crunch with the little Crunch berries, pizzas. We need two big pizzas, man, everything on 'em, with water, whole lotta water, and Funyons. Yeah, man!
Kenny: Thats it?
Thurgood: Yeah, get me a box of condoms, and what was that stuff, we used to eat in all the time back in the day... what was it... pussy, thats it.
Kenny: You got it. Hey! If i'm not back in 30 minutes, call the police. <snickers>
Thurgood: If he aint back in 30 minutes, we callin' dominoes.
Scarface: You said you gave Mary Jane a pearl necklace man!
Thurgood: Obviously you missed the whole point of that story.
1) Strength of Schedule
2) Head-To-Head Victories
3) Convincing Wins
1) Taiwan Blood Pandas (9-1)- I know, they just lost, against the only team to have beaten the top two teams, Krak Red Warriors. Damn them all. But a 1-point loss on a missed xtra point doesn't knock you out of #1, you just fire the kicker and move on (see Dallas Cowboys '06... ok yeah it was that bitch Tony Romo's fault... he sucks anyways... talk about walking into the right team...) The Pandas have played the best Zeta has to offer(except the #2 team Hot Mamas) and have trounced them soundly. This team has proven they belong in SEA Pro and have a showdown with HCMHM week 15 which should decide who has homefield advantage through the playoffs. A dangerous Pattaya team from Alpha looms as a potential spoiler week 16. Should be a great matchup for both teams.
2) Ho Chi Mean Hot Mamas (9-1)- Again, their only blemish on an otherwise convincing report card remains those damn lava-dancing spirit-conjuring Red Warriors. I'm pretty sure they are public-enemy #1 atm. After a solid showing against NACJAC, Ho Chi has the showdown with the Pandas remaining, followed up by a matchup with the up and coming PSK from alpha. The Hot Mamas look to wrap up the season on their current winning streak, potentially wrapping up the #1 seed for the second consecutive time. Should be a great week 15 game.
3) Krakatoan Red Warriors (8-2)- Its almost unfair to place them here over NACJAC, given the schlacking put on by NACJAC in week 5. But, I had to give the nod to the Warriors due to two facts. Their victories over both the two top teams, and their resiliency under fire late in the game. If Bort designed morale to affect late game play, it has paid off for Krak. A last second TD to overcome the Ducks, and a 60 yard drive in the final two minutes to comeback against the Pandas has me convinced this team is never out of any game. Krak also has the strength of schedule card to play here, with all the major Zeta teams behind them. Only the Week 16 Game of the Week against Phuket All (after two scrimmages, the teams have split victories if my memory serves) looms as a potential roadblock to a home game in the playoffs. Krak does play a dangerous Bangkok team this week, and will need their top performance to overcome those dangerous DE's from Bangkok.
4) Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon (8-2)- This was the toughest decision of the picks, due to head-to-head victory over the #3 team. With only a dangerous Singapore team week 16 left on their schedule, this team also has their hardest tests behind them. But, since NACJAC has lost to the top two teams, I had to move them down one spot. I hp nck dsnt ht me fr rnkng thm hr. This team is the reigning SEA Pro Champs, and will look to advance in the playoffs no matter where they end up seeding.
5) Hong Kong Highlanders (8-2)- With a head-to-head victory against Bangkok, I had to put them in the 5 spot. They also put up 250+ yards on the ground against the then #5 ranked run defense in the land against Krak in a 21-14 victory last week. This team is no fluke, and scares me the most come playoff time. They still have HCMHM to contend with week 14, but drew a cupcake week 16 game and will almost certainly make the playoffs, even possibly make a home game with an upset over said HCMHM. Will boosting early come back to haunt them come playoff time?
6) Bangkok Tweetys (6-4)- A tough draw this week against Krak, but they should finish strong to make the playoffs with momentum in their favor. This team is always dangerous with a potent pass offense and strong DE's that love to pound opposing QB's into powder. The former conference finalists will have a say in shaping the Zeta playoffs when the time comes, mark my words.
7) Guangzhou Ducks (5-5)- They have their last real test of the season vs. NACJAC in week 12, but should roll into the playoffs over the bottom of their schedule. They will need to find a way to beat the teams they lost to in the beginning of the year if they want to advance through a much tougher Zeta than ever before.
8) Manila Warlords (6-4)- Head-to-Head loss against the Ducks, coupled with a weaker schedule has me doubting the Warlords ability to perform in the Pros. They are clinging to the last playoff spot, but face the roughest final schedule in Zeta and have lots to prove against the cream of the conference facing 4 of the top 5 teams in the end of their schedule. I still see this team ending up .500 and and facing the #1 seed come playoff time.
9) Port Moresby Titans (4-6)- They have two very tough games ahead, but possess a head-to-head victory over the #10 team, and a chance to knock off the #8 team this week against the Warlords. Can they claim the upset and steal the final playoff berth from Manila?
10) Metro Heroes (4-6)- These guys are on the outside looking in. They need a couple miracle wins to make the playoffs, but hey, Moses parted the Red Sea, and a black man is about to be elected president. Crazier shit has/will happened/happen.
Games of the Week:
Krak Red Warriors vs. Bangkok Tweetys
Guangzhou Ducks at Metro Heroes
Manila Warlords vs. Port Moresby Titans
Funny Quote of the Week: Double Issue!
Brian: Get some sour cream and onion chips with some dip, man, some beef jerky, some peanut butter. Get some Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars, a whole lot, make sure chocolate, gotta have chocolate, man. Some popcorn, red popcorn, graham crackers, graham crackers with marshmallows, the little marshmallows and little chocolate bars and we can make s'mores, man. Also, celery, grape jelly, Cap'n Crunch with the little Crunch berries, pizzas. We need two big pizzas, man, everything on 'em, with water, whole lotta water, and Funyons. Yeah, man!
Kenny: Thats it?
Thurgood: Yeah, get me a box of condoms, and what was that stuff, we used to eat in all the time back in the day... what was it... pussy, thats it.
Kenny: You got it. Hey! If i'm not back in 30 minutes, call the police. <snickers>
Thurgood: If he aint back in 30 minutes, we callin' dominoes.
Scarface: You said you gave Mary Jane a pearl necklace man!
Thurgood: Obviously you missed the whole point of that story.
