Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Week 3 Recap

Champaign Toasts the Burgers
My how the mighty have fallen. Number one in the power rankings after week 1, the Burger Kings have not reached the century mark now two weeks in a row, dropping their 2nd straight game 108-83. After benching Frank Gore in week 2, he was given the start this week and promptly injured himself in the first quarter. Their offensive leader Tony Gonzalez played as if he were hurt too, putting up 0 points as well. Compton’s high scorer on offense was their kicker, David Akers with 13 pts, nearly half their offensive output. The Toast have consistently scored between 100 and 110 points each of the first 3 weeks, and this week it was good enough for the win. With 4 starters in double digits and another solid defensive output, they coasted to their 2nd win of the season and pull into a tie for 2nd place in the conference.

Meth Addicts Smoke the Beavers for First Franchise Win
Jacksonville finally recorded their first franchise win this week, handily beating the Beavers by 34 points. The Meth dominated on defense, scoring a season high 59pts on D despite the injury to Justin Tuck. Jacksonville is #3 in the power rankings despite their 0-2 start, and they earned an easy win after two tough losses. After an opening week win, the Beavers have hit some rough times. Scoring less than 40pts on both sides of the ball, they have dropped to last in the power rankings through 3 weeks. The Beavers have been mainly hurt by the slow starts from the four main players integral to their playoff run last year: Steve Smith, Randy Moss, Will Forte and Clinton Portis, who have 0 TDs combined.

Vegas slips Past the Carson City to Win the Round 1 Battle of Nevada
The Nuggets were able to climb out of a 20pt hole on Monday night to shoot past the Bunnies for their 2nd win of the year. It was games like this they lost with regularity a year ago, but this year behind the arm of Tony Romo, solid WR play and their rookie RB, they were able to come out with a win that puts them in a tie for the top spot in the conference. The Bunnies did not get their 5 game road trip off to a good start with the loss in Vegas. This is the 2nd year in a row the Bunnies have gone into Vegas and lost. Peyton Manning’s 25pts was enough to get the team a late lead, but there was little help from anyone else to hold off the charging Nuggets. Jared Allen was the only other player in double digits and they’ve now fallen to 8th in the power rankings.

Birmingham stomps the ‘Squatch to Stay Undefeated
The game of the week pitted the two remaining undefeated teams from the Eastern Conference. The Baconators managed to weather the Monday night storm and hand the Sasquatch their first loss since moving to Mount Savage. The Bacon also become the only undefeated team left in the league and sit atop the conference at 3-0. Their success has been a full team effort so far, with the WR’s leading the way this week, both posting double digit scores. Elvis Dumervil continued to power their #1 ranked defense with 11 pts this week. For the Squatch, they had a rough week as the Drew Brees to Marquis Colston connection failed for the first time this year. As they always do, they were able to pick up the slack with significant production from other players, as MJD posted 3 TDs and 27pts, but it was their defense that let them down. Their D-line scored a combined 2pts and usually reliable DeMarcus Ware had only 2pts resulting in just 27pts from their D. The loss drops them into a 2nd place tie with the Toast and makes their week 9 rematch with the Bacon that much more significant for them.

Heat Burned Again by Portland
The Heat still cannot get off the schnide as they drop their 3rd straight divisional game, the 2nd they’ve lost at home. Early season injuries have already taken a toll for the salary strapped Heat, and franchise player DeAngelo Williams has not helped the team out much so far. They did sport a balanced attack in week 3, scoring 40pts on both offense and defense, but scoring less than 85pts will not win many games. They are the only winless team in the FFLA and have to host Birmingham next week. As for Portland, they were able to pull out the win despite their 2 WRs and TE posting 0 pts. Aaron Rogers led the way with 22pts, along with 14 from their punter, to take advantage of the slumping Heat. This was their 2nd road win in a row, and they will now go home in a tie for first place in the conference.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

WEEK 2 PREVIEW

San Diego at Carson City
Starting out 0-2 in the division is not the best way to start a season, but unfortunately for one of these teams it may become a reality. The defending Western conference champs need to find some hope after an abysmal week 1 performance. It was a whole team effort last week that resulted in the least points in the league and getting blown out by 54. Only Payton Manning scored in double digits, and Urlacher was hurt for the year. The Bunnies are looking for a spark to get their once high flying offense back off the ground. As for the Heat, they have their own injury issues with Anthony Gonzalez and Troy Palomalu going out with extended injuries in week 1. This puts them thin at safety and a bit iffy at WR until their returns and they only have 1 year left to work with under the cap. The Heat weren’t awful in their loss last week, and as long as their RB tandem of D. Williams and Westbrook continue to produce they should be fine, but they are one more significant injury away from major problems. I look to Carson City’s offense to turn it up this week and show that week 1 was a fluke.
Bunnies by 5
Boston at Las Vegas
The Beavers head west to the desert to take on Las Vegas, where they won last year 102-96. A year ago, the Nuggets defense was their weak spot, recording only 24pts that week. This year their defense is improved, but it was their top ranked offense that carried them in week 1 behind the rejuvenated arm of Tony Romo. Their WR’s are by far the best in the league so far, with all three totaling double digits last week. The running back situation has been a concern, and the team has decided to give one of their rookie RB’s, LeSean McCoy, a starting shot this week. The Beavers had a habit a year ago of pulling out the close games. However, week 1 was not so kind to them, losing in the closest game of the week by 12 points. With the way the Eastern Conference was last year, and the way it’s shaping this year, they cannot afford to drop to 0-2. Matt Forte and Philip Rivers both draw tough defenses in week 2, so they may need others to step up and fill the hole. Last year it was Boston with the golden horseshoe in close games, while Vegas ended up with the shaft in just about all their games decided by 5pts or less. I see the close game law of averages kicking in and a reversal of fortune this year for both teams.
Nuggets by 2

Portland at Compton
Think Predator 2 only in LA. The new Portland owner will be taking his team down the coast for the first road game of the young franchise. He will need all the weapons he can carry to take on the #1 ranked Burger Kings in the ghetto. Compton slaughtered the Bunnies in week 1, scoring a league best 64 defensive points. This could be a dangerous game for the Kings, since they are already looking past this game and preparing for a tough week 3 opponent, the Toast. They look to be without their star rookie RB James Davis for the game, so finding enough offense to win without him may be difficult. The Predators are still looking for their first win after their 30 point blowout to the Sasquatch in week 1. Special teams was their strong suit last week, both their kicker and punter scored in double digits, but they hope to get the rest of their team involved in week 2. Both Aaron Rogers and Chris Johnson are going against easier defenses than they did last week, but injuries to a few key starters could spell trouble. I expect this game to be closer than it would appear and Portland to put up a valiant effort, but come up just short of a victory.
Burger Kings by 6

Jacksonville at Mount Savage
The Meth Addicts go into the forest to hunt Bigfoot in this matchup. Of course you can’t believe a methhead when he says he swears he saw a big hairy creature out of the corner of his eye walking between the trees in the distance, right before he passes out. After a loss in week 1, Jacksonville hopes to stay awake long enough to take down the champ, who hasn’t lost a game since week 13 last year. The Meth put up a solid effort in week 1, scoring over 100pts in a loss, with more than 50pts scored on both offense and defense. They also managed to make it through week 1 with no significant injuries, and if Steven Jackson ever gets back on track, they could be a dangerous team. The Sasquatch picked right up where they left off last year, demolishing their week 1 opponent behind the arm of Drew Brees. Their running game could be cause for concern with MJD nursing an injury and Slaton’s disappointing week 1 performance, but as long as Brees continues his 6TD’s per game average and the D line scores a TD every week, they will be unstoppable again this year. Jacksonville is a dangerous team that could break out and any time, and Mount Savage is due for a loss, but I just don’t see this as the week it happens.
Sasquatch by 10

Birmingham at Champaign
The Monkey Butt franchise has moved a bit farther south this season so it is no longer a downstate rivalry, however, after the Baconators’ week 1 performance, both teams appear to be contenders in the Eastern Conference. Behind the performance of Adrian Peterson last week, who justified his #1 fantasy pick status, and Jeremy Shocky’s return from obscurity, the Baconators put up the 2nd most points in the league. They still have some issues at QB and WR, but their defense was solid, scoring the 3rd most points in the league. Andy Lee also stepped up from a completely awful 2008 season to score double digits for the Bacon in week 1. For the Toast, week 2 of 2009 is a much happier place than week 2 of 2008. Tom Brady made it through his opening game without injury, and in fact, no starters from last week have been put on IR yet. For a team that was #1 in the Power rankings last year despite their franchise QB going down in week 1, this could spell trouble for the rest of the league. The team put in a workman-like performance in week 1, with most starters scoring their expected weekly averages. There are some concerns on the WR and DL fronts, but as long as the team as a whole stays consistent, the Toast should be able to keep up with the Eastern Conference big dogs this year. Birmingham had a few eye opening performances in week 1, so it’s expected to see them come down to earth a bit in week 2. This will probably be a close game, possibly with home field advantage even becoming a factor.
Toast by 1

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

WEEK 1 MATCHUPS

WEEK 1 MATCHUPS

Compton Burger Kings @ Carson City Bunnies

This will be a close battle between two rivals. On paper it appears the Bunnies would have the edge on offense with Peyton Manning, Michael Turner and Andre Johnson leading the way. On defense it appears the teams are closely matched up with the Burger Kings getting a slight edge. The X Factor will be in the swing positions for both teams. Felix Jones is coming off an injury from last year and will be sharing carries with Marion Barber who is still the starter. The Burger Kings need LenDale White to continue his 15 touchdown performance last year with his limited carries. Another question mark is the Burger Kings defensive line. This could come down to the wire giving the Bunnies the edge with home field advantage.

Bunnies win by 5


San Diego Heat @ Las Vegas Nuggets

Both teams have loaded up their rosters with new players and are ready to do battle in Las Vegas. Donovan McNabb and Larry Fitzgerald lead the way for the Las Vegas Nuggets offense, which appears to be evenly matched with the Heats offense. Kurt Warner and DeAngelo Williams lead the way for the Heat’s offense. Both teams have question marks at some key areas on offense. The Nuggets are depending on Willie Parker to return from injury and the Heat are depending on Hines Ward to handle the #1 Wide Receiver spot on an offense that isn’t known for passing. The team that gets the edge on defense will win the game.

Heat win by 2


Mount Savage Sasquatch @ Portland Predators

This game could also be a close matchup with the Maurice Jones Drews injury. If Jones-Drew bounces back strong than the Sasquatch will get the win. The Sasquatch also has a strong defense. The Portland Predators have done a nice job building an expansion franchise, but are no match for the Sasquatch. Aaron Rodgers is probably the most underrated QB in the league, however Drew Brees is the best. The X Factor will probably be Maurice Jones-Drew. If Maurice Jones-Drew cannot bounce back from his injury then the Predators could have a chance. The Sasquatch may have a slight edge on defense so the Predators need Jones-Drew to have a bad day.

Sasquatch win by 5


Jacksonville Meth Addicts @ Birmingham Baconators

Two new FFLA Franchise Owners will face off on opening day in Birmingham. The Baconators have some major concerns at Quarterback and Wide Receiver, but he’s got Adrian Peterson who is the best and most dependable running back in the league. He’s also got a solid Swing Position Running back with Marion Barber. The Meth Addicts have the senior citizen quarterback Brett Farve with Ronnie Brown and Stephen Jackson for his running backs. The Meth Addicts have a big advantage at wide receiver with Terrell Owens. The X Factor will be if the Meth Addicts defense can keep up with the Baconators defense which could be the best in the league. Also, Brett Favre could hurt the Meth Addicts with his tendency for throwing interceptions.

Baconators win by 4


Champaign Toast @ Boston Beavers

This will be a down to the wire game. The Beavers have a solid team on offense with Matt Forte who in my opinion could be the best running back in 2009. He arguable has the best wide receiver with Randy Moss. The Toast beat him in Quarterback and defense, but has a big hole at the running back and swing positions. The X Factor could be Clinton Portis at the swing position for the Beavers. The Beavers need Clinton Portis to even the playing field. If Clinton Portis has a bad day, the Toast defense will shut him down.

Toast win by 3