great writing Sheffield

Great write-up! Sea Devils certainly seems to be the place to be - great community.

Exiles have a weaker and smaller roster this season - having to restructure to get wages under control. Still competitive (I hope).

NC Predictions

NC East

The NC East is shaping up as a straight shootout between Sheffield Wednesday and the Bergen Bruisers

Sheffield Wednesday stunned the pundits last season, claiming the East divisional title despite being tipped as only the third-best side in most preseason forecasts. Their playoff run added to the drama—first upsetting the Corsairs in the Wildcard Round, then pushing Michigan to the brink in the Divisional before surrendering a 14 point lead to 21 unanswered points late in the second half. The sting of that collapse still lingers with owner Butcher reported to be still seething over what could have been.

For the Bergen Bruisers, last season was a strong return to form after a disappointing Season 60. Entering this campaign, they are the red-hot favourites, boasting a stronger roster and—crucially—a much softer schedule. Even if Wednesday manage to win both head-to-head clashes, the balance of fixtures still points to Bergen reclaiming the crown. That said, one intriguing wrinkle: in nine meetings across six seasons, Wednesday have never lost to the Bruisers—something owner Rurik is determined to put right.

Elsewhere, the Copenhagen Chargers, once East champions, remain in limbo. A £5 million wage bill cut signals cost control over ambition, and without fresh investment, it’s hard to see them challenging the division’s top two.

Finally, the Downriver Seals are unlikely to improve significantly on last season’s 2–14 record, leaving them anchored at the bottom once again.

Projected Standings

Bergen Bruisers (12–4) – Deeper squad, softer schedule; favourites.
Sheffield Wednesday (10–6) – Always competitive, but tougher road.
Copenhagen Chargers (6–10) – Strapped for cash, mid-table at best.
Downriver Seals (3–13) – Another long, painful season.

NC North

The St Pauli Packers remain the team to beat in the North, with owner hmpf splashing the cash during the off season in pursuit of that long-awaited Elite breakthrough. The Packers have been on the cusp for several seasons, but last year’s cruel Divisional Playoff exit to the Social Distance Runners will haunt them. After four punishing quarters left the score tied at 28–28, Pauli lost the OT coin toss, and the Runners marched downfield for the game-winning field goal.

Still, with four straight NC North titles under their belt, Pauli enter as strong favorites to extend that streak to five.

Their main competition comes from the Hamburg Sea Lions. Now in their second Sea Devil season, Chrill’s side have had a season to find their sea legs and are ready to contend. Though still rebuilding, their pedigree speaks for itself—seven Elite seasons in the last nine years proves they have the experience to punch above their weight. A playoff berth looks well within reach.

Behind the top two, the Riga Smokers and Hamburg Baltic Dogs will likely scrap for third place. Riga look the stronger outfit, while the Baltic Dogs continue to hoard what many believe to be a “billion-dollar war chest” without yet unleashing it on the league. Until they do, they’ll remain propping up the division.

Projected Standings

St Pauli Packers (14–2) – Hungry for Elite, favourites again. Fifth times the charm?
Hamburg Sea Lions (11–5) – Rebuilding, but playoff calibre.
Riga Smokers (7–9) – Respectable, but a step behind.
Hamburg Baltic Dogs (2–14) – Wealth in reserve, little on the field.

NC South

Remove one legend, rinse and repeat with another. The Mystics return to SD1 after two seasons in the Elite, replacing the Social Distance Runners and ensuring there’s no respite for the rest of the division. The Mystics don’t linger in the lower leagues for long, and the consensus is clear—they’re immediate favourites. In fact, when asked, infamous bookmaker Timmy the Greek admitted he wasn’t even taking bets on a Mystics Bowl win this year, such is their pedigree.

The closest challenge should come from the Manta Rays. Their Season 61 was derailed by a dreadful start, but a strong finish showed glimpses of their old form. If they can carry that momentum into Season 62, they should find themselves back in playoff contention.

The Northern Storm will also aim to push for second place, but history isn’t on their side. They’ve beaten the Rays twice in six meetings, but not in the last four. Add in a brutal opening stretch—facing the Sealions, Exiles, Rays, Corsairs, HighTowers, and Mystics in the first eight games—and Storm’s chances look slim.

Finally, the Derbent Convicts continue their slow growth. Capable of the odd upset, but unlikely to escape the basement this season.

Projected Standings

Mystics (14–2) – Too strong for the South; Bowl candidates.
Manta Rays (10–6) – Rebound season, playoff hopefuls.
Northern Storm (6–10) – Solid, but brutal schedule sinks them.
Derbent Convicts (2–14) – Still developing.

NC West

It was expected—almost inevitable—that the Elite would have a weasel in its midst this season. The Michigan Weasels looked destined for glory after an unbeaten regular Season, including a statement 27–20 win over the Social Distance Runners. But when the playoffs arrived, the Runners seemed blessed by the RZA gods. They eliminated St Pauli with an OT field goal, then inexplicably repeated the feat against Michigan in the Conference Championship after a wild 41–41 shootout. Another cruel end, one no doubt discussed at length when Stabler and hmpf met at their annual get-together over the weekend.

Both will have licked their wounds, dusted off their players and be ready by game 1. Despite the heartbreak, Michigan are head and shoulders above the rest in the West, and a fourth straight divisional crown looks inevitable.

The days when the Corsairs traded titles with them feel like the past, but Vancouver remain dangerous. Famous for their high-flying aerial attack, Bruce’s side is a five-time West champion and has made the postseason in 13 of the last 14 years. Thats an incredible achievement and that pedigree means you can’t completely rule them out of reclaiming the crown.

The Minnesota Minotaurs are the wild card. Quietly assembling a tidy roster now rated above 70 for the first time, owner Kelmus (who im still sure has owned previous franchises) may finally be building a squad capable of disrupting the Weasel–Corsair stranglehold. With the right tactics and some luck, second place isn’t beyond their reach.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Silver Foxes are still rebuilding. Their potential is clear, and the foundations are there, but Season 62 looks too soon. That coupled with a brutal schedule—including clashes with the Ghost of Bautzen, Devon Warriors, Weasels (x2), Corsairs (x2), Bergen Bruisers, Hamburg Sea Lions, and Mystics—will make it a long season for Overpowered

Projected Standings

Michigan Weasels (15–1) – Division juggernaut, Elite-bound?
Vancouver Corsairs (12–4) – Dangerous as ever, wildcard locks?
Minnesota Minotaurs (5–11) – Signs of life, still developing.
Minnesota Silver Foxes (4–12) – Brutal schedule, but long-term promise.