It's week 7, folks. As the season nears the back stretch, some teams will look to separate from the pack, some will look to stay in the pack, others will strive to join the pack, still others wish to make their marks on the leaders, while a small handful are content to walking at a questionably brisk pace.
On to the predictions.
Maryland Iron Maidens (4-2) vs. Seattle Reign (5-1):
Huge showdown here. I expect a very close game, barring a random number generator explosion, or a strategy implosion. The Maidens have been averaging a staggering 6.89 yards per carry up the middle against Quality Opponents (you know who these teams are). The Reign, meanwhile, seem to start strong on the ground in the first half, but fade dramatically in the run game in the second half (going from 5.5 ypc in the first half to 3.9 in the second; again, only against Quality Opponents, as all of these stats consider).
Seattle starts strong, but fades in the end.
33-23
Megatropolis Tigers (3-3) vs. Anonymous Assassins (2-4):
I find this to be the second most interesting game of the week. Why? Because this is a measuring stick game for a largely unknown Assassin team. They've hung in with some of the stronger teams in the league, as have the Tigers. This game could be pivotal towards determining a potential 8th spot in the playoffs. The Tigers love to run, if the Assassins can key in on the run game, they could secure what I perceive to be an upset.
However, I don't believe they will in the end, as their free safety Bob Bush will miss a key tackle resulting in a big game-changing play.
33-20
Las Vegas Wildcats (0-6) vs. Albany Death (0-6):
The liberal in me considers this, a battle of the down-trodden, to be the third most intriguing game of the week. Which shanty organization shall rise to victory here in week 7? We have two differing philosophies here. Much like the turtle and the hare, the feverish Wildcats seek to sprint to catch the pack and possibly secure a playoff berth next season. Whereas the plodding Albanyites are content with a much more methodical and measured approach.
The hare in this case, the Wildcats, isn't fucking around, as they rewrite fable lore and capture their first win of many as they embarass the hapless Death who will continue to resemble more Dead than some sort of generic ominous namesake.
35-6
Pontiac War Kittens (3-3) vs. New Jersey Vikings (0-6):
What's going on with the Kittens this season? That's why this is the fourth most biggest game of the week, to me. After ending up at the wrong end of two upsets in a row, a win here would be HUGE for the reeling squad from Pontiac, losers of three in a row. The improving Vikings, with an offense that's finding its form, look to capitalize on the road and step on the throat of a vulnerable opponent.
They will fall short this week, unfortunately, as the Kittens rebound.
37-13
Milwaukee Fire (4-2) vs. Columbus Buckeyes (5-1):
The fire are on a roll, winners of four in a row. During that stretch, their running game has averaged over 5 yards per carry and quarterback Timothy Tebow has completed 69% of his passes. But the biggest story during this win streak has been the Fire's defense and special teams. Giving up 2.97 yards per rush (1.62 in the 4th quarter), and gaining 37 yards per kickoff return. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have what I consider to be the best pass defense in the conference and have held opposing QBs (quality opponents) to a 47% completion rate. I expect a close game here.
Columbus wins with two key interceptions.
23-17
Detroit Soldiers (3-3) vs. Michigan Panthers (6-0):
The Soldiers travel to Michigan after a 112-0 win over a struggling team. In fact, all three of Detroit's wins have been against the conference's cellar dwellers. Without some key acquisitions or some major strategic changes, the rest of the season looks bleak for Detroit. Michigan, however, appears to be unstoppable.
Aaaaand they won't be stopped here.
41-13
Murder City Devils (5-1) vs. Lexington Mob (2-4):
The Rowdy Rednecks from Lexington brought home a huge a win last week with an upset over Pontiac in what was a statement game for both clubs. Here they face a Murder City club that is high on morale over a tight win in week six against a quality opponent. I expect this to be a high scoring game, possibly even over 1,000 yards for both sides on offense. The turnover battle will be huge here.
Murder City will win that battle.
38-28
New York Huskies (2-4) vs. Carson City Cubes (4-2):
The Huskies visit The Cube in week 7, with aspirations of a huge road upset over a Cubes team coming off a demoralizing defeat. The Cubes, a completely gutted team before season 2 began, are looking to measure themselves against some of the conference's weaker teams in the next three weeks, beginning here with the Huskies. Will they be able to shake off last week's home loss infront of their infinitely clever and sadisitic fans and deliver a victory?
Lacking the proper amount of boots, the Huskies are quickly dispatched.
41-13
By the numbers (kicker edition):
Detroit kicker Hugh Slong is 11/20 on field goal attempts (he also has eq boosting his tackling, get those fumbles!)
Carson City kicker Francis "Space" Tractor is having, statistically, the most impressive season kicking them through the uprights being a perfect 7 for 7 on field goal attempts and missing just one extra point. All this, despite not being fully boosted.
One of the big reasons the Panthers remain undefeated is their excellent field position. Their punter, Thee Foot, leads the league in punt average with a 41.1 average.
On to the predictions.
Maryland Iron Maidens (4-2) vs. Seattle Reign (5-1):
Huge showdown here. I expect a very close game, barring a random number generator explosion, or a strategy implosion. The Maidens have been averaging a staggering 6.89 yards per carry up the middle against Quality Opponents (you know who these teams are). The Reign, meanwhile, seem to start strong on the ground in the first half, but fade dramatically in the run game in the second half (going from 5.5 ypc in the first half to 3.9 in the second; again, only against Quality Opponents, as all of these stats consider).
Seattle starts strong, but fades in the end.
33-23
Megatropolis Tigers (3-3) vs. Anonymous Assassins (2-4):
I find this to be the second most interesting game of the week. Why? Because this is a measuring stick game for a largely unknown Assassin team. They've hung in with some of the stronger teams in the league, as have the Tigers. This game could be pivotal towards determining a potential 8th spot in the playoffs. The Tigers love to run, if the Assassins can key in on the run game, they could secure what I perceive to be an upset.
However, I don't believe they will in the end, as their free safety Bob Bush will miss a key tackle resulting in a big game-changing play.
33-20
Las Vegas Wildcats (0-6) vs. Albany Death (0-6):
The liberal in me considers this, a battle of the down-trodden, to be the third most intriguing game of the week. Which shanty organization shall rise to victory here in week 7? We have two differing philosophies here. Much like the turtle and the hare, the feverish Wildcats seek to sprint to catch the pack and possibly secure a playoff berth next season. Whereas the plodding Albanyites are content with a much more methodical and measured approach.
The hare in this case, the Wildcats, isn't fucking around, as they rewrite fable lore and capture their first win of many as they embarass the hapless Death who will continue to resemble more Dead than some sort of generic ominous namesake.
35-6
Pontiac War Kittens (3-3) vs. New Jersey Vikings (0-6):
What's going on with the Kittens this season? That's why this is the fourth most biggest game of the week, to me. After ending up at the wrong end of two upsets in a row, a win here would be HUGE for the reeling squad from Pontiac, losers of three in a row. The improving Vikings, with an offense that's finding its form, look to capitalize on the road and step on the throat of a vulnerable opponent.
They will fall short this week, unfortunately, as the Kittens rebound.
37-13
Milwaukee Fire (4-2) vs. Columbus Buckeyes (5-1):
The fire are on a roll, winners of four in a row. During that stretch, their running game has averaged over 5 yards per carry and quarterback Timothy Tebow has completed 69% of his passes. But the biggest story during this win streak has been the Fire's defense and special teams. Giving up 2.97 yards per rush (1.62 in the 4th quarter), and gaining 37 yards per kickoff return. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have what I consider to be the best pass defense in the conference and have held opposing QBs (quality opponents) to a 47% completion rate. I expect a close game here.
Columbus wins with two key interceptions.
23-17
Detroit Soldiers (3-3) vs. Michigan Panthers (6-0):
The Soldiers travel to Michigan after a 112-0 win over a struggling team. In fact, all three of Detroit's wins have been against the conference's cellar dwellers. Without some key acquisitions or some major strategic changes, the rest of the season looks bleak for Detroit. Michigan, however, appears to be unstoppable.
Aaaaand they won't be stopped here.
41-13
Murder City Devils (5-1) vs. Lexington Mob (2-4):
The Rowdy Rednecks from Lexington brought home a huge a win last week with an upset over Pontiac in what was a statement game for both clubs. Here they face a Murder City club that is high on morale over a tight win in week six against a quality opponent. I expect this to be a high scoring game, possibly even over 1,000 yards for both sides on offense. The turnover battle will be huge here.
Murder City will win that battle.
38-28
New York Huskies (2-4) vs. Carson City Cubes (4-2):
The Huskies visit The Cube in week 7, with aspirations of a huge road upset over a Cubes team coming off a demoralizing defeat. The Cubes, a completely gutted team before season 2 began, are looking to measure themselves against some of the conference's weaker teams in the next three weeks, beginning here with the Huskies. Will they be able to shake off last week's home loss infront of their infinitely clever and sadisitic fans and deliver a victory?
Lacking the proper amount of boots, the Huskies are quickly dispatched.
41-13
By the numbers (kicker edition):
Detroit kicker Hugh Slong is 11/20 on field goal attempts (he also has eq boosting his tackling, get those fumbles!)
Carson City kicker Francis "Space" Tractor is having, statistically, the most impressive season kicking them through the uprights being a perfect 7 for 7 on field goal attempts and missing just one extra point. All this, despite not being fully boosted.
One of the big reasons the Panthers remain undefeated is their excellent field position. Their punter, Thee Foot, leads the league in punt average with a 41.1 average.
Last edited Aug 15, 2008 12:39:33
lol
