The Elite Eight
(8)Chaiyaphum Gothic at (1)East St Louis Tire Fires
The Gothic edged there way into the playoffs, and get the gift of traveling to East St Louis. They have an uphill battle to say the least vs the Tar Far's vaunted 2-300 defense, and in stopping rushing champion Beav Nizzle(4059 yds 90 TD) The ESL fans will also be in a frenzy, as the Tire Fires look to defend there title. The Gothic have had a great season, but a win here might be asking for too much.
Prediction - ESL 28-10 - ESL takes the next step in defending there title by advancing convincingly.
(5)Bangkok Seamen at (4)Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates
This is a very interesting first round match up. First, the 3 "powerhouse" teams from last season ended up in the same bracket. Second, Bandar knocked the Seamen out of last years playoffs(before losing to ESL) and have a history of beating Bangkok. And lastly, Gavin Dunn vs Ricky Watters. Ricky is a SEA Pro household name, while Dunn has been an above average, but not elite back. This season however, Dunn has a 10.2 YPC, and 53 TD's in what is by far his best season. Which superstar back performs better very well could be the key to this game.
Prediction - Bangkok 31-28 - No OT this year people, the Seamen regain form at just the right time to march on.
(7)Niagara Jeanhorns at (2)Manila Hitmen
Two teams I like and I have much respect for square off here. The Jeanhorns are a gritty, do what it takes type of team that manages to find ways to win. Manila is talented and deep, getting scoring from all phases of the team(26 return TD's, 23 Defensive TD's) While I would love to see Niagara take that next step, I know LeadUsNot much to well to think he will overlook the Jeanhorns.
Prediction - Manila 17-10
(6)Singapore Marauders at (3)Kamakura Katanas
The Katanas earned there stripes this season locking up the #3 seed. Singapore is a very good team, with a stout defense and a strong rushing attack and a passing game that just doesn't turn the ball over. The Katanas won the first match between the two, keeping the Marauders from TD's and forcing them into field goals. I think the Katanas have a great team, but also think Singapore does and expect this to go right down to the wire.
Prediction - Singapore 9-6
On the brink
(9)Mekong Monsoon - This team just missed out on the playoffs due to a head to head loss with the Gothic. The Monsoon have shown flashes of brilliance(dominating ESL early) but also lapses that they just can't have at this level(late meltdown in the same game vs ESL) I think the Monsoon performed exceptionally there first season in the Pro's, and are merely a piece or two away from being a very good team. I think without changes they are a playoff contender and could go deep into the playoffs if they do make it.
What the hell happened?
(10)Phuket All - at 6-10, this team has fallen far from where they once were. With the imminent departure of George Harver, it will be very interesting to see if this team will still be able to compete next season. I truly hope they get it together and restore Phuket to what it once was, a league powerhouse.
(11)Macau Gamblers - While not nearly on Phuket's level, this was a team I expected to compete for a playoff spot. They turned in a season in which they could only beat teams that didn't really belong in this league. I think they still could turn things around, but this is there last chance. Another poor season could see them moving down.
Would benefit from moving down a level
(12)Holbrook Roadrunners - Perrenial doormats, the Roadrunners need to be moved to AAA and see how they can fare there where they could be more competitive.
(13)Tokyo Whalers - No name changes this season is a plus, but they beat 3 computer teams. AAA or AA level would be a better fit for them imo.
(14)Pattaya Partisans - Once proud franchise sold to the man. Who will be moving up to replace them?
(15)Foxboro Full Blast - I think this is the team we got in trade for Queensland. Thanks Flash.
(16)Sumatra Swarm - Not CPU owned, but CPU filled, and not worthy of being a Pro team.
(8)Chaiyaphum Gothic at (1)East St Louis Tire Fires
The Gothic edged there way into the playoffs, and get the gift of traveling to East St Louis. They have an uphill battle to say the least vs the Tar Far's vaunted 2-300 defense, and in stopping rushing champion Beav Nizzle(4059 yds 90 TD) The ESL fans will also be in a frenzy, as the Tire Fires look to defend there title. The Gothic have had a great season, but a win here might be asking for too much.
Prediction - ESL 28-10 - ESL takes the next step in defending there title by advancing convincingly.
(5)Bangkok Seamen at (4)Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates
This is a very interesting first round match up. First, the 3 "powerhouse" teams from last season ended up in the same bracket. Second, Bandar knocked the Seamen out of last years playoffs(before losing to ESL) and have a history of beating Bangkok. And lastly, Gavin Dunn vs Ricky Watters. Ricky is a SEA Pro household name, while Dunn has been an above average, but not elite back. This season however, Dunn has a 10.2 YPC, and 53 TD's in what is by far his best season. Which superstar back performs better very well could be the key to this game.
Prediction - Bangkok 31-28 - No OT this year people, the Seamen regain form at just the right time to march on.
(7)Niagara Jeanhorns at (2)Manila Hitmen
Two teams I like and I have much respect for square off here. The Jeanhorns are a gritty, do what it takes type of team that manages to find ways to win. Manila is talented and deep, getting scoring from all phases of the team(26 return TD's, 23 Defensive TD's) While I would love to see Niagara take that next step, I know LeadUsNot much to well to think he will overlook the Jeanhorns.
Prediction - Manila 17-10
(6)Singapore Marauders at (3)Kamakura Katanas
The Katanas earned there stripes this season locking up the #3 seed. Singapore is a very good team, with a stout defense and a strong rushing attack and a passing game that just doesn't turn the ball over. The Katanas won the first match between the two, keeping the Marauders from TD's and forcing them into field goals. I think the Katanas have a great team, but also think Singapore does and expect this to go right down to the wire.
Prediction - Singapore 9-6
On the brink
(9)Mekong Monsoon - This team just missed out on the playoffs due to a head to head loss with the Gothic. The Monsoon have shown flashes of brilliance(dominating ESL early) but also lapses that they just can't have at this level(late meltdown in the same game vs ESL) I think the Monsoon performed exceptionally there first season in the Pro's, and are merely a piece or two away from being a very good team. I think without changes they are a playoff contender and could go deep into the playoffs if they do make it.
What the hell happened?
(10)Phuket All - at 6-10, this team has fallen far from where they once were. With the imminent departure of George Harver, it will be very interesting to see if this team will still be able to compete next season. I truly hope they get it together and restore Phuket to what it once was, a league powerhouse.
(11)Macau Gamblers - While not nearly on Phuket's level, this was a team I expected to compete for a playoff spot. They turned in a season in which they could only beat teams that didn't really belong in this league. I think they still could turn things around, but this is there last chance. Another poor season could see them moving down.
Would benefit from moving down a level
(12)Holbrook Roadrunners - Perrenial doormats, the Roadrunners need to be moved to AAA and see how they can fare there where they could be more competitive.
(13)Tokyo Whalers - No name changes this season is a plus, but they beat 3 computer teams. AAA or AA level would be a better fit for them imo.
(14)Pattaya Partisans - Once proud franchise sold to the man. Who will be moving up to replace them?
(15)Foxboro Full Blast - I think this is the team we got in trade for Queensland. Thanks Flash.
(16)Sumatra Swarm - Not CPU owned, but CPU filled, and not worthy of being a Pro team.
