Week 13 Game of the week is:

Xu Da @ Wolflings

These are two teams that can mathematically qualify for the playoffs. The jury remains split on Xu Da, Wolfings seem more suited to a playoff run next season.
Xu Da are hoping to come off a three game losing streak. It has seen them fall from leading AC South to third place. They trail Flow Gaming by one win and 29 points but winning AC South remains Xu Da's most realistic chance of ending up in the playoffs.
Wolfing have spent big this season and now have a competitive squad that saw them beat AC South leaders Flow Gaming. Yet performances remain inconsistent. They don't lose against the weak teams but have trouble against the more average ones. This game is certainly winnable on paper but whether Wolfings can pull off the win is uncertain. They could make the playoffs mathematically but it is an unrealistic goal. The rest of the season may seem them experimenting to see what works, and see if their new crop of players can be utilised to their fullest.
Xu Da could really use a win to keep their season alive, Wolfings will be trying to erect a team capable of challenging the AC North next season. I see this as two teams missing a lot of chances, a fascinating low-scoring battle. For me the last field-goal wins this.

Xu Da 7 Wolflings 9


Basterds @ M. Divers

The battle for NC South has seen two teams dominate to the extreme. Bastards and Divers are both 10-1, six wins ahead of their nearest rivals and both seem certain to reach the playoffs. The interesting thing is this is the first time these two teams will face each other this season. Not to mention that both teams only losses have been against Inbhir Narann. These seem like two very evenly matched teams.
Basterds are coming off a run of five mismatched games, that have seen them win all five by 336 points to 3. Admittedly one games was against a bot team but the results remain awesome. They now start a nightmare run of five games, M. Divers, Toledo Tigers, Totoras Patriots, Deflators, then M. Divers again. With those games remaining it is hard to see how Basterds will finish top of the division unless they beat Divers in both games.
Although Divers recent games have been less dominant they are currently on a nine game winning streak. Their run in isn't easy with only PGI Andorre Solutions out of the playoffs for certain. They should though, still be favourites in at least four of the five games, especially after their relatively easy victory over Deflators.
Basterds need to win all of their games to win NC South (sorry to be brutal!) this is their biggest hurdle but by no means their last. A win here for Divers will win them the division. Divers proved last game that they can own the best sides. I expect no less from them today.

Basterds 17 M. Divers 36


Hucknall Broncos @ The Green Machine

Hucknall Broncos will be crowned champions of NC West if they can win today. They have beaten almost everyone in their path, including bigger names than The Green Machine.
The Green Machine have been impressive in the last seven games, six wins and a respectable loss have seen them avoid relegation and even given their manager thoughts of an unlikely playoff position. Although he admits it may be too late as a few wildcard hopefuls have more wins. Yet they would love to upset the giants of NC West and send a message for next season.
I think The Broncos are still too strong and experience for the Green machine, yet here we may see a result that displeases neither as The Green Machine may avoid the drubbing they may be expected to have. This game may just show a changing of the guard in NC West.

Hucknall Broncos 27 The Green Machine 16


Budapest Wolves @ The SQUALES of Beach

These two teams both stand on 7-4 in AC North and have met once before with The SQUALES managing a 34-20 win already @ the Wolves.
Budapest seem to be hitting form and are on a five game winning streak which has seen them climb to the top of AC North. Their run-in seems to point to them winning the division even if they were to lose this game but a win would be a great help for this ambitious team.
The SQUALES also have a not too bad run-in but need to win as the later game against the Alligators could be a test too much. They need to win all five of their remaining games, three seems very likely but more would be a struggle. There is the wildcard place but the division for the moment needs to be their target.

Budapest Wolves 37 The SQUALES of Beach 24


Totoras Patriots @ Inbhir Narann

Totoras are the biggest underachievers of this season, although they have been unlucky in a number of close games, the four wins they have so far is a lot less than they'd be planning for at the start of the season. They have a number of respectable losses but are yet to manage a noteworthy win. If they manage a win here they'll be more confident about next season.
Inbhir Narann were doing little wrong in their battle with Deflators in the battle for AC West. OK, they were beaten by 14 by Deflators, in a result that saw them trail Deflators for the rest of the season but also had wins over Severnside Cardinals (twice), M. Divers, Wild Thangs, Basterds and The SQUALES of Beach. All good teams, some promotion favourites. LM Pirates were supposed to be yet another respectable win for them but unremarkable. Yet at home they lost 20-8. If Deflators had won, it may have been seen as catastrophic, as it is, it simply put a question mark over whether they truly have the class to be considered by observers as a legitimate promotion contenders or whether they'll simply be making up the numbers in the playoffs. They'll need victories over The Patriots and Deflators to really fill their fans with confidence.

Totoras Patriots 17 Inbhir Narann 25


Dayton Tornados @ Toledo Tigers

Toledo Tigers will take a step towards the NC East title with this game. With just one more game that is expected to be competitive and this the first of two remaining games against bot teams which will boost their PD. The division is now theirs for the taking and this sort of game will help immensely.

Dayton Tornados Toledo Tigers w/o


Ramsey Raiders @ Amersfoort Alligators

Ramsey Raiders will need to win again soon to avoid a relegation game. PGI Andorre Solutions is so far the only non-bot opponent they have managed to beat and their is no evidence I can see to indicate that a team like the Alligators will be in any danger.
The Alligators lead NC North by two wins and should keep that distance, at least, with this game. They still have losable games but should still find themselves on top of the division come the end of the season. Yet their only victory of possible note was the win over the Patriots and they still need to find a way of beating the better teams come the playoffs.

Ramsey Raiders 0 Amersfoort Alligators 26


Deflators @ Parma Horses

Deflators (let me be the 56th person to make the joke) must be feeling deflated following their defeat to the Divers. They had an awful time trying to move the ball in that game yet still only lost by 13. They now have a couple of weeks rest where they'll be hoping Inbhir Narann slip up otherwise it will be a colossal fight for the AC West.

Deflators w/o Parma Horses


Die Verdammten @ Chesterton Cheese

Die Verdammten seem, on the surface of it, to have five very winnable games left, but chasing Toledo Tigers, even a 100% win rate may not win them the NC East. They will make the playoff regardless, but will feel frustrated if they finish 13-3 but with no division title. Their three losses have all happened against good sides and only one was really one-sided. How well they'll do as a wildcard may be summed up in their last three games (all victories): 30-10 against Toledo Tigers, 51-0 against Flow Gaming and 50-3 against Xu Da. None of them likely to get promoted but all possible wildcard teams.
Chesterton Cheese are still looking to avoid relegation. The Dayton Tornados are their only like win and they'll be mainly concentrating on PD for the rest of the games.
Die Verdammten (The Damned - if you didn't know) will rack up another win and get the 60 PD. No problems for them at all, Chesterton Cheese won't be worrying about this game at all.

Die Verdammten 89 Chesterton Cheese 0


UNTOUCHABLES @ Bison City Nightcrew

UNTOUCHABLES are struggling to find a game that will give them a fourth win and that could see them avoiding playing a relegation game. Although they will be underdogs in the rest of their games they may be able to gain that one win. They've yet to beat a respectable level team but they aren't getting taken apart by the more average teams.
Bison City may not be able now to catch the Alligators but they have very winnable games left could finish 11-5 in all probability. A wildcard spot could be a potential reward, though probably not as competition for the last wildcard spot will be high.
This is one of those games where UNTOUCHABLES could be good enough to threaten but ultimately The Nightcrew should be able to hold-out for the win.

UNTOUCHABLES 17 Bison City Nightcrew 24


Wild Thangs @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Wild Thangs have just com off a 7 point loss to Hucknall Broncos - the second best result for any team playing Hucknall all season but it was still a loss. Add to that a surprise victory for LM Pirates over Inbhir Narann and it hasn't been a great week for The Wild. The race for AC East may well go down to the last game.
Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for the return of their manager and time is running out. Last game they managed a 23 point victory over Chesterton Cheese and still have a couple of bot opponents, so if their manager does return they will avoid the relegation games.
Either way though this has a Wild Thangs victory written all over it, it shouldn't even be close.

Wild Thangs 34 Pittsburgh Steelers 6


Jac Team @ Flow Gaming

Jac Team look doomed to play a relegation game as there appears to be no more wins left in their locker in the regular season.
Flow Gaming will be happy with an easier game this week. They are in pole position in AC South, but only have a one game lead over Ville Vikings and Xu Da. They still have to face both teams for a second game and will be revelling in the easier games, hoping to create a little daylight before their vital last two games.

Jac Team 10 Flow Gaming 36


SimKonville Fraggles @ LM Pirates

LM Pirates are another team looking forward to a restful week, having come off the back of an impressive win over Inbhir Narann. They are currently in a tussle with Wild Thangs for the AC East. This division could well go down to the last game where the two will meet again.

SimKonville Fraggles LM Pirates w/o


Severnside Cardinals @ PGI Andorre Solutions

Severnside Cardinals are finally free of relegation worries and are desperately trying to keep their mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs alive. This is an easy win for them but it's only a matter of time before their season winds down to the more meaningless games, with only pride to play for.
PGI Andorre Solutions look dead and buried. They last possible chance for a win saw a 20-0 defeat and their seems no possible way for this likeable but ill-fated team to remain in the league. Draft picks, training, transfers and experience will hopefully see them in better circumstances when they return in a season and a bit.

Severnside Cardinals 35 PGI Andorre Solutions 0


Steelers @ Shropshire Swifts

Steelers are having a lacklustre season and will be looking for a better, more competitive season next year. A 7 point victory over wolfings seems to be their best result so far, which is hardly inspiring. They'll be looking for significant improvement next season and they have a few harder games left this season. A win in one of those could just be a catalyst for improvements in the new season.
Shropshire Swifts, like PGI need a win to avoid automatic relegation. Unlike PGI, The Swifts have a chance of an all important victory which could leave them a relegation game. This is for Shropshire Swifts a must win game. They will use everything in their power to win this game.
Steelers will be seen as many as favourites but for me Shropshire Swifts will be at their best for this encounter. In this fixture at Steelers, Steelers won 24-17. This time it's Shropshire turn.

Steelers 14 Shropshire Swifts 19


Texas Tech @ Ville Vikings

Ville Vikings have the luxury of two easier games. They need to beat their title rivals to win the league but these two games will keep them in contention in the mean time. This is an oasis in a very tricky and unpredictable run-in for Ville.

Texas Tech Ville Vikings w/o

We'll be happy if we can keep it close.

Me too

Haha look at both teams fighting for the underdog position. And thomastem is STILL trying to do it even though he's been to Elite and beaten every good team bar one slip up. I don't think you're fooling jetto

Well, will anybody not be nice and use MOTY?

Look at the real life Raiders, they are definitely not nice on the pitch but are winning games. A lesson is to be learned here jetto...find it!

I think I'll take some beers today after work (much needed) and decide when I'm drunk. If it doesn't work out as planned I can blame somebody else

I set up my tactics for my game against Totoras Patriots after consuming a few beers and I won so I totally recommend this tactic!

I don't drink, I can still beat bot teams though

I don't like my chances