FAT DADDY CA$H’S CORNER: Week 6!
I admit I was lazy this week with the Rewind, but the Pimp-Stockholm game was so good that I highly recommend everyone watch it. Especially those who are bored at work.
The rest of the write up is the same, it’s the early version!
FDC
Week 5 Rewind: Top Games
Stockholm 41 – Rivals 39
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212433&pbp_id=4109246
Just watch the whole game. Seriously. My words can’t do it justice.
Zeta Power Rankings: Week 6
1. Stockholm Meatballs (5-0)
Last Week: 1
Stockholm survived a sloppy game against the Pimps during which they allowed 2 pick-sixes and lost a fumble. Finding themselves trailing by 2 scores for much of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the Meatballs had to abandon the running game and turn it over to QB Gunn Slinger and their quartet of nifty WRs. The Meat hope that the confidence in their passing game earned in the victory will serve them well come the playoffs. Defensively Stockholm held up well despite facing a talented Pimp squad. They will need to be much sharper on Offense and Defense this week as the red-hot Longnecks are on deck in the second leg of the famed TSW Cup.
2. PPP Longnecks (5-0)
Last Week: 2
While all the press has been directed at Longneck QB Levi Jackson and the breakout year he’s having (128 QB rating, 370 yards per game, 22 TDs to just 4 INTs), what people should be talking about is the lock down defense. The unit, ranked number 1 in WEPL overall and second in rush D was lights out against the Smiths and the high voltage Roughneck offense. The defense never allowed QB Corey Smith a chance to get comfortable as they forced 3 INTs and held the star QB to just 210 yards on the day. With a big showdown against Stockholm up next, the Longnecks will lean on their defense to hold Mal Brown in check and force Gunn Slinger to go to the air where their opportunistic secondary lurks.
3. Berlin Ballers (5-0)
Last Week: 4 (+1)
Berlin got their chance to pad their stats against Porto this week. The Ballers walked out of the game boasting WEPL’s 2nd ranked Offense AND Defense. This is great news for Berlin as they prepare to run the gauntlet in their schedule with consecutive games against Rotterdam, Stockholm, Pimps and PPP. That four game stretch will not only define Berlin’s regular season, but may well determine the top 2 seeds in Zeta.
4. Sevilla Naranjas (4-1)
Last Week: 7 (+3)
Sevilla jumped out to an early 27-10 lead against Antwerp and never looked back. With an impressive running attack the Naranjas put up 331 yards on the ground in a clock-consuming 52 carries. It was the 4th win in a row for the surprising Naranjas who only face 1 Top 8 Team (Korb) over the next 6 weeks. Meaning the Naranjas could get comfy in the Top 4.
5. Rivals Mainboard Pimps (3-2)
Last Week: 3 (-2)
It was a tough loss for the Pimps and an even tougher decision where to rank them this week. A 2-point drop is too much, but I couldn’t keep Sevilla out of the Top 4. While the loss could have easily been a win for the Pimps, they are still saddled with an 0-2 record against Top 8 teams so far this season. There’s no question the Pimps will be in the playoffs and may be happy to play a bit of possum – however from a morale standpoint they need to improve that record against Top 8 teams. This week the Pimps get to renew their old AAA rivalry against the Annihilators. Despite Antwerp’s 1-4 record, this game should have plenty of intensity as both teams will be out for bragging rights.
6. Multiple Scorgasms (4-1)
Last Week: 8 (+2)
The Scorgasms were the latest team to abuse the Black Forest defense as they unleashed 55 points and 627 yards of offense. Multiple’s offense looked razor sharp as McMahon completed 69% of his passes and tossed 6 TDs in his best game of the year. Both Devil and Watson chipped in with 100 plus yards each. It was a great way to rebound from their loss to Sevilla and sets a nice tone for an important game against The Dynasty. The Dynasty will be hungry and desperate to avoid their second straight loss, meaning Multiple will need a repeat effort from both sides of the ball to avoid getting upset.
7. Korb Destroyers (3-2)
Last Week: 5 (-2)
Korb got back on the winning track by turning to their bread and butter: their ground game. The Destroyers beat up the Patriot’s front seven by rushing for 362 yards on 55 carries. The ground game was so efficient that Korb only passed 10 times and punted just once. The bad news was that 1 of those passes was picked off and the offense also put two fumbles on the turf. Defensively, Korb was as stout as ever, pressuring QB Roberts 8 times, sacking him twice and holding the explosive Patriot offense to under 300 yards. A win against Ice & Fire will be important to get with the resurgent Aggies on deck.
8. Reykjavik Aggies (2-2)
Last Week: 10 (+2)
QB Rich Campbell had his best day as an Aggie as the WEPL Rookie QB completed 64% of his passes for 444 yards and 2 TDs despite being hurried 12 times and sacked 5. By not letting the pressure get to him, Campbell helped the Aggies rack up 624 yards and 58 points in perhaps the most surprising score of the week. The win vaults the Aggies into the Top 8 for the first time since the beginning of the season. A tough duo of games lies ahead and will test the Aggies’ staying power as they will face the fast improving Musketeers and the Destroyers. Reykjavik will need to protect Campbell better if they are going to stay in the Top 8 for too long.
9. Lyon Dynasty (3-2)
Last Week: 6 (-3)
Lyon’s defense did everything it could to thwart the Aggie passing attack – but it wasn’t enough as they were decimated for 444 yards through the air. Their own offense started fast with a 14 point first quarter, but they fell dormant during the next 30 minutes, allowing the Aggies enough room to run away with it. The disappointing loss now puts the Dynasty at 0-2 against Zeta’s Top 8, something they will have to improve quickly as they face two Top 8 teams back to back over the next two weeks. If they can keep up their tremendous pass rush, the breaks should come their way.
10. Rotterdam Roughnecks (2-3)
Last Wee: 9 (-1)
The Roughnecks dropped their third straight game in a row – all to Top 5 teams, not that that’s any consolation. The news gets worse as the Ballers are next on the docket for a team that seems to just be lost at the moment. The constant theme in all three losses has been the suspect play of the Roughneck defense which has allowed 134 points and 1,425 yards over that stretch despite generating 12 sacks and 7 turnovers. With the defense in disarray it has fallen even more on the shoulders of the Roughneck offense to carry the load – something they just aren’t capable of doing against the Conferences better defenses. While it’s still early in the season, Rotterdam cannot afford a 4 game losing streak, making the Berlin game a must win game.
11. Paris Musketeers (2-3)
Last Week: 13 (+2)
In a back and forth game, Paris managed to notch their second win in a row against the feisty Ice & Fire. More impressive than the two wins has been how much improved the Musketeers have looked in those games. Against Ice & Fire, Paris finally got their ground game going to complement their passing attack. While rushing for 145 yards on 28 carries isn’t the most impressive stat line in the world, Paris fans are hopeful it’s a sign of better things to come. The new-look Musketeers will be tested by the Aggies this week – if they can find a way to pull off the upset, we will shift from talking about the playoffs in Season 7 to talking about them this year.
12. ATOIAF (2-3)
Last Week: 11 (-1)
Ice & Fire dropped their second game in a row this week, but unlike last week this was a game they were expected to win. The loss has put their record under a harsh light as their wins against Toledo and BFM have lost most of their luster as the season has worn on. It was expected that Ice & Fire would be fighting an uphill battle all season so a 2-3 record 5 weeks in shouldn’t ring too many alarm bells. But with their most brutal stretch upcoming in the schedule, Ice & Fire is going to have to find their mojo quickly to stay in the playoff hunt.
13. Antwerp Annihilators (1-4)
Last Week: 12 (-1)
Antwerp just did not look good against the Naranjas last week in their 30-17 point loss. It was a step back after an impressive performance against Stockholm the week before and further frustrates Twerp fans. The bright side is that the Pimps are up next – their old AAA foe. Twerp fans have to hope that the specter of facing their biggest rivals is enough to fire up their dots – especially on the defensive side of the ball. If the Annihilators are going to stand a chance, they’re going to need to figure out a way to shore up their run defense quick or else Suggs and Stephens are going to make life even more miserable in Antwerp.
14. Black Forest Mercenaries (1-4)
Last Week: 14
Black Forest finds themselves looking for answers after yet another lop-sided loss in which their defense was torched. Not wanting to wait to turn things around, team owner ksychic reached out and hired a new OC, formerly of the USA Pro champion Coyotes. While the hunt is on for a new DC, the fresh blood being injected into the offensive game planning should serve the Mercs well as they look to turn around their season. It can’t come a moment too soon with Sevilla on deck.
15. UK Patriots (0-5)
Last Week: 15
The Patriots, despite losing to Korb, played better than they have in the past few games. While the run defense was pummeled, the offense still managed to put up 17 points on one of the better defenses in the conference. The better news is that the Pats get a chance to snag their first win of the year as Porto is up next.
16. Porto Reconquistas (0-5)
Last Week: 16
Porto will be here all year folks … be sure to tip your waitress and try the veal!
Alpha Power Rankings: Week 6
1. London Monarchs (5-0)
Last Week: 1
The Monarchs took full advantage of 3 Mario Stanfield interceptions as the throttled Woodridge by the score of 37-13. The Monarch offense was equally impressive as they racked up 450 yards, including 347 through the air. The one-sided nature of this victory was a brilliant follow up to their thrilling victory in Week 4 over Black Watch. With both teams now firmly in their rear view mirror, the Monarchs are cemented at the top of the heap and may be here for a long time.
2. Paris Philharmonic (4-1)
Last Week: 3 (+1)
As expected, Paris dominated the Army of Darkness for their 4th win in a row. The Philharmonic run defense was impressive, holding Carthage to -24 yards on the ground and a mere 175 in total on offense while also racking up 4 sacks, 8 hurries and forcing 1 turnover. Offensively it was business as usual as Paris ran up 632 yards in a very balanced game plan. Paris stands a great chance to get to 5-1 against Chicago this week before their huge showdown with Black Watch in Week 7.
3. Black Watch (4-1)
Last Week: 2 (-1)
Three spots and no change in the rankings – proof that the Top 4 in Zeta are more stable than those in Zeta? Time will tell. But Black Watch held onto their 3rd spot by rebounding nicely from their heart-breaking loss to the Monarchs. BW utterly eviscerated the Chicago rocks 97-0, piling up 812 yards of offence, 10 sacks, 13 hurries, grabbing 4 turnovers and forcing ELEVEN punts. Yikes! The thorough butt whoopin’ has to have the Lumberjacks a bit nervous as they are next on the “Watch List”.
4. Wembley Warriors (4-1)
Last Week: 5 (+1)
Wembley cracks the Top 4 for the first time this season thanks to Woodridge’s loss and their own come-from-behind, last second victory over the Wrecking Crew. 10 unanswered points in the final 8 minutes of the 4th quarter was enough to hold off the upset-minded Aberdeen time and enough to bump them one spot in the rankings. But the win wasn’t all good news as the Warriors ground game was stuck in neutral all day long. Wembley rushed 36 times for 60 yards – a 1.7 yard per carry average. The Offensive Line couldn’t open rushing lanes or protect the QB as Paul Luther was dumped 4 times and hurried an additional 11. The question left lingering now is whether this was a sign of how quickly the Wrecking Crew is improving or how bad this O-Line really is? We may not find out an answer until the Warriors Week 9 showdown with Paris.
5. London Minotaurs (4-1)
Last Week: 6 (+1)
The Minotaurs notched their 4th win of the season by relying on a balanced attack to defeat the unpredictable Lake Charles Who Dats. With 290 yards on the ground and 201 through the air, London controlled the tempo as well as the clock, building an early lead that they refused to relinquish. Defensively, the Minotaurs were just as impressive, holding Lake Charles to just 87 yards on the ground and 318 in total. With a brutal 3 game stretch upcoming against the Monarchs, Woodridge and Black Watch, the Rookie Minotaurs will get their trial by fire. If they can find a way to escape that stretch with 2 wins, they will be in excellent shape for a deep playoff run.
6. Woodridge Lumberjacks (3-2)
Last Week: 4 (-2)
The Monarchs just flat out out-played the Monarchs – it’s as simple as that. The Lumberjacks did not look sharp on either side of the ball as they were thoroughly handled from beginning to end. The loss is a serious blow to Woodridge’s confidence with the high scoring Black Watch on deck. The Lumberjacks cannot afford to lose back-to-back games against the Conference’s elite teams if they hope of keeping their own aura in tact. A loss this week may well dash the hopes of a Top 4 seed. With so much at stake, the Lumberjacks are going to need to forget the Monarch game and come out fast.
7. Stuttgart Nighthawks (3-2)
Last Week: 7
For the third straight week the Nighthawks find themselves at the 7 spot. It was tempting to bump them up one over the Lumberjacks, but logic won out in the end. The Nighthawks were impressive in their big win over the Aggies. With 292 yards on the ground, Stuttgart was able to keep the high powered Aggie offense in mothballs for much of the game – a good thing considering the Aggies put up 325 yards of offense despite only having the ball for 23 minutes all game. Stuttgart will need to employ a similar strategy against the volatile Who Dats if they hope to get to 4-2.
8. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits (3-2)
Last Week: 8
The Red Bandits got to feast upon the gutted Swords and had fun doing it as they racked up 132 points. With the other 8 teams below them in the rankings being 1-4 (with the exception of Chicago), the Red Bandits have a firm hold on the 8th spot. But with Berlin storming up the ranking and Aberdeen fast improving, the Red Bandits are going to have to find a way to win at least 1 of their next two games against the Warriors and Aggies. An 0-2 slide would be a disaster for their playoff dreams.
9. Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-4)
Last Week: 14 (+5)
All season long we have been waiting for Berlin to wake up – and that time finally seems to arrive as they smashed E-City to the tune of 61-21. The Blitz were nearly perfect in all phases as they piled up 550 yards of offense, including 389 on the ground, completed 66% of their passes while only having to punt once. After two close loses to the Minotaurs and Lumberjacks, Berlin appears poised to get back into the thick of the playoff hunt with a relatively soft schedule left ahead. Berlin will get a chance to vault into the Top 8 if they can knock off the Nighthawks.
10. Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-4)
Last Week: 9 (-1)
The Aggies slip to 10 after losing to Stuttgart this week. The loss was tough to swallow, especially after the Aggies had looked so good the week before in their win over the Mercs. But with the run defense unable to find a solution to the Nighthawks power rushing attack, the offense just didn’t have enough opportunities to steal a win. Still, even at 1-4, the Aggies are right in the hunt. However, in order to have a shot, they will have to knock off the fast improving Wrecking Crew this week in a game with important tiebreaker implications.
11. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (1-4)
Last Week: 12 (+1)
Aberdeen jumps up a notch despite losing to the Warriors. The 27-21 loss was frustrating for the Wrecking Crew who finally started to show sparks of the team many had expected to see. With 11 hurries and 4 sacks, the defense was particularly strong – especially in stopping the ground game. The offense managed to move the football but just could not find the end zone enough to pull off the win. There’s still time for Aberdeen to get back into the race, but it has to start this week against the Aggies. There’s no more time to waste.
12. Lake Charles Who Dats (1-4)
Last Week: 13 (+1)
Lake Charles got a bump up as well even with their loss this week. You can never tell which Lake Charles team is going to show up from week to week. Against the Minotaurs they looked impressive and came close to pulling off the upset. However in losses to the Lumberjacks and Black Watch they looked down right horrendous. If the Who Dats cannot find a solution to the inconsistency that is plaguing them, they could very well find themselves on the outside looking in.
13. E-City Mercenaries (1-4)
Last Week: 11 (-2)
E-City is another team that appears to have lost its rudder. The spanking that Berlin delivered was just the latest in what has quickly turned into a 3 game tailspin. The road doesn’t get any easier as the Mercs still have to contend with both London teams, Black Watch, Woodridge AND Paris. If the Mercs are going to have any shot at the playoffs, they are going to need to win 3 of those 5 games – and that may take a miracle at this point.
14. Chicago Rocks (2-3)
Last Week: 11 (-4)
Wowzers. That’s the only way to describe the absolute ass-whoopin’ Black Watch delivered to the Rocks. Chicago is lucky to have any wins at this point, let alone 2. They have looked bad in every game they have played against Top 8 teams … and they have 6 left on the schedule. This team is in a lot of trouble.
15. Carthage Army of Darkness (0-5)
Last Week: 15
Sadly Carthage won’t be able to exploit Chicago’s woes and stave off elimination as they lost yet again this past week. Sitting at 0-5 is not any fun, it’s even less fun when you play as poorly as Carthage has this year. If the coaches can regain the team’s focus and find a way to steal 3 wins somewhere, they may well be able to top Chicago. But that’s a lot to ask from this team at the moment.
16. Toledo Swords (0-5)
Last Week: 16
They’ll be here all year …
Week 6 Previews & Picks
Last Week: 12-4
Season Total: 58-22
Zeta
Berlin Ballers (5-0) at Rotterdam Roughnecks (2-3):
The Roughnecks need this win badly if they want to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt. With three straight losses, the Roughnecks have just not looked sharp, especially on defense. Meanwhile, Berlin has quietly been having themselves a ball in WEPL and will be looking to add to their already impressive offensive stats. I’m hoping for this to be a good and entertaining game – however I just can’t see Rotterdam winning unless their defense plays out of their minds. It won’t happen. Berlin wins 48-29.
Sevilla Naranjas (4-1) at Black Forest Mercenaries (1-4)
BFM has a new OC and will be looking to turn things around quickly on that side of the ball. The defense is still a big question mark and will be in for a long day against Sevilla’s power rushing attack. I’ll be anxious to see what the new-look BFM offense looks like, but I can’t pick them to win this game. Sevilla wins 43-20.
Multiple Scorgasms (4-1) at Lyon Dynasty (3-2):
Lyon will have to rebound quickly from their disaster in Reykjavik last week. Things won’t get easier as QB McMahon has as potent an arm as Rich Campbell does – considering how badly Campbell torched the Dynasty, the secondary has to be prepared. This should be a great game though, and if the Dynasty can generate the same type of pass rush that they got last week, they could well pull off the upset. I’m feeling feisty, so I’m gonna go with the long shot: Dynasty win a shocker 30-29.
Reykjavik Aggies (3-2) at Paris Musketeers (2-3):
The Aggies will be looking to cash in on the momentum gained from their lop-sided victory over the Dynasty in Week 5. A three game win streak would be a valuable thing to bring into their Week 7 match up with Korb. But the rejuvenated Paris Musketeers stand in their way with a 2 game win streak of their own. This game promises to be closer than expected as Paris has looked much sharper as of late. Still, the Aggies have too much talent to be denied in this one. Reykjavik wins 33-27.
Ice & Fire (2-3) at Korb Destroyers (3-2):
Korb begins a tough 4 game stretch with the unpredictable Ice & Fire squad. Korb will be looking to attack Ice & Fire on the ground with their three-headed rushing attack. That might be a more difficult task than fans would expect however. For Ice & Fire they will need to find a way to keep their own QB upright and somehow get their 22nd ranked offense to find the end zone against Korb’s 6th ranked defense. As much faith as I have in the Ice & Fire coaching staff, Korb’s brain trust is just as good. Korb wins 37-17.
Rivals Mainboard Pimps (3-2) at Antwerp Annihilators (1-4):
In the pre-season, many expected this game to feature two 4-1 or 3-2 teams as they renewed their AAA rivalry. But the transition to WEPL has been unkind to Antwerp thus far as they have had to run the gauntlet with a brutal opening schedule. Things won’t get any easier unless the league’s 27th ranked rushing defense finds a way to stop Lee Suggs and Tremaine Stephens’ 6th ranked rushing attack. The Pimps cannot afford to drop this game with PPP and Berlin on deck, so expect them to come out firing on all cylinders. Pimps win 48-20.
UK Patriots (0-5) at Porto (0-5):
No shockers here. Patriots get their first win of the year … big.
Game of the Week: Zeta
PPP Longnecks (5-0) at Stockholm Meatballs (5-0):
The Chase for the TSW Cup picks up in Season 7 as the Longnecks and Meatballs knock heads for the first time all season. The Longnecks may be in the best position to steal the cup back from Stockholm for the first time in two seasons as they have been more than impressive to start the year. With the emergence of QB Levi Jackson, the Longnecks boast the 3rd ranked offense and 1st ranked defense, including a league high 17 INTs on the year thus far.
That’s not to say that the Meatballs aren’t without their own luminous stats. Mal Brown and company enter the game with the 6th ranked Offense and 4th ranked defense. However, the big match-ups this week will be Stockholm’s 2nd ranked rushing attack against PPP’s second ranked rush defense. When PPP has the ball it will be a battle of the league’s best passing attack against the league’s 8th ranked pass defense.
With both teams being so closely matched and so familiar with one another, this promises to be another in a string of thrilling games this season. Like the Stockholm-Pimps game, this one could turn into more of a shoot out than fans are expecting. Either way, it promises to shake up the rankings in a big way.
I’m far too biased to pick this one impartially, so let’s just say Stockholm’s gonna win 1039 to 3.
Alpha
London Monarchs (5-0) at London Minotaurs (4-1):
The Battle for London pits the red-hot Monarchs against the WEPL newcomer in a game to determine which is the true London team. Families will be split, brother will be against brother as two of the top teams in Alpha slug it out. The key match up will be the Monarch’s 3rd ranked passing attack against the Minotaurs 1st ranked pass defense. If the Monarchs can find a way to move the ball through the air, it will be a long day for the Minotaur fans. As impressive as the Minotaurs have looked lately, the Monarchs have simply been the kings of Alpha. Look for that reign to continue. The Monarchs win 48-29.
Wembley Warriors (4-1) at Dinas Red Bandits (3-2):
The Red Bandits have built themselves a tenuous 2 game lead over the bottom half of the Alpha field. Still, despite that lead, this game is a chance for the Red Bandits to prove they belong in the Top 8. The Warriors were tested by AWC last week and passed despite not playing their best game. That lesson should serve them well this week against the upset-minded Red Bandits. As tempting as it is to pick Dinas here, I just can’t do it. Warriors win 39-31.
Chicago Rocks (2-3) at Paris Philharmonic (4-1):
Chicago got thumped by Black Watch and won’t find a sympathetic ear this week as they face off against the re-charged Philharmonic. Chicago has looked bad for most of the season and this week won’t be any different. This one will be uglier than the score may indicate. Paris wins 52-10.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (3-2) at Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-4)
This game got a whole lot more interesting thanks to Berlin’s renaissance over the past three weeks. Berlin’s 61-point explosion last week seems to indicate the rust has been shaken completely off – and just in time. The Nighthawks will be looking to employ their 8th ranked rushing attack to take advantage of Berlin’s misleading 24th ranked rush defense. While the numbers appear to be in Stuttgart’s favor, Berlin has been playing better and better each week. I expect that trend to continue. Berlin wins a close one 31-27.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (1-4) at Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-4)
This game promises to be much more exciting than either team’s record would indicate. The Aggies’ offense has come to life as of late while the Wrecking Crew’s defense is finally rounding into form. Is this the game where the real Wrecking Crew finally stands up? I think so. Aberdeen wins 38-37.
Carthage Army of Darkness (0-5) at Toledo Swords (0-5):
Carthage gets their first win of the season. No shocker there.
E-City Mercenaries (1-4) at Lake Charles Who Dats (1-4):
In the match-up of underperforming teams, the unpredictable Lake Charles Who Dats will do battle with the frustrated E-City Mercs. Lake Charles has had some impressive games and some very unimpressive ones. E-City has not lived up to their own hype as of yet, but they have at least been more consistent. For that reason I have to give them the nod. E-City wins 29-23.
Game of the Week: Alpha
Woodridge Lumberjacks (3-2) at Black Watch (4-1)
This game takes on an added note of urgency for Woodridge after their lopsided loss to the Monarchs last week. For Black Watch, they smell blood in the water and will be looking to pile onto Woodridge’s slow start and take control of the tiebreakers for playoff seeding.
Black Watch brings in the 4th ranked offense and 5th ranked defense, fresh from a 97-0 shut out over Chicago. The numbers aren’t as impressive for Woodridge who sports the 17th ranked offense and 15th ranked defense. The biggest red flag for Woodridge coaches is their suddenly suspect defensive secondary that was scorched by the Monarchs and slipped all the way down to 17th. That’s bad news considering Black Watch sports the league’s 5th ranked passing attack and should be able to exploit some of the same holes that the Monarchs found.
I expect the Lumberjacks to mount a better effort this week as they have rarely looked bad two weeks in a row. Still, I can’t see the Lumberjacks pulling this one off. In what may be a changing of the guard in Alpha, Black Watch wins 48-20.
I admit I was lazy this week with the Rewind, but the Pimp-Stockholm game was so good that I highly recommend everyone watch it. Especially those who are bored at work.
The rest of the write up is the same, it’s the early version!
FDC
Week 5 Rewind: Top Games
Stockholm 41 – Rivals 39
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=212433&pbp_id=4109246
Just watch the whole game. Seriously. My words can’t do it justice.
Zeta Power Rankings: Week 6
1. Stockholm Meatballs (5-0)
Last Week: 1
Stockholm survived a sloppy game against the Pimps during which they allowed 2 pick-sixes and lost a fumble. Finding themselves trailing by 2 scores for much of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the Meatballs had to abandon the running game and turn it over to QB Gunn Slinger and their quartet of nifty WRs. The Meat hope that the confidence in their passing game earned in the victory will serve them well come the playoffs. Defensively Stockholm held up well despite facing a talented Pimp squad. They will need to be much sharper on Offense and Defense this week as the red-hot Longnecks are on deck in the second leg of the famed TSW Cup.
2. PPP Longnecks (5-0)
Last Week: 2
While all the press has been directed at Longneck QB Levi Jackson and the breakout year he’s having (128 QB rating, 370 yards per game, 22 TDs to just 4 INTs), what people should be talking about is the lock down defense. The unit, ranked number 1 in WEPL overall and second in rush D was lights out against the Smiths and the high voltage Roughneck offense. The defense never allowed QB Corey Smith a chance to get comfortable as they forced 3 INTs and held the star QB to just 210 yards on the day. With a big showdown against Stockholm up next, the Longnecks will lean on their defense to hold Mal Brown in check and force Gunn Slinger to go to the air where their opportunistic secondary lurks.
3. Berlin Ballers (5-0)
Last Week: 4 (+1)
Berlin got their chance to pad their stats against Porto this week. The Ballers walked out of the game boasting WEPL’s 2nd ranked Offense AND Defense. This is great news for Berlin as they prepare to run the gauntlet in their schedule with consecutive games against Rotterdam, Stockholm, Pimps and PPP. That four game stretch will not only define Berlin’s regular season, but may well determine the top 2 seeds in Zeta.
4. Sevilla Naranjas (4-1)
Last Week: 7 (+3)
Sevilla jumped out to an early 27-10 lead against Antwerp and never looked back. With an impressive running attack the Naranjas put up 331 yards on the ground in a clock-consuming 52 carries. It was the 4th win in a row for the surprising Naranjas who only face 1 Top 8 Team (Korb) over the next 6 weeks. Meaning the Naranjas could get comfy in the Top 4.
5. Rivals Mainboard Pimps (3-2)
Last Week: 3 (-2)
It was a tough loss for the Pimps and an even tougher decision where to rank them this week. A 2-point drop is too much, but I couldn’t keep Sevilla out of the Top 4. While the loss could have easily been a win for the Pimps, they are still saddled with an 0-2 record against Top 8 teams so far this season. There’s no question the Pimps will be in the playoffs and may be happy to play a bit of possum – however from a morale standpoint they need to improve that record against Top 8 teams. This week the Pimps get to renew their old AAA rivalry against the Annihilators. Despite Antwerp’s 1-4 record, this game should have plenty of intensity as both teams will be out for bragging rights.
6. Multiple Scorgasms (4-1)
Last Week: 8 (+2)
The Scorgasms were the latest team to abuse the Black Forest defense as they unleashed 55 points and 627 yards of offense. Multiple’s offense looked razor sharp as McMahon completed 69% of his passes and tossed 6 TDs in his best game of the year. Both Devil and Watson chipped in with 100 plus yards each. It was a great way to rebound from their loss to Sevilla and sets a nice tone for an important game against The Dynasty. The Dynasty will be hungry and desperate to avoid their second straight loss, meaning Multiple will need a repeat effort from both sides of the ball to avoid getting upset.
7. Korb Destroyers (3-2)
Last Week: 5 (-2)
Korb got back on the winning track by turning to their bread and butter: their ground game. The Destroyers beat up the Patriot’s front seven by rushing for 362 yards on 55 carries. The ground game was so efficient that Korb only passed 10 times and punted just once. The bad news was that 1 of those passes was picked off and the offense also put two fumbles on the turf. Defensively, Korb was as stout as ever, pressuring QB Roberts 8 times, sacking him twice and holding the explosive Patriot offense to under 300 yards. A win against Ice & Fire will be important to get with the resurgent Aggies on deck.
8. Reykjavik Aggies (2-2)
Last Week: 10 (+2)
QB Rich Campbell had his best day as an Aggie as the WEPL Rookie QB completed 64% of his passes for 444 yards and 2 TDs despite being hurried 12 times and sacked 5. By not letting the pressure get to him, Campbell helped the Aggies rack up 624 yards and 58 points in perhaps the most surprising score of the week. The win vaults the Aggies into the Top 8 for the first time since the beginning of the season. A tough duo of games lies ahead and will test the Aggies’ staying power as they will face the fast improving Musketeers and the Destroyers. Reykjavik will need to protect Campbell better if they are going to stay in the Top 8 for too long.
9. Lyon Dynasty (3-2)
Last Week: 6 (-3)
Lyon’s defense did everything it could to thwart the Aggie passing attack – but it wasn’t enough as they were decimated for 444 yards through the air. Their own offense started fast with a 14 point first quarter, but they fell dormant during the next 30 minutes, allowing the Aggies enough room to run away with it. The disappointing loss now puts the Dynasty at 0-2 against Zeta’s Top 8, something they will have to improve quickly as they face two Top 8 teams back to back over the next two weeks. If they can keep up their tremendous pass rush, the breaks should come their way.
10. Rotterdam Roughnecks (2-3)
Last Wee: 9 (-1)
The Roughnecks dropped their third straight game in a row – all to Top 5 teams, not that that’s any consolation. The news gets worse as the Ballers are next on the docket for a team that seems to just be lost at the moment. The constant theme in all three losses has been the suspect play of the Roughneck defense which has allowed 134 points and 1,425 yards over that stretch despite generating 12 sacks and 7 turnovers. With the defense in disarray it has fallen even more on the shoulders of the Roughneck offense to carry the load – something they just aren’t capable of doing against the Conferences better defenses. While it’s still early in the season, Rotterdam cannot afford a 4 game losing streak, making the Berlin game a must win game.
11. Paris Musketeers (2-3)
Last Week: 13 (+2)
In a back and forth game, Paris managed to notch their second win in a row against the feisty Ice & Fire. More impressive than the two wins has been how much improved the Musketeers have looked in those games. Against Ice & Fire, Paris finally got their ground game going to complement their passing attack. While rushing for 145 yards on 28 carries isn’t the most impressive stat line in the world, Paris fans are hopeful it’s a sign of better things to come. The new-look Musketeers will be tested by the Aggies this week – if they can find a way to pull off the upset, we will shift from talking about the playoffs in Season 7 to talking about them this year.
12. ATOIAF (2-3)
Last Week: 11 (-1)
Ice & Fire dropped their second game in a row this week, but unlike last week this was a game they were expected to win. The loss has put their record under a harsh light as their wins against Toledo and BFM have lost most of their luster as the season has worn on. It was expected that Ice & Fire would be fighting an uphill battle all season so a 2-3 record 5 weeks in shouldn’t ring too many alarm bells. But with their most brutal stretch upcoming in the schedule, Ice & Fire is going to have to find their mojo quickly to stay in the playoff hunt.
13. Antwerp Annihilators (1-4)
Last Week: 12 (-1)
Antwerp just did not look good against the Naranjas last week in their 30-17 point loss. It was a step back after an impressive performance against Stockholm the week before and further frustrates Twerp fans. The bright side is that the Pimps are up next – their old AAA foe. Twerp fans have to hope that the specter of facing their biggest rivals is enough to fire up their dots – especially on the defensive side of the ball. If the Annihilators are going to stand a chance, they’re going to need to figure out a way to shore up their run defense quick or else Suggs and Stephens are going to make life even more miserable in Antwerp.
14. Black Forest Mercenaries (1-4)
Last Week: 14
Black Forest finds themselves looking for answers after yet another lop-sided loss in which their defense was torched. Not wanting to wait to turn things around, team owner ksychic reached out and hired a new OC, formerly of the USA Pro champion Coyotes. While the hunt is on for a new DC, the fresh blood being injected into the offensive game planning should serve the Mercs well as they look to turn around their season. It can’t come a moment too soon with Sevilla on deck.
15. UK Patriots (0-5)
Last Week: 15
The Patriots, despite losing to Korb, played better than they have in the past few games. While the run defense was pummeled, the offense still managed to put up 17 points on one of the better defenses in the conference. The better news is that the Pats get a chance to snag their first win of the year as Porto is up next.
16. Porto Reconquistas (0-5)
Last Week: 16
Porto will be here all year folks … be sure to tip your waitress and try the veal!
Alpha Power Rankings: Week 6
1. London Monarchs (5-0)
Last Week: 1
The Monarchs took full advantage of 3 Mario Stanfield interceptions as the throttled Woodridge by the score of 37-13. The Monarch offense was equally impressive as they racked up 450 yards, including 347 through the air. The one-sided nature of this victory was a brilliant follow up to their thrilling victory in Week 4 over Black Watch. With both teams now firmly in their rear view mirror, the Monarchs are cemented at the top of the heap and may be here for a long time.
2. Paris Philharmonic (4-1)
Last Week: 3 (+1)
As expected, Paris dominated the Army of Darkness for their 4th win in a row. The Philharmonic run defense was impressive, holding Carthage to -24 yards on the ground and a mere 175 in total on offense while also racking up 4 sacks, 8 hurries and forcing 1 turnover. Offensively it was business as usual as Paris ran up 632 yards in a very balanced game plan. Paris stands a great chance to get to 5-1 against Chicago this week before their huge showdown with Black Watch in Week 7.
3. Black Watch (4-1)
Last Week: 2 (-1)
Three spots and no change in the rankings – proof that the Top 4 in Zeta are more stable than those in Zeta? Time will tell. But Black Watch held onto their 3rd spot by rebounding nicely from their heart-breaking loss to the Monarchs. BW utterly eviscerated the Chicago rocks 97-0, piling up 812 yards of offence, 10 sacks, 13 hurries, grabbing 4 turnovers and forcing ELEVEN punts. Yikes! The thorough butt whoopin’ has to have the Lumberjacks a bit nervous as they are next on the “Watch List”.
4. Wembley Warriors (4-1)
Last Week: 5 (+1)
Wembley cracks the Top 4 for the first time this season thanks to Woodridge’s loss and their own come-from-behind, last second victory over the Wrecking Crew. 10 unanswered points in the final 8 minutes of the 4th quarter was enough to hold off the upset-minded Aberdeen time and enough to bump them one spot in the rankings. But the win wasn’t all good news as the Warriors ground game was stuck in neutral all day long. Wembley rushed 36 times for 60 yards – a 1.7 yard per carry average. The Offensive Line couldn’t open rushing lanes or protect the QB as Paul Luther was dumped 4 times and hurried an additional 11. The question left lingering now is whether this was a sign of how quickly the Wrecking Crew is improving or how bad this O-Line really is? We may not find out an answer until the Warriors Week 9 showdown with Paris.
5. London Minotaurs (4-1)
Last Week: 6 (+1)
The Minotaurs notched their 4th win of the season by relying on a balanced attack to defeat the unpredictable Lake Charles Who Dats. With 290 yards on the ground and 201 through the air, London controlled the tempo as well as the clock, building an early lead that they refused to relinquish. Defensively, the Minotaurs were just as impressive, holding Lake Charles to just 87 yards on the ground and 318 in total. With a brutal 3 game stretch upcoming against the Monarchs, Woodridge and Black Watch, the Rookie Minotaurs will get their trial by fire. If they can find a way to escape that stretch with 2 wins, they will be in excellent shape for a deep playoff run.
6. Woodridge Lumberjacks (3-2)
Last Week: 4 (-2)
The Monarchs just flat out out-played the Monarchs – it’s as simple as that. The Lumberjacks did not look sharp on either side of the ball as they were thoroughly handled from beginning to end. The loss is a serious blow to Woodridge’s confidence with the high scoring Black Watch on deck. The Lumberjacks cannot afford to lose back-to-back games against the Conference’s elite teams if they hope of keeping their own aura in tact. A loss this week may well dash the hopes of a Top 4 seed. With so much at stake, the Lumberjacks are going to need to forget the Monarch game and come out fast.
7. Stuttgart Nighthawks (3-2)
Last Week: 7
For the third straight week the Nighthawks find themselves at the 7 spot. It was tempting to bump them up one over the Lumberjacks, but logic won out in the end. The Nighthawks were impressive in their big win over the Aggies. With 292 yards on the ground, Stuttgart was able to keep the high powered Aggie offense in mothballs for much of the game – a good thing considering the Aggies put up 325 yards of offense despite only having the ball for 23 minutes all game. Stuttgart will need to employ a similar strategy against the volatile Who Dats if they hope to get to 4-2.
8. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits (3-2)
Last Week: 8
The Red Bandits got to feast upon the gutted Swords and had fun doing it as they racked up 132 points. With the other 8 teams below them in the rankings being 1-4 (with the exception of Chicago), the Red Bandits have a firm hold on the 8th spot. But with Berlin storming up the ranking and Aberdeen fast improving, the Red Bandits are going to have to find a way to win at least 1 of their next two games against the Warriors and Aggies. An 0-2 slide would be a disaster for their playoff dreams.
9. Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-4)
Last Week: 14 (+5)
All season long we have been waiting for Berlin to wake up – and that time finally seems to arrive as they smashed E-City to the tune of 61-21. The Blitz were nearly perfect in all phases as they piled up 550 yards of offense, including 389 on the ground, completed 66% of their passes while only having to punt once. After two close loses to the Minotaurs and Lumberjacks, Berlin appears poised to get back into the thick of the playoff hunt with a relatively soft schedule left ahead. Berlin will get a chance to vault into the Top 8 if they can knock off the Nighthawks.
10. Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-4)
Last Week: 9 (-1)
The Aggies slip to 10 after losing to Stuttgart this week. The loss was tough to swallow, especially after the Aggies had looked so good the week before in their win over the Mercs. But with the run defense unable to find a solution to the Nighthawks power rushing attack, the offense just didn’t have enough opportunities to steal a win. Still, even at 1-4, the Aggies are right in the hunt. However, in order to have a shot, they will have to knock off the fast improving Wrecking Crew this week in a game with important tiebreaker implications.
11. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (1-4)
Last Week: 12 (+1)
Aberdeen jumps up a notch despite losing to the Warriors. The 27-21 loss was frustrating for the Wrecking Crew who finally started to show sparks of the team many had expected to see. With 11 hurries and 4 sacks, the defense was particularly strong – especially in stopping the ground game. The offense managed to move the football but just could not find the end zone enough to pull off the win. There’s still time for Aberdeen to get back into the race, but it has to start this week against the Aggies. There’s no more time to waste.
12. Lake Charles Who Dats (1-4)
Last Week: 13 (+1)
Lake Charles got a bump up as well even with their loss this week. You can never tell which Lake Charles team is going to show up from week to week. Against the Minotaurs they looked impressive and came close to pulling off the upset. However in losses to the Lumberjacks and Black Watch they looked down right horrendous. If the Who Dats cannot find a solution to the inconsistency that is plaguing them, they could very well find themselves on the outside looking in.
13. E-City Mercenaries (1-4)
Last Week: 11 (-2)
E-City is another team that appears to have lost its rudder. The spanking that Berlin delivered was just the latest in what has quickly turned into a 3 game tailspin. The road doesn’t get any easier as the Mercs still have to contend with both London teams, Black Watch, Woodridge AND Paris. If the Mercs are going to have any shot at the playoffs, they are going to need to win 3 of those 5 games – and that may take a miracle at this point.
14. Chicago Rocks (2-3)
Last Week: 11 (-4)
Wowzers. That’s the only way to describe the absolute ass-whoopin’ Black Watch delivered to the Rocks. Chicago is lucky to have any wins at this point, let alone 2. They have looked bad in every game they have played against Top 8 teams … and they have 6 left on the schedule. This team is in a lot of trouble.
15. Carthage Army of Darkness (0-5)
Last Week: 15
Sadly Carthage won’t be able to exploit Chicago’s woes and stave off elimination as they lost yet again this past week. Sitting at 0-5 is not any fun, it’s even less fun when you play as poorly as Carthage has this year. If the coaches can regain the team’s focus and find a way to steal 3 wins somewhere, they may well be able to top Chicago. But that’s a lot to ask from this team at the moment.
16. Toledo Swords (0-5)
Last Week: 16
They’ll be here all year …
Week 6 Previews & Picks
Last Week: 12-4
Season Total: 58-22
Zeta
Berlin Ballers (5-0) at Rotterdam Roughnecks (2-3):
The Roughnecks need this win badly if they want to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt. With three straight losses, the Roughnecks have just not looked sharp, especially on defense. Meanwhile, Berlin has quietly been having themselves a ball in WEPL and will be looking to add to their already impressive offensive stats. I’m hoping for this to be a good and entertaining game – however I just can’t see Rotterdam winning unless their defense plays out of their minds. It won’t happen. Berlin wins 48-29.
Sevilla Naranjas (4-1) at Black Forest Mercenaries (1-4)
BFM has a new OC and will be looking to turn things around quickly on that side of the ball. The defense is still a big question mark and will be in for a long day against Sevilla’s power rushing attack. I’ll be anxious to see what the new-look BFM offense looks like, but I can’t pick them to win this game. Sevilla wins 43-20.
Multiple Scorgasms (4-1) at Lyon Dynasty (3-2):
Lyon will have to rebound quickly from their disaster in Reykjavik last week. Things won’t get easier as QB McMahon has as potent an arm as Rich Campbell does – considering how badly Campbell torched the Dynasty, the secondary has to be prepared. This should be a great game though, and if the Dynasty can generate the same type of pass rush that they got last week, they could well pull off the upset. I’m feeling feisty, so I’m gonna go with the long shot: Dynasty win a shocker 30-29.
Reykjavik Aggies (3-2) at Paris Musketeers (2-3):
The Aggies will be looking to cash in on the momentum gained from their lop-sided victory over the Dynasty in Week 5. A three game win streak would be a valuable thing to bring into their Week 7 match up with Korb. But the rejuvenated Paris Musketeers stand in their way with a 2 game win streak of their own. This game promises to be closer than expected as Paris has looked much sharper as of late. Still, the Aggies have too much talent to be denied in this one. Reykjavik wins 33-27.
Ice & Fire (2-3) at Korb Destroyers (3-2):
Korb begins a tough 4 game stretch with the unpredictable Ice & Fire squad. Korb will be looking to attack Ice & Fire on the ground with their three-headed rushing attack. That might be a more difficult task than fans would expect however. For Ice & Fire they will need to find a way to keep their own QB upright and somehow get their 22nd ranked offense to find the end zone against Korb’s 6th ranked defense. As much faith as I have in the Ice & Fire coaching staff, Korb’s brain trust is just as good. Korb wins 37-17.
Rivals Mainboard Pimps (3-2) at Antwerp Annihilators (1-4):
In the pre-season, many expected this game to feature two 4-1 or 3-2 teams as they renewed their AAA rivalry. But the transition to WEPL has been unkind to Antwerp thus far as they have had to run the gauntlet with a brutal opening schedule. Things won’t get any easier unless the league’s 27th ranked rushing defense finds a way to stop Lee Suggs and Tremaine Stephens’ 6th ranked rushing attack. The Pimps cannot afford to drop this game with PPP and Berlin on deck, so expect them to come out firing on all cylinders. Pimps win 48-20.
UK Patriots (0-5) at Porto (0-5):
No shockers here. Patriots get their first win of the year … big.
Game of the Week: Zeta
PPP Longnecks (5-0) at Stockholm Meatballs (5-0):
The Chase for the TSW Cup picks up in Season 7 as the Longnecks and Meatballs knock heads for the first time all season. The Longnecks may be in the best position to steal the cup back from Stockholm for the first time in two seasons as they have been more than impressive to start the year. With the emergence of QB Levi Jackson, the Longnecks boast the 3rd ranked offense and 1st ranked defense, including a league high 17 INTs on the year thus far.
That’s not to say that the Meatballs aren’t without their own luminous stats. Mal Brown and company enter the game with the 6th ranked Offense and 4th ranked defense. However, the big match-ups this week will be Stockholm’s 2nd ranked rushing attack against PPP’s second ranked rush defense. When PPP has the ball it will be a battle of the league’s best passing attack against the league’s 8th ranked pass defense.
With both teams being so closely matched and so familiar with one another, this promises to be another in a string of thrilling games this season. Like the Stockholm-Pimps game, this one could turn into more of a shoot out than fans are expecting. Either way, it promises to shake up the rankings in a big way.
I’m far too biased to pick this one impartially, so let’s just say Stockholm’s gonna win 1039 to 3.
Alpha
London Monarchs (5-0) at London Minotaurs (4-1):
The Battle for London pits the red-hot Monarchs against the WEPL newcomer in a game to determine which is the true London team. Families will be split, brother will be against brother as two of the top teams in Alpha slug it out. The key match up will be the Monarch’s 3rd ranked passing attack against the Minotaurs 1st ranked pass defense. If the Monarchs can find a way to move the ball through the air, it will be a long day for the Minotaur fans. As impressive as the Minotaurs have looked lately, the Monarchs have simply been the kings of Alpha. Look for that reign to continue. The Monarchs win 48-29.
Wembley Warriors (4-1) at Dinas Red Bandits (3-2):
The Red Bandits have built themselves a tenuous 2 game lead over the bottom half of the Alpha field. Still, despite that lead, this game is a chance for the Red Bandits to prove they belong in the Top 8. The Warriors were tested by AWC last week and passed despite not playing their best game. That lesson should serve them well this week against the upset-minded Red Bandits. As tempting as it is to pick Dinas here, I just can’t do it. Warriors win 39-31.
Chicago Rocks (2-3) at Paris Philharmonic (4-1):
Chicago got thumped by Black Watch and won’t find a sympathetic ear this week as they face off against the re-charged Philharmonic. Chicago has looked bad for most of the season and this week won’t be any different. This one will be uglier than the score may indicate. Paris wins 52-10.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (3-2) at Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-4)
This game got a whole lot more interesting thanks to Berlin’s renaissance over the past three weeks. Berlin’s 61-point explosion last week seems to indicate the rust has been shaken completely off – and just in time. The Nighthawks will be looking to employ their 8th ranked rushing attack to take advantage of Berlin’s misleading 24th ranked rush defense. While the numbers appear to be in Stuttgart’s favor, Berlin has been playing better and better each week. I expect that trend to continue. Berlin wins a close one 31-27.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (1-4) at Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-4)
This game promises to be much more exciting than either team’s record would indicate. The Aggies’ offense has come to life as of late while the Wrecking Crew’s defense is finally rounding into form. Is this the game where the real Wrecking Crew finally stands up? I think so. Aberdeen wins 38-37.
Carthage Army of Darkness (0-5) at Toledo Swords (0-5):
Carthage gets their first win of the season. No shocker there.
E-City Mercenaries (1-4) at Lake Charles Who Dats (1-4):
In the match-up of underperforming teams, the unpredictable Lake Charles Who Dats will do battle with the frustrated E-City Mercs. Lake Charles has had some impressive games and some very unimpressive ones. E-City has not lived up to their own hype as of yet, but they have at least been more consistent. For that reason I have to give them the nod. E-City wins 29-23.
Game of the Week: Alpha
Woodridge Lumberjacks (3-2) at Black Watch (4-1)
This game takes on an added note of urgency for Woodridge after their lopsided loss to the Monarchs last week. For Black Watch, they smell blood in the water and will be looking to pile onto Woodridge’s slow start and take control of the tiebreakers for playoff seeding.
Black Watch brings in the 4th ranked offense and 5th ranked defense, fresh from a 97-0 shut out over Chicago. The numbers aren’t as impressive for Woodridge who sports the 17th ranked offense and 15th ranked defense. The biggest red flag for Woodridge coaches is their suddenly suspect defensive secondary that was scorched by the Monarchs and slipped all the way down to 17th. That’s bad news considering Black Watch sports the league’s 5th ranked passing attack and should be able to exploit some of the same holes that the Monarchs found.
I expect the Lumberjacks to mount a better effort this week as they have rarely looked bad two weeks in a row. Still, I can’t see the Lumberjacks pulling this one off. In what may be a changing of the guard in Alpha, Black Watch wins 48-20.
Last edited Nov 20, 2008 20:38:37
