Word from the Mouth: Week 4 - Running It Up Edition!

We are back for another week and last week we had a bunch of close ones and one that was all about stat padding. I want to remind everyone that stats are great, but at some point it no longer becomes fun for either team playing the game. I have been on teams that have lost 90% of their games, but they were close I have also been on teams where we won by an average of 25 or more every game and I had way more fun in the close games I lost then the ones that were blowouts.

Week 3 Recap

Pipe fitters vs Red Raiders (6-70)

I didn't see this game, but from the score I can tell you it wasn't close. I just wonder at what point did Red Raiders decide to take their foot off the gas. I did a Red Raiders game last week and I let them know what the score was and what the situation was so that they wouldn't put up so many points. Guys, I know you want to win every game, but just remember it is for fun. Try taking it a little easier on some of the weaker teams. If you want to beat up on a team do it against the Nice TDs, Iron Wolves, D#Nasty, and you can even throw Old School in their as well. Those are the more experienced teams that will be decent competition for you guys.

Iron Wolves vs Free agents #3 (34-6)

I will say that this one ended with a big difference in score but the first half was a 12-6 game. I was going to say how Iron Wolves beat up an under manned team, but they were able to hold it close the first half. I want to see how Iron Wolves would be without all those division 1 players. Iron Wolves have always had a solid core of guys but Jon keeps adding a new player here and there to make them a tad better than most teams in the division. These guy could almost play in division 1. Not saying they should, I'm saying they have enough talent to. I guess since half the roster is division 1 it makes sense.

Spritz vs Old School (13-18)

This was a closer game then I thought it was going to be since Spritz was without JS behind center. Mario did a good job filling in and if it wasn't for the 4 picks I think he would have won the game. This Season Dahic hasn't been playing the way he did last year when he won MVP. I watched this one and it was a little physical at points. There was a beautiful form tackle made by Dahic when Mario picked off the convert, though it wasn't hard and both guys had a good little chuckle about it, but the point was awarded since Dahic was the last guy back. Spritz brought the game within 1 score with 5 minutes or so left, but were unable to get a stop and the game ended with Old School still in control of the ball. This was my favourite game of the weekend that I got to watch.

D#Nasty vs Nice TDs (21-13)

I keep getting told by Kris that Nice TDs is the best team in the division and that to be the best you have to beat the best. After the way you played throwing 4 picks you can no longer say that statement since from what you have said D#Nasty should now be the best right. Nice TDs struggled to keep drives going and against good teams you need to figure that out. D#Nasty was the team I picked last season to win it all (they didn't), but have come back with almost the same team and are looking for that title this season. I still feel that D#Nasty could play in division 1 and hold their own. I asked their QB Kevin why they didn't go division 1 this season and he said that they didn't win the title last season, but after this season they will be moving up since they would have won the title. After this one I have to wonder if Nice TDs are going to repeat. If they do I would be completely shocked.

Les Centurions vs Raccoons (25-15)

So after this game a few of the guys from Les Centurions came up to me and asked if I was still going to hate on them. I guess I can't really do that anymore. Yes, they have a losing record at 1-2, but the 2 losses were close games. I know that they are in a division with Old School and Raccoons, but they might be able to win the division. Guillaume is doing a good job of spreading the ball around and it is making defenses guess where the ball might go. What is more baffling is how the Raccoons defense has struggled this season. I wanted to see a more dominating team come out and get more picks, more sacks, and more stops. They haven't given up a ton of points they just can't seem to score constantly. New QB and all, but you guys need to figure it out soon. Good job Les Centurions on your first win.

Space Apes vs Sofa Good Kings (20-18)

Space Apes won by a 2 point convert. Each team was able to score 3 times, but they could only manage 1 convert on 6 tries. Both of these teams need to do a better job of that. Games are won and lost by converts alone so draw up a few plays and stick to those that you are comfortable with or if you notice one particular spot is open attack that area. Converts are not a free play just to try something out. In the event of a tie converts are what you will be doing to decide the winner. Charles from Space Apes has to find a way to protect the ball. 3 picks this week, if you want a chance to beat the top teams you need to control the flow of the game and clock.

GOTW (Game of the Week) - Iron Wolves vs Red Raiders

QB- We have Jon the veteran taking on new comer Michael. Michael looks the part of a top tier athlete and then there is Jon an average looking guy (ed's note: fucking hell…). Both guys have years of experience playing the position. Michael can make every throw on the field with ease and he also knows how to read a defense. He can throw it 45 yards in the air if needed but also has enough touch to float it in between 2 zones. Jon can read a defense with ease and pick you apart by going short though his deep ball sometimes lacks a little on it and they end up floating around so a defender can get a hand on it. Jon will bore your defense to death if you let him. I have seen Jon play tons of games and I have only seen Michael play 2, but I'm giving the advantage to Red Raiders.

WR- On the Red Raiders everyone gets balls and that is the hardest thing to stop. I have to also mention that size, speed, and hands kill in this game and they have two of the tallest guys in the division. They can all catch, but one guy who has made some ridiculous catches on the sideline is Dave. Sometimes those balls are thrown out of bounds where you think no one will get it, but he does and he manages to keep his feet in as well. Iron Wolves have Dom who can run circles around almost anyone so that will help out. Josh is normally a very reliable receiver, but has struggled a little this season, but he is always a guy you need to watch out for. Mauricio is a solid center with sure hands. The wildcard for the group is Ian who is coming back from an injury. He was a good receiver last year but has only played 1 game so far so you never know. I know both these teams guys and I have to give the advantage to Red Raiders as I don't think Iron Wolves will be able to match the size and speed of Red Raiders.

Defense- Iron Wolves have the top points against defense in the division and it isn't really close but is it because they are that good or is it the offenses they have played. Guess we will find out this week. Truth of the matter is that no one on Iron Wolves defense should scare you, but they are an all-around solid unit that don't miss many tackles and get better as you move closer to the end zone. Lesniak leads the way with 3 picks which, isn't too surprising he does eat up a lot of space in the middle. Rushing has been a problem for the Iron Wolves this season. Normally Catherine is one of the top rushers in the division, but with work she is only able to play every second week so they will need to figure that out soon. Red Raiders defense had a tough week 1 with subs, but now that they have their roster they can shut anyone down at any point. They don't really have a set rusher, but they do rotate a few guys in and out to stay fresh so that will help to keeping pressure on Jon. On the back end Rob is the guy calling the defense and it is always the same look, but not the same defense. It is very hard to get a feel for what they are going to do pre-snap. Jon is going to have such a hard time figuring it out and by the time he does it might be too late. Advantage goes to Red Raiders because they will hide their looks and give Jon a harder time than Iron Wolves will do to Michael.

In this game we have the #1 offense taking on the #1 defense, so something has to give. My guess would be that the defense gives ups more than their 8.3 points a game. This game is offense driven and when you score 47.3 a game you're going to put up 30 at the least. This should be a very interesting one. I want to say I can see this being a close game, but really I can't say that with a straight face. Red Raiders are going to walk all over the Iron Wolves. I feel that if the Red Raiders come back in the fall that they get bumped up to division 1. They are too strong to be in division 2 and can probably walk through every team with ease if their roster shows up each week.

Predictions

14 out of 18 on the season this season. Last week I got 2 games wrong. I thought 1 of those 2 losses was a tossup but I bought into what Kris was saying and didn't go with my gut. I will be trusting my gut from now on. Let's get to the picking. Winners are in bold.

Iron Wolves vs Red Raiders

Raccoons vs Nice TDs

Les Centurions vs Spritz

Red Raiders vs Old School

Free Agents 3 vs Sofa Good Kings

Space Apes vs Pipe Fitters

Those are my picks for the week. Don't like it prove me wrong.

Power Rankings

Last week we had a matchup between 2 of the top 3 so you know changes are going to be made. We still have 3 undefeated teams left. Will one of those teams stay that way? I have a few good teams to choose from for my rankings so here they are.

#1) Red Raiders

#2) D#Nasty

#3) Iron Wolves

Yes we have a new #1 and it isn't a team that is undefeated, but it is the best team in my mind. Some people might say that D#Nasty beat Red Raiders week 1, but that wasn't their team. This is how I see it and I can't really see anyone knocking them out of that spot. They do have a tough game this week, but we will have to wait to see what happens and if they can hold on to that top spot.

Final Thoughts

I think that division 2 should be broken up into 2 smaller divisions this way we get closer games and better matchups every week. I know it is too late to do this season, but moving forward we need to figure a way to do this. Everyone wants to see competitive games every week. When you know you are playing a team that you don't feel you have a chance at beating some people get demoralized and don't play hard. The league needs to figure something out. Split the division or implement some sort of team cap and player ratings. Remember play safe, have fun, and enjoy yourself.