Sadly, we're not in the parade (lousy Rockettes bumped us at the last minute), but that doesn't mean I still can't give my thoughts on this week's coming matchups. Unfortunately, no singing. Sorry.
Code:
Rank Team W-L-T Pct. Pts. Streak F.Rank Change
1.x Silver Lobos 9-2-0 .818 858 W-1 1 ±0
2.x Team Jack 9-2-0 .818 794 W-2 3 ±0
3. Rhode Island Drive 7-4-0 .636 822 W-1 2 +1
4. FIRST Force 7-4-0 .636 772 L-1 5 -1
5. Dunedain 5-6-0 .455 785 W-2 4 +4
6. Indiana Ironmen 5-6-0 .455 757 L-1 6 -1
7. Youngstown Hitmen 5-6-0 .455 751 W-3 7 +3
8. The XaulZans 5-6-0 .455 694 L-5 10 -2
9. Stevies Scapegoats 5-6-0 .455 652 L-1 11 -2
10. The Stud Man Clan 5-6-0 .455 632 W-1 12 +2
10. Isotopes 5-6-0 .455 632 L-2 12 -2
12. Nor Cal Crushers 4-7-0 .364 708 W-2 8 +1
13. What Am I Doing Here 4-7-0 .364 698 L-6 9 -2
14.z Koko's X-Cats 2-9-0 .182 611 L-4 14 ±0
x=Clinched Playoff Birth
z=Mathematically Eliminated
Rhode Island Drive (7-4) vs.
Youngstown Hitmen (5-6)
Rhode Island's already strong offense has matchups against the Texans, Jets, Rams, & Chargers, which will most likely equal a lot of points. Youngstown has two places where it can take an advantage. First is if the Cowboys favor the passing game (i.e., T.O.) over the running game (i.e., Marion Barber), and second is on defense, where the Drive look a bit iffy this week while the Hitmen look quite solid.
What Am I Doing Here (4-7) vs.
The XaulZans (5-6)
Well, someone's gotta win this one, right (though for irony, Yahoo has these two teams tied in their projections)? The XaulZans problem is they are heavily reliant on the Cowboys' passing game, so it's hit-or-miss for them. WAIDH's problem is that their three backs (Tomlinson, James, & Portis) aren't putting out big games together. Based on these faults, I'd say WAIDH has the advantage, but then again, the Cowboys are playing the Jets...
Indiana Ironmen (5-6) vs.
Dunedain (5-6)
This is my official pick for Game of the Week, if only because it's the only matchup between that volatile 5-6 bracket. Both teams should be getting major pointage from their QBs (Roethlisberger against the Dolphins, Hasselbeck at the Rams), kicking will probably be even, and both defenses look solid (New England anchoring for the Ironmen, Seattle for Dunedain). Where this game will be won or lost is in the middle offense. Brandon Jacobs & Joseph Addai are going to easily outscore Warrick Dunn on Dunedain's behalf, but Indiana has Chad Johnson, Calvin Johnson, & Chris Cooley as their three receivers, and are not a force to be underestimated. Also, I'm biased, so go Ironmen!
Koko's X-Cats (2-9) vs.
Team Jack (9-2)
You're probably saying "washout" right now. But this game is ripe for an upset. The Chargers have the demoralized Ravens (which means both Rivers & San Diego have a shot at putting up big points), Brady could very well favor Wes Welker (which would actually mean more points for the receiver than the QB), the X-Cats have Gostkowski, and Foster, Clark, & Lynch are all more than capable of putting up a big number. Obviously though, they have to outscore the very versatile Team Jack, who can get points in a number of ways. There's the aforementioned Brady, plus Maurice Jones-Drew has a porous Bills defense opposing him, and there's White, Ward, & Gates backing them up. I like the odds of an upset here (I'd say upwards of 50/50), but there's a good reason Team Jack is 9-2.
Nor Cal Crushers (4-7) vs.
The Stud Man Clan (5-6)
This is not the week the Clan wants to face the Crushers, because barring another 20+ pointer from Randy Moss, the Nor Cal offense is primed to total the Clan's. Eli Manning, Roy Williams, and Steven Jackson could put this game out of reach early, and that's not even counting if Westbrook somehow manages to find a couple holes in the Patriots' defense (bearing in mind that with McNabb hurt, the running game will probably be more prominent in the Eagles' offense). The best chance for the Clan is Jay Cutler getting through the Bears and if their Patriot-biased defense actually does something.
Silver Lobos (9-2) vs.
Stevies Scapegoats (5-6)
The Lobos have Peyton Manning & Reggie Wayne passing and catching all over the Falcons (lack of) defense, and Chester Taylor has been an exemplary replacement for Adrian Peterson. This is going to be a tough one for the the Scapegoats, but it's not completely hopeless. Kevin Curtis, Nate Burleson, & Torry Holt are a nifty little receiving trio, and if Jamal Lewis can run through the Texans, it's going to be close. And dare I say that the Scapegoats may have a slight edge on defense?
Isotopes (5-6) vs.
FIRST Force (7-4)
Geez, it's like the battle over who's going to be injured less. The 'Topes really need both McNabb and Bush to play, or they'll be done quickly. On the cusp of the playoffs, FIRST Force has a couple worries with Houshmandzadeh and Coles, but Palmer and Parker both have matchups that should allow them some breathing room. If all else fails, Bulluck, McGee, & Edwards are a tight defensive, um, force for the Force.
There's three games today, the first of which starts in about a half-hour. Remember to gorge yourselves on turkey (or tofurkey, if that's your style), but save some room for your apple pie.
I'll be back either Tuesday or Wednesday with me quoting myself in a postgame analysis, for once. Be safe, everyone.
