As you probably guessed, lots of movers and shakers in this week's top 10. And well, here we go.
1(4) Taiwan Blood Pandas (5-0)- Alright. I caved. How could you not though? The only undefeated team in Zeta is in their debut season, have already beaten the SEA Pro Champs from last year, and have a quality win against the Ducks. I still hold my ground on the fact that the Pandas have had one of the easier opening schedules (opponents are a combined 7-18) but this team definately looks good. They'll need a big lead to hold onto the #1 seed in zeta, as three of of the last 4 games are against teams as good as they are. Good luck.
2(3)Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon (4-1)- I couldn't decide who I liked better in this spot, it is a virtual tie between NACJAC and the Hot Mamas. Both teams have had challenging schedules so far, both teams have wins against good teams and 1 loss against a good team. I picked NACJAC here because...........
well they are the defending champs, of course. NACJAC is also coming of a dominating performance against former #1 Krakatoa, which I don't think anyone saw coming. NACJAC won't throw down with the Mamas until week 10, but will have their hands full with the Warlords in week 8.
3(2) Ho Chi Minh Hot Mamas (4-1)- With their only loss to the #4 team, it was a tough call to place BigRat's hoes in the 3 spot. Fresh off a convincing win (hi2u Warlords) the Mamas are poised to run the table the rest of the way, with an alpha matchup against PSK, who found their groove this week. Ho Chi has already beaten PSK in a preseason game this season.
4(1) Krakatoan Red Warriors (4-1)- A disaster game against NACJAC, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs on their way to the title last year. Krakatoa looks to get back on the horse in the next three weeks with some cupcake games, followed by the Highlanders and Pandas back to back in weeks 9 and 10.
5(6) Hong Kong Highlanders (4-1)- Stickin with the pack are the Highlanders. Beating teams they should by comfortable margins, with only a narrow 7 pt. defeat to NACJAC in OT. This team is breathing down the neck of every top Zeta team, and will get their chance to shine in two weeks against the #1 team in the conference.
6(5) Bangkok Tweetys (3-2)- A potent passing game and freaky DE's has Bangkok in every game towards the end. The middle of their schedule is beefy, and if they can emerge with a few wins against those teams, they will solidify a spot in the playoffs early on.
7(7) Manila Warlords (4-1)- Their first real game of the year ends in disarray as the Warlords are taken to the cleaners(and the mall, and hair salon, and lingerie store, and coffee shop) by the Hoes. I hate to rate them this far down, but it was do or die today and well, you get the idea. Manila should rebound against the Bums this week.
8(9) Port Moresby Titans (2-3)- a head-to-head victory against the #9 team boosts the Titans into the playoff picture, albeit a very potentially temporary situation with the Pandas, Tweets, and Red Warriors all coming up the next three weeks. Look out below.
9(8) Metro Heroes (3-2)- A couple blowout wins, a couple blowout losses, and a disappointing loss to the Titans have this team on the outside looking in. A victory this week against the Stampede who are a shadow of their former selves keeps the Heroes in the top 10. Much like the Titans, the Heroes have back-to-back-to-back monster games up next with the Highlanders, Hot Mamas, and Pandas all looking to douse them in kryptonite.
10(9) Guangzhou Ducks (1-4)- You know its not your year, when you let a WR slip behind your secondary because of a missed tackle with :17 to play for the go ahead TD, like they did against the Red Warriors. Still the hardest opening schedule of the league, the Ducks rebounded today with a victory against the Monks, but have a fiesty Red Robins team (who I would rank #11) followed by the Warlords. Chunk Shuffle had this to say to me today: "Mr. Williams said he'd buy me a hooker and a whole box of truffles if we beat the Warlords in two weeks!" Here's hopin Chunk. Here's hopin.
Games to watch this week: Meh. Top 8 should win, bottom 8 should lose. But thats why they play the game!
Funny quote of the week:
Chunk: "Sixteen Thirty-two. What is that? A year?"
Mouth: "No, its your top score on pole position."
1(4) Taiwan Blood Pandas (5-0)- Alright. I caved. How could you not though? The only undefeated team in Zeta is in their debut season, have already beaten the SEA Pro Champs from last year, and have a quality win against the Ducks. I still hold my ground on the fact that the Pandas have had one of the easier opening schedules (opponents are a combined 7-18) but this team definately looks good. They'll need a big lead to hold onto the #1 seed in zeta, as three of of the last 4 games are against teams as good as they are. Good luck.
2(3)Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon (4-1)- I couldn't decide who I liked better in this spot, it is a virtual tie between NACJAC and the Hot Mamas. Both teams have had challenging schedules so far, both teams have wins against good teams and 1 loss against a good team. I picked NACJAC here because...........
well they are the defending champs, of course. NACJAC is also coming of a dominating performance against former #1 Krakatoa, which I don't think anyone saw coming. NACJAC won't throw down with the Mamas until week 10, but will have their hands full with the Warlords in week 8.
3(2) Ho Chi Minh Hot Mamas (4-1)- With their only loss to the #4 team, it was a tough call to place BigRat's hoes in the 3 spot. Fresh off a convincing win (hi2u Warlords) the Mamas are poised to run the table the rest of the way, with an alpha matchup against PSK, who found their groove this week. Ho Chi has already beaten PSK in a preseason game this season.
4(1) Krakatoan Red Warriors (4-1)- A disaster game against NACJAC, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs on their way to the title last year. Krakatoa looks to get back on the horse in the next three weeks with some cupcake games, followed by the Highlanders and Pandas back to back in weeks 9 and 10.
5(6) Hong Kong Highlanders (4-1)- Stickin with the pack are the Highlanders. Beating teams they should by comfortable margins, with only a narrow 7 pt. defeat to NACJAC in OT. This team is breathing down the neck of every top Zeta team, and will get their chance to shine in two weeks against the #1 team in the conference.
6(5) Bangkok Tweetys (3-2)- A potent passing game and freaky DE's has Bangkok in every game towards the end. The middle of their schedule is beefy, and if they can emerge with a few wins against those teams, they will solidify a spot in the playoffs early on.
7(7) Manila Warlords (4-1)- Their first real game of the year ends in disarray as the Warlords are taken to the cleaners(and the mall, and hair salon, and lingerie store, and coffee shop) by the Hoes. I hate to rate them this far down, but it was do or die today and well, you get the idea. Manila should rebound against the Bums this week.
8(9) Port Moresby Titans (2-3)- a head-to-head victory against the #9 team boosts the Titans into the playoff picture, albeit a very potentially temporary situation with the Pandas, Tweets, and Red Warriors all coming up the next three weeks. Look out below.
9(8) Metro Heroes (3-2)- A couple blowout wins, a couple blowout losses, and a disappointing loss to the Titans have this team on the outside looking in. A victory this week against the Stampede who are a shadow of their former selves keeps the Heroes in the top 10. Much like the Titans, the Heroes have back-to-back-to-back monster games up next with the Highlanders, Hot Mamas, and Pandas all looking to douse them in kryptonite.
10(9) Guangzhou Ducks (1-4)- You know its not your year, when you let a WR slip behind your secondary because of a missed tackle with :17 to play for the go ahead TD, like they did against the Red Warriors. Still the hardest opening schedule of the league, the Ducks rebounded today with a victory against the Monks, but have a fiesty Red Robins team (who I would rank #11) followed by the Warlords. Chunk Shuffle had this to say to me today: "Mr. Williams said he'd buy me a hooker and a whole box of truffles if we beat the Warlords in two weeks!" Here's hopin Chunk. Here's hopin.
Games to watch this week: Meh. Top 8 should win, bottom 8 should lose. But thats why they play the game!
Funny quote of the week:
Chunk: "Sixteen Thirty-two. What is that? A year?"
Mouth: "No, its your top score on pole position."
