FAT DADDY CA$H’S CORNER: Week 11!
As we near the finish line for Season 6 my Power Rankings suddenly get more and more in line with the actual Conference standings. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less interesting, I promise!
We have a big week coming up with some big games in Alpha and one game in Zeta that may very well determine the face of the Conference in Season 7. With some big upsets in Week 10 and the playoffs fast closing in, every game becomes critical.
FDC
Zeta Power Rankings: Week 11
1. Berlin Ballers (10-1)
Last week: 1
As expected, Berlin coasted over the Patriots to the tune of 72-13. In the win, both of the Ballers’ offensive superstars HB Heather Marie and QB Rex “Sex Cannon” Grossman chipped in 5 TDs … each. The defense wasn’t left behind though as the fierce pass rush racked up 26 hurries and 3 sacks on the Patriots’ 62 drop backs. Next up for the Ballers are the upset minded Ice & Fire squad who are looking to make it two in a row against the top echelon of Zeta.
2. Stockholm Meatballs (10-1)
Last week: 3 (+1)
Stockholm finally got the Scorgasm monkey off their back … wait, that just sounded plain wrong. And kind of gross. I need to clear my head. (Deep breath … ) And I’m back. The win over Multiple bumps Stockholm back up to the number 2 slot and they owe Ice & Fire a nice bottle of booze for helping the cause. With the Aggies and Ice & Fire playing well as of late, the Meatballs’ struggles as of late are suddenly looking less and less problematic.
3. PPP Longnecks (9-2)
Last week: 2 (-1)
A tough decision was made here between putting PPP or Korb in the three slot. Both teams have been on a roll as of late and while Korb has lost to opponents with better records, PPP is one of the teams that beat Korb. Thus, they get the nod this week. Still, the Longnecks struggled all day against the pesky Ice & Fire, needing a 17 point 4th quarter just to stay in it before ATOIAF won it in OT. With the equally dangerous Aggies up next, PPP can’t afford to drop another one.
4. Korb Destroyers (9-2)
Last week: 4
It took 11 weeks, but Korbs’ mighty defense finally posted its first shutout of the year, this time against the playoff hopeful Dynasty. The 22-0 slug fest was anchored by DE Ed Stinson’s hat trick of sacks and hurries which aided the Destroyers in holding Lyon to under 200 yards of total offense. If you factor in Korb’s last three and a half games, the defense has only surrendered 1 TD in the past 14 quarters and a total of 16 points in that stretch, only 3 points in the last 8 combined quarters. That’s mighty impressive work and a sign of good things to come for Korb.
5. Rivals Mainboard Pimps (7-4)
Last week: 6 (+1)
Phillipp Pohl’s 3 INTs and 40.9 completion percentage nearly cost the Pimps last week against the Aggies. Fortunately, the HB duo of Lee Suggs and Tremaine Stephens were there to pick up the slack as they combined for 324 yards and 4 TDs to secure the narrow 34-31 point victory. At 7-4 the Pimps don’t have too much room to make mistakes, but thankfully their remaining 5 games are all very winnable. With a little luck they could even snatch a Top 4 seed if they catch a break. Despite that sunshine, it’s clear the Pimps need to start tightening the screws a bit as the playoffs lurk just around the corner.
6. Rotterdam Roughnecks (7-4)
Last week: 8 (+2)
Rotterdam’s defense likes to make me look bad. They take pride in it. And I admit I’ve been harsh on the defensive unit all season long, but boy did they look great against the Naranjas. Holding Sevilla to 233 yards and forcing 8 turnovers, 7 of those INTs, was impressive. The huge win earned Rotterdam a valuable tie breaker over Sevilla as well as increasing their winning streak to 5 games. There’s no reason they can’t make that streak 10 games before the playoffs start.
7. Lyon Dynasty (7-4)
Last week: 5 (-2)
While their showdown with Korb did not go as well as they had hoped, Lyon is still in relatively good shape as far as a playoff birth goes – but they are going to have to earn it. With a lay-up game against Porto up next, Lyon will be 8-8 heading into a brutal 4 game finish against the Roughnecks, Meatballs, Pimps and Longnecks. While they hold the edge over Sevilla in the head-to-head match up, they don’t have it against Multiple and the Aggies – both of whom are still clinging to playoff dreams. Realistically, Lyon will have to win at least one if not two of those final four games to hold off the Aggies or the Scorgasms. It should make for good drama in Lyon over the next few weeks.
8. Sevilla Naranjas (7-4)
Last week: 7 (-1)
Sevilla is actually in a bit better shape than Lyon at the moment. While they too have a brutal 4 game stretch (against Stockholm, Pimps, Longnecks and Ballers) they also have a winnable game against the Patriots which should guarantee them 8 wins. However, while Sevilla doesn’t have the head-to-head tie breaker over Lyon, they DO have it over both the Aggies and Scorgasms. This basically means that even if the Naranjas go 0-4 against those teams, the Scorgasms would have to go 3-5 while the Aggies would need to go 4-5 to have a shot. Playoff math aside, Sevilla has to find a way to get back to basics fast with Stockholm coming up next.
9. Multiple Scorgasms (6-5)
Last week: 9
The loss to the Meatballs put a serious crimp in the Scorgasms’ playoff dreams, but they are still very much in the race. With both Lyon and Sevilla facing 4 very tough games in the final stanza, Multiple really has their fate in their own hands. It’s going to take a Herculean effort but there’s enough talent here to do it. Left on the schedule: Pimps, Longnecks, Ballers, Patriots and Ice & Fire. To get in they are going to need to get 9 wins (and get help) and 10 wins would pretty much assure them a spot. That means they simply must beat the Patriots and Ice & Fire (which they should be able to do, but not easily) and then find a way to win at least 1 of the other 3 games, if not two. Pass the tums!
10. Reykjavik Aggies (5-6)
Last week: 10
It’s getting down to that time of year where my rankings and the overall standings tend to match up. For the first time all season my Top 10 matches exactly with the Conference standings. But, I can’t really bump the Aggies or Scorgasms down since they are the only teams outside of the Top 10 who have a realistic shot left at making the playoffs (though Ice & Fire and Paris are still mathematically alive, but more on them below). The Aggies came just a whisker away from upsetting the Pimps last week and are now left in a tough playoff spot. With 3 of their final 5 games being winnable, they should reach 8 wins. However it’s going to take at least 9 to get in (with help). Meaning they will have to find a way to upset either the Longnecks this week or the Ballers next. With their offensive fire power it’s not an inconceivable notion. It’s just going to take near perfect execution.
11. ATOIAF (4-7)
Last week: 12 (+1)
I knew that Ice & Fire was going to have at least one win this year that shocked the league, and they seem to have gotten it last week against the mighty Longnecks. Their thrilling overtime win was not only the best game of the week, but it also kept the small flame that is their playoff hopes flickering for at least one more week. Mathematically ATOIAF is still alive, but with their tiebreaker situation against Sevilla and Lyon it’s going to probably take a 10-6 record to get in. That means upsetting the powerful Berlin Ballers this week. The good news is that if (and I know it’s a big if) Ice & Fire can find a way to shock the Ballers, the next 2 games against the Patriots and Annihilators are very winnable. That would set up a great final two games against Multiple and the Aggies. Could you imagine that? How much fun would that be?
12. Paris Musketeers (4-7)
Last week: 11 (-1)
I know I’m a bastard for dropping Paris despite their impressive 48-17 win over Antwerp. But I had to reward Ice & Fire for upsetting the Longnecks, didn’t I? I promise all the good Parisians I will make it up to you at some point in Season 7. I swear! The quality of the win wasn’t the only reason Paris got dropped though. Like ATOIAF Paris is still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt and they actually have the tie breaker over both Ice & Fire and Multiple. However, they will still need to get to at least 10 wins and their final 5 games is far more brutal than Ice & Fires. Aside from a lay-up game against Porto, Paris must beat Korb, Rotterdam, Stockholm and the Pimps just to make it in. That’s not a steep hill to climb, it’s f&*king Mount Everest.
13. Black Forest Mercenaries (3-8)
Last week: 14 (+1)
Everyone loves playing Porto. It feels so good afterwards, doesn’t it? While the playoffs are out of the picture for the Mercs, it’s not too early to start thinking about Season 7 and how to avoid another slow start. Black Forest will have a great chance to test their mettle against the Zeta elite as their final 5 games are all against probable playoff teams. Playing the role of spoiler may not be glamorous, but it can be fun. Let’s see if BFM can pull a rabbit out of their hat and upset one of the big boys in the coming weeks. (Just be nice to Stockholm … please).
14. Antwerp Annihilators (2-9)
Last week: 13 (-1)
Antwerp still has a chance to end the season on a winning streak, but that loss to Paris hurts. It wasn’t a huge upset by any means, but the one-sided nature of the score shocked a lot of critics (including this one). The loss suddenly puts the Annihilators in some jeopardy as far as relegation goes. This weeks’ match up against the equally struggling Patriots has suddenly become an enormous game with a ton of long term implications. A loss suddenly bumps the Patriots up above the Annihilators while a win would all but cement the Patriots’ fate as being AAA bound in Season 7. While it’s true Antwerp has Porto left on their schedule, the rest of their games are not easy. Meaning all the Patriots would have to do (should they win against Antwerp) is find one more win in their final 4 games … that is not something I would want to risk if I were Antwerp.
15. UK Patriots (1-10)
Last week: 15
Neither the Patriots nor the Annihilators will be in the playoffs in Season 6, but the match up between these two clubs this week will sure feel like a playoff atmosphere. If the Patriots can find a way to pull off the upset, their whole season may well change. It will be a great fight, a battle for their WEPL lives (for this season anyway). All the Patriot coaches should be working overtime the next day or two in trying to put together a game plan that will shcok the Annihilators. There’s simply no tomorrow.
16. Porto Reconquistas (0-11)
Last week: 1st … (just seeing if anyone pays attention to what I put here)
Porto will be here all year folks … be sure to tip your waitress and try the veal!
Alpha Power Rankings: Week 11
1. Black Watch (10-1)
Last Week: 1
Black Watch’s defense assured that the team would hold onto it’s number 1 ranking with an impressive performance against the Wembley Warriors. Not only did they force Wembley to be one dimensional after shutting down their rushing attack, the D racked up 12 hurries an 10 sacks in addition to recovering 2 fumbles and taking 1 INT back for a TD. The offense was just as efficient, racking up 228 yards on the ground and 220 through the air in an overall impressive display of balance. With a tough match-up against Stuttgart on deck, Black Watch will need to match their efforts to reach 11-1.
2. Paris Philharmonic (9-2)
Last Week: 2
The Philharmonic survived 3 turnovers and 4 sacks in their defensive slugfest with Berlin in Week 10. The 17-16 point victory was a boon for Paris’ hopes of clinching the number 2 seed and extended their winning streak to 4 games. The game also showed the defending champs’ versatility as they were able to win ugly against a very good Berlin team. They’ll get a chance to get back into their offensive rhythm this week against Lake Charles in a game that should be just a tune up before their final 4 game stretch that pits them against the Monarchs, Lumberjacks, Minotaurs and Mercs.
3. London Minotaurs (7-4)
Last Week: 3
Alpha has become very difficult to rank – especially in the top 10. That’s evidenced by my keeping the Minotaurs at the number 3 spot despite losing to AWC. In part this decision is the result of my belief that AWC is far better than they have shown this year as well as the Monarchs’ win this week coming against a less than impressive Carthage team. Still, at 7-4 the Minotaurs are right in the thick of the race for a Top 4 seed. With games coming up against Dinas and Paris, the Minotaurs will have a chance to prove they deserve one. With the other three games being very winnable, a 10 win season is the very least we can expect.
4. London Monarchs (8-3)
Last Week: 5 (+1)
With Berlin and Dinas losing, the Monarch get back into the Top 4 this week and should probably get pretty comfortable there. With only two tough games left on their schedule, London should get to 11 wins in their sleep, meaning a Top 4 seed is more than likely. However, in order to improve the team’s prospects in the playoffs, they will need to perform better against Paris and Dinas over the next two weeks. If they can go 2-0 or even 1-1 in that stretch it will erase a lot of the doubts some critics have about the Monarchs’ ability to make a deep playoff run.
5. Woodridge Lumberjacks (7-4)
Last Week: 7 (+2)
A solid win over the surprising Red Bandits boosts the Lumberjacks up two spots this week. With only Paris and Wembley left on their schedule, as well as two games against Carthage and Toledo, there’s a good chance the Lumberjacks could reach 11 or 12 wins and put them in excellent position as far as playoff seeding goes. If the Minotaurs and Paris stumble through their final stretch, Woodridge could even sneak in and steal a top 3 seed.
6. Berlin Blitzkrieg (6-5)
Last Week: 6
Berlin came within one point of knocking off Paris in what was a great all around game by both clubs. For that reason alone, I can’t drop them below 6 even though there are two other teams with better records. Berlin is just playing too well right now. And with only one brutal game left (against Black Watch), Berlin should easily get to 9 or 10 wins and lock up a playoff birth. They just can’t afford to overlook the Warriors who are lurking right in the middle of their final 5 game stretch.
7. Stuttgart Nighthawks (7-4)
Last Week: 8 (+1)
Despite a late E-City rally, the Nighthawks held on for a narrow 35-31 point victory and notched their seventh win of the season. The running game was once again the standard bearer as Stuttgart rushed for 352 yards on 55 carries and cashed in 2 TDs. HB Ankle Breaka was the hero once again with 268 of those yards. But the passing game was just as impressive as Hugh Cannon tossed 3 TDs on just 12 pass attempts. The Nighthawks now face a tough game against Black Watch followed by the upstart Wrecking Crew. They must go 1-1 during that stretch to lock up a playoff birth, but based on how well they have been playing lately that shouldn’t be a problem.
8. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits (7-4)
Last Week: 4 (-4)
I admit a 4 point drop after losing to a team as good as Woodridge is harsh, but it’s more a statement on how well Stuttgart and Berlin have been playing as of late. Dinas though is in serious trouble now with a brutal 5 game stretch looming. At 7-4 they have the tie breaker over Wembley but not against Berlin. Meaning they will have to go 3-2 or 4-1 down the stretch to stay in the playoff field. That will be a difficult climb considering their final 5 opponents are the Minotaurs, Mercs, Nighthawks, Wrecking Crew and Black Watch. With the Mercs being the only lay-up win on the schedule it means they will have to beat AWC and pull an upset against either the Minotaurs or Nighthawks -- or hope that by Week 16 Black Watch has locked up the number 1 spot and is playing reservists. It should be an interesting finish for the Red Bandits.
9. Wembley Warriors (6-5)
Last Week: 9
If the playoffs started today, Wembley would be in and Berlin would be out. However that tie breaker will be tested fully in two weeks when the teams meet. Until then, the Warriors are going to need to mount an impressive run to steal a spot from one of the Top 8 above them in these rankings. Their best hope is to catch the Red Bandits, however they have the misfortune of not having the tiebreaker edge over Dinas. That means they will need to get to at least 9 wins to get in. That won’t be easy with Texas, Berlin, Lake Charles, the Monarchs and Lumberjacks left on the docket. While they can afford to lose 1 or 2 games, they cannot afford to have one of those loses be to Berlin or Texas – making the next two games very important for the Warriors. It will interesting to see if the Warriors can take the momentum they gained from hanging tough with Black Watch into this final stretch and beat the odds.
10. Fightin’ Texas Aggies (5-6)
Last Week: 10
The 10th ranked Aggies are still alive in the playoff race, even if they are on life support. Like the Warriors above them, the best chance the Aggies have to make the playoffs is to steal Dinas or Berlins’ spots. However, the Aggies also lost to Dinas this season meaning they will have to reach at least 9 wins to have a shot. Realistically that will be a long shot since their final 5 games is brutal: Wembley, Black Watch, Berlin, Lake Charles and the Monarchs. It all starts this week with Wembley. A loss to the Warriors wouldn’t mathematically eliminate the Aggies, but it would certainly make it as close to impossible as you can get. I bet they wish they could use some of the 189 points they dropped on Toledo and carry them over to the Warriors game!
11. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (3-8)
Last Week: 12 (+1)
It took 12 Weeks, but the Wrecking Crew finally looked like the team I had picked to make a deep playoff run this pre-season. DE Jimmy Johnson was flat out filthy in the 28-21 point win as he had 15 hurries and 14 sacks! Former Zeta MVP JJ Flicker finally got his moment to shine as his 2 TDS and 329 yards through the air secured the victory for the Wrecking Crew. Aberdeen now finds themselves in a very dangerous position as they can spoil several teams’ playoff hopes. Upcoming games against the Nighthawks, Black Watch and Red Bandits should be a great tune up for Season 7 as well as a chance for Jimmy Johnson to wreak havoc and leave cleat marks on the his opponents’ playoff dreams.
12. Lake Charles Who Dats (3-8)
Last Week: 14 (+2)
Lake Charles once again proved to be the most unpredictable team in Alpha as they used a 14 point 4th quarter to beat the leagues other most unpredictable team in Chicago last week. The 42-41 point victory gave Lake Charles their 3rd win and some bragging rights, but with the playoffs out of reach it’s time to start recruiting and focusing on Season 7.
13. Chicago Rocks (4-7)
Last Week: 11 (-2)
Chicago just can’t seem to get out of their own way. Losing a heartbreaker to Lake Charles means the Rocks are looking at a potential 11 loss season. With 5 games left the only easy game (if there are such things for Chicago) comes in Week 15 when E-City rolls into town. The other 4 games against the Monarchs, Minotaurs, Lumberjacks and Nighthawks will give Chicago a chance to make me eat my words or give their coaches more ulcers.
14. E-City Mercenaries (2-9)
Last Week: 13 (-1)
E-City played tough against a very good Stuttgart team but still came up short, extending their losing streak to 5 games. It’s been a frustrating year for a squad many had expected to make a playoff push, but it’s not over yet. With games left against Carthage, Chicago and Aberdeen there’s a chance to pick up two or three more wins as well as a chance to play spoiler to Dinas and Paris. While there’s no threat of relegation, this team needs to take these next 5 games and start retooling for Season 7 so they won’t find themselves stuck in this position again.
15. Carthage Army of Darkness (1-10)
Last Week: 15
The good news for Carthage is that the season is almost over. The bad news is that of their final 5 games, 4 of them are against playoff teams. Ouch!
16. Toledo Swords (0-11)
Last Week:
They’ll be here all year …
Week 12 Previews & Picks
Last Week: 11-5
Season Total: 93-35
Zeta
Reykjavik Aggies (5-6) at PPP Longnecks (9-2):
It’s make-or-break time for the Aggies who need to pull of at least one upset over the next two weeks to keep their ailing playoff hopes alive. The good news is that Ice & Fire proved that the Longnecks are vulnerable. The bad news is that now the Longnecks are angry – very angry. This one was the runner up for game of the week, but I opted for a different approach this week (you’ll see when you get there). Still, this game should be great fun to watch as both teams are coming in with something to prove. The Aggies are going to have to lean on their superstar QB Campbell to take control and put up points on a very tough PPP Defense, but it’s going to be up to the Aggies’ undermanned defense to make enough plays to keep them in the game. I really don’t see the Longnecks losing 2 in a row, no matter how much fun it would make the playoff race in Zeta. Longnecks win a shootout 38-31.
Black Forest Mercenaries (3-8) at Rotterdam Roughnecks (7-4):
Rotterdam has been playing with their helmets on fire lately – and no it’s not just because Corey let his cookies burn (again, that just sounded unintentionally dirty. Damn), it’s because Rotterdam has suddenly been playing sound defense as well as their normal lights out offense. Against Black Forests’ struggling defense, the Smith brothers should be able to have their way while the over looked ground game chews up the clock. I expect Black Forest to keep it interesting early, but Rotterdam is just playing too tough right now for me to pick against them. Rotterdam wins 40-17.
Sevilla Naranjas (7-4) at Stockholm Meatballs (10-1):
This game should be interesting as a desperate Naranjas club comes into a sold out Meatball Pan Stadium. The Naranjas simply cannot afford to turn the ball over like they did against Rotterdam if they expect to keep this game close. Instead they should return to their power rushing roots and force the Meatballs into a game of attrition. If the Naranjas can limit the mistakes and find a way to corral Mal Brown, they will make a game of it. But in the end I think the Meat are too strong. Stockholm wins 38-20.
Paris Musketeers (4-7) at Korb Destroyers (9-2):
Korb gets a chance to play dream crusher this week as they face the Musketeers who are still barely on life support as far as the playoffs go. A loss to Korb would end any lingering dreams while an upset would lift the spirits and provide a great foundation for Season 7 even if the playoffs fall short. But in order for any of that to happen, they have to find a way to score on Zeta’s best defense right now. That won’t happen. Korb wins 33-9.
Ice & Fire (4-7) at Berlin Ballers (10-1):
Can Ice & Fire go two for two with upset? Is it possible that they could knock off the number 2 and number 1 ranked teams in consecutive weeks? How many questions will I ask in a row before making a statement? The answer is that it’s certainly possible for Ice & Fire to pull off an upset here, but it’s not likely. Berlin has never shown the tendency to play down to an opponent before and I don’t expect them to take Ice & Fire lightly – certainly not after the stunning PPP score last week. I’ll be curious to see how Ice & Fire deals with the Ballers’ pass rush but I think it will ultimately be Ice & Fire’s inability to stop Heather Marie that costs them the game. Ballers win, 44-10.
Lyon Dynasty (7-4) at Porto Reconquistas (0-11):
No shockers here. Lyon wins … big.
Multiple Scorgasms (6-5) at Rivals Mainboard Pimps (7-4):
Another great rivalry gets renewed as Multiple looks to hold onto their playoff hopes while Rivals continues to fine tune their Pimp-hand. This is an interesting match-up for a number of reasons. Primarily because the Scorgasms are capable of scoring on anyone while the Pimps’ defense has been suspect in patches this year. If McMahon can get into a rhythm early he could force the Pimps to abandon the running game and put the game in Pohl’s hands. That might give Multiple a fighting chance in this one. Still, I don’t see the Pimps losing this one though I do expect Multiple to make a great game of it. Pimps win a close one 33-31.
Game of the Week: Zeta
UK Patriots (1-10) at Antwerp Annihilators (2-9):
What? Are you kidding me? A 1-10 team versus a 2-9 team gets the coveted Game of the Week spot?! I know Antwerp fans are going to riot as they have not done well when assigned this spot so far this year. However, this game actually has the biggest impact on the face of Zeta for the foreseeable future, hence it’s designation.
As explained in great detail above, if the Patriots can find a way to win this game, they will have a 0.5 game lead over Antwerp as far as relegation goes. While the Annihilators can still lose and avoid relegation, the Patriots really can’t afford to lose and have any hopes of staving off relegation. That makes this a must win game for both teams and gives us another reason to make this the game of the week.
On paper this game really shouldn’t be close. Antwerp has better players and has shown more ability this year with 1 more win. But still, the Annihilators have been inconsistent at best and thus it’s not impossible to see an upset here. Still, it’s going to take the Patriots very best effort all year long to pull it off. They are going to not only need to get their passing game going, but they are going to need to find a way to protect their QB and force Antwerp into some timely turnovers. It’s a tall order and I don’t think it will happen … but it should be interesting. Antwerp wins 33-27.
Alpha
Carthage Army of Darkness (1-10) at Woodridge Lumberjacks (7-4):
It’s no fun being Carthage these days. Having to travel into a metaphorical buzz-saw that are the Lumberjacks won’t be pretty nor fun. Woodridge will get a chance to get their eighth win of the season and move one step closer to officially clinching a playoff birth. Woodridge wins, 55-3.
Chicago Rocks (4-7) at London Monarchs (8-3):
The Monarchs got a chance to get healthy against Carthage last week and they will get another shot against the mercurial Rocks. London is firmly in control of their Top 4 destiny and shouldn’t have any problems dispatching Chicago this week, however they would like to gain some consistency on both sides of the ball as the playoffs near. Monarchs win 44-10.
Toledo Swords (0-11) at Berlin Blitz (6-5):
No shocks or surprises here. Berlin wins by a moose and a goat … that’s a lot in Pakistan, trust me, I’m very sophisticated.
Wembley Warriors (6-5) at Fightin’ Texas Aggies (5-6):
This game nearly became the Game of the Week in Alpha as it has enormous playoff implications for both teams. A loss for either team will effectively end their playoff hopes while a win keeps them alive for another week. Neither team has looked bad lately as both suffered close losses to some top teams. Sadly, neither team has looke great either. It will be interesting to see which version of both clubs show up. Despite Wembley’s edge on paper, I am going with the upset here as the Warriors loss to Chicago is still fresh in my mind. Aggies win a nail biter 38-37.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (7-4) at Black Watch (10-1):
Yet another great match up in Alpha this week as they clearly have the best games in Week 11. I was tempted to put this one in the Game of the Week slot, but since both teams are playoff locks (in my mind at least) I went with a different game. Still, this one should be a doozy as the power running game of the Nighthawks gets to cut their teeth against the Black Watch defense that has been rather dominant all season long. This will be a big test for Stuttgart who is quickly becoming a favorite upset pick for me in the playoffs. They have shown enough tenacity and merit to upset a team or two once the playoffs begin, but they haven’t shown me enough consistency for me to pick them against arguably the best team in WEPL at the moment. Black Watch wins 34-27.
Paris Philharmonic (9-2) at Lake Charles Who Dats (3-8):
Paris should have a field day this week against the Who Dats – assuming the Who Dats don’t bring their A game. If they do, Paris might be in for a bit of a dog fight but it won’t be anything they can’t handle. Paris wins 45-17.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (3-8) at E-City Mercenaries (2-9):
Aberdeen has a chance to keep the ball bouncing this week against the struggling Mercs. It’s paramount for the Wrecking Crew to end the season on a winning streak and build up some momentum for Season 7. It’s the same story for the Mercs who are just as talented but have found the adjustments difficult in Season 6. The Mercs will bounce back next season but this game belongs to Aberdeen. Aberdeen wins 33-20.
Game of the Week: Alpha
Dinas Red Bandits (7-4) at London Minotaurs (7-4):
This is as close to a make or break game as you can get for the Bandits. Even though they are still a couple games up on the other playoff contenders scrambling to steal their spot, their upcoming schedule is so unforgiving that they cannot afford to lose more than 2 games. For the Minotaurs, they are desperate to put the breaks on their recent 2 game losing streak and get back into the thick of the Top 4 Playoff hunt.
Both rookie teams have shown the ability to pull upsets and compete in Alpha and this game should be a great match up. However London has been a bit more successful to date and has an edge in talent. I expect Dinas to make this one close, but London is too strong to lose three in a row. Minotaurs win 35-28.
As we near the finish line for Season 6 my Power Rankings suddenly get more and more in line with the actual Conference standings. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less interesting, I promise!
We have a big week coming up with some big games in Alpha and one game in Zeta that may very well determine the face of the Conference in Season 7. With some big upsets in Week 10 and the playoffs fast closing in, every game becomes critical.
FDC
Zeta Power Rankings: Week 11
1. Berlin Ballers (10-1)
Last week: 1
As expected, Berlin coasted over the Patriots to the tune of 72-13. In the win, both of the Ballers’ offensive superstars HB Heather Marie and QB Rex “Sex Cannon” Grossman chipped in 5 TDs … each. The defense wasn’t left behind though as the fierce pass rush racked up 26 hurries and 3 sacks on the Patriots’ 62 drop backs. Next up for the Ballers are the upset minded Ice & Fire squad who are looking to make it two in a row against the top echelon of Zeta.
2. Stockholm Meatballs (10-1)
Last week: 3 (+1)
Stockholm finally got the Scorgasm monkey off their back … wait, that just sounded plain wrong. And kind of gross. I need to clear my head. (Deep breath … ) And I’m back. The win over Multiple bumps Stockholm back up to the number 2 slot and they owe Ice & Fire a nice bottle of booze for helping the cause. With the Aggies and Ice & Fire playing well as of late, the Meatballs’ struggles as of late are suddenly looking less and less problematic.
3. PPP Longnecks (9-2)
Last week: 2 (-1)
A tough decision was made here between putting PPP or Korb in the three slot. Both teams have been on a roll as of late and while Korb has lost to opponents with better records, PPP is one of the teams that beat Korb. Thus, they get the nod this week. Still, the Longnecks struggled all day against the pesky Ice & Fire, needing a 17 point 4th quarter just to stay in it before ATOIAF won it in OT. With the equally dangerous Aggies up next, PPP can’t afford to drop another one.
4. Korb Destroyers (9-2)
Last week: 4
It took 11 weeks, but Korbs’ mighty defense finally posted its first shutout of the year, this time against the playoff hopeful Dynasty. The 22-0 slug fest was anchored by DE Ed Stinson’s hat trick of sacks and hurries which aided the Destroyers in holding Lyon to under 200 yards of total offense. If you factor in Korb’s last three and a half games, the defense has only surrendered 1 TD in the past 14 quarters and a total of 16 points in that stretch, only 3 points in the last 8 combined quarters. That’s mighty impressive work and a sign of good things to come for Korb.
5. Rivals Mainboard Pimps (7-4)
Last week: 6 (+1)
Phillipp Pohl’s 3 INTs and 40.9 completion percentage nearly cost the Pimps last week against the Aggies. Fortunately, the HB duo of Lee Suggs and Tremaine Stephens were there to pick up the slack as they combined for 324 yards and 4 TDs to secure the narrow 34-31 point victory. At 7-4 the Pimps don’t have too much room to make mistakes, but thankfully their remaining 5 games are all very winnable. With a little luck they could even snatch a Top 4 seed if they catch a break. Despite that sunshine, it’s clear the Pimps need to start tightening the screws a bit as the playoffs lurk just around the corner.
6. Rotterdam Roughnecks (7-4)
Last week: 8 (+2)
Rotterdam’s defense likes to make me look bad. They take pride in it. And I admit I’ve been harsh on the defensive unit all season long, but boy did they look great against the Naranjas. Holding Sevilla to 233 yards and forcing 8 turnovers, 7 of those INTs, was impressive. The huge win earned Rotterdam a valuable tie breaker over Sevilla as well as increasing their winning streak to 5 games. There’s no reason they can’t make that streak 10 games before the playoffs start.
7. Lyon Dynasty (7-4)
Last week: 5 (-2)
While their showdown with Korb did not go as well as they had hoped, Lyon is still in relatively good shape as far as a playoff birth goes – but they are going to have to earn it. With a lay-up game against Porto up next, Lyon will be 8-8 heading into a brutal 4 game finish against the Roughnecks, Meatballs, Pimps and Longnecks. While they hold the edge over Sevilla in the head-to-head match up, they don’t have it against Multiple and the Aggies – both of whom are still clinging to playoff dreams. Realistically, Lyon will have to win at least one if not two of those final four games to hold off the Aggies or the Scorgasms. It should make for good drama in Lyon over the next few weeks.
8. Sevilla Naranjas (7-4)
Last week: 7 (-1)
Sevilla is actually in a bit better shape than Lyon at the moment. While they too have a brutal 4 game stretch (against Stockholm, Pimps, Longnecks and Ballers) they also have a winnable game against the Patriots which should guarantee them 8 wins. However, while Sevilla doesn’t have the head-to-head tie breaker over Lyon, they DO have it over both the Aggies and Scorgasms. This basically means that even if the Naranjas go 0-4 against those teams, the Scorgasms would have to go 3-5 while the Aggies would need to go 4-5 to have a shot. Playoff math aside, Sevilla has to find a way to get back to basics fast with Stockholm coming up next.
9. Multiple Scorgasms (6-5)
Last week: 9
The loss to the Meatballs put a serious crimp in the Scorgasms’ playoff dreams, but they are still very much in the race. With both Lyon and Sevilla facing 4 very tough games in the final stanza, Multiple really has their fate in their own hands. It’s going to take a Herculean effort but there’s enough talent here to do it. Left on the schedule: Pimps, Longnecks, Ballers, Patriots and Ice & Fire. To get in they are going to need to get 9 wins (and get help) and 10 wins would pretty much assure them a spot. That means they simply must beat the Patriots and Ice & Fire (which they should be able to do, but not easily) and then find a way to win at least 1 of the other 3 games, if not two. Pass the tums!
10. Reykjavik Aggies (5-6)
Last week: 10
It’s getting down to that time of year where my rankings and the overall standings tend to match up. For the first time all season my Top 10 matches exactly with the Conference standings. But, I can’t really bump the Aggies or Scorgasms down since they are the only teams outside of the Top 10 who have a realistic shot left at making the playoffs (though Ice & Fire and Paris are still mathematically alive, but more on them below). The Aggies came just a whisker away from upsetting the Pimps last week and are now left in a tough playoff spot. With 3 of their final 5 games being winnable, they should reach 8 wins. However it’s going to take at least 9 to get in (with help). Meaning they will have to find a way to upset either the Longnecks this week or the Ballers next. With their offensive fire power it’s not an inconceivable notion. It’s just going to take near perfect execution.
11. ATOIAF (4-7)
Last week: 12 (+1)
I knew that Ice & Fire was going to have at least one win this year that shocked the league, and they seem to have gotten it last week against the mighty Longnecks. Their thrilling overtime win was not only the best game of the week, but it also kept the small flame that is their playoff hopes flickering for at least one more week. Mathematically ATOIAF is still alive, but with their tiebreaker situation against Sevilla and Lyon it’s going to probably take a 10-6 record to get in. That means upsetting the powerful Berlin Ballers this week. The good news is that if (and I know it’s a big if) Ice & Fire can find a way to shock the Ballers, the next 2 games against the Patriots and Annihilators are very winnable. That would set up a great final two games against Multiple and the Aggies. Could you imagine that? How much fun would that be?
12. Paris Musketeers (4-7)
Last week: 11 (-1)
I know I’m a bastard for dropping Paris despite their impressive 48-17 win over Antwerp. But I had to reward Ice & Fire for upsetting the Longnecks, didn’t I? I promise all the good Parisians I will make it up to you at some point in Season 7. I swear! The quality of the win wasn’t the only reason Paris got dropped though. Like ATOIAF Paris is still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt and they actually have the tie breaker over both Ice & Fire and Multiple. However, they will still need to get to at least 10 wins and their final 5 games is far more brutal than Ice & Fires. Aside from a lay-up game against Porto, Paris must beat Korb, Rotterdam, Stockholm and the Pimps just to make it in. That’s not a steep hill to climb, it’s f&*king Mount Everest.
13. Black Forest Mercenaries (3-8)
Last week: 14 (+1)
Everyone loves playing Porto. It feels so good afterwards, doesn’t it? While the playoffs are out of the picture for the Mercs, it’s not too early to start thinking about Season 7 and how to avoid another slow start. Black Forest will have a great chance to test their mettle against the Zeta elite as their final 5 games are all against probable playoff teams. Playing the role of spoiler may not be glamorous, but it can be fun. Let’s see if BFM can pull a rabbit out of their hat and upset one of the big boys in the coming weeks. (Just be nice to Stockholm … please).
14. Antwerp Annihilators (2-9)
Last week: 13 (-1)
Antwerp still has a chance to end the season on a winning streak, but that loss to Paris hurts. It wasn’t a huge upset by any means, but the one-sided nature of the score shocked a lot of critics (including this one). The loss suddenly puts the Annihilators in some jeopardy as far as relegation goes. This weeks’ match up against the equally struggling Patriots has suddenly become an enormous game with a ton of long term implications. A loss suddenly bumps the Patriots up above the Annihilators while a win would all but cement the Patriots’ fate as being AAA bound in Season 7. While it’s true Antwerp has Porto left on their schedule, the rest of their games are not easy. Meaning all the Patriots would have to do (should they win against Antwerp) is find one more win in their final 4 games … that is not something I would want to risk if I were Antwerp.
15. UK Patriots (1-10)
Last week: 15
Neither the Patriots nor the Annihilators will be in the playoffs in Season 6, but the match up between these two clubs this week will sure feel like a playoff atmosphere. If the Patriots can find a way to pull off the upset, their whole season may well change. It will be a great fight, a battle for their WEPL lives (for this season anyway). All the Patriot coaches should be working overtime the next day or two in trying to put together a game plan that will shcok the Annihilators. There’s simply no tomorrow.
16. Porto Reconquistas (0-11)
Last week: 1st … (just seeing if anyone pays attention to what I put here)
Porto will be here all year folks … be sure to tip your waitress and try the veal!
Alpha Power Rankings: Week 11
1. Black Watch (10-1)
Last Week: 1
Black Watch’s defense assured that the team would hold onto it’s number 1 ranking with an impressive performance against the Wembley Warriors. Not only did they force Wembley to be one dimensional after shutting down their rushing attack, the D racked up 12 hurries an 10 sacks in addition to recovering 2 fumbles and taking 1 INT back for a TD. The offense was just as efficient, racking up 228 yards on the ground and 220 through the air in an overall impressive display of balance. With a tough match-up against Stuttgart on deck, Black Watch will need to match their efforts to reach 11-1.
2. Paris Philharmonic (9-2)
Last Week: 2
The Philharmonic survived 3 turnovers and 4 sacks in their defensive slugfest with Berlin in Week 10. The 17-16 point victory was a boon for Paris’ hopes of clinching the number 2 seed and extended their winning streak to 4 games. The game also showed the defending champs’ versatility as they were able to win ugly against a very good Berlin team. They’ll get a chance to get back into their offensive rhythm this week against Lake Charles in a game that should be just a tune up before their final 4 game stretch that pits them against the Monarchs, Lumberjacks, Minotaurs and Mercs.
3. London Minotaurs (7-4)
Last Week: 3
Alpha has become very difficult to rank – especially in the top 10. That’s evidenced by my keeping the Minotaurs at the number 3 spot despite losing to AWC. In part this decision is the result of my belief that AWC is far better than they have shown this year as well as the Monarchs’ win this week coming against a less than impressive Carthage team. Still, at 7-4 the Minotaurs are right in the thick of the race for a Top 4 seed. With games coming up against Dinas and Paris, the Minotaurs will have a chance to prove they deserve one. With the other three games being very winnable, a 10 win season is the very least we can expect.
4. London Monarchs (8-3)
Last Week: 5 (+1)
With Berlin and Dinas losing, the Monarch get back into the Top 4 this week and should probably get pretty comfortable there. With only two tough games left on their schedule, London should get to 11 wins in their sleep, meaning a Top 4 seed is more than likely. However, in order to improve the team’s prospects in the playoffs, they will need to perform better against Paris and Dinas over the next two weeks. If they can go 2-0 or even 1-1 in that stretch it will erase a lot of the doubts some critics have about the Monarchs’ ability to make a deep playoff run.
5. Woodridge Lumberjacks (7-4)
Last Week: 7 (+2)
A solid win over the surprising Red Bandits boosts the Lumberjacks up two spots this week. With only Paris and Wembley left on their schedule, as well as two games against Carthage and Toledo, there’s a good chance the Lumberjacks could reach 11 or 12 wins and put them in excellent position as far as playoff seeding goes. If the Minotaurs and Paris stumble through their final stretch, Woodridge could even sneak in and steal a top 3 seed.
6. Berlin Blitzkrieg (6-5)
Last Week: 6
Berlin came within one point of knocking off Paris in what was a great all around game by both clubs. For that reason alone, I can’t drop them below 6 even though there are two other teams with better records. Berlin is just playing too well right now. And with only one brutal game left (against Black Watch), Berlin should easily get to 9 or 10 wins and lock up a playoff birth. They just can’t afford to overlook the Warriors who are lurking right in the middle of their final 5 game stretch.
7. Stuttgart Nighthawks (7-4)
Last Week: 8 (+1)
Despite a late E-City rally, the Nighthawks held on for a narrow 35-31 point victory and notched their seventh win of the season. The running game was once again the standard bearer as Stuttgart rushed for 352 yards on 55 carries and cashed in 2 TDs. HB Ankle Breaka was the hero once again with 268 of those yards. But the passing game was just as impressive as Hugh Cannon tossed 3 TDs on just 12 pass attempts. The Nighthawks now face a tough game against Black Watch followed by the upstart Wrecking Crew. They must go 1-1 during that stretch to lock up a playoff birth, but based on how well they have been playing lately that shouldn’t be a problem.
8. Dinas Mawddwy Red Bandits (7-4)
Last Week: 4 (-4)
I admit a 4 point drop after losing to a team as good as Woodridge is harsh, but it’s more a statement on how well Stuttgart and Berlin have been playing as of late. Dinas though is in serious trouble now with a brutal 5 game stretch looming. At 7-4 they have the tie breaker over Wembley but not against Berlin. Meaning they will have to go 3-2 or 4-1 down the stretch to stay in the playoff field. That will be a difficult climb considering their final 5 opponents are the Minotaurs, Mercs, Nighthawks, Wrecking Crew and Black Watch. With the Mercs being the only lay-up win on the schedule it means they will have to beat AWC and pull an upset against either the Minotaurs or Nighthawks -- or hope that by Week 16 Black Watch has locked up the number 1 spot and is playing reservists. It should be an interesting finish for the Red Bandits.
9. Wembley Warriors (6-5)
Last Week: 9
If the playoffs started today, Wembley would be in and Berlin would be out. However that tie breaker will be tested fully in two weeks when the teams meet. Until then, the Warriors are going to need to mount an impressive run to steal a spot from one of the Top 8 above them in these rankings. Their best hope is to catch the Red Bandits, however they have the misfortune of not having the tiebreaker edge over Dinas. That means they will need to get to at least 9 wins to get in. That won’t be easy with Texas, Berlin, Lake Charles, the Monarchs and Lumberjacks left on the docket. While they can afford to lose 1 or 2 games, they cannot afford to have one of those loses be to Berlin or Texas – making the next two games very important for the Warriors. It will interesting to see if the Warriors can take the momentum they gained from hanging tough with Black Watch into this final stretch and beat the odds.
10. Fightin’ Texas Aggies (5-6)
Last Week: 10
The 10th ranked Aggies are still alive in the playoff race, even if they are on life support. Like the Warriors above them, the best chance the Aggies have to make the playoffs is to steal Dinas or Berlins’ spots. However, the Aggies also lost to Dinas this season meaning they will have to reach at least 9 wins to have a shot. Realistically that will be a long shot since their final 5 games is brutal: Wembley, Black Watch, Berlin, Lake Charles and the Monarchs. It all starts this week with Wembley. A loss to the Warriors wouldn’t mathematically eliminate the Aggies, but it would certainly make it as close to impossible as you can get. I bet they wish they could use some of the 189 points they dropped on Toledo and carry them over to the Warriors game!
11. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (3-8)
Last Week: 12 (+1)
It took 12 Weeks, but the Wrecking Crew finally looked like the team I had picked to make a deep playoff run this pre-season. DE Jimmy Johnson was flat out filthy in the 28-21 point win as he had 15 hurries and 14 sacks! Former Zeta MVP JJ Flicker finally got his moment to shine as his 2 TDS and 329 yards through the air secured the victory for the Wrecking Crew. Aberdeen now finds themselves in a very dangerous position as they can spoil several teams’ playoff hopes. Upcoming games against the Nighthawks, Black Watch and Red Bandits should be a great tune up for Season 7 as well as a chance for Jimmy Johnson to wreak havoc and leave cleat marks on the his opponents’ playoff dreams.
12. Lake Charles Who Dats (3-8)
Last Week: 14 (+2)
Lake Charles once again proved to be the most unpredictable team in Alpha as they used a 14 point 4th quarter to beat the leagues other most unpredictable team in Chicago last week. The 42-41 point victory gave Lake Charles their 3rd win and some bragging rights, but with the playoffs out of reach it’s time to start recruiting and focusing on Season 7.
13. Chicago Rocks (4-7)
Last Week: 11 (-2)
Chicago just can’t seem to get out of their own way. Losing a heartbreaker to Lake Charles means the Rocks are looking at a potential 11 loss season. With 5 games left the only easy game (if there are such things for Chicago) comes in Week 15 when E-City rolls into town. The other 4 games against the Monarchs, Minotaurs, Lumberjacks and Nighthawks will give Chicago a chance to make me eat my words or give their coaches more ulcers.
14. E-City Mercenaries (2-9)
Last Week: 13 (-1)
E-City played tough against a very good Stuttgart team but still came up short, extending their losing streak to 5 games. It’s been a frustrating year for a squad many had expected to make a playoff push, but it’s not over yet. With games left against Carthage, Chicago and Aberdeen there’s a chance to pick up two or three more wins as well as a chance to play spoiler to Dinas and Paris. While there’s no threat of relegation, this team needs to take these next 5 games and start retooling for Season 7 so they won’t find themselves stuck in this position again.
15. Carthage Army of Darkness (1-10)
Last Week: 15
The good news for Carthage is that the season is almost over. The bad news is that of their final 5 games, 4 of them are against playoff teams. Ouch!
16. Toledo Swords (0-11)
Last Week:
They’ll be here all year …
Week 12 Previews & Picks
Last Week: 11-5
Season Total: 93-35
Zeta
Reykjavik Aggies (5-6) at PPP Longnecks (9-2):
It’s make-or-break time for the Aggies who need to pull of at least one upset over the next two weeks to keep their ailing playoff hopes alive. The good news is that Ice & Fire proved that the Longnecks are vulnerable. The bad news is that now the Longnecks are angry – very angry. This one was the runner up for game of the week, but I opted for a different approach this week (you’ll see when you get there). Still, this game should be great fun to watch as both teams are coming in with something to prove. The Aggies are going to have to lean on their superstar QB Campbell to take control and put up points on a very tough PPP Defense, but it’s going to be up to the Aggies’ undermanned defense to make enough plays to keep them in the game. I really don’t see the Longnecks losing 2 in a row, no matter how much fun it would make the playoff race in Zeta. Longnecks win a shootout 38-31.
Black Forest Mercenaries (3-8) at Rotterdam Roughnecks (7-4):
Rotterdam has been playing with their helmets on fire lately – and no it’s not just because Corey let his cookies burn (again, that just sounded unintentionally dirty. Damn), it’s because Rotterdam has suddenly been playing sound defense as well as their normal lights out offense. Against Black Forests’ struggling defense, the Smith brothers should be able to have their way while the over looked ground game chews up the clock. I expect Black Forest to keep it interesting early, but Rotterdam is just playing too tough right now for me to pick against them. Rotterdam wins 40-17.
Sevilla Naranjas (7-4) at Stockholm Meatballs (10-1):
This game should be interesting as a desperate Naranjas club comes into a sold out Meatball Pan Stadium. The Naranjas simply cannot afford to turn the ball over like they did against Rotterdam if they expect to keep this game close. Instead they should return to their power rushing roots and force the Meatballs into a game of attrition. If the Naranjas can limit the mistakes and find a way to corral Mal Brown, they will make a game of it. But in the end I think the Meat are too strong. Stockholm wins 38-20.
Paris Musketeers (4-7) at Korb Destroyers (9-2):
Korb gets a chance to play dream crusher this week as they face the Musketeers who are still barely on life support as far as the playoffs go. A loss to Korb would end any lingering dreams while an upset would lift the spirits and provide a great foundation for Season 7 even if the playoffs fall short. But in order for any of that to happen, they have to find a way to score on Zeta’s best defense right now. That won’t happen. Korb wins 33-9.
Ice & Fire (4-7) at Berlin Ballers (10-1):
Can Ice & Fire go two for two with upset? Is it possible that they could knock off the number 2 and number 1 ranked teams in consecutive weeks? How many questions will I ask in a row before making a statement? The answer is that it’s certainly possible for Ice & Fire to pull off an upset here, but it’s not likely. Berlin has never shown the tendency to play down to an opponent before and I don’t expect them to take Ice & Fire lightly – certainly not after the stunning PPP score last week. I’ll be curious to see how Ice & Fire deals with the Ballers’ pass rush but I think it will ultimately be Ice & Fire’s inability to stop Heather Marie that costs them the game. Ballers win, 44-10.
Lyon Dynasty (7-4) at Porto Reconquistas (0-11):
No shockers here. Lyon wins … big.
Multiple Scorgasms (6-5) at Rivals Mainboard Pimps (7-4):
Another great rivalry gets renewed as Multiple looks to hold onto their playoff hopes while Rivals continues to fine tune their Pimp-hand. This is an interesting match-up for a number of reasons. Primarily because the Scorgasms are capable of scoring on anyone while the Pimps’ defense has been suspect in patches this year. If McMahon can get into a rhythm early he could force the Pimps to abandon the running game and put the game in Pohl’s hands. That might give Multiple a fighting chance in this one. Still, I don’t see the Pimps losing this one though I do expect Multiple to make a great game of it. Pimps win a close one 33-31.
Game of the Week: Zeta
UK Patriots (1-10) at Antwerp Annihilators (2-9):
What? Are you kidding me? A 1-10 team versus a 2-9 team gets the coveted Game of the Week spot?! I know Antwerp fans are going to riot as they have not done well when assigned this spot so far this year. However, this game actually has the biggest impact on the face of Zeta for the foreseeable future, hence it’s designation.
As explained in great detail above, if the Patriots can find a way to win this game, they will have a 0.5 game lead over Antwerp as far as relegation goes. While the Annihilators can still lose and avoid relegation, the Patriots really can’t afford to lose and have any hopes of staving off relegation. That makes this a must win game for both teams and gives us another reason to make this the game of the week.
On paper this game really shouldn’t be close. Antwerp has better players and has shown more ability this year with 1 more win. But still, the Annihilators have been inconsistent at best and thus it’s not impossible to see an upset here. Still, it’s going to take the Patriots very best effort all year long to pull it off. They are going to not only need to get their passing game going, but they are going to need to find a way to protect their QB and force Antwerp into some timely turnovers. It’s a tall order and I don’t think it will happen … but it should be interesting. Antwerp wins 33-27.
Alpha
Carthage Army of Darkness (1-10) at Woodridge Lumberjacks (7-4):
It’s no fun being Carthage these days. Having to travel into a metaphorical buzz-saw that are the Lumberjacks won’t be pretty nor fun. Woodridge will get a chance to get their eighth win of the season and move one step closer to officially clinching a playoff birth. Woodridge wins, 55-3.
Chicago Rocks (4-7) at London Monarchs (8-3):
The Monarchs got a chance to get healthy against Carthage last week and they will get another shot against the mercurial Rocks. London is firmly in control of their Top 4 destiny and shouldn’t have any problems dispatching Chicago this week, however they would like to gain some consistency on both sides of the ball as the playoffs near. Monarchs win 44-10.
Toledo Swords (0-11) at Berlin Blitz (6-5):
No shocks or surprises here. Berlin wins by a moose and a goat … that’s a lot in Pakistan, trust me, I’m very sophisticated.
Wembley Warriors (6-5) at Fightin’ Texas Aggies (5-6):
This game nearly became the Game of the Week in Alpha as it has enormous playoff implications for both teams. A loss for either team will effectively end their playoff hopes while a win keeps them alive for another week. Neither team has looked bad lately as both suffered close losses to some top teams. Sadly, neither team has looke great either. It will be interesting to see which version of both clubs show up. Despite Wembley’s edge on paper, I am going with the upset here as the Warriors loss to Chicago is still fresh in my mind. Aggies win a nail biter 38-37.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (7-4) at Black Watch (10-1):
Yet another great match up in Alpha this week as they clearly have the best games in Week 11. I was tempted to put this one in the Game of the Week slot, but since both teams are playoff locks (in my mind at least) I went with a different game. Still, this one should be a doozy as the power running game of the Nighthawks gets to cut their teeth against the Black Watch defense that has been rather dominant all season long. This will be a big test for Stuttgart who is quickly becoming a favorite upset pick for me in the playoffs. They have shown enough tenacity and merit to upset a team or two once the playoffs begin, but they haven’t shown me enough consistency for me to pick them against arguably the best team in WEPL at the moment. Black Watch wins 34-27.
Paris Philharmonic (9-2) at Lake Charles Who Dats (3-8):
Paris should have a field day this week against the Who Dats – assuming the Who Dats don’t bring their A game. If they do, Paris might be in for a bit of a dog fight but it won’t be anything they can’t handle. Paris wins 45-17.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (3-8) at E-City Mercenaries (2-9):
Aberdeen has a chance to keep the ball bouncing this week against the struggling Mercs. It’s paramount for the Wrecking Crew to end the season on a winning streak and build up some momentum for Season 7. It’s the same story for the Mercs who are just as talented but have found the adjustments difficult in Season 6. The Mercs will bounce back next season but this game belongs to Aberdeen. Aberdeen wins 33-20.
Game of the Week: Alpha
Dinas Red Bandits (7-4) at London Minotaurs (7-4):
This is as close to a make or break game as you can get for the Bandits. Even though they are still a couple games up on the other playoff contenders scrambling to steal their spot, their upcoming schedule is so unforgiving that they cannot afford to lose more than 2 games. For the Minotaurs, they are desperate to put the breaks on their recent 2 game losing streak and get back into the thick of the Top 4 Playoff hunt.
Both rookie teams have shown the ability to pull upsets and compete in Alpha and this game should be a great match up. However London has been a bit more successful to date and has an edge in talent. I expect Dinas to make this one close, but London is too strong to lose three in a row. Minotaurs win 35-28.
Last edited Dec 2, 2008 16:31:58
and yes, I did notice 
