Well I was 5 of 8 in predictions with both my upset calls wrong and missing the biggest upset of BBB 13 history.
Looking to the new playoff matchups…
In the West…
(1) 1. Austin Lumberjacks v. (7) 4. Anchorage Maulers – Now this is the matchup that everyone in BBB should have been waiting for! The Lumberjacks only loss of the year came at the hands of the Maulers in game 3, and this is their chance to give Anchorage their comeuppance! Anchorage knocked off the Legends but had issues with finishing from in the red zone, with 3 of their 4 field goals from inside of 30 yards. Austin never got into the end zone and was rarely in the red zone with 3 of their 5 field goals from outside of 40 yards. This game will be a brutal defensive battle, absolutely low scoring and intense. Game of the week, I think so! Austin survives 10-9 over the Maulers.
(6) 3. Dallas Strikers v. (14) 7. Phoenix Resurrection – A rematch from just 3 games ago when Dallas took care of business 33-10, and I mean take CARE of business, over 250 yards difference in offense to favor the Strikers. Dallas tore apart H-Town who finished their collapse with 3 games lost in a row to end the season in the first playoff round. Phoenix pulled off the huge upset, even while giving up 14 unanswered points in the fourth. The upsets are finished though, as the Strikers shall score again and meet the Lumberjacks in the final, 34-13.
In the East…
(2) 1. Miami Canes v. (8) 4. Key Largo Barracudas – The Canes and Barracudas face off in a matchup that was just 3 games ago as well as Miami was able to capitalize on good defense with the exception of one 47 yard touchdown. Miami is coming off a solid, albeit ugly, victory against the Pittsburgh Soldiers as Morten Andersen kicked 7 field goals and made all 7, although he missed an extra point. The Barracudas earned redemption for their loss against the Pirates stifling them with great defense. Miami will get into the red zone four times, so 16 points will be enough… 16-10.
(4) 2. New Orleans Golden Kangaroos v. (5) 3. San Marcos Rivermen – This is the rematch that the Rivermen want, an opportunity to knock off New Orleans after losing by 10 in the regular season. San Marcos knocked off the Hounds, ending their tumultuous finish with a 10 point well rounded victory. The Golden Kangaroos seem to be on cruise control, knocking off the boosted and upgraded Badasses in a tight matchup, but in a well fought come from behind win thanks to the boot of Strongfoot Rimfalk. The Roos will need him again as this will be a tight battle, final score 13-10.
This leaves the Conference championships according to me as:
West – (1) 1. Austin Lumberjacks v. (6) 3 Dallas Strikers
East – (2) 1. Miami Canes v. (4) 2. New Orleans Golden Kangaroos
But I could be wrong.
Looking to the new playoff matchups…
In the West…
(1) 1. Austin Lumberjacks v. (7) 4. Anchorage Maulers – Now this is the matchup that everyone in BBB should have been waiting for! The Lumberjacks only loss of the year came at the hands of the Maulers in game 3, and this is their chance to give Anchorage their comeuppance! Anchorage knocked off the Legends but had issues with finishing from in the red zone, with 3 of their 4 field goals from inside of 30 yards. Austin never got into the end zone and was rarely in the red zone with 3 of their 5 field goals from outside of 40 yards. This game will be a brutal defensive battle, absolutely low scoring and intense. Game of the week, I think so! Austin survives 10-9 over the Maulers.
(6) 3. Dallas Strikers v. (14) 7. Phoenix Resurrection – A rematch from just 3 games ago when Dallas took care of business 33-10, and I mean take CARE of business, over 250 yards difference in offense to favor the Strikers. Dallas tore apart H-Town who finished their collapse with 3 games lost in a row to end the season in the first playoff round. Phoenix pulled off the huge upset, even while giving up 14 unanswered points in the fourth. The upsets are finished though, as the Strikers shall score again and meet the Lumberjacks in the final, 34-13.
In the East…
(2) 1. Miami Canes v. (8) 4. Key Largo Barracudas – The Canes and Barracudas face off in a matchup that was just 3 games ago as well as Miami was able to capitalize on good defense with the exception of one 47 yard touchdown. Miami is coming off a solid, albeit ugly, victory against the Pittsburgh Soldiers as Morten Andersen kicked 7 field goals and made all 7, although he missed an extra point. The Barracudas earned redemption for their loss against the Pirates stifling them with great defense. Miami will get into the red zone four times, so 16 points will be enough… 16-10.
(4) 2. New Orleans Golden Kangaroos v. (5) 3. San Marcos Rivermen – This is the rematch that the Rivermen want, an opportunity to knock off New Orleans after losing by 10 in the regular season. San Marcos knocked off the Hounds, ending their tumultuous finish with a 10 point well rounded victory. The Golden Kangaroos seem to be on cruise control, knocking off the boosted and upgraded Badasses in a tight matchup, but in a well fought come from behind win thanks to the boot of Strongfoot Rimfalk. The Roos will need him again as this will be a tight battle, final score 13-10.
This leaves the Conference championships according to me as:
West – (1) 1. Austin Lumberjacks v. (6) 3 Dallas Strikers
East – (2) 1. Miami Canes v. (4) 2. New Orleans Golden Kangaroos
But I could be wrong.
