Awesome read! I liked very much the analysis made. I hope some day I can be cited on Blowing Smoke.

nice article fellas reminds me of blood bowl commentary when i used to play keep up the good work

blood bowl you say? board game or computer game?

got both noodles...got board game and half painted team but not many opponents around where i live nearest game workshop is fair distance away.

had blood bowl dark elf edition,legendary and now blood bowl 2...yes i have new version but my pc is too old too run it,apparently my pc guy says upgrading isnt an option as this rig is too naff.

do you play then buddy??

yes mate, i have the old PC version but played the board game version since i was about 12 or 13, im 42 now. i dont get to play it much though.

You're 15-0 with one of the most amazing points differences i've ever seen, you will definitley get mentioned at some point good work by the way

Thanks for the support but France 2018 faces a bot team, so the points difference might be slimmer that it seems...

Enjoyed blowing smoke as always

Because of the 60 point cut off they can't beat your points difference, just make sure you win, pressure's on now

Another episode already! That's right folks, it's saturate the market time
We're well into the business end of the season now, Seahawks made it to the Playoffs but took one heck of a beating from the Armadillos, and what about British Blu?! Stunning wildcard victory there! What do you make of the battles so far Noodle?

Noodle: Hello again Jonny and welcome back to the readers.

Yes, it seems we were both tricked by the Seahawks as they made it to the play offs, but then fatigue seemed to catch up with them. They will be in and around the playoffs next season again I'm sure.

British Blu did well, against a veteran of RZA in Steamrollers who have been in Elite for no less than 11 seasons in total. The Blu kicker making the difference in this one, proving not to skimp on the quality you have on special teams!

In the 2nd of our wildcard matches we have Erudite Linstock at Virginia Bigfoots. They started their RZA careers only 2 seasons apart but Linstock seem to have been quite a bit more successful and rank higher in the leagues rankings and this was reflected in the final score.

No playoff is easy, but this was a comfortable win for Linstock who also won the sack battle 6-1 with one even leading to a safety.

What did you make of this one Jonny?

Jonny: I think the Bigfoots' QB's would've gone into that one knowing they were in for a hard time. Linstock have been a consistent sack machine for a while now, if they're not leading the D1 in sacks then they're in the Elite registering top 5 sack numbers!
I actually think Virginia did fairly well in this one though, considering the difference in team strengths, definitely could've been worse!

Werewolves v BSoD had to be the game of the round, the lead changed four times ending in a game winning TD with less than two minutes left! How do you see Werewolves fairing in the next round? Could be a fun game that one

Noodle: Wow four times. that was a game of two giants of Dragons. It was always going to be a close game and the result could easily have been reversed.

Yes, I don't know much about Werewolves opponents for the divisional round. Seriously though, I have huge respect for Werewolves, friendly rivals all the way through my time in RZA, and whoever does win will be deserved winners in my opinion. I will let you give some analysis on this one if you wish Jonny.

Jonny: You guys have had some good games, all-time series looks like it's 5-3 in Werewolves favour, but your Lions have won the last two with the most recent one, last season, not even close at 49-20.
I think this game will be won or lost through the air, 'Wolves QB's have had a great season, put up a lot of yards and protected the ball fairly well, but I think the Lions D will come out on top, they'll have opportunities for turnovers and the 'Wolves O might not be 100% fresh after a tough SC round.

Noodle: In the other AC divisional play offs we have British Blu at Panthers. Panthers are always a tough opponent and although British Blu are on the rise, they may want to keep a check on their player wage bill, I think the Panthers will be too much for Blu with their special style in offence. I will watch this one closely though as I am hoping to be playing the winner in the AC conference championship!

Jonny: You've played both those teams this season, and both games were settled by three points, either re-match would definitely be exciting

I'm looking forward to the Linstock v Muscles match, both are from my old stompin' ground, The NC North, and 1-1 head to head this season. Brasilia won the division but something tells me The Erudite Sack Factory wins this one.

What about the Torpedos/Armadillos game? You see a champ coming from this one?

Noodle: Jonny, the Linstock v Muscles is the game of the divisional round for sure. both are power houses. The Sack Factory is an awesome name for their D.

This one is almost too close to call but as it's a playoff we need a winner, and I've never been one to shy away from giving an opinion. If the Muscles can get their run game going then it's game on as they have a stronger record running than Linstock and their passing TD's are very similar. In the event that Muscles can do that then it may come down to the defence and sorry but the Sack Factory are simply going to wail on the Muscles O line in my opinion. A close match if the Muscles run game gets them some points but a slim win by Linstock I think.

Torpedos v Armadillos? No, I don't think I see any champions in this one I'm afraid. Even though the Torpedos have been in the playoffs a lot, I don't see them converting it and reaching what I like to call “The Dragon Bowl” this season. The only league match (which was post season) they have had, the Armadillos have come out on top, but I think the Torpedos will get the win this time. Whoever wins will fall at the next hurdle as they will be playing the winner of the battle of the titans in this seasons’ divisional round.

Do you have any early predictions for the Bowl game yet? I am thinking it will be Panthers vs Linstock this season. Let’s see how it pans out though.

Jonny: Bowl predictions already! Ok, it's always fun looking back on how wrong I was
Linkstock does look like a strong contender, you're right that if the Muscles can get their run game going they have a chance, but they rely a lot on their passing and it's difficult to see them executing a run heavy (or at least heavier) playbook all of a sudden.

I really like the Torpedos' game, "run the ball, stop the run" is, in theory, the foundation of winning, they need more production from both their pass O and D though, they're close, but yeah, probably not this season.

So i'll agree on Linstock for the NC, I want to pick someone else, for fun, but I just can't see one of the other three beating them!
As for the AC I'll pick a Panthers Lions Championship game (now wait for Werewolves v Blu ), and my winner from that comes down to the idea that, more often than not, one of the teams going up to Elite has not been there before, Erudite have, Panthers have... So i'm predicting Lions v Bobbers twice in season 36
How badly have I put you on the spot there?

Noodle: A wild prediction there! On the spot? Nah. But these lions you mention, I think they have a great D, but a few of them are ageing, so it’s this season or never for some of them and much like my beloved Seattle Seahawks and their Legion of Boom, it won’t be the same for 1 or 2 seasons after some of those defensive stars retire, or move on to pastures new. Some playmakers on offence but they are another team that are not quite ready to get to the bowl this season. I'm sticking with Panthers v Linstock for the Bowl.

Jonny: Fair enough, never wise to be too confident
I think that brings us pretty much to the end of this episode, we've even given our Bowl predictions, so week off if we're right... See y'all next week!
I'll leave Noodle now to prepare for them Werewolves, are you ready to rock Noodle? Do you have a super-secret-would-never-reveal-on-an-open-forum-and-would-answer-no-defintiely-not-to-this-question game plan?

Noodle: I have my plan for the Werewolves, but their boss probably knows what it is as they have a great group of scouts!

Thanks for reading all. We hope you enjoyed this playoff edition of Blowing Smoke and see you soon!